Watford FC 2019-20 Matchday Programme 18 – Newcastle United

N EWCAS T L E U NI T E D 11.07.20 / 12.30PM / £3.50

T H E

FROM COPPER CANS TO COPA AMERICA THE S TO RY O F R O BE RTO MAX I M I L I AN O P E R E YR A…

GAMEDAY

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WAT F O R D V N E W CA S T L E U N I T E D 1 1 . 0 7 . 2 0

HEAD TO HEAD LEAGUE FA CUP LEAGUE CUP TOTAL

DRAWN

10 3 1 14

13 2 0 15

LAST TWO MEETINGS

12 3 1 16

TODAY’S OFFICIALS

Referee: Craig Pawson Assistant Referees: Stuart Burt, Daniel Robathan Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone VAR: Stuart Attwell Additional VAR: Andrew Garratt

Newcastle United 0-2 Watford (Sat Jan 26, 2019)

Newcastle United 1-1 Watford (Sat Aug 31, 2019)

CLUB DIRECTORY & OFFICIALS

PEOPLE

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Contact Us Watford Football Club Vicarage Road Stadium, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 0ER 01923 496000 (Reception) 01923 223023 (Ticket Hotline) 01923 496001 (Fax)

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CLUB HONOURS Football League: First Division – Runners-Up 1982/83 Second Division – Runners-Up 1981/82, 2014/15; Play-Off Winners 1998/99, 2005/06 Third Division Champions 1968/69, 1997/98; Runners-Up 1978/79 Fourth Division Champions 1977/78; Promoted 1959/60 (4th) FA Cup: Runners-Up 1984, 2019 FA Youth Cup: Winners 1982, 1989; Runners-Up 1985

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Contributors Kevin Affleck, David Anderson, Katie Barr, Alex Bennett, Troy Deeney, Shea Duffy, From the Rookery End, James Garrett, Sam Gillings, Joel Goldman, Kristian Hitchins, William Hodgins, Paul Levene, Dave Messenger, Peter Morgan, Alan Palmer, Nigel Pearson, Matt Rowson, Danny Varsalona, Mike Walters, Helen Ward Programme Editors Steve Scott, Richard Walker programme@watfordfc.com Programme Design Paul Tait, Sol Tomlinson, James Wright Official Club Photographer Alan Cozzi Additional Photography Getty Images

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NIGEL’S “

N O T E S

“”

TO COME BACK FROM ONE GOAL BEHIND, WHEN CONFIDENCE WASN’T NECESSARILY AT A HIGH POINT, SHOWED THE KIND OF GRIT, SPIRIT AND DETERMINATION WHICH WE’RE GOING TO NEED PLENTY MORE OF…

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H

ello again – from a distance, sadly. I really hope it won’t be too long before we can have our fans back with us here, because it’s definitely not the same.

But there’s nothing we can do about that. We’ve got to get on with the circumstances with which we’ve been presented, and it seems to me as if we’re warming to that task more and more as the match minutes have ticked by.

I’ve seen some other managers talking about the difference a lack of a crowd can make and I go along with the sentiments about it being quite tough at times to play in an environment that really is so unusual.

I’m not sure how Steve feels about this, because I know just how expectant the supporters on Tyneside can be from working there, so perhaps they’ve found it to their liking.

We’re pleased to be welcoming Steve, his players and the staff of Newcastle United to Vicarage Road today. They’ve experienced a very different season to ourselves, certainly since lockdown in the main at least, so we both come into this one with different objectives – both of which include the obvious target of the three points on offer.

I talked in Tuesday night’s notes about the positives I’d seen at Chelsea a few days before and, although different elements came to the fore against Norwich, the general feeling that we’d worked hard to play ourselves back into a bit of touch – and with no little spirit as well at Stamford Bridge – was able to be translated to three very valuable points on the night.

The obvious individual highlight of the evening came with Danny’s goal, and I’ve no hesitation in saying I’m delighted for him, given what he’s had to persevere against to get back flying this season.

Perhaps the extended mid-season enforced break helped him a little to really fine-tune his recovery. Well if that’s the case, then he deserves that bit of luck because he’s had plenty of misfortune with injuries over recent times.

Just as important was how we approached the game as a team.

To come back from one goal behind, when confidence wasn’t necessarily at a high point, showed the kind of grit, spirit and determination which we’re going to need plenty more of today and for the other three games after this one.

I mentioned my admiration for the players after the game on Tuesday; the way they found something more inside themselves to get the result they needed. We’ve found that inner strength and now we are able to add the belief that a win provides to those positive feelings.

I see this group of players every day and that’s my privilege, because I’m able to witness the character and personality that we’re able to draw upon within this squad.

The players are aware they’re representing the whole Watford community when they take to the field.

Supporters might not be here in person, so we’ve got to do right by them time and again to make sure we can welcome them back in the Premier League.

Take care and all the best for now,

9 06

DEENEY

T R O Y

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I

’ve found it important, as time has gone on, to be able to put criticism in proper context and understand the frustrations of

others.

Because my name is synonymous with the club, it’s obvious I’ll come under more scrutiny than other lads when things aren’t going well. That’s part and parcel of being in the position I am as captain of my club, I guess.

I wasn’t good enough at the start of the season. Then when I was injured, the team needed me back. Then when I was back and we’d stopped winning it was my fault. And I think it’s been my fault we’ve not been great at times since the restart.

“.” “”

I REALLY ENJOYED WHAT WE SHOWED ON TUESDAY NIGHT. A BIG SHOW OF DETERMINATION TO WIN THE GAME… I’m lucky to have a close circle of friends, who are harsher on me than any journalist, commentator or keyboard warrior. They don’t pull punches but they give balance and perspective as well. Sometimes when I’ve had a bad game, those people closest might say ‘you know what, it wasn’t as bad as you think’. Other times, when things have gone well, there’s a little word in my ear on the way, to bring down the excitement of the moment at just the right time.

I can use all of this for motivation, in the right way. And I really enjoyed what we showed on Tuesday night.

A big show of determination to win the game, to get the job done; that’s

what we spoke about before the game and we didn’t flinch when Norwich scored. In fact, I felt we looked more assured within our game.

The nerves came along when we went ahead and we went a bit deep a bit early but that’s understandable.

The lads all over dug in and it’s one where I feel we earned that bit of luck we had with the boy missing right near the end.

We knew Norwich were a bit vulnerable from set-pieces and it’s made a big difference having some quality deliveries from Hughesy and Caps lately. Daws is a big threat and he’s showing why he’s always scored goals during his career now. There’s always something pleasing about scoring more goals from set-pieces.

But now we’ve got to go and get an extra gear out of ourselves. That’s what we’ve got to do; we know it and we’re on it.

All the players owe the supporters to give absolutely everything.

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“THIS MEANS A LOT TO ME AND THE WHOLE CLUB”

>> THE HORNET

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Danny Welbeck reflects on his key role in the midweek win over Norwich, and looks ahead to today’s Newcastle test…

Unlike when he scored the matchwinning goal on Tuesday evening, Danny Welbeck was keeping his feet on the ground when dissecting just what those three points against Norwich could mean to Watford’s chances of survival this season.

The striker bagged his first Premier League goal for the club with a spectacular bicycle kick which earned a vital victory over the Canaries, but he knows the Hornets must build upon this result going into another important fixture against Newcastle United today.

“It’s a big goal,” said Welbeck.

“To get the three points, especially after going behind, we showed great character as a team, as a collective.

“To come back and respond as early as we did and then to get

the winning goal and get the three points, it’s a massive job well done for us.

“The determination and the desire were there, and I think we set the standard with that performance. It’s something now that we can build upon and take into the next game.”

Welbeck thinks his strike trumps Craig Dawson’s equaliser against Leicester City for the best overhead kick at the Rookery End since the restart.

The striker couldn’t comment on how his effort compares to Nick Wright’s famous goal for the club at Wembley in 1999 – although he did ask to see a replay of that strike after his interview duties were finished – but it’s fair to say he was pleased with his work regardless.

“It’s one of those moments where,

09 when the ball falls to you like that, there’s only one thing you can go for,” said the 29-year-old.

“To be fair I heard a couple of the boys shouting ‘Time’ but once it was there, I knew I could make a sweet connection with it. I haven’t actually scored a bicycle kick before so I’m pretty pleased with that. It’s definitely up there [with my best goals].

“I was looking over my head and seeing it go into the top corner was a great moment for me. This one means a lot to me personally and it means a lot to the whole club.

We needed three points, so it was massive for us.”

When Welbeck was forced off with a hamstring injury in the match at Spurs back in October – just when he was settling nicely into this Watford team – moments like Tuesday night would have felt far away.

But the striker was determined to get back to full fitness as soon as possible to help the team out and now wants to ensure he plays a key role in this survival challenge.

“It was a low moment, it’s one that’s gone now and it’s behind me,” he said.

“Now I want to focus on the remaining games, give it my all and make an impact. I’m looking forward to it and relishing the challenge.

“Obviously, those times are difficult, but you’ve got to keep the faith and make sure you keep your head and know there’s better times to come.

“Going into the Newcastle game, we have to prepare right mentally, tactically and physically. We’ll get the recovery in and then we’ll go again, and we’re looking forward to that game on Saturday.”

IN THEIR OWN WORDS 11

ROBERTO PEREYRA From selling copper cans to playing alongside Messi and Pirlo – Argentina international tells his remarkable story

ROBERTO

PEREYRA Age: 29 Squad number: 37 Nationality: Argentinian Watford games: 86+27 Watford goals: 18

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HUNDRED CLUB I am very proud to have played my 100th Premier League game for Watford recently. It’s not the kind of thing that just anyone can achieve, so it’s a great accomplishment for me and one I am honoured to have reached. The challenge now is to carry on and get many more. The Premier League is the best league in the world and definitely the most intense to play in. I’ve played in Argentina and Italy and

every league has its own characteristics, but I’d say that the Premier League is the best out of them all. I’ve had some happy memories with Watford so far. Without doubt my favourite moments were from last year. We started the season off very well for the first six months and we got to the FA Cup final. That was a great achievement and I really hope we can now end this season on a high.

BACK AT YOU, SKIPPER Apparently Troy said recently that I am the best player he’s ever played with, so I wanted to take this opportunity to repay the compliment. It made me feel really good to hear that because it’s always nice to hear teammates who you respect speaking so well about you. Troy is a great

leader, he is very positive and he always does the best he can for this club. He’s very important to the team and he has a very positive influence on us all. He is a great example for people to follow, both on and off the pitch, and I am proud to call him my teammate.

THE GREATEST I’m often asked who the best player is that I’ve ever played with, and to be honest there are so many great footballers who I’ve been fortunate enough to have the chance to play alongside. At Juventus I played with the likes of Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo, and the mentality of these players and their absolute hunger to win made them so special. They just didn’t accept anything less than winning, which was incredible to see. The same goes for

Lionel Messi, who I’ve played with for the Argentina national team. Sometimes you can be in training and you see him do something amazing and you look to a teammate, laugh, and just ask ‘how did he do that?!’ You’re constantly being surprised by the things that Messi does, but you just have to make sure you learn from being on the same pitch as somebody as great as him.

>> THE HORNET

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‘ESCOPETA’ Away from football, the sportsperson who I’ve been the most inspired by is Carlos Monzón, the Argentinian boxer. Purely from a sporting point of view, it was his personality more than anything else that I admired. He had to be so brave and courageous to become the boxer that he was. Unfortunately, I was only able to see him on videos or on TV, but his personality and strength were incredible. He came

from a poor background and worked really hard to get to where he was. He was the undisputed world middleweight champion for quite a few years. In general, I’m not a huge fan of boxing – football is my main love – but if there’s a big fight then I will watch it. I know that Anthony Joshua is from Watford and I saw him once at our training ground. He is huge. He couldn’t get through the door; he was that big!

“.” “”

ROBERTO

PEREYRA

I am very proud to have played my 100th Premier League game for Watford recently. It’s not the kind of thing that just anyone can achieve, so it’s a great accomplishment for me and one I am honoured to have reached. The challenge now is to carry on and get many more.

>> THE HORNET

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RAGS TO RICHES Living through poverty is not something especially rare when you come from my part of the world. Just like Monzón, things weren’t particularly comfortable for my family. I think if you ask anyone from these places, we would all have the same experiences. When I was growing up in Tucumán, I used to sell cans of copper and fruit to earn some money for myself, but we are all from humble backgrounds. My parents both worked and sometimes we had enough for food and other times we didn’t. I used

to try to do anything extra to earn some money because we all tried to help each other out. I couldn’t think about buying footballs or boots with this money because I needed to use it to buy food. I often think about how much things have changed and I talk to my family and friends about it because without them I would not be here. My parents made many sacrifices to help me get enough money to buy football boots and things, so I’m very proud and grateful to get this far.

AMIGOS One of my closest friends at the club is Geri [Deulofeu], and I talk to him a few times a week, even though he’s not been around since he got his injury a few months ago. He seems really happy and he is doing well in his recovery, which makes us all pleased. He’s doing a lot to get fit again, so we are looking forward

to when he can come back. I had a bad injury of my own a few years ago, but we don’t really talk about that. I just try to help him to feel better in his situation.

Everyone reacts differently in these situations, but the best thing you can have is someone positive around you and I want to do that for him.

FOR THE FANS We’ve played five games behind closed doors now and I must say, it is really strange playing football matches without the fans being there. It doesn’t even feel like a match at all. I definitely miss the crowd being there and them giving us that extra push, because I really

enjoy playing in front of them. I know this team is trying absolutely everything to stay up in the Premier League this year and we have the belief to do it. It has been a difficult season, but we are giving our all to achieve this for the supporters.

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“”

ROBERTO

PEREYRA

When I was growing up in Tucumán, I used to sell cans of copper and fruit to earn some money for myself. My parents both worked and sometimes we had enough for food and other times we didn’t. I couldn’t think about buying footballs or boots with this money because I needed to use it to buy food.

