Watford F.C.

Watford
Watford badge
Full name Watford Football Club
Nickname(s) The Hornets, The Golden Boys, Yellow Army, The Horns
Founded 1881
Ground Vicarage Road
Watford
England
(Capacity: 17,504[1] (expanding to 23,500))
Chairman Graham Taylor[2]
Manager Malky Mackay
League The Championship
2009–10 16th
Home colours
Away colours
Current season

Watford Football Club (often referred to simply as Watford or Watford F.C. and nicknamed The Hornets) is an English professional association football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. They play in the Championship. The club was founded in 1881, and played at several grounds before moving to a permanent location at Vicarage Road in 1922, where they remain to this day.[3] Since 1997, Watford have shared the stadium with Saracens Rugby Club.

The club is best known for two spells under the management of former England manager Graham Taylor. The first lasted from 1977 to 1987, when the club rose to the old First Division from the Fourth Division. Once in the highest division of English football, Watford finished second in the league in 1983, reached the FA Cup final in 1984,[4] and competed in the UEFA Cup in the 1983-84 season. The second period spanned from 1997 to 2001, when Taylor took the club from the renamed Second Division to the Premier League in successive seasons. Taylor is currently a non-executive director of the club, and honorary life president alongside Sir Elton John, who owned the club during both of these eras and has continued a long association with the club.[5] Watford compete in the Football League Championship, following relegation from the Premier League in 2007. Their current manager is former Watford and Scotland central defender Malky Mackay, who was appointed on 15 June 2009.[6]

Contents

History

For more information, see History of Watford F.C.

Watford Football Club were formed in 1881 as Watford Rovers, who played their first home games at a pitch in Cassiobury Park, before moving to Vicarage Meadow and later Market Street in Watford. They first competed in the FA Cup in the 1886–87 season, and in 1889 they won the County Cup for the first time. In 1893, Watford Rovers became West Hertfordshire and joined the Southern Football League in 1896, becoming professional a year later. West Hertfordshire merged with Watford St Mary's in 1898 to become Watford Football Club. In the same year the club moved to a ground in Cassio Road. Pressure from the owner to move eventually forced the manager, Harry Kent, to look for a new permanent ground which he found in 1914 at Vicarage Road, which remains the club's home today. They did not however move in until 1922.[7]

The head and shoulders of a man, wearing a hat and coat.
Long-serving Skilly Williams was Watford's first choice goalkeeper between 1914 and 1926.

They remained in the Southern League until 1920, when they became founder members of the southern section of the Football League Third Division. From 1921–22, the third tier of the Football League consisted of two parallel sections of 22 clubs, fighting both for promotion to the Second Division and also battling to hold on to their hard-won league status. There was a re-election system in place which meant the bottom two teams in each of the two divisions had to apply for re-election in favour of the champions of the Northern League and Southern League. Watford finished 21st in 1926–27, but were unanimously re-elected to the league after a ballot of the 44 Third Division clubs.[8] Watford's results improved in the years immediately preceding the Second World War; they finished in the top six for five consecutive seasons between 1934–35 and 1938–39, while the club also won the Football League Third Division South Cup in 1937.[9][10] Following the resumption of league football after the war, Watford remained in the Third Division South. A 23rd placed finish in 1950–51 meant that Watford had to apply for re-election once more, but again they were unanimously re-elected with all 48 clubs voting to retain them in the league.[11]

The club remained in the Third Division South until its dissolution in 1958. When the league was restructured into four national divisions for 1958–59, Watford were placed in the new Fourth Division. Watford spent two seasons there before they gained promotion to the Third Division in 1960. Ron Burgess, the former Tottenham Hotspur player was manager during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and promotion was gained with help from Division 4 top scorer Cliff Holton, who scored a club record 42 league goals in the season.[12] Holton was sold to Northampton the following year after another 34 goals, and this along with other departures caused enormous unrest among supporters. Burgess was succeeded by Bill McGarry, who bought new players such as Charlie Livesey, Ron Saunders and Jimmy McAnearney. Northern Irish goalkeeper Pat Jennings was signed from Newry Town in 1963, and he made his international debut despite playing in the Third Division at the time. His performances earned him a transfer to Tottenham after less than one season.[13]

