Watford FC 2019-20 Matchday Programme 16 – Norwich by watfordfc

N OR W I C H C I T Y 07.07.20 / 6PM / £3.50

T H E

THE BOY FROM BRAZIL JOÃO P E D R O O F F & R U N N I N G WI T H P R E M I E R L E AGU E D E BU T !

GAMEDAY

WAT F O R D V N O R W I C H C I T Y 0 7 . 0 7 . 2 0

HEAD TO HEAD LEAGUE FA CUP LEAGUE CUP TOTAL

DRAWN

28 0 0 28

38 1 3 42

LAST THREE MEETINGS

29 0 0 29

TODAY’S OFFICIALS

Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistant Referees: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn Fourth Oﬃcial: Andy Woolmer VAR: Martin Atkinson Additional VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis

Watford 2-0 Norwich (Sat Dec 5, 2015) Norwich 4-2 Watford (Wed May 11, 2016) Norwich 0-2 Watford (Fri Nov 8, 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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E: yourvoice@watfordfc.com W: watfordfc.com T: twitter.com/watfordfc F: facebook.com/watfordfc On Socials: use #watfordfc

Head Coach: Nigel Pearson Assistant Head Coach: Craig Shakespeare Coaching Team: Hayden Mullins, Graham Stack (GK) Technical Director: Filippo Giraldi Head of Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation: Alberto Leon Herranz Head of Academy: Barry Quin Academy Manager: Richard Thomas Kit Manager: David Walter Football Secretary: Gayle Vowels

The views in this programme are not necessarily the views of Watford Football Club. Material in this programme is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with the written permission of Watford Football Club.

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

NIGEL’S N O T E S

“

“”

I HAVE GREAT BELIEF IN THE PLAYERS AS A GROUP AND I’M CERTAIN THEY’LL SHOW TODAY WHY I’M RIGHT TO HAVE THAT BELIEF IN THEM…

e’re back here at Vicarage Road wishing you a sociallydistanced hello once again from my programme notes for this evening’s game against Norwich. Firstly, let me welcome Daniel, his staff and players for the match – during what I’m sure has been a challenging time for them as individuals and as a team. They wouldn’t be alone in that situation. We too are firmly involved in a battle to retain our Premier League status and, as I wrote previously, it’s only what we do ourselves that is going to have the most significant bearing on our immediate future. After the Chelsea game, I likened our restart form as being akin to a batsman in cricket trying to play themselves into good nick. We realise that, unlike that sport where there aren’t the same pressures of time, we don’t have as long as we’d like to get there and we’ve definitely now reached the point where it’s time to step forward and repeat the courage and bravery I felt we gave to much of our display at Chelsea – particularly in the second half – and get a meaningful number of points on the board. What I wanted to see at Stamford Bridge, and I believe we got for the most part, was a performance containing spirit and a bit of fight. Those qualities were missing here last time when we played Southampton, so I think many players proved to themselves and to their team-mates that the necessary elements are still very much in place to secure us the future performances and results we need. Taking responsibility as a manager is important. That’s certainly my job when things don’t work out how you hope for – like last time here – and then, when perhaps there are positives to reﬂect upon, that’s the time to take a step backwards and allow the players to take credit for what’s gone well. This period of the season is a test of

players’ character and understanding of the situation. There’s nowhere to run and hide. Now is the time to embrace the challenge ahead, and that takes the kind of qualities I feel I saw at Chelsea – in spite of how the scoreline might have looked at the end of the game. The second half contained some really good things, not least of which brought to the pitch by our substitutes whom I felt all had a really positive impact. I’ve probably said enough now. Here we are with five games ahead of us and the mandate is pretty clear in my eyes: a performance that rounds up the very best moments from the past few games, puts to bed the poorer moments, and gets us our first win since the restart. I have great belief in the players as a group and I’m certain they’ll show today why I’m right to have that belief in them both today and for the rest of the season; the other final four games. Take care and all the best for now,

9 06

DEENEY

T R O Y

ello to everyone reading in on these notes. I say again, it’s a big shame you can’t be here with us cheering the lads on. That feeling isn’t going to go away in a hurry. I think this is one of those times where to say less and then do more is a much more appropriate judgment call, so I’m just going with a few brief thoughts this time.

“.” “”

…WE’RE FRUSTRATED AND WE WANT TO ACHIEVE MORE AND THERE’S NO ONE ELSE AROUND OTHER THAN US TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN… I’m sure all of our great supporters out there aren’t very happy with how we’ve come out of the lockdown period. Well all I can say is your thoughts reﬂect the feelings amongst the lads; we’re frustrated and we want to achieve more and there’s no one else around other than us to make that happen. It’s been a strange time turning up at stadiums with barely a soul around, but it’s been exactly the same for all teams so we can’t really point to that as a reason we haven’t performed well enough. One thing’s for certain and that is we’ve got to start games better. It’s taking us too long to get going and, never mind what the other team are doing, it means we’re missing the chance to establish ourselves as the dominant force at the beginning of a match.

There were some tough conversations during the past week in between Southampton and Chelsea. It’s not the right place to go into too much detail, but I think they brought about enough of a reaction so that everyone could see we had a bit of spirit about us at Stamford Bridge – even if a team with quality everywhere over the park were able to break us down and get themselves the win. It’s Norwich today, but let’s be honest the name of the opponent is irrelevant to the choice we make before the game about how we’re going to commit to getting those three points. That’s very much something we can affect, never mind what the opposition throw at us. We’ve got to be ready to do what needs to be done. Cheers for now,

VOICE OF THE VICARAGE ALL THE LATEST CLUB NEWS FROM HERE AT THE VIC AND THE LONDON COLNEY TRAINING GROUND

>> THE HORNET

DEULOFEU: “I’M GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME” Gerard Deulofeu reports he is progressing well from major knee surgery and that he is rooting for the team from his home in Catalonia. The Spain international is working extremely hard in Barcelona to work his way back from an operation to repair the anterior cruciate ligament and the meniscus in his right knee. Doctor Monllau performed the operation on Deulofeu at the start of March and the forward is now in the thick of the rehabilitation process. “I’m really happy as my knee is getting better all the time,” said Deulofeu in an interview for our new live matchday show, Hornets Hive. “You have to be positive every day because if not, the injury can feel longer than it is. In my case, I’m a person who is happy every day. My recovery is now four months so I feel it’s going really quick. I’m really happy.” Deulofeu has not played since the epic 3-0 win over Liverpool and left the country soon after, but he is keen to know exactly what is going on at London Colney and is intently following the team’s progress from afar. “Every week I keep contact with physios, with players, with the coach,” he said. “I want to know how it is going and I want to know how the team is. I have spoken two or three times to Nigel [Pearson].

