History: A little about ourselves...
The Early Years...
Waterford Crystal Football Club was founded in 1971 as an offshoot of the glass manufacturing plant in the city. While no official link existed between the football club and company, the latter provided playing facilities for the club at the newly formed Waterford Crystal Sports Complex in Ballinaneesagh. The inaugurating members at the club's first meeting included Tom Hogan (Chairman), Pat Kelly (Secretary) And Patrick 'Dando' Kelly (Treasurer). Other committee members included Morris Flynn, Dick Phelan and Bobby O'Keeffe.
At the outset the club went under the name Waterford Glass (this would change following re-branding of the company) and competed in the Third Division of the Waterford Junior League. Within four years we had been crowded champions on the Third Division.
At the start of the 1977-1978 season the club appeared for the first time in the expanded Waterford Premier League. Success at youth level, and for Second and Third Division sides followed throughout the 1980s including a TSB Cup. Schoolboy football also commenced in the 1980s and in 1989 the club won it's first Schoolboy League title, winning the Under 11B League under the management of Liam O'Rourke and Michael Butler.
At the outset the club went under the name Waterford Glass (this would change following re-branding of the company) and competed in the Third Division of the Waterford Junior League. Within four years we had been crowded champions on the Third Division.
At the start of the 1977-1978 season the club appeared for the first time in the expanded Waterford Premier League. Success at youth level, and for Second and Third Division sides followed throughout the 1980s including a TSB Cup. Schoolboy football also commenced in the 1980s and in 1989 the club won it's first Schoolboy League title, winning the Under 11B League under the management of Liam O'Rourke and Michael Butler.
The Nineties...
The 1990-1991 season proved to be a momentous one for all involved with the club as we were crowned Premier League Champions for the first time, just two decades after formation. A 3-1 win in Ferrybank on the final day was enough to see the trophy arrive at the Complex for the first time, thanks to goals from Brian Foley, Kevin Halloran and Clyde Casey.
Two years later (1992-1993 season) the club enjoyed one of its most successful seasons ever. The Premier Team won the Ardagh (Premier) Cup for the first time, while two Second Division leagues were secured. The Premier League title returned for a second time at the end of the 1993-1994 season under the management of Johnny Matthews, with the team undefeated during the entire league campaign. A historical double was then completed following victory in the TSB Cup. The League title was successfully defended the following season, resulting in three league crowns in five years, this time under the stewardship of another Waterford soccer hero, Alfie Hale,
A sunny evening during May 1996 in Ozier Park was the scene of one of the greatest nights in the history of the club as we appeared in our first Munster Senior Cup Final. Despite facing a Cork City side captained by Dave Hill and boasting a host a League of Ireland players, a 24th minute goal by Davy 'Squealer' Walsh was enough to win the game. The club today is just one of three junior teams to win the competition.
A third league title in four years, and fourth in all, arrived in May 1997 under the management of Paddy Allen. The following season, Eamon Coady took charge of the Premier Team and led the club to the first of three FAI Junior Cup Final appearances to date. Success would not follow as we came up against an excellent Fairview Rangers side who won the game 2-0. A second Ardagh Cup did provide some consultation, courtesy of a Trevor Dempsey goal. This was the first of three Ardagh Cups in as many years with success again in 1999 and 2000.
Two years later (1992-1993 season) the club enjoyed one of its most successful seasons ever. The Premier Team won the Ardagh (Premier) Cup for the first time, while two Second Division leagues were secured. The Premier League title returned for a second time at the end of the 1993-1994 season under the management of Johnny Matthews, with the team undefeated during the entire league campaign. A historical double was then completed following victory in the TSB Cup. The League title was successfully defended the following season, resulting in three league crowns in five years, this time under the stewardship of another Waterford soccer hero, Alfie Hale,
A sunny evening during May 1996 in Ozier Park was the scene of one of the greatest nights in the history of the club as we appeared in our first Munster Senior Cup Final. Despite facing a Cork City side captained by Dave Hill and boasting a host a League of Ireland players, a 24th minute goal by Davy 'Squealer' Walsh was enough to win the game. The club today is just one of three junior teams to win the competition.
A third league title in four years, and fourth in all, arrived in May 1997 under the management of Paddy Allen. The following season, Eamon Coady took charge of the Premier Team and led the club to the first of three FAI Junior Cup Final appearances to date. Success would not follow as we came up against an excellent Fairview Rangers side who won the game 2-0. A second Ardagh Cup did provide some consultation, courtesy of a Trevor Dempsey goal. This was the first of three Ardagh Cups in as many years with success again in 1999 and 2000.
The Noughties...