McGarry joined Ipswich in 1964, and was replaced by player-manager Ken Furphy from Workington Town. Furphy rebuilt the team around players such as Keith Eddy and Dennis Bond, but after holding Liverpool to a draw in the FA Cup and narrowly failing to win promotion in 1966–67, Bond was sold to Spurs. Furphy's re-building came to fruition in 1969 with the signing of Barry Endean, who kicked off an unbeaten run after Christmas to secure the league title in the April home match against Plymouth. A year later Watford reached the FA Cup semi-final for the first time, beating First Division teams Stoke City and Liverpool, building up hopes that they could soon be playing First Division football. But Watford struggled to compete in the higher division and Ken Furphy was poached by Blackburn Rovers, to be succeeded by the late George Kirby. Hampered by a lack of funds and forced to sell players to survive, they fell back into the Third Division in 1972.[14] Watford failed to make an impact in the Third Division, and in 1975 were relegated to the Fourth Division. However, they were adopted by pop star Elton John in 1973 first as president and from 1976 as chairman. The singer declared an ambition to take Watford into the First Division. He sacked manager Mike Keen in April 1977.[14]

The head and torso of a man with light hair. He is wearing purple glasses, a black blazer, red shirt, and has a gold crucifix around his neck
Lifelong Watford fan Elton John has been involved with Watford since the 1970s, and is currently Life President of the club.

When Graham Taylor was named as Watford's new manager in June 1977, the club were an unremarkable Fourth Division side.[15] In 1977 the greyhound track that encircled the pitch was removed as it was seen to lower the clubs professional reputation by the manager Graham Taylor.[7] His first success followed in 1977–78; Watford won the Fourth Division title whilst also recording the most wins, fewest defeats, most goals scored and fewest goals conceded of any side in the division.[16] Promotion to the Second Division came in 1978–79, with Ross Jenkins the league's top scorer with 29 goals. Watford consolidated with 18th and 9th placed finishes in the subsequent seasons, and secured promotion to the First Division for the first time in their history in 1981–82, finishing second behind rivals Luton.[15][17]

Watford started the 1982–83 season with wins over Everton and Southampton.[18] In the space of seven years, the club had climbed from the bottom place of the lowest division in the Football League, to the top position in the highest division.[19] Watford were unable to mount a successful title challenge, but eventually finished the season in second, which secured UEFA cup qualification for the following season. Luther Blissett finished the season as the First Division top scorer, before signing for Italian giants A.C. Milan for £1m at the end of the season.[20] An FA Cup final appearance followed in 1984, although Watford lost to Everton.[4] After guiding Watford to a ninth-place finish in 1986–87, Taylor was lured away to Aston Villa.[15]

After Graham Taylor left, Dave Bassett was placed in charge. After losing John Barnes in the summer, the Hornets suffered a terrible start to the 1987–88 season, and Dave Bassett was sacked in January 1988. Watford were relegated from the First Division at the end of that season. The next season, 1988–89, Watford failed to return to the First Division after they lost Second Division playoffs. They did however win the FA Youth Cup, beating Man City 2–1 after extra time,[21] with future England international David James in goal for the Hornets. 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 1994–95 season. However, in the following season Watford struggled, and were relegated to the Second Division following a 23rd place finish.

Graham Taylor returned to Watford as Director of Football in February 1996,[15] with former player Kenny Jackett as head coach, but was unable to stop the club from sliding into Division Two. After a mid-table finish in Division Two at the end of 1996–97, 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 1997–98, beating Bristol City into second place after a season-long struggle.

A second successive promotion followed in 1998–99, 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 surprising victory over Liverpool, but soon faded away, and Watford were relegated after finishing bottom. Graham Taylor retired at the end of the 2000–01 season (although just months later he returned to football management at Aston Villa),[15] and was replaced in a surprise move by Gianluca Vialli,[22] who had recently been sacked by Chelsea F.C.[23] 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 club finished 14th in the division, and Vialli was sacked after refusing to resign.[24] He was replaced by Ray Lewington, who had joined the club the previous summer as Vialli's reserve team manager.

