Multi-Club Ownership and Community Roots, with Steve Curwood, CEO of Fleetwood Town FC and Waterford FC

How do you run two distinct football clubs in different countries while keeping their local community heartbeat alive?

We explore the realities of modern football management with Steve Curwood, Chief Executive of both Fleetwood Town FC (EFL League Two) and Waterford FC (League of Ireland). From navigating the English Football League to driving growth across the Irish Sea, Steve operates at a fascinating intersection of sport, strategy, and community impact.

In this episode of Don't Forget Your Tickets, host Clare Kenny sits down with Steve to unpack how modern clubs evolve. Steve shares his journey from the banking sector to the football boardroom, offering a candid look at the challenges and opportunities of multi-club ownership. He explains how Brexit forced a shift in recruitment strategy, leading to a unique partnership that respects the fierce independence of both fanbases while sharing vital resources.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Multi-Club Reality: How Brexit shaped Fleetwood’s expansion into Ireland and the delicate balance of running two independent, community-driven clubs.
• Rising Tides in Ireland: The current boom in the League of Ireland, the impact of European football, and the untapped goldmine of academy infrastructure.
• Sustainable Strategy: Navigating EFL salary protocols, the role of an independent regulator, and why developing talent internally beats chaotic spending.
• Community Identity: How to maintain a tight-knit, hardworking family culture as a football club scales.
• Modernising Matchday: The journey to update legacy ticketing systems, better understand supporter habits, and create a seamless fan experience.

Whether you run a football club, work in sports business, or simply love the mechanics behind the beautiful game, this episode delivers deep insights into what makes a club thrive off the pitch.

Tune in to discover how to build a resilient, community-first football network! Make sure to subscribe.