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In our game There’s always room for passion.

There’s room for rivalry.

There’s room for emotion.

But there is no room for racism.

If you see it, report it.

>> THE HORNET

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Download the Kick It Out app, or tell a police officer or steward in the stadium.

UNIFORIA UNIFORIA UNIFORIA UNIFORIA

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© 2020 adidas AG

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WATFORD FC LADIES

>> THE HORNET

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Kat’s wand of a left foot is ever-dependable, and her ball delivery is a talent deserving of a higher level.

A genuinely wonderful person with a sense of humour to match.

2. RYAH VYSE

One of the hardest working players at the club. The only thing she works harder on than her kicking is her pregame look.

4. EMILY HILL

3. KAT HUGGINS

1. NINA WILSON

In this issue, we asked the 2019/20 Watford FC Ladies squad to talk about their teammates, and here are some of the things they said about each other‌

Hilarious, kind, assists. What more is there to say? It was great having her come to Watford and fit straight in.

Consistently good, reliable, grounded and still has so much potential to fulfil and reach even higher levels of performance.

Eager to work hard and be an option in attack.

She has worked so hard to overcome a tough knee injury and in her first game back she created chance after chance for her teammates.

6. OCEAN ROLANDSEN 9. ANAISA HARNEY

8. ALYSHA STOJKO-DOWN

A defender who can score, what more could you want?

A key member of the team on and off the pitch. When she plays well, so does the team.

10. HELEN WARD

7. LEANNE BELL

5. ANNE MEIWALD

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Frank (despite her moaning) is an asset to any team. She’s been awesome in every game and is relentless up and down the right wing, contributing both goals and assists.

Alysha is always looking to improve and take every opportunity she gets. She is a great player for us in the middle with her quick feet and ability to strike a ball from distance.

Strong, committed and hugely talented. If she believes in herself as much as we do, she will have a bright future in football.

Leads by example on and off the pitch, a consistent performer week in, week out and does her best to make everyone feel included.

>> THE HORNET

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14. KATIE O’LEARY

Technically incredible, a natural leader and has time for everyone. Pulls out some of the maddest skills and wonder goals!

Leggy is an accomplished finisher with a fantastic ability to hold the ball up and bring her teammates into play. She also keeps us entertained with some interesting questions and thought processes!

The hardest working member of the team who will always put a smile on your face.

Voted the best dressed on many occasions but also has a lot to offer on the pitch. Can spot a forward run with a great through ball and chips in with her share of long-range efforts.

17. MEGAN CHANDLER

18. DANIELLE SCANLON

15. ANDREA CARID

13. EMMA BECKETT

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Undoubtedly one of the unsung heroes of the squad.

Puts in the graft that others don’t want to do but also is technically very capable of creating or scoring a goal.

Very funny off the pitch and a key part of the squad.

20. RENEE HECTOR

An unbelievable skill set, calm and composed in possession and in front of a camera. Pretty funny, too (when she shows up). Can unlock a defence with one reverse pass.

22. ELLE RICHARDS

23: CHRISSIE WIGGINS

19. JENNIFER KIKOMEKO

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Will put her head in front of a bus if it would stop her opponent scoring a goal. An excellent one-vone defender but also has good ability and awareness on the ball. An intelligent player with a bright future.

Despite not having been able to step onto the pitch since signing, she has led by example in training and quickly become a big character within the group.

One of the more extroverted members of the squad, always smiling and has come on leaps and bounds since returning to the game this season. Always willing to learn and improve.

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>> THE HORNET

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STAY SAFE

© Sports Interactive Limited 2020.

Published by SEGA Publishing Europe Limited.

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“I THOUGHT IT WAS A WIND-UP!” The Coronavirus pandemic meant Hannah Biglin, a Watford supporter since the age of five, could no longer teach in her primary school in Manchester because, like so many other people across the country, she had to shield. This meant staying in her flat near Old Trafford with nowhere to go. Hannah’s mum, Jane, wondered if her beloved Watford could help cheer her up and contacted the club via the Hornets at Home scheme.

Hannah’s father Steve, whose own first Watford match was the FA Cup tie against Stoke City in 1970 when Colin Franks scored a screamer past Gordon Banks, brought Hannah to her first match against Wolves in 2001 and she has loved going with her dad ever since. Now Hannah has moved to Manchester, the away games at Anfield, Goodison, the Etihad and Old Trafford are always on the calendar, with The Three Ps - park, pie and pint – a regular feature of their matchdays.

So, it was a massive surprise to her when Adrian Mariappa casually called her up one Friday evening. “For most of the call I thought it was a wind-up, I was so gobsmacked,” said Hannah, who once named pet hamsters after Malky Mackay and Marlon King and lists Étienne Capoue and, since that memorable call, Adrian himself as her current favourite players. “After the call I immediately regretted not having had a real Watford conversation, but at least we managed to talk about Coronation Street!”

Despite that minor disappointment, Hannah, whose favourite Hornets memories are the play-off final against Leeds in Cardiff in 2006 and

last year’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, was chuffed to bits. “I called my family and really couldn’t believe what had just happened.

The memory has kept me going through the lockdown. Although I’m still waiting to be ‘let out’, I’m already looking forward to the walk to Old Trafford again next season”.

Jane, who keeps promising to attend her own first match since the early 1990s, added: “As a family we were so grateful that our request for a morale boost was met so brilliantly. Our other daughter worked in ITU at a London hospital and was envious of the fantastic work Watford FC did for staff at Watford General, so congratulations from all of us.”

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L CKDOWN LIFE Watford stars reveal how they’ve spent their time as the nation went into lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic…

WILL HUGHES Who did you spend lockdown with?

I was with my missus and my two dogs.

Luckily we didn’t all get on each other’s nerves as much as I thought we would!

What music did you listen to?

I quite often have the radio on when I’m at home. Either Radio One, Smooth or Magic – it just depends what mood I’m in!

How did you manage to keep entertained?

We watched a lot of Netflix. I don’t play PlayStation or X-Box so that was out of the question, but I just tried to keep a routine to my day, so that meant getting up at the normal time, doing the fitness programme we had been given and then taking the dogs for a walk.

How did you manage to keep yourself fit?

I don’t have a gym at home but I did get a Wattbike, so I did a few cycle sessions with the lads and we were also given our own individual programmes to complete.

Which TV programmes or films did you enjoy?

I got into The Last Dance quite late but that was unbelievable. That was one of the best things I’ve watched recently. I also watched Gangs of London and Tiger King, which was interesting to say the least!

I got a bit obsessed with watching Grand Designs every night too.

>> THE HORNET

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Did you read any books?

Yes, I read quite a few. Ben Stokes’ autobiography was really good, and so was Shoe Dog, which is by the founder of Nike. I also read a couple of crime novels, so it was nice to do a bit of reading.

Did you do any extra cooking?

I really enjoy cooking, to be fair. I cooked a lot during lockdown and it was something to help keep you sane. I like to do a good homemade curry.

Did you let your hair grow or cut it yourself?

I let it grow at first but when I told the missus I wanted to shave it all off she quickly got hold of some scissors and tried to tidy it up. Did she do a good job? That’s debatable! No, she did well, to be fair.

Who have you missed the most?

Probably my mum. I still haven’t seen her since before lockdown because she lives down in Bournemouth and she works quite a lot so it’s been difficult. We’ve had a few Zoom calls with the family and we talk most days so it’s nice to keep in contact.

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Change the conversation on mental health

>> THE HORNET

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#headsup thefa.com/headsup

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You are why we fly.

We fly to bring hope. We fly to bring comfort. We fly because people need to get home and life-saving equipment needs to get to the lives that need saving. We fly for the same reason we always have and always will‌you.

American Airlines and the Flight Symbol logo are marks of American Airlines, Inc. oneworld is a mark of the oneworld Alliance, LLC. Š 2020 American Airlines, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Send your pic & a few words to programme@watfordfc.com TAYLOR DIXON turned 12 on June 20. This was not quite the birthday he wanted, but a big Happy Birthday from Mummy, Daddy, Ashley, Nanny Carroll, Grandad Stan and Auntie Karen x

Happy 30th Birthday to Harry’s biggest fan, RACHEL DOWDS! Enjoy your special day.

Here’s to 30 more years travelling all over the country watching the Golden Boys. Lots of love from Ian and Chloe xxx

Happy 70th Birthday to KEITH WATSON! Keith has played football at Little Green School and also at Durrants Secondary School. He then went on to play in the County League for Rolls Royce until he was 19.

He was at Wembley in 1984 to watch Watford in the FA Cup final against Everton. Keith has been married to Linda for 50 years this year and has twin daughters Laura and Julie and one granddaughter Nicole. He now lives in Scotland and still watches Watford whenever they play!

Happy Birthday to RUDY CLARKE-JOHNSON, who turned 12 in June. He is a season ticket holder in the Rookery who also travels to many away games from Hove in East Sussex.

He is a proud member of the Southern Counties Hornets and compiles a matchday stats page for them. He is also a regular on the WD18 YouTube channel. COYH! From Dad Matt and Granddad Cliff x

Much-loved Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, dear friend, and lifelong supporter of the Golden Boys, ALWYN RICKETT, sadly passed away not too far away from Vicarage Road stadium on June 24, 2020. Dad had great fun and many adventures following Watford FC, going back over 60 years. As well as watching the football, he liked the social aspect of following the team. He enjoyed beers and good company at the sponsors evenings, laughs aplenty at the Baileys nights, and enjoyed more than a few evenings (and the odd afternoon) down the pub with some of the players back in GT’s early years. This was owing to being neighbours with the team captain of the club at the time, Dennis Booth; a lifetime friendship with Dennis and his wife Steph emerged from these golden days. Dad was a kind, friendly and generous man, and this was highlighted back then when he gave up his time to teach several of the players to drive for free, using his driving skills from his Royal Artillery days. Years later, when the club were struggling to exist, Alwyn volunteered to help paint The Vic, along with his devoted wife Maureen. He truly was a Golden Boy. Alwyn’s family meant the whole world to him, and attending games with his wife, his sons, and in recent years his grandchildren, made Dad’s smile even bigger and more beautiful than ever. A proud recipient of the Watford FC Supporter of the Season award (alongside Maureen), he enjoyed watching the Hornets beat Spurs in his final match, before deteriorating health brought to an end decades of loyal support at The Vic.

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YOU NEVER THINK WHAT VALUE A FOOTBALL CLUB COULD HAVE TO A HOSPITAL

>> THE HORNET

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Having seen and experienced the devastating effects of Covid-19 first-hand, Associate Chief Nurse Marsha Jones is grateful for the heroic work of her colleagues and for Watford FC who supported them in their hour of greatest need…

When Covid-19 first hit in the UK back in March, the whole country quickly had to adapt to a new way of life and the challenges placed by the virus and subsequent lockdown. But nobody was affected so drastically as those who felt the full force of the illness themselves or the NHS staff working around the clock to keep them safe.

Marsha Jones, Associate Chief Nurse at the West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust, falls into both of these categories, having suffered devastating symptoms for six weeks before returning to work to deal with what she describes as a “repositioned normal” and the new demands this has introduced.

“As soon as coronavirus really took over in the UK, I got hit by it really hard, so I was really out of action for six weeks,” she said. “I came down with it in the third week of March. The symptoms were horrible, I had really horrible cold sores, a really high temperature, nasty headaches. I didn’t have a cough, but I was short of breath and I felt really lethargic. I had my fair share.

“The temperature went on for a long time and the headaches were quite intense and sporadic, and your body being battered for so long, you get really exhausted in the

recovery phase, so you’re just sleeping, sleeping, sleeping. I was really fortunate that I had really good support from primary care that kept me at home, so I didn’t need to be admitted.

“On recovery I had the support of my line manager, so I worked from home for a few weeks and then was able to resume work in a blended way so there’s some days I’m on site and some when I work from home. At the minute I’m feeling fit and well, but sometimes I feel a bit exhausted.”

While she was housebound with the virus and unable to work, Marsha was following developments on social media and was blown away by the support offered to West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust and its staff.

“What stood out was the support coming from Watford Football Club: the lunches, the environment staff could come over into in the Sanctuary, the accommodation offer,” she explained.

“You normally look at it to say, ‘What’s the added value of having a stadium beside a hospital?’ and you’re always thinking that, if something untoward ever happened at the stadium, at least the hospital is next door.

You’re never thinking what value a football club could have to a hospital.

33 “Through the lens of a clinician, not until the pandemic happened did I think of the football club in this different light. In the midst of a pandemic, that’s when you actually appreciate what’s next to you a little bit more than you did before.”

Marsha is now back at work she is dealing with the different challenges posed as the virus remains in general circulation. Her job centres around areas such as patient safety and quality improvement, but she has noticed a real rally from all her colleagues to pitch in wherever their skills are of use.

“There were some things the divisions had to scale back, because all resources at the time needed to be provided to those patients that were coming in with Covid-19,” she said.

“Things around audits, quality improvement pathways that we had going were slowed down or paused because the teams were redeployed and supporting other areas.

Some people were working in ITU or other clinical areas. Some people who were nonclinical worked in other areas too.

“Unfortunately for me I couldn’t be in the mix. In fairness even if I didn’t come down with Covid, I don’t think I could have been redeployed to a patient-facing setting because of underlying respiratory issues. I’d have to have helped in different ways.

“It has been a challenging experience, but what has come to light has been around comradeship and our resilience to really see this through, and just really pulling through to do the best you possibly could at that time.”

In the midst of a pandemic, that’s when you actually appreciate what’s next to you a little bit more than you did before.