The extent of Watford's financial difficulties was exposed in 2002–03, along with many League clubs, following the collapse of ITV Digital, exacerbated by payoffs made to players following the termination of their contracts, as well as to Vialli.[25][26] The club was facing administration, but an agreement by players and staff agreed a 12% wage deferral and a run to the FA Cup semi-final in 2003 generated vital cash.[27][28] The financial difficulties saw a large number of players released that summer, including record signing Allan Nielsen and strikers Tommy Smith and Gifton Noel-Williams. After consolidating in 2003–04, the following season started well, with the club in the upper half of the Championship at the end of September. But poor form saw the club drop steadily towards the relegation zone. A run to the semi-final of the League Cup eased the club's financial position, however the league form did not improve, and Lewington was sacked in March. 34-year-old Aidy Boothroyd joined the club in his first managerial role, with Keith Burkinshaw joining as his assistant. Boothroyd led the team to survival in 2005 and in his first full season Watford generally sustained 3rd position all year, with Marlon King being the division's top scorer. A draw at home against rivals Luton Town secured Watford a play-off spot. Watford beat Leeds 3–0 in the play-off final to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Watford had to wait until November to record their first Premier League win, against Middlesbrough. This was despite continuing good performances by Ashley Young, who was sold to Aston Villa in January for a club record fee rising to £9.65 million.[12][29] Watford finished bottom after only winning five league games all season, but did reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they lost to Manchester United.[30] Boothroyd's contract was renewed until 2010,[31] and he spent heavily on players including Jobi McAnuff and new club record signing Nathan Ellington.[12][32]

Despite leading the Championship by several points early in the season, Watford endured a poor run of form and only reached the play-offs on the final day of the season, where they were defeated by Hull City in the semi finals. Boothroyd left the club by mutual consent in November 2008, with Watford 21st in the Championship table.[33] Reserve team manager Malky Mackay took temporary charge of the club,[34] with 35 year old Chelsea reserve team manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed as Watford's new manager on 24 November 2008.[35]. Watford recorded their first win under Rodgers against Norwich City in December, and eventually secured safety with one game to go, finishing 13th. At the end of the season, Rodgers replaced Steve Coppell as manager of Reading.[36] Former coach and caretaker manager Malky Mackay was appointed as his replacement. Despite the multi-million pound sales of Tommy Smith, Jobi McAnuff, Tamas Priskin and Mike Williamson, Watford finished the 2009–10 season in 16th place in the Championship.[6]

Club identity

Watford's kit and badge have changed considerably over the course of their history. In their early history, the club's kit featured various combinations of red, green and yellow stripes, before a new colour scheme of black and white was adopted for the 1909–10 season. These colours were retained until the 1920s, when the club introduced an all-blue shirt. Up until 1959 the team was known as "The Blues".[7][14] After a change of colours to gold shirts & black shorts, the teams nickname was changed to The Hornets, after a popular vote via the supporters club. The next major change came in 1976, when the colour was changed from gold to yellow, and the first of several kits featuring yellow, black and red was introduced, a colour scheme which has continued to the present day.[37] The appearance of a hart (a male deer) on the club's current crest represents the club's location in Hertfordshire, a county in which, for a long time, Watford F.C. were the only league club.[38]

The club's initial nickname was The Brewers, in reference to the Benskins Brewery, who owned the freehold of Vicarage Road.[39] This nickname didn't prove particularly popular, and upon the adoption of a blue-and-white colour scheme in the 1920s, the club became predominantly known as The Blues. Watford changed its colour scheme in 1959, and supporters chose to adopt the new nickname The Hornets, along with a new club crest depicting a hornet. Other nicknames have since been adopted, including The Golden Boys and The Yellow Army, the latter being the name of a popular chant at Vicarage Road.

