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Watford F.C.

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Watford Football Club are an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. As of the 2006–2007 season, they will play in the FA Premier League, the top tier of the English football league system. They were promoted to the Premiership after a 3-0 victory over Leeds United in the Championship play-off final on 21 May 2006.

The club was founded in 1881, firstly playing at Cassio Road ground, before moving to Vicarage Road in 1922, where they remain to this day. Since 1997 they have shared the ground with Saracens Rugby Club. The club has the nickname of “The Hornets,” because of its yellow and black strip. Watford have a long-standing rivalry with nearby Luton Town.

The club is best known for its two spells under the management of former England manager Graham Taylor. The first lasting from 1977 to 1987, when the club rose to the old Division One from Division Four, also reaching the FA Cup final in 1984 and competing in the UEFA Cup. The second lasting from 1997 to 2001, when Taylor took the club from Division Two to the Premiership in successive seasons. During both of these eras the club was owned by Elton John, who is now the club's honorary life president.

Contents

History

The Graham Taylor era (1977–1987)

When 32-year-old Graham Taylor was named as Watford's new manager at the start of the 1976–1977 season, the club had just been taken over by world famous pop star Elton John (a lifelong fan of the club) and were an ungainly Fourth Division side. But thanks to the efforts of chairman, manager and playing staff, Watford had reached the First Division by the start of the 1982–83 season. Players like John Barnes, Ross Jenkins and Luther Blissett were some of the most respected players in the English game during the 1980s. Watford finished their first top flight season as runners-up behind champions Liverpool. The club competed in the UEFA cup the following season and an FA Cup final appearance followed in 1984, although Watford lost to Everton. After guiding Watford to a ninth-place finish in 1986–1987, Taylor was lured away to Aston Villa and his successor Dave Bassett was dismissed after eight months in charge after a terrible start to the 1987–88 season.
Watford F.C. badge in the 1970s.
Enlarge
Watford F.C. badge in the 1970s.

Life outside the top division (1987–1998)

Watford were relegated from the First Division at the end of the 1987–1988 season, and lost in the following season's Second Division playoffs. Over the next few seasons, Watford never seriously challenged for promotion. Their highest finish was a Craig Ramage-inspired seventh in Division One at the end of the 1994–1995 season, but they were relegated the following year.

The club did win the FA Youth Cup in the 1988-89 season, beating Man City 2-1 after extra time; David James was in goal for the Hornets.

The return of Graham Taylor (1998–2001)

Graham Taylor returned to Watford as Director of Football in February 1996, with former player Kenny Jackett as head coach, but was unable to stop the club from sliding into Division Two. After a mid-table finished in Division Two at the end of 1996–1997, Jackett was demoted to the position of assistant manager and Taylor returned his old role as manager. The transition proved a success and Watford secured the Division Two championship in 1997–1998, beating Bristol City into second place after a season-long struggle. A second successive promotion followed in 1998–1999, thanks to a playoff final victory over Bolton which secured the club's promotion to the Premiership. The Premiership season started brightly with an early surpising victory over Liverpool, but soon faded away, and Watford were relegated after finishing bottom. Graham Taylor retired at the end of the 2000–2001 season (although just months later he returned to football management at Aston Villa), and was replaced in a surprise move by Gianluca Vialli, who had recently been sacked by Chelsea F.C.

Watford under Vialli (2001–2002)

Vialli's time at the club was short and unhappy. In an unpopular move he replaced long-time backroom staff such as Kenny Jackett and Luther Blissett, replacing them with ex-Chelsea staff he had brought with him. Vialli made several high-profile signings, and wage bills at the club soared, with Vialli himself earning almost a million pounds a year. However, the season was mediocre, with the club finishing a lowly 14th in the division, and Vialli was sacked after only one season, having refused to resign. He was replaced by Ray Lewington, who had came to the club the previous summer, as Vialli's reserve team manager.

Ray Lewington (2002–2005)

Lewington took charge of Watford for the 2002–2003 season. Over the summer many of the Vialli's signings left the club. Lewington had few funds to strengthen the side and was only able to bring in two players, the experienced Neal Ardley and Sean Dyche. The extent of Watford's financial difficulties was exposed in the autumn, along with many League clubs, following the collapse of ITV Digital. Exacerbating the club's difficulties were the large payoffs they had had to make to Vialli and several players on terminating their contracts, and Vialli's decision to sue the club early in 2003. The club's started the season well, however, despite the players having to agree to a pay-cut during October, and finished in mid-table. An unexpected run to the FA Cup semi-final, where Watford lost to Premiership Southampton, also generated vital cash.