“I am recovering and people know this injury is for a long time and the work for them now is to remain in the Premier League and the focus is there. We have to fight those last games like lions. I can’t be there and it’s a shame, but I wish them all the best.”

FINAL THREE FINALISED Dates and kick-off times for Watford’s last three fixtures of the season have been announced. The Hornets’ trip to West Ham will take place at 8pm on Friday July 17, while the home game against Man City will be

played at 6pm on Tuesday July 21, with both games shown live on Sky Sports. The final fixture of 2019/20 at Arsenal will kickoff at 4pm on Sunday July 26, with the TV broadcaster yet to be confirmed.

JOIN THE FAN WALL The Premier League’s broadcast partners are seeking additional volunteers to be a part of the Watford FC ‘fan wall’ for each home and away fixture. If you’d like to show your support for the team and celebrate with the players,

please visit watfordfc.com/news/fanwall-join-the-celebrations for more information. Then send an email containing your Fan ID and the full names of those wishing to participate to ollie.floyd@watfordfc.com.

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IN THEIR OWN WORDS 11

JOÃO PEDRO

Teenage attacker discusses his journey from the streets of Brazil to the bright lights of the Premier League

JOÃO

PEDRO

Age: 18 Squad number: 17 Nationality: Brazilian Watford games: 1+2 Watford goals: 0 *Stats do not include fixture v Chelsea (Jul 4)

THE BOY FROM BRAZIL I was born in Ribeirão Preto in Brazil and even though at the age of 10 we moved to Rio de Janeiro, I still love the place. We would always go back there during the holidays so that I could see friends, and I still talk to them now. After moving to Rio we started having some economic issues. We had some properties that we rented out but there was a time when they were empty

and no-one was renting them. We couldn’t afford to buy things like trainers, clothes and food. But we got through it and to be honest, I think that experience made me realise that I needed to focus on football so that in the future I could provide for my family, my mother and my grandmother. I have to be thankful to God that it has worked out.

RIO CALLING At the age of 10 my family and I moved to Rio so I could join Fluminense. I was playing in a cup competition in Ribeirão Preto and in one game I scored two goals – a header and a volley. After the game I went to a street vendor selling burgers and a representative from Fluminense approached my mum and asked if we would be interested in going to trials. The

truth is, they were looking for kids older than me, but then all of the clubs started getting interested – Santos, Corinthians, São Paulo. We decided to go with Fluminense – in fact it was my mum who made the decision. She just felt that was the right choice, and I was fortunate that we were in the position to be able to choose which club I was going to join.

FOLLOWING SUIT

>> THE HORNET

When I was a youth player at Fluminense I remember watching Richarlison. He was a different player then but he had a lot of potential and he ended up leaving Fluminense for Watford, as I have done myself more recently. After he came to England, I would watch highlights and videos of him that would come up on social networks. Now he’s part of the national team and like many others, he

has kept going up in his career. I always try to identify what each player brings to the table, and with Richarlison I saw that he could use his left and right foot. When he found out I was coming to England we spoke over Instagram. I remember he welcomed me and said that Watford is a great team and that he evolved a lot while he was here.

“.” “”

JOÃO

>> THE HORNET

PEDRO

We couldn’t afford to buy things like trainers, clothes and food. But we got through it and I think that experience made me realise that I needed to focus on football so that in the future I could provide for my family, my mother and my grandmother.

ENGLISH ATTRACTION When I was playing in the Under-17s championship, my agent told me there were a few clubs interested in me and that one of them was from England. He left it there because at that point I was preparing for the final so he wanted me to focus on that, but after the championship he asked if I was interested and I said I definitely was because it had always been my dream to play in the Premier League. From then on, I was really happy and felt so motivated. There were other clubs interested in me and rumours about some big teams, but Watford was the team that presented me

with a plan and because of that I could see it was a serious offer. Even though I signed for Watford, I stayed with Fluminense for the time being and went on to score a hat-trick the first time I played in the starting XI. It was a Copa Sudamericana match against Atlético Nacional and that night was a blessed one. It was a night where my dreams came true. One of my goals was a bicycle kick and I did it all in front of the home fans. I will always remember that night. The beginning of my career showed me that nothing is impossible; that there are no limits.

CULTURE SHOCK When you go to a new country with a different language and different food you’re always going to be nervous, but then I told myself I had done things before that I didn’t think were possible and so I just wanted to give my best here, learn as much as possible and adapt as quick as possible. When I first arrived in December it was really, really cold and everything was so different to Rio – the houses, the people, everything totally different. The most tough thing was the food, and I only adjusted

when my mother found a Brazilian shop so she could cook Brazilian food at home. Thankfully I have adapted quickly and I am so used to things now that when I go back to Brazil it’ll all seem different there. I moved over with my mother, my stepfather, my grandmother and my friend Ruan, but also Heurelho Gomes has really helped me out. We do a lot of things together, and people like Domingos Quina and Roberto Pereyra also help explain things to me when I don’t understand.

UP FOR THE CUP Not long after arriving I made my debut as a substitute in the cup game against Tranmere. I knew before the game that I was going to get my chance, and I was really happy to play in front of the fans. When I played some nice balls I could hear the crowd going ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh’, which is completely different to what you hear in Brazil. I then made my first start in the replay and I remember the pitch there was really awful, but I just really wanted to play and make sure the team qualified for

the next round. Unfortunately that didn’t happen, but I was really proud of myself because it had been a true battle to get to this stage of my career, and I had made it. Since that match I’ve been able to adapt to the speed of passing and improve my ball control and physical strength, which is definitely something you need to be successful here. I have been looking for ways to evolve quicker so that I can get the chance to play again.

