Swindon Town chairman Lee Power assumes control of Waterford United

A statement posted on Waterford United's Facebook account began: "Waterford United FC wishes to announce that Lee Power has assumed control of the football club.

 

"Former professional footballer Power is the current owner and Chairman of Swindon Town FC, and he has represented Ireland at youth, U21 and B level. He takes over from former Chairman John O’Sullivan.

 

Mr O’Sullivan said: "I am delighted to support Lee as the new owner of the club and I look forward to the success that is sure to come. I would like to thank all the committee members over the years who have helped to keep things going during a tough time for the region."

 

Power, whose grandfather hails from Waterford, said today: "I am delighted to be involved with a club of such great potential and one which has a wonderful footballing history.

 

"I hope the supporters and the business community will get behind what is a new beginning for Waterford United. I see this as a very exciting, long-term project.

 

"The facilities at the RSC, as well as those at the WIT Sports Arena are top class. I wish to thank FAI Chief Executive John Delaney for all his assistance over recent months, and I look forward to the coming season with great anticipation. I would also like to pay tribute to outgoing Chairman, John O’Sullivan and I would like to thank him for his assistance with the change of ownership.”

 

There has been no indication yet that Power's involvement with Waterford United will have any impact on how he runs Swindon Town.

 

Power represented the Republic of Ireland U21s as a player and has previously been chairman of Cambridge United for a brief 18-month period and he also has had experience of being on the board of Luton Town and Rushden and Diamonds. The latter dissolved 18 months after Power joined.

The ex-Norwich City striker has been part of the Swindon fold since April of 2013 when he came in as a director and part-owner of the Robins.

In early December of the same year Power was confirmed as the sole owner of the Wiltshire club and this remained the case a year later after former chairman Jed McCrory tried and failed to win a court case to regain control of Swindon Town.

During his time as chairman, Power has built his club on the model that it is "sustainable" after the club was in danger of liquidation in early 2013 when millionaire Andrew Black withdrew his funding.

This has seen a large amount of players arrive at the club on loan, many from Tottenham Hotspur who Power has close ties with - especially when close friend Tim Sherwood was in charge at White Hart Lane.

Power's first full season as owner saw Swindon reach the League One play-off final, which they lost 4-0 to Preston North End, but last season was not so succesful as the club narrowly avoided leaving the division via the wrong route - relegation.

Swindon currently find themselves just outside of the bottom four which, along with what many fans consider poor management by Power, has seen attendances of just over 6,000 at a County Ground that can house almost 15,000 and previously got gates of around 8,500.

When asked for comment from Total Sport, a Swindon Town Football Club spokesperson did not refuse to comment, however they did outline that 'Waterford United are a completely separate organisation to Swindon Town and Lee Power's role at Waterford does not and will not affect how he will run Swindon Town Football Club'.