Everyone at the club would like to wish all of our true Blue fans, all our friends who’ve contributed so much to the season just gone, and every fan of League of Ireland football around the country and overseas, a happy, peaceful and very merry Christmas, and all the very, very best for the New Year!

Waterford United today are thrilled to announce the signing of goalkeeper Chris Konopka from Sporting Fingal.

The New Jersey native, who played for Kansas City Wizards in the US Major League in 2007, as well as for the US U-23 National team, spent the 2008 season with Bohemians, finishing with an A-Championship runners up medal, and being on the fringes of the senior side that won the league and Cup double that year.

Signing for Fingal on a short term contract this summer, Chris helped the Ravens to lift the FAI Cup, playing a key role in the semi-final victory over Bray Wanderers, and to gain promotion to the Premier Division via the play-offs.

The highly-rated 24-year-old will be basing himself in the Waterford area for the 2010 season.

The Blues are also delighted to announce that midfielders Paul McCarthy and Kevin Waters have both put pen to paper for another season at the club. Paul has recovered from a major groin operation, that kept him out for much of last season, with no apparent ill effects, and has been training for the past several weeks. Kevin further cements his place as the Blues’ longest serving current player – bar one campaign at Limerick in 2007, this season will be his 11th in a Blue shirt.

The new Waterford United glassware is now available at John Ryan’s shop on Patrick Street, just in time for Christmas.

The rather fetching pint glass, and very bling-bling pint tankard, both with tastefully etched Waterford United crests, are on sale as of now, and at just €15 apiece, either, or both, would make an ideal Christmas present for the Blues fan who has everything!

The official club shop will be open at John Ryan’s this Saturday, December 19th, from 9.30 to 5.00pm, for all your Blues related Christmas requirements, for the final time before the big day.

The season ticket prices for the 2010 campaign have been announced by the club, and they have been reduced from last year’s levels.

The price of the adult season ticket for next year will be €190, down €10 from last time.

The concessionary ticket is on sale at €120, and the child ticket at €60. Family ticket packages are available on request, and there is also an easy payment system in place, where the cost can be spread over installments - to suit any pocket - between now and the first match of the new season next March.

Vouchers for the tickets are now available from John Ryan’s shop on Patrick Street, and from the club office at the RSC (office@waterford-united.ie or 051-392034) where you can also direct all your enquiries, or request an application form to be posted out to you.

The 2010 season ticket will make the ideal gift for any Waterford United fan this Christmas, so why not pick one up now for the True Blue in your life!

For the run-up to Christmas, the official Waterford United club shop is moving into the city centre, where it will be hosted by John Ryan’s on Patrick Street.

The shop will open from 9.30 to 5.00pm on both Saturdays, 12th and 19th, when you will be able to pick up all your Blues related Christmas needs from the large selection of gear available.

Vouchers for 2010 season tickets are also now on sale at John Ryan’s, full details on that appear here.

bsc_appform

Right click and ’save as’ to download the pdf form. And then just return it (with fee!) to the club office at the RSC.

If you cannot view a pdf (with adobe acrobat for example), a rougher quality version is below.

At the Blues Supporters Club event at the 3 store in Blackfriars tonight, Andrew Power was presented with the 2009 Under-20 Player of the Year award.

Jointly chosen by the team management and a fans vote, Andrew was selected from a shortlist of three players, that also included striker Gary Keane and goalkeeper Kevin Burns.

It is a hugely deserved award, for a player who, whether in midfield or up front, has been outstanding for his side throughout the season, in particular in the 4-1 demolition of Cork City, where he netted twice. Assistant manager Alan Barry also paid tribute to his dedication off the field and in training all year.

Andrew in action against Wexford Youths

The first event run by the newly formed Blues Supporters Club took place at the 3 store, Blackfriars in the city tonight, and it was a great success all round.

Firstly, BSC chairman Owen Tubbritt took to the rostrum to give a little background to the changeover from the IBSC to the new entity, and to get proceedings underway.

As Waterford United’s main sponsors, 3 then announced their new affinity deal for Blues supporters. 3 store manager Marianne explained how those signing up for 12 months will get 25% off their monthly rental, plus further free add-ons depending on the tariff selected, and also, of course, that coveted limited edition polo shirt!

Under 20 assistant manager Alan Barry gave a brief speech on the season just gone (manager Paul O’Brien is this week doing his UEFA ‘A’ licence in Dublin), before awarding the Player of the Year award deservedly to Andrew Power.

Blues Chairman John O’Sullivan was next up, with a few rousing words about the direction the club is to take into the coming seasons, and then it was Stephen Henderson’s turn to give his thoughts on the year just gone, and that yet to come. The floor was then opened up to questions, which the gaffer answered with his customary frankness, and no little optimism for the campaign ahead. Those in attendance must be quite pleased with his intention to retain as much of last year’s team as possible, strengthen with 3 or 4 new signings, and have a right go at all comers next year, whether it be Shels, Bray, Derry, Cork or whoever!

The BSC were very quick off the mark getting membership forms for 2010 distributed amongst the attending fans, and more forms will be available from all the usual sources throughout the close season. You can also download and print out a form here.

Some photos from the evening are to be found below:

Alan Barry presents the U20 Player of the Year award to Andrew Power

Stephen Henderson receives a VIP phone from 3 store manager Marianne...

...and a special early wedding present from Owen Tubbritt of the BSC

Owen Tubbritt and David Burke with the new Supporters Club membership forms

Jack Pheasey signs up to the new BSC