A DREAM FULFILLED

>> THE HORNET

While we were waiting for the league to recommence, the gaffer told me to start preparing myself because it was likely I was going to get my Premier League debut when we got back. Every day I was working hard so that I could be ready, and thankfully that day came against Southampton. At half-time, Gomes told me to pay close attention to the game because he thought I was going to come on soon, so I got myself ready and I really wanted to help the team because of the situation we were in. Obviously, it would have been better to have made my Premier League debut with the fans there, but it was still a great feeling. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really happy because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another childhood dream fulfilled. I was disappointed to lose the match, but I received a lot of messages from friends and family and I was happy. The more I play in this league, the more I will learn and the better I will become. Now I just want to give my best to make sure we get the points we need to stay in the Premier League.

“.” “”

JOÃO

PEDRO

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

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

UNIFORIA UNIFORIA UNIFORIA UNIFORIA

WATFORD LADIES FAN GROUP

>> THE HORNET

David Quick from the Watford Ladies Fan Group tells us all about the latest group of Golden Girls supporters…

The Watford Ladies Fan Group came about after a few of us supporters had become fed up of the sexist comments that can be found on social media. We decided to start our own group for people interested in the Golden Girls, and to bring the community of supporters at Kings Langley on a Sunday afternoon much closer. Back in September 2019, we hit the ‘create group’ button on Facebook and nine months later, we have over 300 members and have introduced many new fans to the Ladies game. We focus on the first team as well as the Under-23s, with members attending the matches of both teams where possible. Thanks to Grace Williams, the General Manager who has allowed us the access, we do exclusive interviews with the coaches and players after games and post them across the fan groups, as well as posting live in-match updates and much more. We’ve had many highlights during this season. On the pitch, it has been fantastic. Promotion seemed to be on

the cards and we also had the FAWNL Plate Final to look forward to before the season was unfortunately voided. Off the pitch, we have managed to organise travel to away games together in a minibus, thanks to the club’s help. We are always looking to expand the group and hopefully encourage more families to come along to enjoy the football and have a great day out. There’s lots more to come from the group, but most importantly, we want our members to be involved. Hit us with ideas, post your views, your photos and videos. If you want to be involved in our fan cams, podcasts, anything – get in touch!

The Watford Ladies Fan Group @watfordfcladiesfangroup @GroupWatford

L CKDOWN with THE SKIPPPER The last time Ladies captain Helen Ward saw her Watford teammates was way back on March 1. We caught up with the Welsh international to see how she’s been keeping herself busy (and sane!) during these unprecedented times. With no football for the Ladies for over 100 days now, how have you been able to keep fit and motivated? It has been hard for everyone, for sure. It’s one thing trying to stay or get fit when you have a date to aim for, but while it has been so uncertain right from the start, I feel like we’ve really had to wing it. From a physical point of view, I was lucky enough to buy a treadmill back in March and that has been great for me to keep up my fitness at home. The motivational side of it has been the hardest part. While training and exercising has been amazing for my mental health, some days it is so hard to do it because you wonder what the point is when there’s no end in sight. But I think I’ve done a good job and tried to be pretty consistent with it throughout.

>> THE HORNET

Have you learnt anything new during this time? I set out to learn new things – I signed up to a couple of online courses and promised myself I would push on with learning Welsh, but actually, I haven’t done any of that. I have become my husband’s barber and the Ward household’s star Baker when making brownies and blondies. Honestly, they’re out of this world! Is there anything you’d like to keep from ‘lockdown life’ when things return to a more familiar pattern?

I’d love to have the time with my family that we’ve had since March and, although it won’t be possible to have the same amount once training and playing resumes, I’d like to make more of the time we do get as I don’t feel we’ve always appreciated it before. What have you missed the most – other than football? Seeing my kids being able to hug their grandparents. They’re so lucky to have four grandparents that would do anything for them – and my husband and I – and it’s been heartbreaking to hear Charlie say ‘Nan, no hug’ when we have been able to see them from a distance. I’m sure it is the same for thousands of people and it’s for a good reason, to keep everyone safe, but I can’t wait for the moment they can hug again. That and Nando’s. Once lockdown is over, what could fans expect from a trip to Kings Langley to see the Ladies play? Hopefully a good game of football! On top of that, you’ll see an honest group of players and staff who work hard and enjoy the game. You’ll see players who are engaged with the fanbase and appreciate all the support that comes their way. You also get free cake sometimes, which is worth the admission fee alone.

>> THE HORNET

STAY SAFE

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IT WAS SUCH A SURPRISE! For the older generation of Hornets supporters, the recent lockdown experience brought back memories of a childhood affected by the Second World War, which also created hardships for everyday life. For 84-year-old Colin Dunstone, whose first Watford match was a Wartime Football League South match against Spurs in May 1944, lockdown brought about a complete change in his daily routine. “I do try to go out for a walk as often as I can, but I have to be careful. I haven’t actually been into a shop since March, for example,” said Colin. “Not seeing my grandchildren as often as I did has also been tough. That’s getting better now that we can meet up again, at a social distance, of course.” Colin, who lists Cliff Holton as his all-time Watford hero like so many supporters of his age, also recounts the day another club legend made his mark on the national stage. “I was on the terrace behind the goal at Old Trafford on the night Luther Blissett scored with two great headers, as we came from behind to win in the League Cup. That was a memorable night.” With the Hornets at Home scheme in full swing, Colin was delighted to receive a call from Steve Palmer at the height of the lockdown period. “Steve really wanted to ask me about how I was getting on and how I was coping with things,” he said. “Obviously we did talk about the Hornets too, but mostly it was just asking how I was. That was the really nice part about it, he wasn’t following a script or anything like that, it was just a nice chat.” Colin was amazed that the club had organised something like this. “It was such a

surprise,” he said. “Steve had obviously been given some information about how long I’d been a Watford fan, so it never felt like I was just another name and number on a list. One of the things we did talk about was Graham Taylor and how he built the family club idea – this really felt like part of that legacy is still important to the club.”