NATURAL CAFFEINE ZERO SUGAR HYDRATION now available countrywide

35

GOLDEN MEMORIES P36-37 PREQUELS XI

P46-47 YELLOW BRICK ROAD

P38-39 OVERSEAS OPPONENTS

P48-49 TEN YEARS IN THE ROOKERY END

Matt Rowson picks a team of players who’ve contributed significantly to games between Watford and Newcastle

Looking back at exhibition matches against overseas teams through programme excerpts and memorabilia

P40-43 THE NUMBER GAME

Find out which number 23s feature in our look back on 20 years of Watford squad numbers

P44-45 LOST ACQUAINTANCES

Profiling two clubs Watford have played who are no longer in the Football League

Daily Mirror sportswriter Mike Walters celebrates 50 years of albums by Sir Elton John

Highlights and memorable moments as fans’ podcast From the Rookery End marks its testimonial year

P50 STORY OF A SEASON

Using facts and stats from Trefor Jones’ watfordfcarchive.co.uk, Matt Rowson looks back at the 2007/08 campaign

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N O S TA L G I A

PREQUELS XI

>> THE HORNET

>>

Matt Rowson picks a team from those who have contributed significantly to previous matches between the Hornets and today’s visitors…

STEVE HARPER takes the position between the sticks in this week’s eleven for his part in the Magpies’ League Cup win here in 2006. The tie finished 2-2 after Scott Parker levelled Dan Shittu’s header late in injury time, and the current United first-team coach saved Jordan Stewart’s spot kick in the shoot-out to send his side through. They would lose out to eventual cup winners Chelsea in the next round.

At the back, GLENN ROEDER played for both sides and managed the Hornets in the mid-nineties; fittingly perhaps his inclusion arises from scoring for the Hornets while wearing the black and white stripes.

His own goal at Vicarage Road settled an FA Cup third round tie here at the third replay (that’s right, kids) in 1989.

Roeder had also played in a topflight game at The Vic nine months earlier when he was partnered at the back by Irishman JOHN ANDERSON. Anderson equalised ANDERSON Kenny Jackett’s opener for the Hornets with a piledriver of a free kick from 25 yards, a final nail in the Hornets’ first spell in the top flight. Due to postponement, the sides had played out the return fixture at St James Park only a week earlier, a 3-0 win for the Magpies.

The full-backs both come from Watford stock. GERARD LAVIN’s red card was the most LAVIN

notable detail of a routine win for champions-to-be United in 1992, being ostensibly booked first for overhitting an attempt to pass the ball to a United player to take a free kick and then for being the man on the end of a non-retreating wall by impatient referee John Key. Lavin is partnered by MARVIN ZEEGELAAR;; less than a week ZEEGELAAR after being given a warm welcome to English football by Andy Carroll against West Ham, Zeegelaar’s finest hour in a Watford shirt came on a rampage up and down the left flank at St James Park which saw him set up the first two Watford goals in a 3-0 win.

The first of those goals was converted by WILL HUGHES, HUGHES who forms part of a four-man midfield as a regular thorn in the Magpies’ side. He would be involved in setting up Bobby Pereyra’s opener at The Vic later the same season, and set up Andre Gray at St James’ Park in last season’s cup tie before scoring an early opener at the same ground at the start of this season (a very long time ago).

Hughes is partnered in midfield by KIERON DYER, DYER, NEIL REDFEARN and NIGEL CALLAGHAN. Redfearn played CALLAGHAN predominantly on the right flank during his brief Watford career, but a predominance of right-sided options forces him into the centre

37

here; his inclusion stems from the rare feat of scoring with Watford’s first touch of the game in the first of the many cup replays in 1989. Newcastle had played the ball backwards at kick-off for Dave Beasant to collect outside his area and concede a free kick, dispatched

by Redfearn.

Kieron Dyer once played on against the Hornets with a broken leg during his Ipswich days; his inclusion here is due to the more mundane but perhaps less painful feat of concluding his eight year Magpies career here in May 2007, opening the scoring in the process before Marlon King equalised from the spot. Nigel Callaghan’s contribution is a few years earlier, a strike at St James Park on the opening day of the season to clinch an eyecatching three points and send

• Glenn Roeder (left) and John Anderson (above).

TH E

a clarion call to the division in August 1981 at the start of an unheralded promotion season, securing the Watford Observer’s Goal of the Season award in the process.

Up front, MIRANDINHA became the first Brazilian to score at the home of football when he netted in the same cup tie that Redfearn’s free-kick had jump-started. By 2014 he was stadium manager at the Castelão Stadium in Fortaleza during Brazil’s World Cup. He is partnered by LUTHER BLISSETT,, another frequent BLISSETT thorn in Newcastle’s side who netted seven goals in fourteen appearances for the Hornets against the Magpies including a brace off the bench in the League Cup in 1978 that set up the opportunity for him to do the same to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the next round.

COMB I N ED

XI

HARPER

ANDERSON

ZEEGELAAR

ROEDER

HUGHES

DYER

LAVIN

REDFEARN

MIRANDINHA

CALLAGHAN

BLISSETT

38

N O S TA L G I A

OVERSEAS OPPONENTS

Take a trip down memory lane as memorabilia and publication excerpts, lovingly supplied by Alan Palmer, help us reminisce about matches against overseas opponents from yesteryear‌

Monday November 1, 1954 Floodlight Exhibition Match

WATFORD 2 VIENNA ATHLETIC 0

>> THE HORNET

>>

By the time Vienna Athletic visited Vicarage Road in early November 1954, interest in watch foreign opposition had waned somewhat; despite this being only the second season of overseas opponents helping to test out the stadium’s newly-installed floodlight system.

Over 12,000 watched Borussia Dortmund play Watford a couple of weeks before this game, which saw less than 5,000 witness goals from Johnny Paton and Jimmy Bowie put away the second of two visiting Austrian clubs in successive weeks.

Watford: Bennett; C Bateman, Bewley; Meadows, Shipwright, Paterson; Paton, Bowie, Cook, Smith, Walker.

Goals: Paton, Bowie. Att; 4,968.

39

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Vienna Athletic were a relatively short-lived entity in Austrian football, and are no longer around.

The Austrian capital’s football scene plays host to three significant entities in the game,

with Rapid Vienna and Austria Vienna the best-known pair.

First Vienna are the most historic club of the city but are these days further down the standings.

Rebuilt some five years ago, Rapid’s Allianzstadion contains room for nearly 30,000 and there’s quite a din for the biannual Wien derby between the hosts and the team often known as just ‘Vienna’.

40

N O S TA L G I A

23 THE NUMBER GAME >> THE HORNET

>>

Twenty years since Watford first used squad numbers, James Garrett recalls some of the players to have worn a particular number since 1999/2000‌

2000-2001: Darren Ward 2001-2002: Jermaine Pennant 2002-2003: Jamie Hand 2003-2004: Gary Fisken 2004-2005: Anthony McNamee 2005-2009: Adrian Mariappa

2009-2010: Jordan Parkes 2010-2013: Piero Mingoia 2013-2014: Lloyd Dyer 2014-2018: Ben Watson 2018-2019: Marc Navarro 2019-Present: IsmaĂŻla Sarr

41

ANTHONY MCNAMEE The skilful London-born left-winger made his first-team debut in the 2001/02 season during Gianluca Vialli’s only season in charge at The Vic. After a loan spell at Barnet and being in and out of the team regularly, McNamee established himself in the first team in the 2005/06 season, during which he made more than 20 starts as the Hornets were unexpectedly promoted. As the team struggled in their Premier League season, the winger was restricted to a handful of appearances but did score a memorable overhead kick as

the Hornets beat West Ham away in the FA Cup fourth round. He joined Crewe on loan for the last part of the season. After failing to make another start for Watford, McNamee joined Swindon Town, where he enjoyed a successful spell before moving to Norwich City. At Carrow Road he contributed to two successive promotions as the Canaries made it to the Premier League in 2011.

With opportunities limited at firstteam level, he joined MK Dons before playing for Wycombe and Macclesfield Town.

42

N O S TA L G I A

>> THE HORNET

>>

ADRIAN MARIAPPA The Harrow-born defender’s Watford career has been well documented within the matchday programme this year as he celebrates a total of ten years playing for Watford’s first team. Having joined the club as a youngster, and been faced with potential rejection aged 15, his hard work and dedication paid off as he was able to impress enough to become the captain of the youth team and be offered his first professional contract in the summer of 2005 by Aidy Boothroyd. The versatile defender went on to make his first-team debut during the 2005/06 promotion season and found himself even starting in the

centre of defence at Everton at the start of the club’s second Premier League season. By 2009, Mapps had been promoted to the number two shirt as he went on to play in 114 consecutive first-team matches before a sending off curtailed this achievement at Middlesbrough.

During these matches he became one of the side’s best players and it was no surprise he was voted the club’s Player of the Season by the supporters during the 2011/12 season. He joined Reading in the summer of 2012 before spending three seasons at Crystal Palace. He re-joined the Hornets in August 2016 as the club’s No.6!

43

BEN WATSON Signed in the January transfer window in 2015 from Wigan Athletic, the vastly experienced midfielder was an important reason the team improved and were able to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League just a few months later. His Watford career started with a bang as he played in the famous 7-2 win against Blackpool, when the Hornets had been 2-0 down at halftime. Watson was introduced at the break and was the perfect anchor in midfield to allow the more creative trio of Almen Abdi, Dániel T zsér and Adlène Guedioura to move forward in search of goals. This is not to diminish his role though and

without his influence in those few months the team might have lost their way in some matches. Although his chances were limited once the club was back in the top tier, Watson still impressed and held his own when he played. He scored a fantastic volley from a corner away at West Bromwich Albion as the team won 1-0. The midfielder left the club by mutual consent in January 2018 before joining Nottingham Forest. As well as notching up more than 400 firstteam appearances during his career, Watson also has the prestige of having scored the winning goal in an FA Cup final, for Wigan Athletic against Manchester City in 2013.

44

N O S TA L G I A

LOST ACQUAINTANCES PAUL LEVENE profiles two clubs Watford have played who are no longer in the Football League…

>> THE HORNET

>>

BURY The Shakers were sadly ejected from the Football League a little after the start of the current season, ending 125 years of membership.

Bury didn’t come face-to-face with the Hornets at league level until the 1960/61 season and there were very few encounters in subsequent years.

Following the Hornets’ promotion in 1960, the first encounter with the Shakers was on September 24, 1960 at Gigg Lane and Watford came away with the points in a 2-0 win. David Pygall and Micky Benning netted the goals in front of just under 9,500 spectators. The return at Vicarage Road resulted in a 1-1 draw in February 1961, the Hornets goal coming via a Cliff Holton penalty. The Shakers won promotion at the end of that season and the two sides didn’t meet again until 1967/68. The home clash again resulted in a 1-1 draw, with Bury’s Alec Lindsay netting an own goal. The return at Gigg Lane ended in a 2-0 home win on the last day of the season.

The Shakers went up again and there was a seven-year gap until the teams next met, also in Division Three. Watford enjoyed their first home victory against the team on October 5, 1974 with Bobby Downes and Keith Mercer scoring for the Hornets and Brian Williams netting for Bury. Northern Ireland international Derek Spence was on target for the only goal in the return at Gigg Lane, as Watford were heading for relegation.

In Graham Taylor’s second season in charge at Vicarage Road, the teams met once again in Division Three with Watford enjoying a 2-1 success at Gigg Lane, thanks to goals from Ian Bolton and Ross Jenkins (pictured right), but it was the return at Vicarage Road on January 20, 1979 that turned into a thrilling six-goal clash.

The Hornets went 2-0 up at half-time thanks to a

Luther Blissett double and when Jenkins headed in the third on 58 minutes the points seemed secured. The Shakers has other ideas though and grabbed a point with three late goals. David Gregory scored their first on 62 minutes, Ken Beamish netted the second five minutes later and Alan Whitehead nodded home the equaliser four minutes from time.

There were further meetings in 1996/97 and 1998/99, with Bury gaining a point from both away fixtures and Watford earning a draw and a win in the matches at Gigg Lane. The teams also met in the FA Cup in 1985/86, Watford eventually winning 3-0 in an away replay.

45

HALIFAX TOWN The Shaymen also did not face Watford in the league until the 1960/61 campaign, with the first clash seeing the Hornets edge home 4-3 at Vicarage Road, Holton with a brace among the scorers. In contrast, the reverse fixture at the Shay in January 1961 resulted in a goalless draw.

The clubs met three times the following season. The Hornets enjoyed a 3-0 victory in the League Cup first round in September 1961 thanks to goals from Freddie Bunce, Tommy Williams and Alf Stokes. Halifax won 2-0 in the Third Division game at the Shay through Frank Large and Graham Barnett strikes but the return in Hertfordshire ended without a goal.

In 1962/63 the Hornets won 3-1 at the Shay with goals from Bobby Howfield and Dai Ward (2). The Shaymen’s strike came from Bill Holden, who signed from Bury in June 1962.

Watford completed the double with a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road in April 1963. Ward scored again with ex-Fulham player Bobby Brown grabbing the other.

The two sides didn’t meet again until 1972

and there were ten further meetings in total.

Incredibly, eight of these league fixtures ended in draws with one win each. Watford’s victory came in a midweek game in March 1973. The Hornets, managed by former Town boss George Kirby, won 2-1 with goals from Mike Keen and Duncan Welbourne, while the Shaymen’s goal came from Alan Waddle.

The final encounter between the clubs was in Division Four in April 1978 at the Shay and ended 1-1 with Trevor How scoring for the Hornets.

Subsequently Watford have signed the likes of Rick Holden and Wayne Allison from the club and former Hornet Neil Redfearn (pictured above) had a spell as caretaker manager at the Shay in 2002 before Chris Wilder took over.

The club later got into financial difficulties and was wound up in 2008 while in the Conference.

A new outfit, FC Halifax Town, formed at the Shay and are now in the National League awaiting play-offs for possible promotion to League Two.

46

N O S TA L G I A

>> THE HORNET

>>

Daily Mirror sportswriter Mike Walters celebrates 50 years of albums by Sir Elton John, Watford’s Honorary Life President…

By common consent, it was the greatest open-air gig of all time.

