Football Season Guide

Given the restructuring of the top flight, only one side was promoted from Division One to the top flight this winter, and Waterford are the side in question, having won the league by a margin of eight points. Promotion was a consequence of what was an excellent reason for the Blues, who were taken over by former Swindon chairman Lee Power at the beginning of 2017, with the businessman solving their financial problems and deciding to give Alan Reynolds his first bit of managerial experience. He was rewarded for his faith in the rookie manager, who will now have a chance to gain top flight experience as a manager after spending years as a player in the top tier. Waterford's financial power was there for all to see during the winter, as the Blues had no problems attracting proven Premier League players. Bastien Hery, Ismahil Akinade, David Webster, Gavan Holohan and Rory Feely were all regulars for their former sides last season, while the likes of Niall Corbet, John Kavanagh and Stanley Aborah are all also expected to see significant playing time. At the same time, no truly important players have left the club and it has been made abundantly clear that money will be available to spend on further signings, should Reynolds feel that the side is in need of strengthening.