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

TROY DEENEY Who did you spend lockdown with? I was with my family, and my partner’s mum and brother came and stayed with us too. How did you manage to keep entertained? I did a lot of things, but particularly quizzes and Zoom calls. Anything that could make things more enjoyable really. How did you find home schooling? To be honest, I haven’t got the patience for things like that, so home schooling was definitely a challenge. I’ll be the first to admit that it was tough. It was tough for the kids too because their normal routine has changed so much. We decided to add a second dog to the mix too, which probably wasn’t the wisest thing to do! Which TV programmes or films did you enjoy? I was one of the few people in the world who had never watched Game of Thrones, so we watched the whole of that and now I realise why everyone raves about it. I also watched some of the All Or Nothing series on Amazon – they did one on Man City but I watched all the NFL ones and they were really interesting.

>> THE HORNET

Did you read any books? I’m going to sound so boring here, but I’ve been reading non-stop! I’ve read the

autobiographies by Kevin Hart, Malcolm X, Phil Knight the Nike founder, and Curtis Jackon. I wouldn’t normally have that much downtime, so it was challenging but rewarding. How did you manage to keep yourself fit? I’m fortunate that I’ve got a gym at home so I did a lot of work in there. I spent a lot of time out on the bike too and because the weather was good it was easier to be active. It’s just as well because if I’d had to stay in the house I would’ve lost my mind! Did you learn any new skills? I learnt how to cut the grass! I’m not very good in the garden but that became a new hobby, even to the point where the missus has bought me an orange tree. I also spent a lot of time in meetings, so I learnt how to properly use my computer as I’d never really had to before. Did you let your hair grow or cut it yourself? The hair grew out, but it got to the point where I was starting to eat my own beard when I was talking, so I let the missus have a go at chopping away at my hair. Who have you missed the most? My mum and my nan. I saw my mum last week for the first time in about four months. We kept in contact but it’s not the same when you can’t physically see someone.

>> THE HORNET

A CHANNEL DEDICATED TO THE

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 willâ&#x20AC;Śyou.

Send your pic & a few words to programme@watfordfc.com OLIVER CUMMINGS, 16, was only able to attend his first Watford game on February 1 this year, despite being born next door at Watford General Hospital. The reason why it has taken him so long is that, when he was five, he and his family emigrated to Australia and he now lives in Melbourne. Earlier this year he came over to visit his many cousins in Watford, including Isabella, with whom he is pictured. Despite losing against Everton, Oliver is proud of his Hertfordshire roots and hopes this is the first of many Hornets games in years to come. He is able to watch games on TV at home but agreed that is no substitute for the real thing! PAUL GODDARD has just one aim in life, and that is to see Watford FC keep winning! Born on April 15, 1970, he celebrated his 50th birthday this year. Paul has supported Watford since he was six, but disability has kept him away from the club a lot. When he was admitted to Watford General Hospital a few days before Christmas 2018, it was particularly frustrating being so close to the ground but not being able to see the pitch! We hope you had a very happy birthday Paul, from all your family.

On a recent visit to India, NICOLA MARLOW joined an excursion from Shimla where she was photographed waving her Watford FC scarf with the Himalayas in the background. She returned in time for the amazing 3-0 victory over Liverpool, which was the home match closest to the 60th anniversary of her very first game at Vicarage Road (on March 5, 1960, when Watford lost 2-0 to Millwall in the old Fourth Division), to make an excellent advance celebration!

Wishing RICHARD BERNHOLT a very happy 75th birthday, and his son SIMON a happy 45th birthday! They are pictured here with a fake FA Cup â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hopefully the Watford team will get their hands on the real one soon!

Wishing our brother and true Watford FC fan DAVID LAVENDER a happy 60th birthday! With lots of love from Cindy, Graeme, Jane and Peter.

Happy birthday to ARTHUR THOMAS, who turned seven years old on April 7! Arthur’s favourite players are Heurelho Gomes, Ben Foster and Troy Deeney. He lives in his Watford kit, no matter the occasion! He takes after Grandad Elvet, who is an avid Watford fan. Lots of love, Mummy, Lawrence and all your family xx

Wishing Watford fan HENRY, who has been attending games since he was four, a very happy 10th birthday! Henry has attended over 80 games home and away and last year became a season ticket holder in the Rookery. Henry is an all-action left-back for Wing Raiders who scores his fair share of long-range goals and loves a solid tackle, modelling himself on Miguel Britos. Being born on July 4 meant Watford had never played on his birthday before, so Sunday’s game at Chelsea was a special day for him. Henry’s favourite players are Heurelho Gomes and Ismaïla Sarr, and Troy’s ‘Watford’s Number Nine’ chant is his favourite song!

We are sad to inform you that lifelong Hornets fan KEITH JOHNSON, of Kings Langley, passed away on March 23. Keith began supporting Watford (then ‘The Blues’) back in the 1940s, introducing his children as supporters in the 1970s and grandchildren in the 1990s. He was a season ticket holder in the East Stand and more recently in the Lower Graham Taylor Stand. He loved attending matches, particular favourites including the 1969 FA Cup tie at Man Utd, the 7-1 win against Southampton and the 1984 Wembley FA Cup final. He had a fantastic memory for players, his standouts being Cliff Holton and Stewart Scullion. This photograph was taken when Watford came back from 2-0 down at half-time to win 7-2 against Blackpool in 2015. Keith was a loving husband, Dad and Grandad, and well known in the Watford community. In recent years he had become too frail to attend matches but listened avidly to the commentary at home and read the programmes that family members delivered to him after the game. He will be missed dearly. It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of RON MARSHALL to Covid-19. An extremely loyal supporter, Ron went to his first match at the age of 10 and from then on, he followed the team through all the ups and downs. He always said some of the greatest times were under Graham Taylor. Later on, his two children Samantha and Stuart became season ticket holders with him and eventually his grandson did too. The first thing Ron bought when Jack was born was a Watford FC bib! Ron’s interest in football extended to grassroots. He helped run a Croxley Green youth team that his son Stuart played for in the late 80s. As his grandson Jack grew up, he also played for a local team and Ron watched him every Sunday, loving every minute. Ron’s last match was the epic win over Liverpool this season – nobody could have imagined it would be his last. Love you always Ron, from Janet and the family xxx

