There was a lot of joy and happiness last week when the Airtricity League Supporters Contribution Award was presented to Patrick Lynn on behalf of the Waterford fans in Ballsbridge, Dublin.
This award is a fantastic recognition of all the Blues’ supporters. It’s an acknowledgement of several areas – support at home and away, atmosphere, behaviour, fundraising, voluntary work and suitability for families.
Incredible numbers travelled to away games and the atmosphere and behaviour of the fans has been commended wherever they’ve gone.
There are more and more families travelling on the supporters buses now and the feedback from them is unbelievably positive. Now that the club is on a more secure financial footing, fans have been able to put ideas into action.A junior Blues club was set up so young fans get to meet the players regularly, sometimes play football with them, get birthday treats and feature in the match programme.
The players and Alan Reynolds have been incredibly helpful with that and it’s one of the most positive developments at the club. There’s a great relationship between fans and the board and both are firmly focused on building the club up for the future too.
The Blues Supporters Club made a huge commitment this year by undertaking to pay all the travel expenses of the three Academy teams (under 15s, 17s and 19s). The support and goodwill from fans for that fundraising has been amazing because it helps talented young local players. Even last week they pulled out all the stops for Block E boy Scott Troy. Scott ran the Solas Run in memory of his mam and raised over €1,400, which was truly remarkable.The radio station Beat 102-103 featured Blues Supporters on ‘Feel Good Friday’.
Stalwart members Ray Malone and Shane Murphy lined up Blues players, Dean O’Halloran, Darryl Walsh and Jack Larkin along with the Waterford FC General Manger Jack Power for a five-a-side match in the Kingfisher Complex and they also secured corporate tickets for Anfield for an upcoming Liverpool game against Crystal Palace. Scott is an avid Liverpool supporter also, so it was a day to remember for the 14 years old football nut.
The positive reputation of the fans has helped the club secure great backing from local businesses too.
Best of all, the fans will be heading out to somewhere in Europe in big numbers next season. It’s phenomenal to see the support all around for the club. The club has come on in leaps and bounds and this award just adds to the momentum behind Waterford FC. The season’s only just ended and people can’t wait for next February already. The Blues are back in a big way!