The ongoing financial difficulties saw a large number of players released that summer, including record signing Allan Nielsen and strikers Tommy Smith and Gifton Noel-Williams. There was a degree of hope around the new strike-force. Danny Webber - who had previously impressed on loan - was signed in a deal financied by several directors, along with Manchester United youngster Jimmy Davis, on loan for the season, and former star Bruce Dyer.

Tragically, however, Davis was killed in a car-crash on the opening day of the campaign. This had a huge effect on the team's form at the beginning of the season, and notably on Webber, who was one of his closest friends. Hovering above the relegation zone, the team struggled on through the winter. Terrace hero Paul Robinson was sold for the relatively small sum of £250,000, after a bid from West Brom. Non-league signing Scott Fitzgerald scoring many of the team's goals in a make-shift attack, with Gavin Mahon, who had a poor 2002–2003, made a significant contribution in the centre of midfield. A strong finish to the season, led by winger Lee Cook, saw the club finish in mid-table.

The 2004–2005 season saw a continuation of the good form of the end of the previous season, with the club well in the upper half of the Championship at the end of September. However, a long run of poor form subsequently saw the club drop steadily towards the relegation zone. Another good cup run further eased the club's financial position, with the team reaching the semi-final of the League Cup, soundly beating Premiership sides Portsmouth and Southampton on the way, before losing narrowly to Liverpool. The club's poor league form, however, came to a head in March, with a run of terrible performances and Lewington was sacked on the 22nd. His sacking was controversial, and many fans were unhappy at the loss of a man who had led the club to two cup semi finals in three seasons, enduring considerable financial hardships.

Adrian Boothroyd (2005–present)

Adrian Boothroyd (35) was appointed manager after serving at Leeds United as a coach, and 70-year-old Keith Burkinshaw was recruited as his assistant. His inexperience provoked concerns among fans, who worried that he would not be able to keep the side up. However, Watford secured enough points to ensure survival with two games to go.

Fan dissent continued throughout the summer; moreover the sacking of the legendary Nigel Gibbs as coach after more than twenty years of loyal service provoked more anger, along with the departure of a large number of fans favourites. Among those to go were star striker Heiðar Helguson (to Fulham for £1.3m) and Danny Webber (to Sheffield United for £500k) leaving the club with only one recognised striker.

In a flurry of late-August activity Boothroyd signed strikers Darius Henderson and Marlon King (initially on a season-long loan, signed on contract January 2006), central defenders Clarke Carlisle and Malky Mackay, midfielder Matthew Spring and goalkeeper Ben Foster (also on a season-long loan), assauging many fans doubts about the thinness of the squad.

Although Watford lost the opening match of the season 2-1 at home to Preston North End, Boothroyd's first full season at the club subsequently saw strong performances from the team to take them into the top half of the Championship, with the side consistently maintaining a third place position. As strong run of form in early 2006, including an impressive win at second placed Sheffield United saw the club threatening to take second place and an automatic promotion spot. A subsequent down-turn in form rendered this impossible, but a draw at home against Luton Town on 9 April secured Watford a play-off spot. Following a 3-0 away victory at Crystal Palace and a subsequent 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road in the semi-finals Watford reached the playoff final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Watford then beat Leeds 3-0 in the final with goals from Jay DeMerit, an own goal by Leeds' goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, and a penalty from Darius Henderson to gain promotion to the Premier League and an estimated £41m as a result.

Rivalry

Watford fans maintain a rivalry with those of Luton Town, which has, somewhat surprisingly, been described by FourFourTwo magazine as the fiercest local rivalry in English football. The two sides met regularly in the Southern and Football Leagues from 1900 to 1937, but Luton's promotion meant that aside from a Southern Cup meeting, the two sides didn't meet again until 1964. Throughout the sixties and seventies the two sides met sporadically, and the rivalry gradually grew in significance, bringing with it trouble in the ground and outside of it. The two sides were promoted to the First Division in the 1981–1982 season, with Luton taking the Championship ahead of Watford. The two sides were also relegated together from the new Division 1 in 1995–1996. Watford's promotion from Division 2 in 1997–1998 meant that the two sides did not meet again in the League until the 2005–2006 season, when Luton were promoted into the Championship. Clashes in the nineties had seen a decrease in violence, but a one-off League Cup tie in the 2002–2003 was marred by violence inside Vicarage Road, as Luton fans spilled onto the pitch encouraging a mass brawl[link]. The two clubs first League meeting in eight years, on 2 January 2006, passed largely without incident with Watford winning 2-1 at Kenilworth Road. Later on in the season the sides met at Vicarage Road the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

In all meetings between the two sides Luton have the superior record, with 56 wins and 183 goals to Watford's 37 and 156 respectively. 29 matches have been draws.

