Watford F.C.

Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets (or, more colloquially, The 'Orns). Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade later. After finishing the 1914–15 season as Southern League champions, Watford joined the Football League in 1920. The club played at several grounds in its early history, before moving to a permanent location at Vicarage Road in 1922, where it remains to this day.^[2] As of the 2011–12 season, the team plays in the Football League Championship. The club's current manager is former central defender Sean Dyche, who was appointed in June 2011, having previously served the club as a player, coach and assistant manager.^[3]

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 Watford rose to the old First Division from the Fourth Division. Watford finished second in First Division in 1983, competed in the UEFA Cup in the 1983–84 season, and reached the FA Cup final in 1984.^[4] 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 non-executive Chairman of the club's holding company, and an honorary life president alongside Sir Elton John, who owned Watford during both of these eras and has continued a long association with the club.^[5]

History

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

Watford Rovers was formed in 1881. The team 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. The team became the football division of West Hertfordshire Sports Club in 1890, and consequently moved to a ground on Cassio Road. The team was renamed West Hertfordshire in 1893, joined the Southern Football League in 1896, and started to pay professional footballers in 1897. West Hertfordshire merged with local rivals Watford St Mary's in 1898; the merged team was named Watford Football Club.

Watford 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 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 to the league, in competition with 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.^[6] 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.^[7][8] 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 Third Division clubs voting to retain them in the league.^[9]

The club remained in the Third Division South until 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 winning 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.^[10] 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 being a Third Division player. His performances earned him a transfer to Tottenham after less than one season.^[11]

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. Endean's arrivial marked the start of an unbeaten run after Christmas, and Watford secured the league title in April, at home to Plymouth Argyle. A year later Watford reached the FA Cup semi-final for the first time. They defeated First Division teams Stoke City and Liverpool, building up hopes that Watford might soon be playing First Division football. However, Ken Furphy was poached by Blackburn Rovers, to be succeeded by George Kirby. Hampered by a lack of funds and forced to sell players to survive, Watford fell back into the Third Division in 1972.^[12] Watford failed to make an impact in the Third Division, and in 1975 were relegated to the Fourth Division. However, lifelong supporter Elton John joined Watford in 1973 as club president, and became chairman in 1976. The singer declared an ambition to take Watford into the First Division. He sacked manager Mike Keen in April 1977.^[12]

When Graham Taylor was named as Watford's new manager in June 1977, the club were considered an unremarkable Fourth Division side.^[13] Later that year, the greyhound track that encircled the pitch was removed as it was seen by Taylor to lower the club's professional reputation. Taylor achieved success in his first season at the club; 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.^[14] Promotion to the Second Division followed in 1978–79, and Ross Jenkins finished the season as the league's top scorer with 29 goals. Watford consolidated with 18th and 9th placed finishes over the following two seasons, and secured promotion to the First Division for the first time in their history in 1981–82, finishing second behind rivals Luton Town.^[13][15]

Watford started the 1982–83 season with wins over Everton and Southampton. 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.^[16][17] Watford were unable to maintain a title challenge, but eventually finished the season second behind Liverpool, which ensured UEFA Cup qualification for the following season. Luther Blissett finished the season as the First Division top scorer, before signing for Italian Serie A side A.C. Milan for £1m at the end of the season.^[18] 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.^[13]

Following Taylor's departure, Wimbledon manager Dave Bassett was appointed as his replacement. England winger John Barnes was sold to Liverpool, and after a terrible start to the 1987–88 season, 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 defeat in the Second Division play-offs. They did however win the FA Youth Cup, beating Man City 2–1 after extra time,^[19] with future England international David James in goal for the Hornets. Over the next few seasons, Watford never seriously challenged for promotion. The Second Division was renamed the First Division following the formation of the Premier League in 1992. The closest Watford came to promotion over the next four years was a Craig Ramage-inspired seventh placed finish in the 1994–95 season. However, in the following season—Glenn Roeder's third as manager—Watford struggled. Despite the return of Graham Taylor as caretaker manager in February 1996, the club was relegated to Division Two.^[13]