Stadia

Watford v Coventry City at Vicarage Road, on the last day of the Football League season, 14 May 2000

Watford Rovers and its successor West Hertfordshire played at several grounds in their early history, including Cassiobury Park, Vicarage Meadow, and the Rose and Crown pitch on Market Street, Watford. In 1898, the newly merged Watford F.C. moved to a site on Cassio Road. However, the landlady was keen for the club to find a new permanent home, and in 1922 the club moved to its current stadium at Vicarage Road. The site was owned by Benskins Brewery, and the club rented the ground until 2001, when it purchased the freehold outright. However, the club's financial situation worsened following the purchase, and in 2002 Watford sold the ground for £6m, in a deal which entitled Watford to buy the stadium back for £7m in future. Watford took up this option in 2004.[40] From the start of the 1997–98 season, Watford have shared Vicarage Road with rugby union side Saracens F.C.

Rivalry

Graph of Watford's historical Football League placing, represented by the yellow line, in comparison with Luton Town's, represented by the orange line.
Horizontal black lines represent league divisions.

Watford fans maintain a rivalry with those of Luton Town. The two sides met regularly in the Southern Leagues and Football League from 1900 to 1937 when Luton gained promotion from Div 3 (S). Aside from a Southern Cup meeting the two sides did not 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 1981–82 season, with Luton taking the championship ahead of Watford. The two sides were also relegated together from the new Division 1 in 1995–96. Watford's promotion from Division 2 in 1997–98 meant that the two sides did not meet again in the League until the 2005–06 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 2002–03 season was marred by violence inside Vicarage Road.[41] The clubs' first League meeting in eight years, on 2 January 2006, passed largely without incident. The all time head to head record between the clubs stands at Luton 53 wins, Watford 36 wins, with 29 draws. Watford fans briefly classed Reading as rivals, after former manager Brendan Rodgers left to join them, although Rodgers has since been sacked as Reading manager. Other rivals include QPR, Crystal Palace and MK Dons, but Luton Town will always be seen as Watford's main rivals.

Players

As of 28 July 2010.[42][43]

Current squad

Midfielder Stephen McGinn has played for Scotland under-21s.
A man wearing black shirt and shorts, with yellow collar and trim, standing on a grass field
Lee Hodson progressed from the club's youth system to the first team in 2009.
The head and upper torso of a young man, wearing a black and red top. The logo on his top is coloured red, black and yellow, and reads "WATFORD"
Danny Graham was Watford's top scorer in the 2009–10 season.

Where a player has not declared an international alleigance, nationality is determined by place of birth.
Key: GK=Goalkeeper, DF=Defender, MF=Midfielder,FW=Forward

No. Position Player Nation
1 GK Loach, ScottScott Loach      England
2 DF Hodson, LeeLee Hodson      Northern Ireland
3 DF Taylor, AndrewAndrew Taylor (on loan from Middlesbrough)     England
4 MF Eustace, JohnJohn Eustace (captain)     England
5 DF Taylor, MartinMartin Taylor      England
6 DF Mariappa, AdrianAdrian Mariappa (vice-captain)     England
7 MF Cowie, DonDon Cowie      Scotland
8 MF Walker, JoshJosh Walker      England
9 FW Deeney, TroyTroy Deeney      England
10 FW Graham, DannyDanny Graham      England
11 FW Buckley, WillWill Buckley      England
12 DF Doyley, LloydLloyd Doyley      England
13 GK Gilmartin, ReneRene Gilmartin      Ireland
14 MF Jenkins, RossRoss Jenkins      England
15 MF McGinn, StephenStephen McGinn      Scotland
16 MF Byran, MichaelMichael Byran      Northern Ireland
17 DF Bennett, DaleDale Bennett      England
18 MF Mutch, JordonJordon Mutch (on loan from Birmingham City)     England
19 FW Henderson, LiamLiam Henderson      England
20 FW Sordell, MarvinMarvin Sordell      England
23 MF Mingoia, PieroPiero Mingoia      England
24 MF Whichelow, MatthewMatthew Whichelow      England
25 DF Oshodi, EddieEddie Oshodi      England
27 FW Massey, GavinGavin Massey      England
28 DF Aldred, TomTom Aldred      England
29 DF Thompson, AdamAdam Thompson      Northern Ireland
30 GK Bond, JonathanJonathan Bond      Wales