An astonishing cast of rock and pop greats, assembled in the same line-up at Wembley stadium, with a simultaneous ‘twin’ concert across the Big Pond at the John F. Kennedy stadium in Philadelphia, it was billed as the “global jukebox”.

Everyone who is old enough to remember July 13, 1985 will remember where they were, or what they were doing, when Live Aid – a benefit gala to raise funds for the Ethiopian famine appeal – more or less rocked the world.

Seven months earlier, Band Aid’s charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas topped the charts for so long it was in danger of being No.1 at Easter, too.

And when the follow-up gig at Wembley became the hottest ticket in town, the longest set – 32 minutes – on an unforgettable day was played by former Watford chairman Sir Elton John.

Kicked off by Status Quo at 12 noon, it was another nine hours before the Rocket Man of this parish launched into one of his signature hits, I’m Still Standing.

Soon he was joined by Kiki Dee to perform

the duet which gave him his first UK No.1 hit, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, and George Michael – who went to school just down the road from here at Bushey Meads – to sing Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Concert organiser Bob Geldof hoped his project would raise £5 million. At the last count, it had generated £150 million.

For contractual reasons, it took almost 20 years for the whole gig to be enshrined as a four-disc DVD album, but the summer of 1985 was memorable for a glorious assortment of reasons.

It had started with Watford signing off for the 1984/85 season with 5-1 wins against Tottenham and Manchester United in the space of 48 hours, and a bonus seven-goal thriller at Anfield, and it finished with England winning the Ashes.

Live Aid, and the album it eventually spawned, may not have been Sir Elton’s personal monument to history like his biggestselling single of all time 12 years later. But seldom, if ever, has he appeared at a more celebrated concert.

47

48

N O S TA L G I A

Jon Moonie, Jason Bailey & Mike Parkin began Watford fans’ podcast From the Rookery End 10 years ago this season. To mark their testimonial year, the boys look back on an eventful decade for both the podcast and the club.

TEN YEARS IN

>> THE HORNET

>>

THE ROOKERY END In ten years covering any club there are going to be ups and downs, but in supporting Watford, it feels like there are more than the average number of twists and turns. We’ve been lucky enough to talk about a plethora of memorable occasions in our decade of creating From the Rookery End, but it’s hard to escape the feeling that we perhaps did some of our best work when things weren’t going quite to plan…

The early days of the podcast were surrounded by uncertainty. The club found itself in a situation whereby finances were always high on the agenda, there were concerns about ownership and, more often than not, there were more questions than answers. This actually meant that, during those early years, there were plenty of positives to focus on. Watford’s Academy came to the fore, with a seemingly never-ending production line of youngsters breaking through into the first team, all helping to ensure the team actually ended up over-performing. However, despite relative success on the field, we were acutely aware that all wasn’t

well and we quickly realised we could play a role as a “critical friend”, serving as supporters who act in a measured and informed way, supporting the club while also not shying away from difficult conversations.

As we all know, in the end the ownership saga was concluded with a happy ending, the current owners transforming the club almost entirely and helping to deliver an incredible journey from the Championship to the Premier League. We still don’t shy away from potentially difficult questions about any aspect of the club, but we consider ourselves fortunate that, in the past five or six years, most of our low points have come as a result of onfield activity.

Two such incidents involve Wembley Stadium and our old friends Crystal Palace. The first was the play-off final defeat in the first season following the Pozzo takeover. Having suffered heartbreak on the final day of the regular season against Leeds, we experienced the extraordinary high of the unforgettable second leg of the play-off

49

Follow @watfordpodcast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Listen to the podcast at fromtherookeryend.com

semi-final against Leicester before failing to show up in the game that really mattered, collapsing 1-0 to an extra-time penalty. The performance in the FA Cup semi-final a few years later was equally forgettable, but lead to a memorable post-match podcast where, in our role as critical friends, we were able to share our views on a bad day at the office.

Producing a podcast in the immediate aftermath of bad results isn’t always fun, but it’s necessary. Gathering ourselves to talk about the FA Cup final drubbing was tough, as was watching this season’s trip to Manchester City on Match of the Day without knowing the score, recording the podcast as we went, our mood worsening in correlation with the number of goals the hosts racked up.

We also had the desperately sad need to discuss the untimely passing of Watford’s greatest ever manager Graham Taylor, undoubtedly the saddest and most difficult podcast we’ve had to put together. It’s in doing the podcast at our lowest points, however, that have proved to be the most rewarding. They serve to remind us that we are, in effect, a family. We’re all in this together, through the good times and the bad, with the latter probably doing more to remind us just how important, valuable and rewarding supporting a club like Watford is.

It’s been a tough season, but the end is in sight. Let’s hope that it’s positive podcasts only for the rest of the season. Come on you ‘Orns!

FROM THE ARCHIVES Three Header Monster (June 2016) This episode provides an audio diary of the trip to Wembley for the 2016 FA Cup semi-final. With Premier League safety assured, this was a chance to make history but, as the podcast proves, things didn’t end up going quite to plan.

50

N O S TA L G I A

STORY OF A SEASON: 2007/08 Using facts and stats from the late Trefor Jones’ watfordfcarchive.co.uk, Matt Rowson looks back at notable campaigns from the Hornets’ history…

LEAGUE TABLE

Football League Championship: 6th place | P46 W18 D16 L12 F62 A56 GD+6 Pts70

OVERVIEW

Having been relegated from the top flight the previous season, hopes were high going into 2007/08. Marlon King was fit, having missed much of the previous campaign, and the forward line had been strengthened with the club record signing of Nathan Ellington from West Brom and Adam Johnson on loan from top-flight Middlesbrough. The Hornets started like a train, and were eight points clear in early November, but a thumping at the Hawthorns to rivals West Brom shook the foundations, Johnson was recalled by struggling Boro who figured they couldn’t afford to have someone pulling up trees in the Championship while they were battling to stay out of the same division and our form nosedived. In January Marlon King and skipper Gavin Mahon were both sold but of four permanent and two loan signings mid-season only John Eustace would prove successful. The Hornets steadied somewhat in the New Year but drew too many games, seven in a row from February onwards, and won only one of their final 16, and that was an extremely fortunate one against struggling Coventry. On the final day we dropped to sixth, our lowest point of the season, with a draw at Blackpool preserving a play-off place ahead of seventh placed Wolves by a goal on goal difference.

But a spirited home leg against Hull wasn’t rewarded with refereeing decisions and, while Darius Henderson caused brief palpitations with his last goal for the Hornets on Humberside, the second leg eventually ran away from us.

ON THE PITCH MANAGER: Aidy Boothroyd MOST LEAGUE APPS: Tommy Smith (46 of 46), Dan Shittu (38), Lloyd Doyley (37) MOST LEAGUE GOALS: Darius Henderson (13), Marlon King (11), Dan Shittu, Tommy Smith (both 7) PENALTIES: Marlon King (3) RED CARDS: Lee Williamson at Scunthorpe, John-Joe O’Toole home to Leicester (rescinded), John Eustace home to Stoke, John Eustace home to Hull in play-off, Steve Kabba at Hull, Darius Henderson at Blackpool PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Tommy Smith DOUBLES OVER: Coventry City, Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton, Wolves DOUBLES AGAINST: Barnsley WATFORD DEBUTS: 13, including John Eustace, Jobi McAnuff, Nathan Ellington WATFORD FINAL BOWS:17, including Gavin Mahon, Darius Henderson, Jordan Stewart

SAME PLACE TODAY Ten of the 24 teams in the Championship reside in the second tier today, including the four that topped the table – West Brom, Stoke, Hull and Bristol City. None of the ten have resided in the division for the entirety of the intervening period.

>> THE HORNET

>>

MOVED FURTHEST AWAY

Colchester, Scunthorpe and Plymouth all played in the fourth tier in 2019/20, though Plymouth will play in League One in 2020/21 after being promoted. Blackpool have also had a spell in the fourth tier; none have dropped into non-league.

ELSWEWHERE...

Martin Allen spent three months in charge of Leicester City before being sacked. His replacement, Gary Megson, resigned after six weeks to join Bolton. They were relegated to the third tier under Ian Holloway, who left at the end of the season.

José Mourinho resigned from Chelsea to be replaced by Avram Grant. Fabio Capello took over as England manager. Derby County finished bottom of the Premier League with 11 points. They have been in the Championship ever since.

MORE NOSTALGIA NEXT TIME...

51 N EWCAS T L E U NI T E D 11.07.20 / 12.30PM / £3.50

“IT MADE A MISERABLE DAY INTO A GREAT ONE” T H E Living in the North West makes it harder for Andy and Kirsty Lewis, a father and daughter who are both members of the north-west Hornets supporters’ group, to keep in touch with the Golden Boys. With both set for milestone birthdays at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, they each had the idea of contacting the club via the Hornets at Home scheme to see what could be done.

“Living up here, we try to see as many matches as possible,” said Kirsty, a fan since she was put in a Hornets baby grow by her proud Dad on the day she was born. “I didn’t give her much choice about being a Watford fan,” confirmed Andy, who attended his first match aged 11 and brought Kirsty to her first match around the same age.

Andy, whose stand-out memory from 50 years of support is the 7-1 League Cup win against Southampton, was first to get in touch. “Having booked places at The Grill for the original date of the Newcastle match, we missed our chance to celebrate,” said Andy. “I hoped the club could do something and was thrilled that Adrian Mariappa was able to call and help Kirsty celebrate turning 30”.

“After having to check multiple times that it was, in fact, Adrian Mariappa, we had a fairly normal conversation,” said Kirsty, who lists last season’s FA Cup semi-final win against Wolves as her best moment supporting the club. “I was a few birthday Proseccos down at that point but managed to stay calm! I did ask if he was keeping fit in the break though. It made what could have been a miserable day into a great one.”

With Andy turning 60 a few weeks later, Kirsty got in touch to see if she could return the favour.

This time, Tommy Mooney was the one to make the call. “I was slightly embarrassed, as my newly acquired 60-year-old brain couldn’t remember if he had played up front with Luther or Troy,” said Andy. “He had to remind me he played with the ‘99 play-off team and we then bonded over our mutual love of the great Graham Taylor. The calls were a truly great gesture by a wonderful football club.”

FROM COPPER CANS TO COPA AMERICA THE S TO RY O F R O BE RTO MAX I M I L I AN O P E R E YR A…

NEW CAP RANGE SS20 Collection

3.

2.

1.

6.

4.

5.

7.

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S H O P . WAT F O R D F C . C O M

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The Hornets welcome Newcastle United to Vicarage Road this afternoon, who sit comfortably in mid-table after a season which has seen them improve month by month.

The Magpies invested heavily over the summer, breaking their transfer record for Brazilian forward Joelinton and adding the exciting winger Allan Saint-Maximin to their ranks.

Steve Bruce has built this season’s success on their strong home form, only losing three times at St James’ Park all season. Today the Hornets will look to make use of their own home advantage in their penultimate game at Vicarage Road this season.

WELCOMING

THE MAGPIES

54

THE MANAGER

STEVE BRUCE

THE HORNET

//

Age: 59 Previous clubs: Sheffield United (1998-1999), Huddersfield (1999-2000), Wigan (2001), Crystal Palace (2001), Birmingham City (2001-2007), Wigan (2007-2009), Sunderland (2009-2011), Hull City (2012-2016), Aston Villa (2016-2018), Sheffield Wednesday (2019) The Englishman began his managerial career after retiring as a player at Sheffield United in 1998 and taking the reins for a season at the South Yorkshire club. He went on to have three other short-term appointments before establishing himself at Birmingham City. The former Manchester United defender took over the Midlands side in mid-table but galvanised the squad and went on a ten-game unbeaten run to finish the season in the play-off places, eventually beating Norwich City and reaching the Premier League. He repeated this achievement in 2007 with the Blues before moving to Wigan Athletic that summer. After a spell at Sunderland he joined Hull City in 2012, where he led the team to the Premier League in his first season with The Tigers. The following season his team reached the FA Cup final and took an early twogoal lead against Arsenal but failed to hold off the Gunners in extra-time. Three years later he returned to Wembley with Hull City to lead the team back to the Premier League. After spells at Aston Villa and briefly Sheffield Wednesday, the Geordie boss took charge of his boyhood club in July 2019.

SQUAD LIST NAME

POS

DOB

JOINED FROM

1

Martin Dubravka

GK

15.01.89

Sparta Prague (Jul 2018)

2

Ciaran Clark

DEF

26.09.89

Aston Villa (Aug 2016)

3

Paul Dummett

DEF

26.09.91

Academy

5

Fabian Schär

DEF

20.12.91

Deportivo de La Coruña (Jul 2018)

6

Jamaal Lascelles

DEF

11.11.93

Nottingham Forest (Aug 2014)

7

Andy Carroll

FOR

06.01.89

West Ham (Aug 2019)

8

Jonjo Shelvey

MID

27.02.92

Swansea City (Jan 2016)

9

Joelinton

FOR

14.08.96

Hoffenheim (Jul 2019)

10

Allan Saint-Maximin

FOR

12.03.97

OGC Nice (Aug 2019)

11

Matt Richie

MID

10.09.89

Bournemouth (Jul 2016)

12

Dwight Gayle

FOR

17.10.90

Crystal Palace (Jul 2016)

13

Yoshinori Muto

FOR

15.07.92

Mainz (Aug 2018)

14

Isaac Hayden

MID

22.03.95

Arsenal (Jul 2016)

17

Emil Krafth

DEF

02.08.94

Amiens (Aug 2019)

18

Federico Fernández

DEF

21.02.89

Swansea (Aug 2018)

19

Javier Manquillo

DEF

05.05.94

Atletico Madrid (Jul 2017)

20

Florian Lejeune

DEF

20.05.91

Eibar (Jul 2017)

22

DeAndre Yedlin

DEF

07.09.93

Tottenham (Aug 2016)

23

Valentino Lazaro

MID

24.03.96

Inter Milan (Jan 2020)

24

Miguel Almiron

MID

10.02.94

Atlanta United (Jan 2019)

26

Karl Darlow

GK

10.08.90

Nottingham Forest (Aug 2014)

28

Danny Rose

DEF

02.06.90

Tottenham (Jan 2020)

30

Christian Atsu

FOR

10.01.92

Chelsea (Jul 2017)

36

Sean Longstaff

MID

30.10.97

Academy

42

Nabil Bentaleb

MID

24.11.94

Schalke (Jan 2020)

43

Matthew Longstaff

MID

21.03.00

Academy

47

Elias Sørensen

FOR

18.09.99

Academy

55

56

STAR MAN

ALLAN

SAINT-MAXIMIN

10 FORWARD

2019/20 LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 19+3 2019/20 LEAGUE GOALS: 3

THE HORNET

//

*Stats do not include fixture v Manchester City (Jul 8)

The former Nice and Monaco man has flourished since his arrival on Tyneside last summer. His quick feet, pace and unpredictable nature on the wing have troubled defenders and made the wide man a challenge to deal with. The Frenchman is part of an interchangeable Newcastle front three which often looks to quickly hurt teams on the counter-attack. Saint-Maximin began his career at Saint Étienne before joining Monaco in 2015. He spent the following season on loan at Hannover in Germany and then back in France with Bastia the season after. He caught the eye of OGC Nice, who prised the winger away from rivals Monaco in 2017, and after two seasons he earned a move to Newcastle as the latest of many French players to arrive at St James’ Park over recent years.