Following the relegation, Taylor became Director of Football, with former Watford midfielder Kenny Jackett as head coach. After a mid-table finish in Division Two in 1996–97, Jackett was demoted to the position of assistant manager; Taylor returned as manager. Taylor led Watford to a second league title under his management, by winning the Second Division title in 1997–98. A second successive promotion followed in 1998–99, thanks to a 2–0 play-off Final victory over Bolton. Watford's first Premiership season started brightly with an early victory over Liverpool, but Watford's form soon faded away, and they were relegated after finishing bottom. Graham Taylor retired at the end of the 2000–01 season,^[13] and was replaced by Gianluca Vialli.^[20] 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.^[21] He was replaced by Ray Lewington, who had joined the club the previous summer as Vialli's reserve team manager.

Watford's weak financial position was exposed in 2002–03, following the collapse of ITV Digital.^[22][23] The club was facing administration, but an agreement by players and staff to a 12% wage deferral helped the club's cash flow, and a run to the FA Cup semi-final in 2003 generated vital revenue.^[24][25] The financial difficulties saw a large number of players released that summer. 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. However poor form saw the club drop towards the relegation zone. Despite reaching the semi-final of the League Cup, Watford's league form did not improve, and Lewington was sacked in March 2005. His successor, Aidy Boothroyd, led the club to Championship survival.

In Boothroyd's first full season, Watford generally sustained 3rd position all year, and Marlon King finished the season as the division's top scorer. Watford secured a play-off place with a draw at home against rivals Luton Town, and went on to beat Leeds 3–0 in the play-off final to gain promotion to the Premier League. The team did not record a Premier League win until November, and Ashley Young was sold to Aston Villa for a club record fee of £9.65 million in January 2007.^[10][26] Watford finished bottom after only winning five league games, but did reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.^[27] Boothroyd continued as manager, and spent heavily on players, including Nathan Ellington for £3.25million.^[28] Although Watford led the Championship by several points early in 2007–08, they endured a poor run of form in 2008. They only clinched a play-off spot on the final day of the season, and were defeated by Hull City in the semi finals. Boothroyd left the club by mutual consent three months into the 2008–09 season, with Watford 21st in the Championship table.^[29]

Reserve team manager Malky Mackay took temporary charge of the club,^[30] until Brendan Rodgers was confirmed as Watford's new manager on 24 November 2008.^[31] Watford secured safety with one game to go, and eventually finished 13th. After initially hinting that he would remain at Watford, Rodgers replaced Steve Coppell as manager of Reading at the end of the season.^[32] Mackay was appointed as his replacement. Amid the multi-million pound sales of several players including Tommy Smith, and coming close to administration, Watford finished the 2009–10 season 16th in the Championship.^[33] Further departures followed at the end of the season, including that of club captain Jay DeMerit, but Watford finished two places higher in 2010–11, with Danny Graham ending the campaign as the Championship's top scorer.^[34] Mackay left to manage Cardiff City in June 2011.^[35]

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".^[12] 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.^[36] 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.^[37]The club's current crest was introduced in 1978 and since has had minor alterations, with the latest design unveiled in 2001.

The club's initial nickname was The Brewers, in reference to the Benskins Brewery, which owned the freehold of Vicarage Road.^[38] This nickname did not 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.

Stadium

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.^[39] From the start of the 1997–98 season, Watford have shared Vicarage Road with rugby union side Saracens F.C.

Rivalry

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 60s and 70s the two sides met sporadically, and the rivalry gradually grew in significance, bringing with it trouble in the ground and outside 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 90s 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.^[40] 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. Some Watford fans class Reading as rivals, after former manager Brendan Rodgers left to join them, although Rodgers has since been sacked as Reading manager, and after Reading were awarded a controversial goal against Watford at Vicarage Road during the 2008–09 season, despite the ball clearly not going in the net. At the same fixture the following season, Watford beat Reading 3–0, ensuring Watford's survival in the Football League Championship. Other rivals include QPR and Crystal Palace.