I’VE SEEN HOW GOOD HUMANITY CAN BE

>> THE HORNET

Hospital pastoral care leader praises resilience of tireless NHS staff as well as provision of essential counselling and memorial space at Vicarage Road Stadium One thousand staff members were fed each day, and more than 60,000 sets of scrubs were washed and folded over an eight-week period. But when it comes to the helping hand offered by the Hornets to their in-need neighbours at Watford General Hospital, it’s one of the smallest gestures that arguably made the biggest difference. Rev. Anthony Curran, Head of Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, takes up the story. “Right from the beginning of this global pandemic, the hospital was very aware that staff would be under a huge amount of pressure. Staff were putting their lives at risk every day and we knew the psychological pressure they were under needed to be met in some way,” he said. “When members of staff caught Covid and some then passed away from it, there was a real shock within the staff community and they needed a place to be able to come and sit with the memory of that person. We didn’t have an appropriate space ourselves but the football club, like heroes, had already said to let them know whatever they could do. “The Sanctuary space they had already provided was amazing, so we approached them and asked if we could possibly have some counselling rooms and maybe even a memorial room. Working for the NHS, I thought it’d take a while to arrange, but just two hours later we were told the rooms were ready for us.” Hospitality boxes were quickly emptied and

repurposed, meaning clinical psychologists and counsellors could be on hand to offer support to heroic NHS staff who were working so tirelessly to protect and save lives, while colleagues were also able to pay their respects to those who had so tragically died having worked on the frontline. “Just having those rooms made such a huge difference,” said Anthony. “Giving people the opportunity to go into those counselling rooms, or to spend time in the memorial room, writing a message to a colleague who had passed away, was so important. “At the hospital site there’s a little bit of greenery, but when you looked out over the football pitch from those rooms it was like you weren’t even in Watford and it suddenly struck me that just looking at that bit of green was amazing. Having that green space and the rooms that we were so kindly given was massive, and there was such huge gratitude from staff members that they had those facilities.” There’s little doubt the intense experiences of the past few months will have taken their toll on so many members of the NHS taskforce, but they have continued to serve their patients with an incredible amount of compassion and diligence. “On the frontline you’d see people who are dealing with some absolutely devastating and horrendous situations, where people are having to say goodbye to their relatives at the doors of A&E and not know whether they will see them alive again at the end of this,”

33 said Anthony. “The staff have been dealing with it really professionally and now the crisis has slightly abated they’re taking a breath and all of that professionalism, the emotion of it all, is catching up with people. A lot of people are exhausted, but they carry on because they’re so dedicated to their patients and that’s the thing that amazes me.

“They’ve been stretched and there are times when they will want to go offsite, have a little cry and wonder whether they can watch another person lose their life, but they manage to carry on. The pressure has been massive, but we’ve seen their resilience, training and professionalism come to the fore. I’ve seen what a hospital really should be like and how good humanity can be.”

Giving people the opportunity to go into those counselling rooms, or to spend time in the memorial room, writing a message to a colleague who had passed away, was so important.

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GOLDEN MEMORIES P36-37 PREQUELS XI

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

P38-39 MARIAPPA: 10 YEARS ON

A season-long chat with the homegrown Hornet on his decade of service to the Hornets

P40-41 OVERSEAS OPPONENTS

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

P42-43 THE NUMBER GAME

Find out which number 22s 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

P46-47 YELLOW BRICK ROAD

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

P48-49 TEN YEARS IN THE ROOKERY END

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 1984/85 campaign

N O S TA L G I A

PREQUELS XI

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Matt Rowson picks a team from those who have contributed significantly to previous matches between the Hornets and today’s visitors… Starting at the back this week, and DAVID MARSHALL is between the sticks. The Scottish keeper joined Norwich from Celtic in 2007 and in October that year faced the Hornets at Carrow Road. The Hornets moved eight points clear at the top of the Championship as City, newly managed by former Watford boss Glenn Roeder, lost 3-1. Marshall’s significant contribution was an own goal when Adrian Mariappa’s header rebounded off the woodwork; he was more successful in the return at Vicarage Road when fine stops from Jobi McAnuff and Dion Dublin, preventing another OG, earned City a point. Two Watford men in the full-back positions. The Hornets played the Canaries at Vicarage Road early in the 1987/88 campaign and a limp 1-0 defeat confirmed a relegation scrap in the eyes of many. It was DAVID BARDSLEY’s BARDSLEY last game for the Hornets; the Mancunian right-back, who had played in the 1984 FA Cup final as a teenager and terrorised Kenny Sansom at Highbury five months earlier, was sold to Oxford United the following week. On the left is DANNY ROSE, ROSE who made his full league debut for the Hornets at Carrow Road whilst on loan to Brendan Rodgers’ side in 2009. His own goal, plus a second from Gary Doherty, gave

City a 2-0 win; Rose was subbed, and wouldn’t last a full 90 in any of his seven games for the Hornets. In the centre, SÉBASTIEN BASSONG played for Norwich at Vicarage Road as the Canaries won 3-0 in February 2015 as both sides pushed for promotion. His clean sheet was the first he’d achieved at Vicarage Road that season, failing to have been a part of a shut out in his six games here during a loan spell earlier in the campaign. He is partnered by NEIL COX, COX who had an eventful couple of games against City in 2003. January saw Cox clatter Phil Mulryne’s cross past Alec Chamberlain to level for Norwich, only for Heidar Helguson to score a last-minute winner for the Hornets. A visit to Carrow Road in November saw Cox convert from the spot to seal a victory over the champions-tobe, Matt Jarvis’ late strike no more than consolation in another 2-1 victory. An adventurous four-man midfield is anchored by GARY PORTER,, who scored the last of PORTER his 47 league goals for the Hornets at Vicarage Road in 1996. A dramatic fight against relegation was taken to the final day as Porter negated Ian Crook’s fine strike for Norwich with a screamer of his own to secure a 2-1 win. He’s partnered by NATHAN REDMOND in an unorthodox central role, who

scored his last goal for City as Quique Sanchez Flores’ side slumped to a 4-2 defeat at the relegated Canaries in 2016, also setting up Dieumerci Mbokani on a bad evening for the Hornets. He is flanked by JOSH MURPHY and NORDIN WOOTER;; current Cardiff WOOTER man Murphy made his debut at Vicarage Road in the Capital One Cup in 2013, scoring a screamer as the visitors came from two down to win 3-2 in extra time. Wooter, meanwhile, had scored the sort of goal we’d imagined he’d score rather more often, slaloming past Malky Mackay amongst others to score in a 4-1 victory in 2000. Up front, JOHN DEEHAN managed four goals in a 6-1 City win at Carrow Road a

week before the Hornets’ 1984 FA Cup semi-final. Two were from the spot, whilst two route one goals would have satisfied Fleet Street’s finest, expecting such an approach from a team in yellow. Not satisfied with this, Deehan went on to score another hat-trick in the same fixture the following season, a more restrained 3-2 win for the Canaries. Deehan partners DANNY GRAHAM, whose second GRAHAM season for the Hornets featured three goals in two games against promoted City in 2010/11; two on the opening day win at Carrow Road that saw Troy Deeney’s Hornets debut, and the third in a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road in the April that was the last of his goals for the Hornets.