57

ONE TO WATCH

MIGUEL

ALMIRÓN

24 MIDFIELDER

2019/20 LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 31+1 2019/20 LEAGUE GOALS: 4 *Stats do not include fixture v Manchester City (Jul 8)

The creative forward first made his name when he was pivotal to Club Atlético Lanús’ success in Argentina. He scored and created key goals for the side in their league and cup double winning season at the age of 21. He caught the eye of MLS side Atlanta United, who signed the Paraguay international to team up with their squad that included many exciting South American talents. He contributed 12 goals and 14 assists that season to help the side win the 2018 MLS Cup in the club’s second year of existence. He joined Newcastle in January of last season and his performances helped keep the Magpies in the Premier League. This season, he has kicked on and become a vital player for Steve Bruce’s team.

58 own e lowd rom h t g in Gett ition f oppos he team r u o n o wt ho follo fans w week out… , week in

E H T E D I S IN E N I L LEE LAWLER THE HORNET

//

NEWCASTLE FANS TV

59 What’s the consensus among Newcastle fans of how this season has gone so far?

Our season has been surprising as the majority of the fan base would have expected us to be still fighting to be stay in the Premier League at this point. Credit is due to Steve Bruce and his backroom team for achieving this goal with plenty of games still to play.

With the takeover speculation ongoing, are supporters looking forward to potential new ownership?

It’s dragging and it feels frustrating continuously waiting on an answer from the Premier League, but we’ve waited long enough for change, so we have to remain patient.

Has Steve Bruce been forgiven for his red and white past and have supporters warmed to him over the course of the season?

For me personally, managing a rival club doesn’t affect my judgement. I looked at his CV and I felt it didn’t justify getting the role at Newcastle, but he has proved me and a lot of others wrong.

Allan Saint-Maximin has gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed – how vital has he been to the team and how does he compare to the other exciting wingers you’ve seen on Tyneside?

We love our French wingers, don’t we?

David Ginola, Laurent Robert and Hatem Ben Arfa have all excited us in the past.

Now ‘ASM’, as he’s affectionately known, has lit up our attack. He is absolutely a joy to watch and we’ll do extremely well to keep hold of him should the takeover fail.

Have you been surprised with how the Longstaff brothers have performed since emerging on the big stage?

Matty burst on to the scene with his debut match-winning goal against Manchester United, and we are desperate for him to stay as soon he will be a free agent.

Sean’s season has been up and down this campaign but there’s no doubt we need to keep these two Geordie lads here for the long term. Both are talented and representing us as fans.

Who have been the unsung heroes in the team this campaign?

Martin Dúbravka has made the most saves this season, and he deserves praise. Jetro Willems was also brilliant for us on his loan spell before his injury ended his season.

Ciaran Clark probably just had his best season, but it too has been mixed with injuries. Federico Fernández has made the centre-back role his own now, and he’s had a solid season.

Who do you see as the key threats in this Watford team?

Full-backs bomb on and there’s pace on the wings with Ismaïla Sarr. I like Will Hughes, he’s a great midfielder with nice feet and vision. Troy Deeney is always a handful up top and that will be an interesting the battle with Jamaal Lascelles. It’s a shame Gerard Deulofeu is injured, now he’s a talent. Ben Foster has had a sensational season too.

How do you expect Bruce to set up at Vicarage Road, and what are your predictions for the game?

We’ll play a 4-2-3-1 with our wide lads likely to swap wings during the game, getting the ball to Miguel Almirón and SaintMaximin as soon as possible. With Watford desperate for points and being at home, I could see this being a 1-1 draw. My worry is we have nothing to play for really.

60

Chairperson Chris Norton Vice-Chairperson Paul Clark Trustees Chris Luff, Dr Justin Davis-Smith CBE, Ed Coan, Emma Saunders, Gayle Clarke, Martine Gabbitass, Prof. Stuart Timperley, Simon Macqueen Patrons Baroness Dorothy Thornhill MBE, The Taylor Family

COMMUNITY CHAT STAYING IN BUT WORKING OUT

P

>> THE HORNET

>>

hysical activity and fitness are important at all times but, when lockdown hit, it was more important than ever that people made sure they continued to keep the body moving.

The barriers may have increased with no access to gyms, exercise classes, or team sports, but that just inspired a little bit more innovation when it came to engaging local people with physical activity and exercise.

Shape Up is one of our programmes that aims to improve people’s health and wellbeing. A weight management programme designed for local adults, Shape Up took its service online. During lockdown there has been more than 84 hours of delivery over Zoom with 70 participants benefitting from the courses.

Recent calculations show that those 70 participants have collectively lost 242.5 kilograms of weight.

Active Watford & Three Rivers is another of our health and wellbeing offers, focused on motivating inactive people into activity. This is done through one-to-

one consultation, follow up engagement, signposting to other activities and Active Watford & Three Rivers exercise classes.

It is another example of a programme that didn’t let lockdown stop them though, with a digital extension to the programme, utilising social media, Zoom, text messages and phone calls. There have been more than 1000 contacts made to local people and 61 people have taken advantage of the online offer. Here’s just one example of the great feedback we’ve had: “After talking to Alison (our Health & Wellbeing Specialist) I felt very positive, I have been out walking and generally being more active, I have lost half a stone so I’m very happy. I will keep going. Thank you.”

To get involved in either of these programmes, see the contact information below.

Shape Up contact:

rhys.ratcliffe@watfordfc.com Active Watford & Three Rivers contact:

alison.goodchild@watfordfc.com

You can follow the Trust in between matchdays by searching and following @WFCTrust on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. To find out more about any of the above projects, including how you or someone you know can get involved, visit www.watfordfccsetrust.com

61 Active Watford & Three Rivers and Shape Up programmes

Shape Up Zoom class

62

ACADEMY NEWS A number of Academy scholars recently put pen to paper to sign on with the club beyond the end of this campaign.

Goalkeeper Dante Baptiste, midfielder JJ McKiernan and forward Dominic Hutchinson all committed to one-year contract extensions, while midfielder Sonny Blu LoEverton signed a new deal which commits him to the club until 2022.

Kevin Affleck spoke to the players’ coaches to find out a bit more about what we should expect from the exciting youngsters…

Barry Quin, Head of Academy Coaching, on Sonny Blu Lo-Everton: “I’m delighted he’s got his contract.

He’s a dream of a player to work with. I’ve known him since his days at the Harefield Academy and he’s what we look for in a player that goes the distance.

“He’s got a lot to learn, but most decent players play better when they play up and rise to the level around them. I think he’ll take his game to the next level by mixing with quality players.”

SONNY BLU LO-EVERTON

>> THE HORNET

>>

Simon Clark, Lead Professional Development Programme Coach, on Dom Hutchinson: “I’m really pleased for him. He’s got a lot to offer. He won’t be fazed by the move up to the 23s and I know he’s been working hard away from the training ground during this period.

“He’ll understand what he needs to do, what he needs to work on and he’s got that focus all footballers need to achieve something in the game. He’ll embrace the step up.”

DOM HUTCHINSON

63

Tom Hart, Professional Development Phase Coach, on JJ McKiernan:

JJ MCKIERNAN

“I’m thrilled for JJ as his story is brilliant.

When we brought him in, we had a friendly up at Leicester and we got the GPS stats after the game and he had run 12k. This is a kid who has never been in an Academy system, who has been playing part-time while at college and he’s running a sort of distance you’d expect from midfielders in the first team.

“He had much to do technically and tactically, but he was full of energy, had a great attitude, affects both boxes, makes tackles and was worth a punt. It was a great decision as he’s come on leaps and bounds.”

Paul Wavell, Academy Goalkeeping Coach, on Dante Baptiste: “Dante is a real athlete. He’s 6ft 1in and not as dominating with his height as someone like Adam Parkes, but his power is incredible. He’s also got such good distribution, whether that’s with the ball at his feet, throwing it out or kicking it long. He’s got a real range to his game and it helps the team play different ways. It’s like having another outfield player.

“He reads the game well and has made some big saves already in his young career.

He now needs to keep his head down, keep working hard and keep learning. He’s very determined and focused on what he needs to do.”

DANTE BAPTISTE

64

SCHOL ART SPOTLIGH SONNY BLU

>> THE HORNET

>>

N O T R E V E LO

65 ACADEMY TEAM? Under-18s.

MOST TALENTED TEAM-MATE? Defensively I would say Andi Janjeva and attacking wise it would have to be Dom Hutchinson.

POSITION: Midfielder.

FAVOURITE FOOTBALLER GROWING UP? My favourite footballer growing up was Lionel Messi, but Phillipe Coutinho was also up there for me.

FIRST EVER FOOTBALL MATCH? The first game I went to was Chelsea v Macclesfield Town in 2006/07.

FAVOURITE FOOTBALL KIT? My favourite is either the Chelsea 2009/10 home shirt or the Watford 2012/13 shirt from when Troy scored to take us to the play-off final.

BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER? That would be my dad, he’s always played football with me throughout my career and gives great feedback on the games.

MOST USED APP ON YOUR PHONE? I think that would be Snapchat.

WHAT’S ON YOUR PRE-MATCH PLAYLIST? I like a song to get me going, so probably Dreams and Nightmares

by Meek Mill..

WHICH FOOTBALLER ARE YOU SIMILAR TO? I would like to say James Maddison as he isn’t the biggest of players but does really good things on the ball.

WHAT SPORT WOULD YOU PLAY IF YOU DIDN’T PLAY FOOTBALL? I have always enjoyed table tennis so wouldn’t mind playing that if football wasn’t around.

DREAM STADIUM TO PLAY IN? It’s the Camp Nou.

MY DREAM 5-A-SIDE TEAM...

HAZARD

MESSI

LO-EVERTON

RONALDINHO

RAMOS

© 2020 Electronic Arts Inc. EA, EA SPORTS, and the EA SPORTS logo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Official FIFA licensed product. © FIFA and FIFA’s Official Licensed Product Logo are copyrights and/or trademarks of FIFA. All rights reserved. Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. “2”, “PlayStation”, “DUALSHOCK”, “KHJL”, “Ø” are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. All titles, content, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners.

CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-21/game-and-offer-disclaimers FOR DETAILS.

67

GEOFF WICKEN

MY FAVOURITE GOAL

Watford supporter GEOFF WICKEN picks out his most cherished Hornets goal of all-time…

This is a story of a hero’s homecoming: a warrior returning from purgatory to battle a troublesome foe. There was an epic journey at a personal level too, involving a 350-mile trip, traffic problems, and missing the entire first half of the match in question.

It was September 2009. Heidar Helguson was back. He’d been a favourite earlier in the decade, for his bravery – verging on madness, it sometimes seemed – and that prodigious leap that brought so many headed goals. His travels took him to Fulham, Bolton and QPR, until he escaped Loftus Road and rejoined on loan just before a home game against Leicester. Malky Mackay’s young team had started the season well, and Heidar’s addition was an exciting prospect.

But I was faced with a university challenge. My son Tom was booked to attend an open morning at Exeter. That was three hours each way. We had a plan: leave early, be there for 9am, back in the car at 11.45, dash to The Vic just in time for kick-off.

Much of it went well. We tipped our hats to Stonehenge as we sped west. But we hit traffic on the return and weren’t home until 3.40. Almost half-time. Leicester were two up, but we decided to head for the stadium anyway. Just suppose Watford turned it around and we weren’t there…

We reached our seats just as Helguson came on as a second-half substitute, and to much amusement from the fans around us. There hadn’t been any need to be there for the first half, we explained. We’d just come for the good bit.

And how good it was. Within 30 seconds Heidar, goalkeeper and ball all converged, and he was inches from scoring with his first touch. It didn’t take him long though. He created the opportunity for Danny Graham to score Watford’s first, then got the equaliser himself.

This was vintage Helguson. As Lee Hodson’s cross reached the far post, Heidar flew in for the header.

The ball crashed into the net as he crashed into the goalpost. In 15 minutes, he had got an assist and scored as ‘Helguson’ a goal as you could hope to see. Just 17 minutes later he scored another – this time diverting a cross with his knee – to put us 3-2 ahead. Four minutes after that, he went off injured.

Heidar was on the pitch for 36 minutes. I can’t think of a 36-minute performance that better encapsulates one player’s essence. For the period in which he played, we ‘won’ 3-0.