Players

For more information on this season's squad, see 2011–12 Watford F.C. squad.

Current squad

Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth. Lineup correct as of 2 January 2012.^[41]

Key: GK: Goalkeeper DF: Defender MF: Midfielder FW: Forward

Out on loan

Former players

Management

Managerial history

Watford's team was selected by committee until 1903, when former England international John Goodall was appointed player-manager. The impact was immediate, as Watford secured promotion to the Southern League First Division in 1903–04. Goodall retired as a player in 1907, and left the club in 1910. He was replaced by his former captain, Harry Kent. Kent become known for his financial management of the club, frequently making a profit on transfers.^[43] He led the club to the Southern League title in 1914–15, and missed out on a second title in 1919–20 on goal average, before resigning in 1926. Kent's three immediate successors—Fred Pagnam, Neil McBain and Bill Findlay—all played for Watford prior to and during the early part of their managerial tenures. None were able to lead the team to promotion from the Third Division South, although Findlay did lead Watford to a Third Division South Cup win in 1937.

Up until Findlay's departure in 1947, Watford had been managed by 5 managers in 44 years, all of whom played for the team. By contrast, six men managed the club between 1947 and 1956, only two of whom were former Watford players.^[45] After a further three years under McBain between 1956 and 1959, Watford's following three managers presided over improved teams. Ron Burgess led Watford to promotion from the Fourth Division in 1959–60. Bill McGarry was only in charge for one full season (1963–64), but Watford recorded what was then their highest ever league position: third in the Third Division. His successor Ken Furphy matched that achievement in 1966–67, and led Watford to the Third Division title in 1969, before taking the club to their first FA Cup semi-final in 1970. Following Furphy's departure in 1971, Watford entered a period of decline, experiencing relegation under subsequent managers George Kirby and Mike Keen.^[45]

Graham Taylor took charge of the club in 1977. He led the club to promotion to the Third Division in 1978, the Second Division in 1979, and the First Division for the first time in Watford's history in 1982. After a second-placed finish in the First Division in 1983, Watford competed in European competition for the first time in 1983–84, as well as reaching the 1984 FA Cup final. Taylor left the club at the end of 1986–87. Under the six subsequent permanent managers (Dave Bassett, Steve Harrison, Colin Lee, Steve Perryman, Glenn Roeder and Kenny Jackett), Watford slid from 9th in the top tier in 1987, to 13th in the third tier in 1997. Taylor returned as manager for the start of the 1997–98 season. He led the club to consecutive promotions, but could not prevent relegation from the Premier League in 1999–2000. Since Taylor's retirement in 2001, Watford have had five managers. Aidy Boothroyd took Watford back to the Premier League in 2006, but Watford were relegated in 2007, and Boothroyd departed in 2008. Malky Mackay took charge at the start of the 2009–10 season, and left in June 2011.^[34][35]

Current managing staff

Honours

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

Records

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 in 1937 and 2003 respectively. On 25 September 1982, whilst in their first ever season in the top division, the Hornets recorded their biggest Football League victory with an 8–0 scoreline at home to Sunderland. Watford's biggest ever away win (in terms of winning margin) in the history of their club came on 18 September 2010 in a league clash against Millwall, who were unbeaten at home for 10 months. The Hornets won 6–1.

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 Queens Park Rangers in August of the same year. Watford's home capacity has since been reduced as a result of the Taylor report, and the closure of the Main stand at Vicarage Road due to health and safety concerns. The capacity currently stands at 17,504.

Footnotes

Further reading

• Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X. 
• Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1. 
• Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford Football Club. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0. 

References

External links

• Watford FC official homepage
• Watford on BBC Sport: Club News – Recent results – Upcoming fixtures – Club stats
• Soccerbase – a large amount of Watford data at Soccerbase
• Interviews with former Watford players
• Hornet History:History of Watford Football Club from 1940s
• AIM: WFC