Former Republic of Ireland striker Noel Hunt is hoping to keep up Waterford’s push for European football, after confirming that he is returning to his hometown club.
The widely traveled Hunt most recently played for Wigan Athletic, helping them win promotion to the Championship, but confirmed his return to the RSC, having previously spent a spell on loan there from Shamrock Rovers.
Hunt joins a much different Waterford side from the one he featured for in the 2001/02 season and the Blues have made an major impact in the SSE Aitricity Premier Division this season.
With just over half of the season played, Alan Reynolds side sit comfortably in third place and a European place is well within their grasp.
Hunt is eager to help the club continue their impressive form and he’s not looking to rock the boat with his arrival.
"I’m delighted to join the club. When you look around at the stadium and the facilities, it’s a much different club than the one I was at 16 years ago," said Hunt, who was on the final week of his UEFA 'A' Licence coaching course when he got the call to come to Waterford.
"It’s a club that’s going places and I’m delighted to be part of that going forward.
"All I want to do is try help keep the momentum going at the club. Some people might come in and try change this and that, but you don’t change something that isn’t broken.
"For me, and to everybody around here, the club is going in a very positive direction and it’s all credit to the players, staff, fans and everybody involved, and I’m just hoping to come in and add something to it and push it forward."
Hunt will travel with the coaching staff and squad to Turner’s Cross to face Cork City in Friday’s match and is eligible to play from July 1, although his coaching abilities may be called on immediately with Reynolds still recovering from an unprovoked attack in Tramore.
"When we spoke last week, and what’s happened to Alan over the weekend, I was ready to come over and get it sorted and be able to step in to help the lads," he said. "There was no real question of doubt in my mind. So, I spoke to my wife and she told me to go and do it, it’s a big step for me."
Having trained with the squad this week, Hunt isn’t surprised to see the club where they are in the Premier Division table.
"You can see why the team have done so well, the sessions are really good quality from the boys. It’s more of a credit to themselves that they have that drive to keep the standards high and you know if someone gives a bad pass, then they’re always encouraging to get better and that’s a great thing to have in a squad.
"When you know you’ve got the confidence and the trust of your teammates it’s a massive thing, and they all seem to have that."