Out on loan

No. Position Player
21 Republic of Ireland DF Rob Kiernan (at Yeovil Town until 28 August 2010)
26 Slovenia DF Jure Travner (at St. Mirren until 30 June 2011)
27 England DF Mat Sadler (at Shrewsbury Town until 4 January 2011)
25 England FW Nathan Ellington (at Skoda Xanthi until 1 January 2011)

Coaching staff

Former players

Soccer.Field Transparant.png

Sherwood
Bardsley
Sinnott
Terry
Price
Callaghan
L Taylor
Jackett
Reilly
Johnston
Watford's starting lineup for the 1984 FA Cup Final.
Watford Football Club Hall of fame
Name Year inducted Position Watford appearances Watford goals
Blissett, LutherLuther Blissett 2003 Striker 503 186
Coton, TonyTony Coton 2004 Goalkeeper 291 0
McClelland, JohnJohn McClelland 2005 Defender 234 3
Mooney, TommyTommy Mooney 2006 Striker 287 64
Taylor, LesLes Taylor 2007 Midfielder 211 20
James, DavidDavid James 2008 Goalkeeper 98 0
Bolton, IanIan Bolton 2009 Defender 287 36
Gibbs, NigelNigel Gibbs 2010 Defender 491 7

Managers

Statistics given are for league games only. Only managers in charge for 100 games or more are included.

A middle-aged man, wearing a black tracksuit top. A grass field is visible in the background.
Ray Lewington managed Watford from 2002 until 2005.
The head and shoulders of a man in his thirties. He has short hair and is wearing a black tracksuit top. A grass field and two sides of a sports stadium are visible in the background.
Aidy Boothroyd is one of two managers to have taken Watford from the Football League into the Premier League. The other was Graham Taylor.
Name From To P W D L F A Win % Notes
John Goodall May 1903 May 1910 246 90 63 93 347 358 36.59% Player-manager
Harry Kent May 1910 May 1926 484 187 121 176 661 663 38.64% Player-manager until 1913
Fred Pagnam May 1926 May 1929 126 45 28 53 204 239 35.71% Player-manager until 1927
Neil McBain May 1929 August 1937 336 137 71 128 591 516 40.77% Player-manager
Bill Findlay August 1937 February 1947 114 50 25 39 179 152 43.86% Player-manager until 1944
Len Goulden November 1952 October 1955 136 52 39 45 210 198 38.24% —
Len Goulden February 1956 July 1956 16 6 3 7 17 23 37.50% —
Neil McBain August 1956 February 1959 122 42 33 47 187 203 34.43% —
Ron Burgess February 1959 May 1963 200 80 45 75 347 326 40.00% —
Ken Furphy November 1964 July 1971 295 115 79 101 388 331 38.98% Player-manager until 1968
Mike Keen June 1973 April 1977 178 67 48 63 237 236 37.64% Player-manager until 1975
Graham Taylor June 1977 May 1987 428 191 105 132 692 544 44.63% —
Steve Perryman November 1990 July 1993 121 42 35 44 140 151 34.71% —
Glenn Roeder July 1993 February 1996 120 39 32 49 148 166 32.50% —
Graham Taylor February 1996 June 1996 18 5 8 5 31 30 27.78% —
Graham Taylor June 1997 May 2001 176 71 45 60 243 241 40.34% —
Ray Lewington June 2002 March 2005 131 42 37 52 155 189 32.06% —
Aidy Boothroyd[45] March 2005 November 2008 176 65 51 60 200 206 36.93% —

League history

  • 1920: Original member of Division 3
  • 1921–1958: Division 3 (South)
  • 1958–1960: Division 4
  • 1960–1969: Division 3
  • 1969–1972: Division 2
  • 1972–1975: Division 3
  • 1975–1978: Division 4
  • 1978–1979: Division 3
  • 1979–1982: Division 2
  • 1982–1988: Division 1
  

Honours

For a complete record of the club's achievements, see List of Watford F.C. seasons.