• Nordin Wooter (left) and John Deehan (above).

TH E

COMB I N ED

MARSHALL

COX

ROSE

BASSONG

MURPHY

REDMOND

BARDSLEY

PORTER

GRAHAM

WOOTER

DEEHAN

N O S TA L G I A

ADRIAN MARIAPPA:

TEN YEARS ON

With 10 years’ first-team service now complete, during the 2019/20 season the homegrown defender picks out his most memorable moments for the Hornets so far…

16: OUSTANDING OPPONENTS When did you realise just how big the step up was from reserve team to first-team football? My first league start was against Jon Parkin from Hull [in April 2006] and he was a man mountain of a bloke.That was a real eye-opener, playing against someone of that size and by the end of that season, I felt confident in my game and ability to handle myself.

>> THE HORNET

In just your second season as a professional, you found yourself thrust into the world of the Premier League and its galaxy of stars… That step up was massive, even in that first game against Everton away [in August 2006]. I knew I had a lot to learn after that one. I played against James Beattie and Andy Johnson that day at Goodison and they were just smarter than me. I back myself athletically against anyone, but they were just very cute. I came off at half-time and that day left me in no doubt about what I had to do. Dick Bate [the then Technical Director] worked really hard with me on a daily basis after that and by the time I got back in, against Newcastle away, I had improved a lot. I came on at right-back against Damien Duff, one of the best wingers in the league, and I felt I had matured. Are you a defender who prefers playing against the big centre-forward or the more nimble front-man? Most teams back in the day played a 4-4-2 with a little-and-large combo, and most used to stick the big man on me as I was the smaller of the two centre-halves. I loved that challenge as I backed my heading ability and my jump. I back myself against anyone and I did really like playing against the bigger guy. It never fazed me.

You get a few big guys in the unforgiving world of the Championship, that’s for sure... It’s such a physical league, particularly in games against Sheffield United against players like Rob Hulse.You knew you were in for a battle when you played against him, but I was grateful that from the age of 17 or 18, I was playing against Marlon King, Darius Henderson and Ashley Young in training every day. These lads were horrible in training so I had the best education and grounding every day against those guys. I didn’t need to go on loan as a result as I got the required experience in training. I loved the physical battle at that stage of my career, particularly under Aidy [Boothroyd]. Who was the one player you always had a right old-fashioned ding-dong with? Salomón Rondón, for sure. He always gave me problems. People underestimate what a good athlete he was. He was such a tough customer, had two good feet, was strong and quicker than you thought. Another one is Shane Long. He was a similar size to me and also had a good leap, so we’d both have really long run-ups to head the ball, I remember that. It was a good battle between us and we’d cancel each other out. It’s funny, I found it easier to win headers against someone like Nikola Žigic than against Shane Long. What was it like playing against some Premier League greats? The big thing against the very top players is that if you make a mistake, it’s all over. They punish you. Ronaldo was so quick, had such good movement and his feet were so good. Rooney was just so powerful and I remember making a mistake in the FA Cup semi-final, he came inside and in a split second he had scored. Anelka was another one. Again, you don’t realise how good an athlete he is. He was so cultured. Drogba was unbelievable. He’d

stand offside, come back onside and I remember one game he held off me and Jay DeMerit and chested the ball down at the same time. Was there anyone who gave you sleepless nights before a game? I tend to back myself against anyone, but Hazard was the one you had to be on it for the whole game. I knew, leading up to the game, I had to be right on it against him. His centre of gravity is so low and he could just turn you inside out. I had some great battles with him. Any battle you are particularly proud of? Probably a fairly recent one against Marcus Rashford at Vicarage Road before Christmas. I’d just come back in at right-back and hadn’t played there for a while. I knew I was in for a tough game, that I had to get my distances right and my body position spot on as he’s so quick off the mark, such a good finisher and if you give him an inch, he’ll take a yard. I felt I did well against him that day in a very important win. Who are the quickest, strongest and best-in-the-air players you have come up against? Adama Traoré is the quickest, without a doubt.

He’s rapid. Drogba is easily the strongest. I think Ben Foster said the other day that Drogba bullied Dan Shittu and not many do that. And I’d have to say Shane Long is the best in the air. From such a long career at Vicarage Road, you must have collected a few shirts... I’m not a big shirt collector, really. I’ve got Gabriel Heinze’s from the FA Cup semi-final in 2007. I got Jay-Jay Okocha’s, which was a good effort as I didn’t even make the bench that day! He’s a legend of the game, for me. And when Les Ferdinand was here at Watford, he gave me one of his Newcastle shirts. That’s one of my prized possessions. And, finally, any photos of you against opponents you particularly treasure? I’ve got some good ones, actually. There are ones of me playing against Ronaldo, Gerrard and Lionel Messi, who I played against for Jamaica. I’ve been fortunate to play against some really top players and pictures and shirts are things you really look back on in time and really appreciate what you’ve done, but I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of playing against some very good players.

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… Saturday August 2, 2014 Pre-Season Friendly

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WATFORD 2 GRANADA CF 0 La Liga Granada came to pay Vicarage Road a visit at the start of the 2013/14 season, as Gianfranco Zola’s Hornets looked to regroup following the crushing disappointment of a Play-Off Final defeat just two months beforehand. This pre-season encounter, played in warm enough conditions, was – as is so often the case – a fairly bloodless affair with goals from Diego Fabbrini and Ikechi Anya settling the contest in the Hornets’ favour. A strong start from Watford saw just two defeats in the first ten matches, but confidence ebbed away and Zola would resign before Christmas after a series of humblings at home to the division’s lesser lights. The Hornets would go on to record a midtable finish, much like opponents Granada – who ended their La Liga campaign in 15th place, well clear of a return to the lower divisions from whence they came.

