Wind-up petition issued against Waterford United

A wind-up petition has been made against League of Ireland First Division club Waterford United.

The order has been made by former manager Stephen Henderson relating to money he is owed from the club, and the Dubliner says that at no time did the club look to discuss a payment plan on the money owed.

The hearing to determine the future of the club will be held in the High Court on July 15. Justice Laffoy is expected to preside over the case that could see the club closed down. 

Henderson takes the case after his winning his original breach of contract case in December last year in front of Judge Mahon, but which the club are understood to not yet have paid any money to their former manager. Calls, emails and letters from Henderson to the club have all been ignored according to Henderson.

The original case in Dungarvan last year lasted for two days with former Blues captain Kevin Murray and Pat Dolan supporting Henderson. The judgement also included a defamation ruling in Henderson's favour as well as court costs.

The club had up until close of business last Friday to pay the manager but as nothing arrived, Henderson’s legal team pressed ahead with the wind-up petition, which was processed in the courts on Monday. 

An agreement between the club and Henderson's legal team can still be agreed and presented to the court on July 15th, where the order can be struck out if agreed by all parties and Justice Laffoy.

Meanwhile, Waterford United Chairman John O'Sullivan has been speaking to Beat102103 ahead of an emergency board meeting tonight, and says the club simply can't afford to pay.

"Excuse me, there was negotiations. The main reason is that the club don't have the money, number one, and everybody knows that no league of Ireland club will have the guts of fifty thousand in their back pocket so, what we have to try and do is organise to raise the money to try and get it.

"There's over 26 people employed by the club so, if it happens and they go, what a shame that would be so, we're gonna do our best to try and keep it going."