An owner in prison and the son taking control - Waterford’s battle for normality still has distance to travel

The process of trying to move on from the jailing of owner Andy Pilley last summer is a clear complication as Blues seek to build a new reputation

Andy Pilley (L) with ex-Fleetwood Town head coach Scott Brown at the opening of the Waterford FC official club store last May and, right, Blues boss Keith Long

Daniel McDonnell

In the minutes before the kick-off of the new League of Ireland season in Waterford, a 27-year-old Englishman in a short-sleeved polo shirt seemed oblivious to the temperature. The heat of an impending Premier Division battle was enough to keep Jamie Pilley warm as he shook hands with familiar faces on his walk through the press box area to his seat.

His animated performance in the 90 minutes that followed, a draw with Shelbourne that could have swung in either direction, helped to explain why he didn’t need to wear as many layers as some of the characters around him.