Two Ardagh Cups in 2000 and 2001 brought a great start to the new millennium. The cup had found a home at the Complex having been won for four straight seasons (1998 - 2001). In 2003, we almost won our fifth league title, finishing runners up, under the management of former player Gary Coad. The 2004-2005 season saw another former player, Brendan Rae, take the reins. Just like in 1998, we reach the FAI Junior Cup Final, however the outcome in the final was the same. Another 2-0 defeat, this time at the hands of Westport United in Buckley Park, Kilkenny.
Not to be denied, we reached our third FAI Junior Cup Final in 2006 under the management to Niall Hogan and Davy Walsh. This time we would not be the bridesmaids. An goal five minutes from the end of extra time by Jason Halloran saw the cup head back to Waterford for just the fourth time in its near one hundred year history. The following week our Under 16 team defeated Belvedere of Dublin in the AUL on penalties to win the Barry Cup. Mitchell Casey had the remarkable honour of playing in both games.
This decade also saw our first appearance in the FAI Senior Cup. In 2005 we defeated Bonagee United from Donegal 2-0 in the first round of the competition. Round Two saw us drawn away to FAI Cup holders Longford Town. That tie was stage in Flancare Park and saw the home side run out five nil winners. In 2006 we again progressed to Round Two, this time defeating Leinster Senior League side Garda FC 4-1 in Waterford. The second round again saw us face one of the big boys as we travelled to Dalymount Park to take on Bohemians. Having taken the lead in the first half thanks to a Joe Watson goal, the home side rallied and eventually ran out 3 - 1 winners.
A fifth League title was secured in the 2007-2008 season. The final points won against Bohs at the Complex on a scoreline of two goals to one. Joey Watson scoring twice for us.
Not to be denied, we reached our third FAI Junior Cup Final in 2006 under the management to Niall Hogan and Davy Walsh. This time we would not be the bridesmaids. An goal five minutes from the end of extra time by Jason Halloran saw the cup head back to Waterford for just the fourth time in its near one hundred year history. The following week our Under 16 team defeated Belvedere of Dublin in the AUL on penalties to win the Barry Cup. Mitchell Casey had the remarkable honour of playing in both games.
This decade also saw our first appearance in the FAI Senior Cup. In 2005 we defeated Bonagee United from Donegal 2-0 in the first round of the competition. Round Two saw us drawn away to FAI Cup holders Longford Town. That tie was stage in Flancare Park and saw the home side run out five nil winners. In 2006 we again progressed to Round Two, this time defeating Leinster Senior League side Garda FC 4-1 in Waterford. The second round again saw us face one of the big boys as we travelled to Dalymount Park to take on Bohemians. Having taken the lead in the first half thanks to a Joe Watson goal, the home side rallied and eventually ran out 3 - 1 winners.
A fifth League title was secured in the 2007-2008 season. The final points won against Bohs at the Complex on a scoreline of two goals to one. Joey Watson scoring twice for us.
A New Era...
The closure of the Waterford Crystal manufacturing facility at Kilbarry in January 2009 led to uncertain times for the club. We were forced to leave our home of more than forty years and moved to the Waterford Regional Sports Centre (RSC) for the 2013-2014 season. Success has followed with league and cup titles won by the Forth Division team under the guidance of Mick Cummins.
In May 2018 we lifted the Ardagh Cup for a 6th time, bridging a gap of seventeen years. Victory was secured in Ozier Park following a penalty shootout win over Carrick United. In August 2018 we were on the move again, and left the RSC to move to the nearby Crystal Bowl (formerly Bolton AFC). In December 2018 the venue was formally opened by the CEO of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney.
Davy "Squealler" Walsh is currently in charge of our Premier Team and joins a list of former Waterford United managers such as Alfie Hale, Johnny Mathews, Seamie Coad, Brendan Rae and Paul O'Brien in managing our first team. Our Premier Team won back to back Ardagh Cups in 2018 and 2019, bringing our total number of Ardagh Cups to seven!
In May 2018 we lifted the Ardagh Cup for a 6th time, bridging a gap of seventeen years. Victory was secured in Ozier Park following a penalty shootout win over Carrick United. In August 2018 we were on the move again, and left the RSC to move to the nearby Crystal Bowl (formerly Bolton AFC). In December 2018 the venue was formally opened by the CEO of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney.
Davy "Squealler" Walsh is currently in charge of our Premier Team and joins a list of former Waterford United managers such as Alfie Hale, Johnny Mathews, Seamie Coad, Brendan Rae and Paul O'Brien in managing our first team. Our Premier Team won back to back Ardagh Cups in 2018 and 2019, bringing our total number of Ardagh Cups to seven!