Sky high times for Waterloo

 

Since its exploits on Sky Television, Welshpool Town’s troubled plight has been brought to the attention of millions and the club is set to spend a summer of soul searching before reinventing itself next season.

 

And while Welshpool’s demise has been dramatic, the town’s other club – it is unjust to call it the town’s ‘second’ club these days – has cracked on quietly with an impressive ground development programme.

 

Waterloo Rovers was the side that unwittingly kick started Welshpool’s dramatic publicity coup. The 10-1 win inflicted on their neighbours on Boxing Day reached Sky’s sports desk and Jeff Stelling mocked them live on air.

 

He made amends following a complaint from the club which culminated in former playing stars Paul Merson and Chris Kamara turning out for Welshpool in front of the cameras.

 

But while all that was going on, 100 yards across Maesydre, Rovers got on with their work which has seen them emerge from the shadows of Town to establish themselves as a genuine force in Mid Wales football.

 

“With three senior teams as well as a youth team running, these extra facilities became necessary,” said club stalwart Dave Proctor who helped form the club back in 1978 to provide extra playing opportunities for local lads. “We built two rooms pitch side last year with the help of an FAW grant to use at half time, and now these buildings are being expanded into changing rooms with showers and toilets.

“It will enable us to be self sufficient and hopefully in the long run it should save us money.”

 

The work is being done thanks to another grant from football’s governing body and local company SWG is carrying it out on a non-profit basis which Mr. Proctor described as “fantastic in this economic climate”.

 

“People say community spirit is dead but we cannot thank Steve Gough and his team enough for their support.”

 

SWG General Manager Bob Gough added: “SWG Business Ltd is only too pleased to help Waterloo Rovers FC. We are a local company and always strive to help local initiatives whenever possible. Once the new drainage system is installed, construction of the buildings will start and the new facilities will be ready for kick-off next season.”

 

Waterloo is a club that instils community spirit. Its squad ethos is ‘local’ and the first team has managed to retain the services of some of the town’s top talent without spending a penny in wages.

 

It has also received the backing of the town council which has supported its development into a stand-alone and self sufficient football club working for the community.

 

“We are also planning to have a high profile friendly match to coincide with the opening of these new facilities where we will invite Steve Gough and team from SWG, Dave Gore Tyres, Phil From Speed and all our sponsors to come along and enjoy the famous Waterloo hospitality.”