Watford: Almunia (Bond); Doyley (Ekstrand), Angella (O’Nien), Cassetti (Brown); Faraoni, McGugan (Battocchio), Iriney (Smith), Abdi (Murray), Pudil (Anya); Deeney (Acuna), Fabbrini (Forestieri). Goals: Fabbrini, Anya. Granada: Alvarellos, Nyom, Garcia, Siquiera, Soto (El Arabia), Yebda (Ceoff), Brahimi (Diaz), Benitez (Rende), Diakhate, Urrutia, Luna.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Granada, the club representing the capital city of the Andalucia region of southern Spain, are enjoying a relatively stress-free end to the current 2019/20 campaign; La Liga having restarted around a week earlier than England’s Premier League. Formerly owned by the Pozzo family, Granada’s first sojourn into Spain’s top-flight came in the 1940s, and then again a decade later when they engineered two sixth-placed finishes in successive campaigns. They’ve featured in all four of Spain’s top divisions across the intervening years, most recently in the fourth tier (Tecera División) as recently as 2005/06.

Two promotions in the space of five seasons – including a single season getting from tiers two to one – meant a first top-flight return in 35 years. A more sustained La Liga presence has come in the most recent decade, with ‘El Grana’ benefiting from the Pozzo family’s renowned global scouting network. Bought by Chinese businessman Jiang Lizhang in summer 2016, a two-season dip back into the Segunda Division was ended with promotion in 2018/19 – meaning the 20,000-capacity Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes is once again hosting topflight football.

N O S TA L G I A

LEE COO K

SEA N MUR RAY

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ALM EN ABD I

THE NUMBER GAME

LEE COOK

The London-born winger joined Watford as a 17-year-old from Aylesbury United. Graham Taylor gave Cook his Watford debut towards the end of the 2000/01 season before he suffered an injury that kept him out of action for nearly a year. It was not until the 2003/04 season when Cook became a first-team regular under Ray Lewington and played most of the matches in a season where Watford struggled in the Championship. Cook was one of the bright lights though, showing a good level of flair, commitment and crossing ability to suggest he could play at a higher level. At the end of his contract in the summer of 2004 Cook joined the team he supported, QPR. He enjoyed a successful three years in west London before a spell with Leyton Orient, and h ended his playing career at Barnet and Eastleigh in the National League.

SEAN MURRAY

The local lad from Abbots Langley played his early football at Evergreen before being one of the first Watford scholars at the Harefield Academy. Murray shone at youth level and even signed his first professional contract with the club before his 17th birthday.You might remember his full debut as an 18-year-old as the Hornets hosted Spurs in the FA Cup. Despite losing 1-0, Murray impressed and hit the post in a match which the home team didn’t deserve to lose. The midfielder went on to play more games and impress in the second half of the season, scoring seven goals in 19 games and he looked set to become a regular first-team player. Circumstances changed though in the summer of 2012 when an influx of talented players joined the club after the Pozzo takeover. Murray still managed to play fairly regularly over the next two seasons but could not secure a regular starting place. After a short loan spell at Wigan Athletic, he joined Swindon Town in 2016. After only one season he joined Colchester United, before a short spell playing in Denmark. He is currently with League of Ireland Premier Division club Dundalk.

ALMEN ABDI

The Kosovo-born Swiss international joined the club as one of the many loanees from Udinese

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

in the summer of 2012, and in his four years at The Vic became one of the most influential and talented players we had ever seen in a Watford shirt. The creative midfielder caught the eye with his precision passing and vision as Watford fell agonisingly short of promotion in his first season, losing in the play-off final. Having signed permanently in the summer of 2013, he was to suffer a frustrating season with a foot injury and the team struggled without him. Fortunately, Abdi was back to his best for the 2014/15 season as the Hornets finally clinched promotion back to the Premier League. He scored a number of glorious goals, but none could be better than the one he scored at Craven Cottage that season as he half turned with the ball at his feet, 25 yards from goal. He didn’t even look at the target as he curled it perfectly into the top corner in a 5-0 thrashing of Fulham. The playmaker enjoyed one season in the Premier League, although he was forced to play wide on the right under Quique Sanchez Flores’ 4-4-2 formation. He had his moments, a wonderful strike away at Stoke and a free-kick against Aston Villa, but joined Championship club Sheffield Wednesday in the summer of 2016. Almen Abdi should be remembered as one of our greatest ever players.

NUMBER 22s 1999-2000: Dean Yates 2000-2001: Espen Baardsen 2001-2004: Lee Cook 2004-2005: Dominic Blizzard 2005-2007: Junior Osborne 2008-2009: Will Hoskins 2009-2010: Will Buckley 2010-2011: Andreas Weimann 2011-2012: Sean Murray 2012-2016: Almen Abdi 2016-2017: Daryl Janmaat 2017-2018: Marvin Zeegelaar

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…

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HARTLEPOOL UNITED Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling’s (pictured) beloved team have faced Watford in three different guises over the years. When the two sides first met for league points in the old Fourth Division, Watford’s opponents were known as Hartlepools United. In the late 1960s it was plain Hartlepool, and then in the 1970s it was on to their current name of Hartlepool United. The north east coastal club are currently in the National League, having lost their league status at the end of the 2016/17 season. The initial encounters were over Easter 1959 with Watford losing 4-3 in a thrilling Good Friday game at Victoria Park, with the return at Vicarage Road ending in a 4-1 win for the home side. Peter Gordon and George Fleming scored for Watford in both matches, with winger George Luke scoring twice for Hartlepools United in their home fixture, one coming from the penalty spot. The goal-fest trend continued the following season with Ron Burgess’ men enjoying a 7-2 success under the Vicarage Road floodlights in October 1959. Cliff Holton netted a hat-trick and Dennis Uphill and Freddie Bunce weighed in with two each. Luke scored again for the visitors. Unfortunately, the goal ratio was pegged back in the return at Victoria Park in March 1960 as the game ended in a 0-0 draw! Following the Hornets’ promotion, the two sides did not face each other again until 1968/69, which also culminated in promotion for Watford. The encounter in the north east was on a Monday night in September 1968 and Hartlepool won 2-1, with John Joyce putting the ball into his own net for the Hornets. The return in April 1969 ended in a goalless draw in front of nearly 21,000 fans. The clubs then met again for three seasons in the mid-70s. Both teams won their respective home games 2-1 in 1975/76, Ross Jenkins scored