Championship Play-off final 2006. (Leeds United vs. Watford) which gained Watford promotion to the Premier League.
Honour Year(s)
Football League First Division Runners-up 1982–83
Football League Second Division[nb 1] Runners-up 1981–82
Play-off winners 1998–99, 2005–06
Football League Third Division[nb 2] Champions 1968–69, 1997–98
Runners-up 1978–79
Football League Fourth Division Champions 1977–78
Southern Football League Champions 1914–15
Runners-up 1919–20
FA Cup Runners-up 1983–84
Semi-finalists 1969–70, 1986–87, 2002–03, 2006–07
League Cup Semi-finalists 1978–79, 2004–05

Records

For more information, see History of Watford F.C.#Records and statistics.

Striker Luther Blissett holds the record for Watford appearances, having played 503 matches in all competitions between 1976 and 1992, and his 415 Football League appearances during the same period is also a club record. Blissett also holds the corresponding goalscoring records, with 186 career Watford goals, 148 of which were in the league. The records for the most league goals in a season is held by Cliff Holton, having scored 42 goals in the 1959–60 season. The highest number of goals scored by a player in a single game at a professional level is the six registered by Harry Barton against Wycombe Wanderers in September 1903.

The team's biggest ever competitive win was an 11–0 defeat of Maidenhead F.C. in the Southern Football League in 1900, a match which shares the record for the highest scoring game involving Watford with the club's victories over Torquay United and Burnley F.C. in 1937 and 2003 respectively. The club's record home attendance is 34,099, for an FA Cup match against Manchester United on 3 February 1969, while their highest home league attendance is 27,968 against Q.P.R. in August of the same year. Watford's home capacity has since been reduced to 19,920, as a result of the Taylor report, and the closure of the Main stand at Vicarage Road due to health and safety concerns.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The second division was renamed Division 1 upon the inception of the Premier League in 1992–93, and rebranded as the Football League Championship in 2004–05.
  2. ↑ The third division was renamed Division 2 upon the inception of the Premier League in 1992–93.