Tom and I chuckled merrily with our Rookery neighbours about how they’d wasted their time showing up for the first half. For us, it had been a great day. Regrettably, the story was slightly spoiled when Watford’s defence did their best impression of the Stonehenge sarsens and Leicester grabbed a late equaliser. But we chose to put that aside. Heidar had always belonged at Watford, and he was home.

Would you like to tell us about your favourite Watford goal?

Email programme@watfordfc.com for details.

FIRST& WITH

LAST

68

>> THE HORNET

>>

DANNY WELBECK

69

CAR First

The first car I owned was an Audi A3.

Last

I now drive a Range Rover SVR.

FILM First

I think the first film I watched may have been The Lion King.

Last

I saw Just Mercy a little while ago. It’s got Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx in it.

COUNTRY VISITED First

I visited Ghana when I was a little baby with my family.

Last

Dubai was my most recent holiday destination.

TROPHY OR MEDAL First

Last

My first trophy was when I was playing with Fletcher Moss Rangers, my local team, and my first professional trophy was the League Cup with Manchester United.

My last one was the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2017.

MATCH WATCHED

First I can’t remember for sure but one match that really stuck out for me was watching England when I was about seven years old in the 1998 World Cup when Michael Owen scored that famous goal against Argentina. It was very inspiring.

Last I’ve been watching quite a few of the games since the restart!

CONCERT First

The first concert I went to was Dizzee Rascal. I was still in high school but it was wicked.

Last

The most recent gig I’ve been to was Drake, who I saw at the 02 in London.

BOOTS First

That’s very difficult. I think it might have been black Reeboks with some red lines on them.

Last

The ones I’m wearing now are the Adidas X boots.

PHONE First

The Nokia 3310. It was a brick!

Last

I’ve got the iPhone X at the moment.

70

THE HORNET

Fun Fantasy League 2019/20

WILL RYAN PREVAIL IN SPRINT FINN-ISH? In April last year, we featured Stuart Finn, as he was lying in seventh place in THE HORNET’s unique Fun Fantasy League.

Stuart eventually finished in eighth place, but his brother, Ryan, is in pole position at present to be the 2019/20 champion – with only a few games left!

Ryan’s teams are Liverpool, Man City, Charlton, Reading, Wycombe, Doncaster, Crewe and Cheltenham; so Reading’s 5-0 win just up the M1 recently certainly did him no harm, But Man City’s erratic form may do.

It is looking like a four-horse race for top place, with Ryan, Val Lawler, Harry Billimore and Shelley Burgess having pulled clear of the chasing pack.

Ryan is a season ticket holder of over 20 years’ standing, despite being only 25, having first been brought to The Vic by his Dad, Nigel, aged three. His first game was a 2-0 win over Fulham on October 21, 1997.

Ryan went on to play football at left-back for Woodhall Wanderers for many years, clearly influenced by Robbo, although he was not as prolific when it came to collecting yellow and red cards! When younger, he also enjoyed participating in many of the club’s ‘Football in the Community’ courses.

Ryan’s favourite game remains the home Play-Off semi-final v Leicester. The decisive goal scorer that day, Troy Deeney, remains his favourite player.

Table-topping Ryan Finn (right), pictured here with younger brother Stuart

HOW TO KEEP YOUR SCORE: Add up the points totals for each of your eight teams then +/- their goal difference for your Grand Total.

Player Ryan Finn

Score 661

21

Carolyn Mount

598

38

Alan Weller

576

1

22

Chris Billimore

592

38

Chris Fleming

576

2

Val Lawler

654

22

Ken Morgan

592

44

Cally Billimore

575

3

Harry Billimore

646

24

Connor Carpenter

590

44

Peter Simpson

575

4

Shelley Burgess

645

24

Kirsty Delaney

590

46

Mick Glassborow

573

5

James Willis

621

26

Clive Burrows

589

46

Victoria Evans

573

5

Kevin Page

621

27

Bill Clarke

587

48

Leon Winsky

571

5

Liz Fleming

621

28

Christopher Clack

586

49

Adele Morgan

569

8

Leo Fearnside

620

28

Graham Timms

586

49

Gertjan Honig

569

9

Chris Gomm

617

30

Jonny Popper

585

49

Michael Corston

569

10

Alex Ismeni

616

30

Julian Bingham

585

49

Vanessa Clarke

569

10

Cerys Collins

616

30

Matthew Bentote

585

53

Derek Mitchell

567

10

Gerald Ahern

616

30

Paul Keeble

585

53

Lawrence Samuels

567

13

Nicky Bracey

615

30

Tom Randall

585

53

Matthew Fleming

567

14

Sharon Evans

614

30

Trish Botten

585

53

Oliver Phippen

567

15

Paul Russell

611

36

Jonathan Leigh

584

53

Spencer Trigg

567

>>

16

Scott Biggerstaff

609

37

Ian Simpson

583

53

Sue Craig

567

17

Kathryn Bocock

608

38

Alex McNicholas

581

59

Michael Phippen

566

>> THE HORNET

Table as at Sunday July 5, 2020

18

Stuart Finn

607

38

David Gentry

581

59

Peter Weller

566

18

Trevor Bailey

607

40

David Binge

580

59

Steve Spittles

566

20

Elliot Clarke

604

41

David Evans

579

62

Benjamin Leigh

563

71 62

Mark Bowen

563

160

John Cozens

509

257

Richard Mount

447

64

Steve Delaney

562

161

Katie Lovedee

508

258

Amy Kadir

446

64

Andrew Holmes

560

162

Anna Fleming

507

258

Kieran Chrastina

446

64

Karl Campion

560

162

Bob Bracey

507

260

Maisie Gentry

445

Mike Coleman

445

67

Joe Phippen

559

162

Catherine Watkins

507

260

68

Daniel Clack

558

165

Vince Moses

506

262

Thomas Joseph

444

Yvonne Honig

444

69

Francesca Paulley

554

166

Beverley Pollard

505

262

69

John Poole

554

166

David Thickens

505

264

Emily Westaway

443

71

Hayley Nowley

553

166

Kerry Phippen

505

264

Joshua Clack

443

72

Mike de Jong

551

166

Len Parker

505

266

Arthur Godwin

442

73

Daryl Allwood

549

166

Mick Rogers

505

266

Emma Randall

442

73

Saskia Pace-Bonici-Mompalao 549

171

Colin Westlake

504

268

Fred Pigham

441

75

Charlie Hancock

547

171

Nicholas Smith

504

268

Ian Ayres

441

75

Chloe Cuthbert

547

171

Peter Watkins

504

268

Ryan Dady

441

75

Ella Gentry

547

171

Valerie Stock

504

271

Gerald Pepper

440

75

Tim Fox

547

175

Graham Hunnisett

503

271

Philippa Wainwright

440

79

Andrew Aldridge

546

175

Sylvia Durant

503

273

Dan Riddick

439

79

Mark Ferguson

546

177

Harry Lewis

501

273

Ian Greaves

439

81

David Varley

545

177

Jessica Munday

501

273

Ian Greaves

439

Jenny Weller

439

81

George Grace

545

179

Brian Bustard

500

273

81

Martin Grimsdale

545

179

Dylan Robertson

500

277

Judy Weller

438

Neil Stevenson

437

81

Noah Campion

545

179

Mark Chrastina

500

278

81

Sue Hazleton

545

179

Mark Nowley

500

279

George Kelly

436

Mark Kelly

436

86

John Prentice

544

179

Richard Gentry

500

279

86

Leila Coker

544

179

Theodore Robertson

500

279

Nigel Corbyn

436

86

Roy Marino

544

185

Daniel Westlake

499

282

Joe Clayton

434

89

Jean Smith

543

185

Kelly Allwood

499

283

David O'Mahoney

432

89

Oliver Thomas

543

185

Ryan Beck

499

283

Jack Shepherd

432

91

James Gates

542

185

Terry Smith

499

285

Stephen Durrant

431

92

Guy Matthews

541

189

Peter Morgan

496

286

Evan Munday

430

93

Josh Morris

540

189

Shona Thomson

496

286

Sandra Munday

430

93

Peter Westaway

540

191

Charlotte Morgan

495

288

Karen Durrant

428

95

Grace Clarke

539

191

Liam Brockhus

495

288

Tanya Smith

428

96

Thomas Ahern

538

193

Amanda Snowdon

494

290

Brian Snowdon

426

97

Carol Brown

537

194

David Owsley

493

290

George White

426

97

David Barton

537

194

Val Berg

493

290

Veronica Eastwood

426

Mark Marum

425

97

David Northcott

537

196

David Cox

492

293

97

Maggie Minty

537

197

Paul Stewart

490

293

Mark Valentini

425

Carol Randall

424

101

Gary White

536

197

Roger Stock

490

295

101

Kevin Stock

536

197

Steve Cook

490

296

Colin Thomas

422

101

Sally Ferguson

536

200

Dimitri McNicholas

489

297

Ben Rowe

421

104

Caleb Chrastina

535

201

Jemima Fearnside

487

298

Emma Squire

417

104

Vanessa Paisley

535

201

Nigel Grace

487

298

James Hepple-Poole

417

106

Fraser Ritchie

534

203

Emma Rowe

485

298

Jane Thomas

417

106

Stephen Booth

534

203

Liz Brodie

485

301

Bernard Benham

416

108

Jackie Westaway

533

205

Graham Smith

484

301

Martin Sellman

416

109

Bob Marum

532

205

Richard Winterton

484

303

Kaspar Campion

413

109

Caitriona Delaney

532

207

Georgia Ayres

483

303

Paul Squire

413

109

Marc Watkins

532

207

Yvonne White

483

305

Benjamin Gates

412

112

Catherine Hazleton

531

209

Alan Allwood

482

306

Jeff Seymour

410

112

Katie Owsley

531

210

Dennis Green

481

306

Kezia Mount

410

Michael Lean

408

114

Graeme Bridges

529

210

Michael Watkins

481

308

114

Jonathan Winsky

529

212

David Fearnside

480

309

Irene Gibbins

407

Ros Ayres

407

116

David Arrighi

528

213

Mandy Gomm

479

309

117

Jacob West

527

213

Mark J Smith

479

309

Sam Westaway

407

Maura Pigham

405

117

Terence Ritchie

527

213

Michael Day

479

312

119

Andy Pulley

525

216

Phillippa Parker

478

313

Andrew Carberry

404

119

Evelyn Biggerstaff

525

216

Sarah Gentry

478

314

Lucy Russell

402

119

Hugh Simpson

525

218

Derek Joseph

475

315

David Ward

400

119

Laura Gentry

525

218

Michael Lester

475

316

Luke Johnson

396

119

Mike Puddifoot

525

220

Mark Liddle

474

317

JakeOwsley

395

124

Pippa Ayres

524

220

Stuart Hazleton

474

317

Lucy Valentini

395

124

Rachel Ferguson

524

222

Sabrina Dady

473

317

Matt Churchill

395

124

Robert Johnson

524

223

Simon Lancey

469

320

Tobie Squire

384

127

Bernie Hazleton

523

224

Joe Bracey

468

321

Graham Gibbins

382

127

Martin Coker

523

224

Mark Munday

468

321

Tim Hume

382

127

Nigel Finn

523

226

Eddie Owsley

467

323

Henry Godwin

381

127

Stephen Brooks

523

226

Eddy Ferguson

467

324

Geoff Gough

377

Stephen Ong

373

131

Alex Delaney

522

226

Jacqui Chrastina

467

325

131

Ben Clarke

522

226

Sarah Seymour

467

326

Felix Biggerstaff

372

Mandy Morgan

371

131

Pete Randall

522

226

William Gates

467

327

134

Cheryl Munday

521

231

Olivia Gentry

466

328

Gregory Douglas

369

Christine Gentry

367

135

Jenny Sullivan

520

232

Debbie Weller

463

329

135

Paul Weller

520

232

Lewis Hunnisett

463

329

Richard Porter

367

137

Michael Barton

519

234

Kieran O'Mahoney

462

331

Charlotte Snowdon

364

138

Carol Watkins

518

234

Lucy Phippen

462

331

Isabelle Mount

364

138

Jack Munday

518

234

Mike Heffernan

462

333

Elizabeth Hannaby

361

140

Chloe Morgan

517

237

Ethan Sweeney

461

334

Gemma Simpson

360

140

William Powell

517

237

Gillian Russell

461

335

Barbara Sellman

356

142

Nick Botten

516

239

Josh Gentry

460

336

Colin Ward

351

143

Angela Cox

515

240

Karl Hepple-Poole

458

337

Emma Fearnside

348

144

Alex Spittles

514

241

Elliott Longman

456

337

Laura Clarke

348

144

Denis Hunnisett

514

241

Ian Woodward

456

339

Mary McCarthy

344

144

Mark Thomas

514

241

Laura Thomas

456

340

William Hazleton

340

144

Nick King

514

241

Sue Sykes

456

341

Elliott Squire

337

Imogen Godwin

331

144

Philip Smith

514

241

Ted Bracey

456

342

149

Alex Evans

512

246

Annabel Russell

455

343

Caroline Benham

327

Matt Rowson

323

149

David Bocock

512

246

Frank Manfield

455

344

149

David Gomm

512

246

Lucy Morgan

455

345

Ethel Simpson

313

149

Jim Clarke

512

246

Sally Danks

455

346

Toby Munday

312

149

Lester Ferguson

512

250

Stuart Biggerstaff

453

347

Pam Batchelor

307

149

Steve Brown

512

251

Joe Godwin

452

348

Christine Gates

299

149

Stewart Sharp

512

251

Tom Hancock

452

349

Mark Carpenter

284

156

Matthew Thomas

511

253

Chris Pollard

451

350

Belita Winsky

270

157

Allan Flowers

510

253

Paul Atkins

451

351

Juliet Cross

264

157

Beth Evans

510

255

Lexi Hunnisett

449

352

Lynn Sharpe

82

157

Joe Clarke

510

256

Sue Scally

448

353

Diane Ambridge

37

WATFORD FC PEN PICS NIGEL PEARSON

9 TROY DEENEY

1 HEURELHO GOMES

10 DANNY WELBECK

Position: Goalkeeper Joined From: Tottenham Hotspur (2014) Watford Debut: August 9, 2014 v Bolton Wanderers Date Of Birth: February 15, 1981