Current first team squad

Watford squad as of 26 June, 2006: | width="1%" | |bgcolor="#FFFFFF" valign="top" width="48%"| |}

Coaching Staff

Appointed in March 2005, Boothroyd was previously first-team coach at Leeds. Known for his successful spell as manager of Tottenham in the early eighties, Burkinshaw was brought in by Boothroyd as part of his team. Formerly head of Watford's Academy, Hockaday was promoted to first-team coach by Boothroyd. Formerly head of Wycombe's Academy, Boothroyd brought Smith in to manage his reserve side. Smith also works as assistant head of Watford's Academy. Formely Hockaday's assistant, he was promoted when Hockaday became first-team coach. Member of staff brought in by Boothroyd to work on the squad's physical fitness

Other Staff

Notable players

A centre-forward before he came to Watford, Williams played as goalkeeper when he moved to the Cassio Road, making 341 appearances in 13 years at the club. A two-footed forward, Davies is one of the few League players to spend 20 years at a single club. The most prolific striker Watford ever had. Signed in 1958, Holton's "golden year" was in Watford's 1959–60 Division Four promotion season, when he scored 48 goals in 52 appearances. In Division Three Holton averaged a goal every other game. He left the club in 1961, but returned for a period in the 1965–66 season. One of the finest goalkeepers ever, Jennings started his career at Watford, making 52 in his single season at the club. An uncompromising left-back, Welbourne made 457 appearances for the club, including a record 280 in succession. He was ever-present in Watford's 1968–69 promotion season. A talented winger, the 19 year old Scullion was brought to Watford as a make-weight in the deal that took Cliff Holton to Charlton. He was a key player in the 1968–1969 promotion season, and scored the goal in Watford's 1-1 cup draw with the giants Manchester United at Old Trafford. A passionate midfielder, Walley was instrumental in the 1968–1969 promotion season. Walley was a fixture in Watford's side for much of the seventies. After retirement he became a coach at the club and worked alongside Graham Taylor during his two successful spells at the club. An extremely athletic goalkeeper, Rankin was Watford's keeper for most of the seventies. With 329 appearances, only Skilly Williams has made more appearances in goal for Watford. Jenkins joined Watford in 1972, and formed a formidable partnership with Luther Blissett in Watford's ascent through the Division. He left Watford in 1983, with the club in the top flight. He had played for Watford when they were in both 1st and 92nd in the Football League. He scored 142 goals in 398 games. An aggressive and ball winning central midfielder, Joslyn was instrumental in Watford's successive promotions from 1977–1979. Making his debut in 1976, Blissett played for Watford throughout their ascent from Division Four to Divsion One. He was the first Watford player to be capped for England. He had three spells at Watford in total, and holds the club records for highest all-time goalscorer and most appearances. Blissett had a spell as coach at Watford from 1996–2001 Called the "best signing I ever made" by Graham Taylor, Bolton was another player who played for Watford throughout their Division Four to Division One ascent. Despite being a centre-half, Bolton had a talent for both passing and shooting. A long serving and loyal goal-keeper, Sherwood played for Watford throughout the Taylor heyday of 1977–1987. He started in first game under Taylor's reign and finished the last. During his time at the club Sherwood was frequently out of the side, but over the course of three seasons, 1981–1982 (promotion to Division One), 1982–1983 (record high 2nd place finish) and 1983–84 (Europe and the FA Cup Final), he missed just six games. Bought as a left-winger in 1979, Rostron was moved to left-back in 1982 and automatically excelled there. He became captain of Watford's successful eighties side, although he missed the FA Cup Final through suspension. He won the Player of the Season award several times. When he signed for Watford at the end of the 1978–79 he was the most expensive Division Three player ever, costing £175,000. A high quality but injury-prone central defender, Sims played for Watford for nine years, in two spells. A flamboyant right-winger, Callaghan was a frequent assist-maker in the Watford side of the 1980s. A cultured creative central midfielder, Jackett was a fixture in the Watford side in their heyday of the 1980s. After retiring in 1990, Jackett took a coaching position at the club, and worked in a variety of positions - including manager in 1996–97 - until 2001. A hard-working central midfielder, Taylor was the Player of the Season in Watford's most successful season ever, when they finished second in Division One in 1982–83. With Rostron absent, Taylor captained Watford for their single FA Cup final appearance in 1984. Perhaps the most talented player ever to play for Watford, Barnes made his debut for the club aged 17 in 1981. He played for the club for 6 years, during which he appeared in the FA Cup final side, and represented England 31 times. Gibbs made his Watford debut in 1983, at the age of 17. He served Watford as a player for 20 years, making his final appearance for the club in April 2002. A dependable and loyal right-back, Gibbs suffered a career-threatening injury in 1993 and was released in 1996, but stayed with the club, joining them for pre-season training and regaining a contract. After retiring, Gibbs served Watford as a coach for three years. He was sacked in the summer of 2006, to much protest from fans. One of Watford's longest serving players, Porter made 464 appearances for Watford in his 13 years at the club. He once scored a second half hat-trick against Bolton. Watford at one stage 0-3 down, went on to win the game 4-3 Arriving in 1984, Coton was Watford's number 1 for the rest of the 1980s. A strong and occasionally controversial 'keeper, Coton was a crowd favorite. A deceptively quick central defender, McClelland marshaled Watford's defence for the second half of the eighties, captaining it for some time. The future England number one started his career at Watford, making 98 appearances for the club in two seasons. The captain of the Watford side during its late 1990s success period, Page is the only Watford player to lift a trophy at Wembley, and was the Player of the Season in the 1999/00 Premiership season. A passionate and determined player, Mooney was instrumental in Watford's successive promotions in 1997–1998 and 1998–1999. A forward by trade, Mooney played at the back during 1997–1998, but returned to the forward line in 1998–1999 where an end of season goal-run pushed Watford into the play-offs. Partner of Page in 1998–99 play-off final, Palmer also played every single game of the club's 1999–2000 Premiership campaign. A dedicated utility player, Palmer has the distinction of being the only player to have worn every shirt number from 1-14 in a single season, for Watford in the 1997–98 season. A left-back who came through the ranks at Watford, he made his debut against arch-rivals Luton in 1997. A member of the 1998–1999 play-off side, Robinson's passion made him became a favorite of the terraces. Principal forward in the 2000s, the Icelandic international moved from Lillestrom midway through the 1999–2000 season. He was loved by the crowds for his enthusiasm and commitment. The powerful and fiery centre-forward was the first player to win the Display of the Season, Goal of Season and Player of the Season awards in a single season (2004–2005). The first Watford player since Luther Blissett to score over 20 League goals in a season, the Jamaican helped Watford gain promotion to the Premiership with his prolific scoring. Was Player of the Season in Watford's 2005–2006 promotion campaign.