References

  1. ↑ "Watford Football Club". The Football League. http://www.football-league.co.uk/clubs/20100615/watford_2246557_692872. Retrieved 21 June 2010. 
  2. ↑ BBC News - Watford close to administration; BBC News. Retrieved 16 December 2009
  3. ↑ "History of Watford FC - Grounds". Watford F.C. 9 September 2009. http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10400~65929,00.html. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Classic Cup Finals: 1984". The Football Association. http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/History/Postings/2003/11/44455.htm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  5. ↑ "History of Watford FC - Notable people". Watford F.C. 29 May 2008. http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10400~65917,00.html. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Mackay named Watford boss". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 15 June 2009. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5381797,00.html. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Notes from a lecture on the clubs history given by Edmund Coan, former club press officer, to the Kings Langley Historical Society on 21 January 2009. Reported in the Hemel Gazette 25 February 2009.
  8. ↑ "Football League Division 3 (South) table 1926/27". footballsite.co.uk. http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/LeagueTables/Season1926-27/Div3%28S%291926-27.htm. Retrieved 18 October 2009. 
  9. ↑ "English Division Three South Cup : Honours". Statto.com. Statto Organisation Limited. http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-three-south-cup/honours. Retrieved 18 October 2009. 
  10. ↑ "Watford: Record while in the Football League". footballsite.co.uk. http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/ClubbyClub/ClubHistories/Watford.htm. Retrieved 18 October 2009. 
  11. ↑ "Football League Division 3 (South table 1950/51". footballsite.co.uk. http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/LeagueTables/Season1950-51/Div3%28S%291950-51.htm. Retrieved 18 October 2009. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "History of Watford FC - Club Records". Watford F.C. http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10400~65910,00.html. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  13. ↑ "Pat Jennings". Irish Football Association. http://www.irishfa.com/squad-profiles/297/legends-of-the-game/pat-jennings/. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Hornet History :A History of Watford FC
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 "Graham Taylor profile". BBC Sport. 5 February 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/1801976.stm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  16. ↑ "English Division Four (old) 1977–1978 : Table". Statto.com. Statto Organisation Limited. http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-four-old/1977-1978/table. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  17. ↑ "English Division Two (old) 1981–1982 : Table". Statto.com. Statto Organisation Limited. http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-two-old/1981-1982/table. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  18. ↑ "Watford are top of the bill". The Mirror Sport. 1 September 1982. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/incoming/article19182.ece/BINARY/Jenkins1982Southampton.pdf. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  19. ↑ "Watford 1975–1976 : English Division Four (old) Table". Statto.com. Statto Organisation Limited. http://www.statto.com/football/teams/watford/1975-1976/table/1975-08-23. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  20. ↑ "Star striker Blissett heads for new life at Italy's AC Milan". Watford Observer. Newsquest Media Group. 6 July 1983. http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/169701.star_striker_blissett_heads_for_new_life_at_italys_ac_milan/. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  21. ↑ "FA Youth Cup winners". The Football Association. http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup/History/FAYouthCupWinners.aspx. Retrieved 22 October 2009. 
  22. ↑ Johnson, William (1 May 2001). "Vialli unveiled as new Watford manager". Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2001/05/01/sfnwat02.xml. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  23. ↑ "Vialli sacked by Chelsea". Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2000/09/13/sfnche13.xml. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  24. ↑ "Vialli sacked". BBC Sport. 14 June 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/2045074.stm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  25. ↑ "Watford in financial peril". BBC Sport. 24 September 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/2278920.stm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  26. ↑ BBC: Vialli sues Watford
  27. ↑ "Hornets eye stadium repurchase". BBC Sport. 13 March 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/2847751.stm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  28. ↑ "Watford players agree pay cut". BBC Sport. 25 September 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/2281913.stm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  29. ↑ "Young completes £9.65m Villa move". BBC Sport. 23 January 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/6277389.stm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  30. ↑ "FA Cup Semi Final: Watford vs Manchester Utd". The Football Association. http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/RooneyWatford1.htm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  31. ↑ "New contract for Boothroyd". Premier League. http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=1806519&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsLatestFAPremierLeagueNews. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  32. ↑ "Watford sign Ellington for £3.25m". BBC Sport. 29 August 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/6969399.stm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  33. ↑ "Boothroyd leaves Watford position". BBC Sport. 3 November 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7707054.stm. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  34. ↑ "MacKay takes temporary charge". Watford F.C. http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1442851,00.html. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  35. ↑ "Watford Appoints Rodgers". Watford F.C. http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1464578,00.html. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 
  36. ↑ Club disappointed as Rodgers departs
  37. ↑ "Watford - Historical football kits". http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Watford/Watford.htm. Retrieved 17 October 2009. 
  38. ↑ Murray, Scott (21 February 2001). "Whatever happened to Third Lanark?". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2001/feb/21/theknowledge.sport. Retrieved 27 May 2010. 
  39. ↑ David Conn (21 September 2002). "New owners of Vicarage Road revealed as Watford wither". London: The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-conn-new-owners-of-vicarage-road-revealed-as-watford-wither-643356.html. Retrieved 20 October 2009. 
  40. ↑ Oli Phillips (6 August 2004). "Watford seal Vicarage Road Deal". Watford Observer. http://mobile.watfordobserver.co.uk/search/516393.Watford_seal_Vicarage_Road_deal/. Retrieved 23 October 2009. 
  41. ↑ Joint probe launched into trouble BBC
  42. ↑ "Profiles". Watford F.C. http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10400,00.html. Retrieved 2009-04-16. 
  43. ↑ "Magic numbers". Watford F.C. 7 July 2010. http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2085943,00.html. Retrieved 7 July 2010. 
  44. ↑ Smith, Frank (2010-02-11). "Academy assistant manager Mark Warburton leaves Watford". Watford Observer. http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/5002588.Warburton_leaves_Watford/. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
  45. ↑ Adrian Boothroyd's managerial career soccerbase.com

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