Position: Forward Joined From: Unattached (2019) Watford Debut: August 17, 2019 v Everton Date Of Birth: November 26, 1990

2 DARYL JANMAAT

11 ADAM MASINA

4 CRAIG DAWSON

13 ADALBERTO PEÑARANDA

6 ADRIAN MARIAPPA

14 NATHANIEL CHALOBAH

7 GERARD DEULOFEU

15 CRAIG CATHCART

Position: Winger Joined From: Barcelona (2018) Watford Debut: January 31, 2018 v Stoke City Date Of Birth: March 13, 1994

Position: Defender Joined From: Blackpool (2014) Watford Debut: September 19, 2009 v Leicester City Date Of Birth: February 6, 1989

8 TOM CLEVERLEY

16 ABDOULAYE DOUCOURÉ

Position: Head Coach Joined From: Unattached (2019) Watford Debut: December 14, 2019 v Liverpool Date Of Birth: August 21, 1963

Position: Defender Joined From: Newcastle United (2016) Watford Debut: August 27, 2016 v Arsenal Date Of Birth: July 22, 1989

Position: Defender Joined From: West Bromwich Albion (2019) Watford Debut: August 10, 2019 v Brighton Date Of Birth: May 6, 1990

Position: Defender Joined From: Unattached (2016) Watford Debut: August 23, 2005 v Notts County Date Of Birth: October 3, 1986

Position: Midfielder Joined From: Everton (2017) Watford Debut: August 18, 2009 v Nottingham Forest Date Of Birth: August 12, 1989

Position: Forward Joined From: Walsall (2010) Watford Debut: August 6, 2010 v Norwich City Date Of Birth: June 29, 1988

Position: Defender Joined From: Bologna (2018) Watford Debut: August 29, 2018 v Reading Date Of Birth: January 2, 1994

Position: Forward Joined From: Udinese (2016) Watford Debut: January 6, 2019 v Woking Date of Birth: May 31, 1997

Position: Midfielder Joined From: Chelsea (2017) Watford Debut: September 18, 2012 v Brighton Date Of Birth: December 12, 1994

Position: Midfielder Joined From: Rennes (2016) Watford Debut: August 20, 2016 v Chelsea Date Of Birth: January 1, 1993

17 JOÃO PEDRO

25 JOSÉ HOLEBAS

18 ANDRE GRAY

26 BEN FOSTER

Position: Forward Joined From: Burnley (2017) Watford Debut: August 12, 2017 v Liverpool Date Of Birth: June 26, 1991

Position: Goalkeeper Joined From: West Bromwich Albion (2018) Watford Debut: August 6, 2005 v Preston North End Date Of Birth: April 3, 1983

19 WILL HUGHES

27 CHRISTIAN KABASELE

20 DOMINGOS QUINA

29 ÉTIENNE CAPOUE

Position: Midfielder Joined From: West Ham (2018) Watford Debut: August 29, 2018 v Reading Date Of Birth: November 18, 1999

Position: Midfielder Joined From: Tottenham Hotspur (2015) Watford Debut: August 8, 2015 v Everton Date Of Birth: July 11, 1988

21 KIKO FEMENÍA

33 IGNACIO PUSSETTO

Position: Forward Joined From: Fluminense (2020) Watford Debut: January 4, 2020 v Tranmere Date Of Birth: September 26, 2001

Position: Midfielder Joined From: Derby County (2017) Watford Debut: August 22, 2017 v Bristol City Date Of Birth: April 17, 1995

Position: Defender Joined From: Alaves (2017) Watford Debut: August 12, 2017 v Liverpool Date Of Birth: February 2, 1991

22 ISAAC SUCCESS

Position: Forward Joined From: Granada (2016) Watford Debut: August 27, 2016 v Arsenal Date Of Birth: January 7, 1996

23 ISMAÏLA SARR

Position: Forward Joined From: Rennes (2019) Watford Debut: August 27, 2019 v Coventry City Date Of Birth: February 25, 1998

24 TOM DELE-BASHIRU

Position: Midfielder Joined From: Manchester City (2019) Watford Debut: August 27, 2019 v Coventry City Date Of Birth: September 17, 1999

Position: Defender Joined From: AS Roma (2015) Watford Debut: August 8, 2015 v Everton Date Of Birth: June 27, 1984

Position: Defender Joined From: Genk (2016) Watford Debut: August 23, 2016 v Gillingham Date Of Birth: February 24, 1991

Position: Forward Joined From: Udinese (2020) Watford Debut: January 18, 2020 v Tottenham Date Of Birth: December 21, 1995

35 DANIEL BACHMANN Position: Goalkeeper Joined From: Stoke City (2017) Watford Debut: January 4, 2020 v Tranmere Date Of Birth: July 9, 1994

37 ROBERTO PEREYRA

Position: Midfielder Joined From: Juventus (2016) Watford Debut: August 27, 2016 v Arsenal Date Of Birth: January 7, 1991

42 CALLUM WHELAN

Position: Midfielder Joined From: Manchester United (2019) Watford Debut: January 4, 2020 v Tranmere Date Of Birth: September 24, 1998

REPORT IT.

KICK IT OUT OF FOOTBALL.

76

WATFORD 2 NORWICH CITY 1 07.07.20 / Vicarage Road / Att: 0

WATFORD 4’

Foster (GK) Femenía Kabasele Dawson Masina Capoue (Chalobah 87) Hughes (Cleverley 59) Sarr Doucouré Welbeck Deeney (C) Subs not used: Gomes (GK) Mariappa Cathcart João Pedro Gray

10’

NORWICH CITY

>> THE HORNET

>>

55’

Krul (GK) Aarons Godfrey Klose Lewis Vrancic Tettey (C) (McLean 55) Buendía Stiepermann (Idah 76) Hernández (Martin 83) Pukki (Drmić 83) Subs not used: Rupp Trybull Duda McGovern (GK) Thomas

77

POSSESSION

44%

56%

MATCH STATS SHOTS

TOUCHES

9 12

549 692 PASSES

370 494

ON TARGET 4 3

FOULS

CORNERS

12

16

3

4

CARDS

0

0

2

0

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

79

FIRST-TEAM

PLAYER STATISTICS

Premier League

01 GOMES 02 JANMAAT 04 DAWSON 06 MARIAPPA 07 DEULOFEU 08 CLEVERLEY 09 DEENEY 10 WELBECK 11 MASINA 13 PEŇARANDA 14 CHALOBAH 15 CATHCART 16 DOUCOURÉ 17 PEDRO 18 GRAY 19 HUGHES 20 QUINA 21 FEMENÍA 22 SUCCESS 23 SARR 24 DELE-BASHIRU 25 HOLEBAS 26 FOSTER 27 KABASELE 29 CAPOUE 33 PUSSETTO 35 BACHMANN 37 PEREYRA 40 DALBY 41 BARRETT 42 WHELAN 44 HUNGBO 46 WISE 45 BALOGUN 47 PARKES 51 SPENCER-ADAMS 53 HINDS 58 BENNETTS 72 JANJEVA DAHLBERG FOLIVI FOULQUIER JAKUBIAK NAVARRO OKAKA SEMA SINCLAIR WILMOT PRÖDL ZEEGELAAR Out on loan

Carabao Cup

The FA Cup

2019/20 Total

Watford Career

APP

SUB

GLS

APP

SUB

GLS

APP

SUB

GLS

APP

SUB

GLS

APP

SUB

GLS

0 7 22 14 25 9 22 5 17 0 10 28 32 0 7 23 0 22 0 18 0 11 34 22 29 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

0 1 3 3 3 5 1 9 5 0 9 1 1 1 14 3 3 2 4 5 0 3 0 1 0 6 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 2 0 4 1 6 1 1 0 0 0 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3 2 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 1 1 0 2 1 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3 9 23 17 25 9 22 7 19 0 14 29 33 1 11 24 5 23 2 19 2 12 34 25 29 0 2 19 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

0 1 3 3 5 6 1 9 5 1 9 1 2 2 14 3 3 2 4 7 1 3 0 2 0 6 0 11 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 2 0 4 1 6 2 1 1 1 0 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

158 70 23 299 58 89 322 7 34 2 64 158 126 1 44 73 12 70 17 19 2 117 153 84 161 0 2 86 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 3 14 12 3 4 76 13

1 15 3 38 12 20 72 9 9 1 20 8 11 2 48 10 9 12 42 7 1 7 0 15 8 6 0 27 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 2 25 10 9 2 9 0

0 6 2 5 17 14 129 2 1 1 6 7 17 0 16 6 2 2 5 6 1 5 0 5 14 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 1 0 3 0

No longer with club

OPPOSITION

Everton

West Ham United

Newcastle United

Sat 17

Sat 24

Sat 31

Manchester City

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sat 21

Sat 28

Tottenham Hotspur

AFC Bournemouth

Sat 19

Sat 26

Norwich City

Burnley

Southampton

Fri 08

Sat 23

Sat 30

Manchester United

Liverpool

Sun 23

Sat 29

Sat 07

Crystal Palace

Brighton & Hove Albion

Sat 08

MARCH

Everton

Sat 01

FEBRUARY

L

W

L

D

L

L

0-1

3-0

0-2

1-1

2-3

1-2

0-0

17

17

19

19

19

19

17

25,461

21,634

73,347

30,443

21,229

40,867

21,366

Taylor

Oliver

Atkinson

Friend

Pawson

Atkinson

Oliver

Dean

Aston Villa

Hooper

Tue 21

D

10,384

20,548

21,348

Coote

Tottenham Hotspur

17

19

19

30,222

Sat 18

3-0

2-1

3-0

19

Mason

Marriner

Madley

W

W

W

1-1

21,488

53,711

Atkinson

Pawson

Oliver

Tierney

AFC Bournemouth

Aston Villa

Sat 28

D

20

20

20,164

31,763

26,929

19,711

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sheffield United

Thu 26

0-2

W 2-0

L

20

20

20

20

Marriner

Taylor

Dean

Kavanagh

Marriner

Tierney

Dean

Taylor

Scott

Kavanagh

Mason

Pawson

Sun 12

Manchester United

Sun 22

0-0

0-2

1-2

0-3

27,074

21,011

20,821

58,754

20,811

30,711

54,273

21,360

44,157

20,035

39,066

20,245

Wed 01

Liverpool

Sat 14

D

L

L

L

18

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

18

REF

Madley

Crystal Palace

Sat 07

1-2

0-0

1-1

0-0

0-2

0-8

2-2

1-1

1-3

0-1

0-3

W 2-0

L

D

D

D

L

L

D

D

L

L

L

KO/RES POS ATT

JANUARY 2020

Leicester City

Wed 04

DECEMBER

Chelsea

Sat 02

NOVEMBER

Sheffield United

Sat 05

OCTOBER

Arsenal

Sun 15

SEPTEMBER

Brighton & Hove Albion

Sat 10

AUGUST 2019

DATE

Heurelho Gomes Daryl Janmaat 2

4

Craig Dawson

Sebastian Prödl

Adrian Mariappa Gerard Deulofeu Tom Cleverley 8

Troy Deeney 9

José Holebas

Tom Dele-Bashiru

Ismaïla Sarr

Isaac Success

Kiko Femenia

Domingos Quina

Will Hughes

Andre Gray

Joao Pedro

Craig Cathcart

Nathaniel Chalobah

Aldaberto Peňaranda

Ken Sema

Adam Masina

Danny Welbeck

• • • • •• • • •• • • •• •

• • • •

2

•••• •••• • ••••• • • • •••• • ••••

•••

••• •• • •

•• •

1

1

1

1

1

••• • ••• • ••• • •••••

• • ••• ••• ••• ••• •••

• • •

• • • •

1

1

••••••• •• ••• •••••• •• ••• ••••••• ••••••

•• • •••• ••• •• •••• ••• •• • ••• ••• •• • • •••

1

1

2

••• ••• ••• ••• •• •••

• •• •• • • • •• •• • • • ••••• • • • • • •

1

1

1

• • • •

• • • • • • • • •

•• •• •• •• •• ••

1

• • • • • •

1

•• •• ••• •• • •••• •• • •••• • •••• • •• •

••• ••• ••• •••

1

1

1

•• • •• • • •• • • •• • •

1

••• ••• • • •

1

•• •• •••• •••• •••• • ••• • •••• •• ••• ••

••• •• • • ••• ••• •• • • ••• ••• ••• •••

1

Jayden Bennetts Kaylen Hinds

Bailey Spencer-Adams

Adam Parkes

Henry Wise

Jamal Balogun

Joseph Hungbo

Callum Whelan

Mason Barrett

Sam Dalby

Roberto Pereyra

Dimitri Foulquier

Daniel Bachmann

Ignacio Pussetto

Marvin Zeegelaar

Pontus Dahlberg

•

•

• •

• •

•

1

• • • •

1

• • • •

• •• • • • •

•• • • ••

• • ••

1

•• •• •

•

• •

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 32 33 35 36 37 40 41 42 44 45 46 47 51 53 58 72

Abdoulaye Doucouré

••• • •• •••• •• •• • ••• •• • • •••

7

Ben Foster

•••• •• • ••• •• • • ••••••• •

6

Christan Kabasele

• • •• • • •••• • • •• • • •••• ••• • •• • ••••

5

Étienne Capoue

••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •• •

••• ••• ••• •••

1

Andi Janjeva

Newcastle United

West Ham United

Manchester City

Arsenal

Coventry City

Swansea City

Everton

Tranmere Rovers

Tranmere Rovers

Sat 11

Fri 17

Tue 21

Sun 26

Aug 27

Sep 24

Oct 29

Jan 4

Jan 23

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Liverpool Man City Chelsea Leicester Man Utd Wolves Arsenal Tottenham Sheff Utd Burnley Everton Newcastle Southampton Crystal Palace Brighton West Ham Watford Aston Villa Bournemouth Norwich