Players in order of debut; spells as coach not included in time at club.

Managers

Manager Start Date End Date
John Goodall August 1903 May 1910
Henry Kent August 1910 May 1926
Fred Pagnam August 1926 May 1929
Neil McBain August 1929 August 1937
Bill Findlay January 1938 February 1947
Jack Bray March 1947 January 1948
Eddie Hapgood February 1948 March 1950
Ron Gray June 1950 August 1951
Haydn Green August 1951 October 1952
Len Goulden November 1952 October 1955
Johnny Paton October 1955 February 1956
Len Goulden February 1956 July 1956
Neil McBain August 1955 February 1959
Ron Burgess March 1959 May 1963
Bill McGarry July 1963 December 1964
Ken Furphy December 1964 August 1971
George Kirby August 1971 May 1973
Mike Keen June 1973 April 1977
Graham Taylor June 1977 May 1987
Dave Bassett June 1987 January 1988
Steve Harrison January 1988 March 1990
Colin Lee March 1990 November 1990
Steve Perryman November 1990 July 1993
Glenn Roeder July 1993 February 1996
Graham Taylor February 1996 June 1996
Kenny Jackett June 1996 June 1997
Graham Taylor June 1997 May 2001
Gianluca Vialli May 2001 June 2002
Ray Lewington June 2002 March 2005
Adrian Boothroyd March 2005 Present

Grounds

League History

Records

External links

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