Waterford FC looks set to change hands once more

Fleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley has agreed in principle to buy Waterford FC, with the deal set to be confirmed in the next couple of days.

The Irish Examiner reported on Monday that the 52-year-old entrepreneur has agreed to take ownership of the First Division club from Richard Forrest and that his acquisition could be confirmed via press conference by tomorrow. The Fleetwood owner and chairman was in attendance at Waterford’s game last Friday against Galway at the RSC, as well as last night’s clash with Cork at Turners Cross.

Forrest’s ownership has lasted just over a year, and if Pilley brokers a deal it will be the Blues’ third owner in three years.

Richard Forrest has not managed to improve relations with the fanbase in his time at the club. The sour ending to last season was the beginning of a disastrous relationship that both sides would be happy to see end in the coming days potentially.

Forrest acquired the club from Lee Power in June of 2021 but caused major controversy when the Blues were about to go into the relegation playoff after finishing 9th in the Premier Division, and Forrest sacked manager Mark Bircham just days before one of the most important fixtures in the club’s history.

Bircham claimed afterward that his untimely sacking was due to him not guaranteeing the selection of the Owner’s son. Bircham was dismissed after tweeting that he had been suspended in a text message exchange with the owner.

The Blues picked up four points in 4 days last weekend against the two sides above them with their potential new owner watching on, and are within touching distance of securing a playoff spot. They are certainly not ruled out of automatic promotion yet but if things stay as they are, the potential of promotion via the playoffs will be a major possibility for the southeastern side.