P W D 33 17 0 33 12 2 34 9 3 34 10 4 33 10 5 33 6 7 34 8 6 33 10 3 33 8 3 33 8 3 33 8 5 33 6 8 33 5 2 34 6 4 33 5 6 33 5 3 34 5 6 33 5 3 33 4 5 34 4 3

before games of Wednesday July 8

L 0 2 5 3 2 4 3 4 5 6 3 3 10 7 5 8 6 8 7 10

2-1

0-3

0-2

R3

R4

R3

R2

17

17

F A W D 46 12 12 2 45 12 9 1 27 16 9 3 33 15 7 4 37 14 5 5 22 19 7 6 31 21 4 8 31 16 3 6 20 14 4 9 22 20 5 4 21 16 4 3 18 15 5 2 17 33 8 2 14 17 5 5 19 19 3 6 26 30 3 4 20 22 2 4 19 27 2 3 18 27 3 1 19 31 1 3

L 2 7 5 6 6 3 5 7 4 7 10 9 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 13

10,039

14,373

34,979

8,903

12,257

0

0

2

1

1

4

5

6

7

8

9

1

• • • • •

• •••• • ••• • • ••• • •••• • •••

Pontus Dahlberg

Domingos Quina

•Sub Five

•Unused Sub

1

•• • ••• •• • •• • •

•Sub Four

•

•

•

• • •

Dimitri Foulquier

Daniel Bachmann

Kaylen Hinds

Bailey Spencer-Adams Adam Parkes Henry Wise

Jamal Balogun

Joseph Hungbo Callum Whelan Mason Barrett

Playing Monday Manchester United v Southampton (8.00pm)

Playing Tomorrow Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton (12noon) Aston Villa v Crystal Palace (2.15pm) Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal (4.30pm) AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City (7.00pm)

1

1

Premier League Tuesday July 21, 6.00pm

Watford v Manchester City

UP NEXT AT THE VIC

* Opposition own-goal

• ••••• •• • •••••• ••••

1

••• ••• ••••

Sam Dalby 1 = Number of Goals •

WATFORD FC is committed to the principles of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and welcomes all supporters to Vicarage Road. Please be reminded that any racist, homophobic or discriminatory abuse, chanting or harassment is strictly forbidden and will result in arrest and/or ejection from the Stadium. The Club may impose a ban for one or more matches, at its sole discretion, as a consequence of any such behaviour. If supporters experience any form of abuse or discrimination inside the stadium, please help us eliminate it by texting us on 07825 535269 or by reporting it using the free reporting app created

by Kick It Out. The full Vicarage Road Ground Regulations can be found at watfordfc.com under the ‘Ticketing’ tab. They are also displayed at various points around the stadium. Thank you for helping make us a great club to be associated with.

1

1

Today’s Other Fixtures Norwich City v West Ham United (12.30pm) Liverpool v Burnley (3.00pm) Sheffield United v Chelsea (5.30pm) Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City (8.00pm)

•Sub Three

•

1

EQUALITY & RESPECT AT VICARAGE ROAD

•Sub Two

• •

1

• • •

Marvin Zeegelaar

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHWEEK 35

1

•

•

• •

Jayden Bennetts

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 32 33 35 36 37 40 41 42 44 45 46 47 51 53 58 72

Isaac Success

•• •••• • •• ••••• •••• •• • • • • • • •• •• ••• • ••• ••••

•Sub One

Harrison

Scott

Hooper

Bond

Ward

Atkinson

Pawson

Taylor

Friend

F A GD PTS 26 13 +47 89 36 22 +47 66 36 30 +17 60 31 17 +32 59 19 19 +23 55 23 17 +9 52 19 21 +8 50 21 28 +8 48 14 19 +1 48 15 26 -9 46 19 32 -8 44 17 30 -10 43 25 22 -13 43 16 26 -13 42 16 25 -9 36 14 28 -18 31 11 31 -22 31 17 35 -26 27 14 32 -27 27 7 32 -37 21

•Played

L 1-2 aet R3R

D 3-3

L

W 2-1

W 3-0

4.00pm

6.00pm

8.00pm

12.30pm

W

Heurelho Gomes

L

HOW THEY STAND

Away

Norwich City

Tue 07

Home

Chelsea

Sat 04

Craig Dawson

Oliver

Sebastian Prödl

0

Adrian Mariappa

16

Gerard Deulofeu

1-3

Tom Cleverley

L

Troy Deeney

Southampton

Danny Welbeck

JULY

Adam Masina

Sun 28

Ken Sema

1

Aldaberto Peňaranda

*

Daryl Janmaat

• • • ••• • ••• •• • • • ••• • •••••• • • • ••• • • •• • •••• • • • • • • •• • • ••••• • • • • •• •

Nathaniel Chalobah

Dean

Craig Cathcart

Pawson

Abdoulaye Doucouré

0

Joao Pedro

0

Andre Gray

16

Will Hughes

16

Kiko Femenia

0-1

Ismaïla Sarr

1-1

Tom Dele-Bashiru

L

José Holebas

D

Ben Foster

Burnley

Christan Kabasele

Leicester City

Étienne Capoue

Thu 25

Ignacio Pussetto

Sat 20

Roberto Pereyra

JUNE

Andi Janjeva

82

All the latest from Watford FC’s Disability Access Officer, Dave Messenger

THE HORNET

//

As we begin the process of planning for the return of supporters to the stadium, we are conscious that our disabled supporters may have several questions about their attendance as and when Vicarage Road re-opens.

We’re also mindful that there may be certain other supporters who will still not be able to attend at that time due to spending further time in isolation, such as older people, those shielding as a result of illness or those caring for any in these groups.

Consequently, there may be concerns that supporters may lose their entitlement to renew and keep their existing seat for future seasons.

While plans for selling 2020/21 season tickets are

not yet finalised, we are keen to re-assure those supporters – who may not wish to or be able to purchase their season tickets at the beginning of the season, or when sales begin – that we are willing to help.

We will, on a discretionary basis, pledge to reserve season tickets and seats/bays for future use by these supporters until a point when they are able to resume attendance.

Once we have more detail about stadium re-opening, we will also look at the facilities we provide and do our best to ensure social distancing in the accessible seating areas is introduced where necessary and that supporters can safely access the services they require.

If you’d like to know more about Watford Welcomes and our work in this area, please do drop us a line by calling 01923 496262 or emailing sam.gillings@watfordfc.com, and keep an eye out for the big screen messages.

Watford v Newcastle United Saturday July 11, 2020 Premier League

6

Adrian Mariappa

Player Poster

#18

der Position: Defen Date of birth: 1986 October 3, : Watford, Previous clubs al Palace Reading, Cryst

Autograph

Pull this section out for the following amazing features…

• • • • •

GIANT MARIAPPA POSTER JUNIOR HORNETS’ MESSAGES WIN A SIGNED PROGRAMME! HARRY HORNET’S PUZZLE PAGE MATCH STAT SHEET

From Junior Hornets To The Players

The messages keep coming in from Junior Hornets who are unable to cheer Watford on in person!

Here’s a selection ahead of this afternoon’s Newcastle game…

Lindsay Quick I’m missing the Golden Girls, but best of luck for the rest of the season to the Golden Boys!

Freddie (2) I really want Watford to stay in the Premier League as my Mummy and Grandad will be taking me to my first game next season. My favourite song is the Nigel Pearson song which I sing really loudly every time Watford are on TV. Come on Watford, you can do it!

Anderson & Max Hi fellow Horns. We are Anderson and Max and we are your future, we will one day be a strike duo for the mighty Horns and we would love to be seen by our fellow supporters in the match programme. We can’t wait until we are able to come and see the players again, and would like to thank the entire team and staff at Watford FC. Thank you also for the amazing gestures to the NHS. Forever your fans, Anderson and Max xx

Jack McMullan (9) Good luck to the Golden Boys! I will be cheering you on from home.

Come on you ‘Orns!

Taylor Dixon (12) & Ashley Dixon (6) Good luck to Watford FC in the remaining games. The whole of Watford is behind you. We will be watching you guys making us all proud. We love you

Lewis Knight (9) To Watford, I think you are all doing great, also keep thinking positive and do us proud for the rest of the season. Nigel Pearson I think you are doing an amazing job. I love Craig Cathcart and Gerard Deulofeu and I hope Deulofeu gets better soon. I’ve been to about seven games and I’ve loved every single one. My favourite one was in 2018 when we beat Brighton at home 2-0 because it was my Grandad’s last game. Keep going Watford, you’ve got all of my support. I can’t wait to go to Vicarage Road again to cheer on the mighty Hornets.

Aidan Friend (6) & Toby Friend (11) Come on you ‘Orns! Let’s get three points, we predict a 2-0 win for Watford. We can’t wait to be back watching the team. We are both massive Watford fans.

Joe Mosley (7) Come on you Yellows, you can do it!

Zac Ivory (9) I just want to say come on you Golden Boys!! My Dad and I will be going crazy, supporting you from the sofa. You can do this!! Can’t wait to get back to Vicarage Road to watch some more Premier League games.

Finlay Kirkham (9) Come on Watford, I know you can win. Play like you did against Liverpool!

Amy Rayner (14)

Oliver Walton (11)

Come on you ‘Orns!

Good luck to the Golden Boys.

Cai Collins (18 months) Good luck from Wales, please try your best. Yellow is my favourite colour and Étienne Capoue is my favourite player. See you soon.

Amelia Heighway (13) & Ava Heighway (9) Come on you Horns! Good luck in your final games – we’re with you all the way

Sadie-Mae Bradding (8) I love watching the Golden Boys at The Vic. I go with my Grandad and I can’t wait to be able to watch the team in the Premier League again next season. I know the manager and the players can keep us up. COME ON YOU ‘ORNS!!

Jack Redshaw (10) I go to every home game with my superhero key worker Daddy Garry and we want to wish you the very best of luck in the last few matches you have left. We know you work very hard to try and win and we will cheer you on every game, every season! C’mon you ‘Orns!!!!!!!!!

Jacob Slater (10) I’m Jacob Slater from Welwyn Garden City. I hope you are all fit and well. You’ll see me in my Watford PDC kit. You are my heroes and you have inspired me to work hard on my fitness and skills during the lockdown, just like you have. Play with the passion required to get the points needed so I can see you again in the Premier League next season!

Sami Abdul (13) My best day ever was the FA Cup because my Mummy decorated the house and all my family came to Wembley. I really wish I could do the cheering at a match, but my mum said I am too young

Send your message & photo to junior.hornets@watfordfc.com to be featured

THE KEY THREE Junior Watford supporter Will Hodgins chooses three games to keep an eye on over the coming days…

ASTON VILLA v CRYSTAL PALACE Sunday July 12, 2.15pm

Times are tough at the moment for Aston Villa, who will be needing to win games like this one to keep alive their hopes of staying in the Premier League. The Villans host a Crystal Palace team which sits comfortably in mid-table and will be looking to dampen Villa’s chances and in turn aid their own hopes of achieving a top half finish.

v ARSENAL TOTTENHAMpm Sunday July 12, 4.30

kend and, although takes place again this wee The north London derby the pitch will not on t figh ’t be there, the ts. the typical atmosphere won European qualification spo for ting figh both are subside as these two et, a strong finish to the forg to ns paig cam had While both teams have always worth the watch. oticed and the fixture is season would not go unn

BOURNEMOUTH v LEICESTER Sunday July 12, 7pm

A huge game lies ahead for Bournemouth as they continue in their attempts to avoid the drop. With a tough run-in to come, the Cherries will hope to achieve a shock result against the high-flying Foxes to give themselves their best chance of survival. Leicester travel to the Vitality sitting comfortably in the top four with Champions League football looking likely to return to the King Power Stadium. A win here would put them in pole position.

r 0-15-year-olds

Junior Hornets is FREE fo Visit

atfordfc.com juniorhornets.w . to sign up!

Competition Time!

WATFORD

1.

I scored in the second minute last time we faced Newcastle United.

Think you know all the answers?

Take a photo of your completed quiz sheet and email it to junior.hornets@watfordfc.com with the subject line ‘Who Am I competition’.

3.

I am a young Brazilian forward who recently made my debut for Watford in the Premier League.

One lucky winner chosen at random will receive a signed programme!

5.

2.

I am a Dutch professional footballer who played for Newcastle before joining Watford in 2016.

I have made the most assists for Watford this season.

4.

I scored Watford’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Newcastle last season in the FA Cup.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

1.

The last time we beat Watford in the 2018/19 season, I scored the only goal in the 65th minute.

2.

In our 4-1 win over Bournemouth last week I claimed a hat-trick of assists.

3.

I was a winger for Watford and Newcastle between 1981-1999 but now I am a pundit for ESPN.

4.

I made a memorable Premier League debut for Newcastle playing alongside my brother and scoring the winner against Manchester United in 2019.

5.

I am a Ghanaian international winger who signed for Newcastle in 2017 and I wear the number 30.

WATFORD v NEWCASTLE UNITED

Watford

Newcastle Starting XI

Final Score:

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Starting XI

Watford Goalscorers: ............................................ ............................................ ............................................

Newcastle United Goalscorers: ............................................ ............................................ ............................................

Yellow Cards:

Used Subs:

Used Subs:

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Red Cards:

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Shots:

Shots:

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Corners:

Corners:

Referee:

Free-Kicks:

Free-Kicks:

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Penalties:

Penalties:

My Man Of The Match:

Attendance: ............................................

Position: Defender Date of birth: October 3, 1986 Previous clubs: Watford, Reading, Crystal Palace

Adrian Mariappa

6 Player Poster #18

Autograph