Long: 'There’s a history and tradition of Waterford football that we’ve got to tap into'
PRIMED TO SHINE: Waterford manager Keith Long and Ryan Burke at the launch of the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland season.
Damien Duff’s frustrations could be the reason for tonight’s season opener at the RSC not being the Irish multi-club derby it was initially billed as.
Friction between the Ireland centurion and Shelbourne’s new ownership towards the end of last season led to another glamour name, the Turkish Simon Cowell in Acun Ilicali, ceasing control just five months in.
Hull City no longer have a sister club but Shels will be facing a Waterford side part of a group owned by jailed businessman Andy Pilley. The jewel in his crown is Fleetwood Town, the local club his investment helped lift nine tiers to England’s League One.
Multi-club ownership is a growing hot topic, especially with Manchester City and more recently Chelsea mopping up feeder clubs in different countries, but Waterford are content to be immersed in the phenomenon.
Their ownership has moved between the hands of Lee Power, Richard Forrest and Pilley over the past six years and the instability has been replicated on the pitch.
Last October’s playoff final was their third on the spin but beating Cork City was their first win and opportunity to revisit the top-flight since 2021.
Fleetwood’s support, both in terms of financial and brainpower, has been instrumental.
Pilley’s eight-year sentence meted out last summer led to his son Jamie assuming a bigger role in club activities and they’ve reaped the rewards — albeit they lost top scorer Ronan Coughlan to the Cod Army in this window.
“It’s been a real eye opener,” noted Long, whose previous role at Bohemians took him to a Europa Conference League third round tie against Greek giants PAOK.
“I’ve enjoyed working in a multi-club scenario; it’s completely different to working for a members club as I did for eight years at Bohemians.
“It sheds a different light on certain things. Maybe certain things can be done differently that allow you to get answers that bit more swiftly but ultimately that’s not a hindrance to performance.
“These people know the football inside out and are hugely invested in Waterford. I’ve benefited from their assistance. I hope it continues to flourish.”
Within 24 hours of clinching promotion on that bank holiday weekend, Long was at Fleetwood’s Highbury, yes Highbury, home ground preparing for the challenge of what 2024 brings.
Budgets haven’t been an obstacle, as theirs compares favourably with the bulk of Premier Division wage bills, yet remodelling his team for the rigours of tackling the likes of Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic, has diversified his shopping.
Australian defender Joseph Forde has landed from Perth Glory and Polish winger Kacper Skwiercynzski earned a contract on account of his displays during a pre-season tour of England that included a win over Manchester United’s U21s. Ivorian striker Cyrus Dehmie has been in training at SETU but is awaiting visa clearance for Friday’s encounter.
Robbie McCourt, Darragh Leahy and his midweek capture Grant Horton were familiar to Long from his dealings with them at Bohemians while the resigning of Northen Ireland U21 international Barry Baggley after his spell at Fleetwood was one they earmarked from the outset.
Towering above all his recruits, however, is Padraig Amond. Among a handful of veteran strikers in the Premier, the 35-year-old still has the nerve and nous to deliver goals.
Long insists each and every one will be needed for a season of survival to preoccupy the Blues attending a packed RSC tonight.
“What way would you like me to look at it? It has to be that way,” he said about their predictions.
“I’m not being negative. I’d like a team that’s competitive.
“We’re everyone’s favourites to go back down. That’s an incentive for us to be the underdog.
“Will there be leagues within a league — be it top four and maybe outside of you’ll have some teams in and around each other.
“We’ve some half decent players — a lot of lads who have the experience of winning in the league — and my job is to provide a stable football club in this division.
“There’s a history and tradition of Waterford football that we’ve got to tap into - to bring our supporters on this journey.
“Hopefully this time next year we’re in this position and we’ve had a successful season.”
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