Club and FAI happy with Lee Power’s Waterford takeover

Waterford United and the FAI have welcomed the formal takeover of the club by former Ireland international and Swindon Town owner/chairman Lee Power.

Outgoing Blues chairman John O’Sullivan said: “I am delighted to support Lee as the new owner of the club and I look forward to the success that is sure to come. I would like to thank all the committee members over the years who have helped to keep things going during a tough time for the region.”

Power, whose grandfather hails from Waterford, said: “I am delighted to be involved with a club of such great potential and one which has a wonderful footballing history. I hope the fans and the business community will get behind what is a new beginning for Waterford. I see this as an exciting, long-term project.”

FAI CEO John Delaney, whose family has strong historic links to the club and who has been thanked by Power for his assistance in the takeover process, welcomed yesterday’s official announcement, saying: “Waterford United is a great club, it has outstanding facilities and it is in the heart of a football stronghold. I’m delighted a great football man in Lee Power is coming in to bring the club back to a highly competitive level and replicate past glories.”

Meanwhile, in other off the pitch League of Ireland news, Dundalk have issued a statement in which they confirm progress has been made with “resolving all of the club’s long-standing issues relating to the lease of Oriel Park”. However, they add they need to “proceed with care at this time” and won’t be issuing a full statement until the process is complete.