Roddy Collins believes that only the most extraordinary of spectacles is capable of raising the type of money required to save Waterford United.
The League of Ireland kingpins in the early 70s and one of Ireland's foremost soccer towns, Waterford are running low on the financial side and have slipped to sixth in the First Division, losing the last three games to Shelbourne, Cobh Ramblers and Drogheda United.
After the 4-1 spanking at home to Shelbourne, long-time chairman John O'Sullivan stepped down for personal reasons. In trying times, the manager has been unable to arrest the slide. Following O'Sullivan's resignation, Roddy implored business people in Waterford to invest.
Collins spoke to Waterford Today after the Shelbourne loss.
Am I shocked that he is stepping down? I'm shocked that it's taken this long to be honest with you and it's now up to the business people in Waterford to ultimately decide whether or not they want a football club here in Waterford. It's a worrying time for us all.
It's worrying and I'll be honest with you now. It's not what we want but I understand John's position because since I've come in the man has been tortured left right and centre putting his hand in his pocket and that's not fair. The club cannot work like that so we have to sit and assess the situation.
In the absence of any angel investors flying in to save Waterford, Roddy has decided to take a proactive approach. His masterplan involves Ireland's most famous Waterford/Kilkenny/Tipperary man.
For Roddy's purposes, John Delaney, an Alan Kelly voter in Tipp and a Kilkenny hurling man, is a Waterford United man. His father was Waterford United chairman during the glory years and John was appointed the club's delegate to the FAI in 1997.
Roddy Collins, the brother of a former Middleweight champion of the world, has challenged Delaney to a charity boxing match (white collar, in fairness) in the Woodlands Hotel in Waterford.
I want to challenge FAI chief executive John Delaney to a white-collar boxing match to raise funds for Waterford United.
I want to stage the bout in the Woodlands Hotel in Waterford. Three rounds. John, given training requirements, can choose the date. It would be great craic and for a great cause.
We need support. We need fans living in Waterford, all around the country and abroad to come together and ensure a stable future for the club.
But in the short-term, money is required to keep the show on the road. And that’s where a great Waterford United stalwart like John Delaney comes in.
People might think I’m kidding, or that this is a hangover from my recent dealings with the FAI. But it’s not. If anything, I’m holding out an olive branch.
Roddy versus JD, three rounds in the Woodlands Hotel. We’d pack the place out and all for a brilliant cause. We could secure the future of the club in one night.
We believe that John Delaney should seek to decline the offer, citing the dignity of his office, a dignity which has remained intact throughout the 95-year history of the Football Association of Ireland.
