Long: 'There’s a history and tradition of Waterford football that we’ve got to tap into'

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