a hat-trick in a 4-0 home win in 1976/77 but Watford lost the away encounter 1-0. Under Graham Taylor in 1977/78, Watford did the double over Hartlepool United. At Victoria Park the Hornets won 2-1 with goals from Alan Garner and Keith Mercer, with future Hornet Malcolm Poskett netting for the home side, and in the new year return at Vicarage Road a single Ian Bolton effort was enough to secure the points. One final clash took place at home in the FA Cup in January 2011. Anthony Sweeney put the visitors 1-0 up just before half-time, but the Hornets came back with four second-half goals from Piero Mingoia, Marvin Sordell (2) and Danny Graham to progress.

DARLINGTON Hartlepool United’s main rivals Darlington also met Watford for the first time in 1958 and the Quakers have opposed the Hornets in Division Three and Four as well as the League Cup twice. The first League (Littlewoods) Cup encounter was over two legs in 1987/88, with the Hornets 3-0 winners at Feethams in the first leg thanks to goals from Nigel Gibbs, Trevor Senior and Gary Porter. The second leg two weeks later saw Watford run riot, netting eight times without reply. The Hornets’ marksmen were Gibbs again, Steve Terry, Peter Hetherston (2), Luther Blissett, Iwan Roberts, Glyn Hodges and substitute Tony Agana. The second League Cup meeting in August 2008 was much closer, going to extra-time. Darlington’s Gregg Blundell (now a physio at Liverpool) cancelled out Damien Francis’ opener in the last minute, but a 116th-minute goal from John-Joe O’Toole finally saw the Hornets progress.

The two sides met in league matches over six seasons between 1958 and 1978. In the 1950s encounters, future Watford boss Ken Furphy (above) was in the Quakers side – in all he made 316 appearances for the club between 1953 and 1961. The first league match was at Feethams in October 1958 and ended in a 1-1 draw, with the return in Hertfordshire goalless. The only two clashes in Division Three came in the 1966/67 campaign. A Duncan Welbourne own goal in the first game of the season saw the Quakers win 1-0 at Feethams, while goals from Terry Garbett and Dennis Bond saw a 2-0 Watford win at Vicarage Road. In 1975 a 1-0 defeat at Feethams resulted in Watford dropping to 92nd in the Football League briefly, while the other 1970s meetings were all close encounters. Darlington dropped out of the Football League in 2010 for the second time and were eventually liquidated. A new club now plays in the National League North at Blackwell Meadows in the town.

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… Back in the summer of 1984, Sir Elton John went to Wembley twice in the space of six weeks. On the first occasion, he wept in the Royal Box during Abide With Me and Watford came up short in the FA Cup final, although the legitimacy of Andy Gray’s goal will always grate among Hornets fans like shredded cheese. And on his return, the former chairman of this parish topped the bill, in front of another 100,000 crowd, at an all-star gig also featuring Nik Kershaw and Kool & the Gang. It is probably fair to say our Rocket Man was happier with the second result more than the first. Timing is everything in showbiz, and a bumper open-air concert is a handy way to promote the release of a new album. Breaking Hearts, which was Elton’s 18th studio album in 15 years, would hit the shops days later. A single from the album, Sad Songs (Say So Much), had gone on sale shortly after

the cup final, and Watford supporters had only sad songs for comfort after referee John Hunting had turned a blind eye to Gray’s mid-air challenge on Steve Sherwood. Wow – was it really 36 years ago that I saw the Golden Boys play at Wembley for the first time – and Elton playing live? That was the gig, if memory serves me correctly, where he performed Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting playing his grand piano while seated – the conventional position – and lying underneath the keyboard, feeling for the keys like an airline passenger trying to reach his hand luggage in the overhead locker. Breaking Hearts went platinum in the United States (more than 1,000,000 copies sold) – not bad for an album that, by the musician’s own recollection, took just two weeks to record in Montserrat. And after his stellar performance at the Radio 1 Summer of ‘84 concert, Elton would be back at Wembley 12 months later as part of another all-star cast for arguably the most famous gig of all time – Live Aid.

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 From the Rookery End aren’t the only ones to be celebrating 10 years. In August of this year, club captain and talisman Troy Deeney will be marking a decade at Vicarage Road, and we’re proud that in that time, the skipper has made two memorable appearances on the podcast. Troy has been a Hornet for the entire time we’ve been doing the podcast, so we feel inextricably linked - when it comes to Watford, he’s experienced the same highs and lows that we have, from the club facing financial worries, fighting relegation and missing out on promotion, to an FA Cup final appearance and wins against some of the best teams in the land. Troy has played a huge part in all we’ve enjoyed over the last 10 years, and our two encounters with him were every bit as memorable as his best goals. The first time we sat down together was towards the end of the 2014/15 season, a campaign that would ultimately see Watford promoted to the Premier League. While the Hornets were clearly in with a chance of promotion when we spoke, it

was during one of the tightest races in years and supporters were a nervous wreck, plotting the permutations of not just our own team, but also those around us. You may have therefore expected Troy to be circumspect about what lay ahead, cagey about the chances of promotion. Not a bit of it. As we tucked into ‘Dinner with Deeney’ our captain spoke candidly about how he expected the season to end (he was right - we went up), as well as covering a host of other topics in typically honest fashion. Troy actually made a point of letting us know that we could ask whatever we wanted, nothing was off limits, and off the back of a turbulent period in his life, there was plenty to talk about. The skipper was honest about what life was like as a footballer and about some of the mistakes he’d made and his honesty and humour made for an evening that we’ll never forget - and hopefully a decent podcast. Fast forward five years and we were able to talk to Troy again. Food was once more to the

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fore; although on this occasion Troy was cooking instead of eating, tending to a family BBQ while he chatted to us during lockdown. We were treated to fascinating insight to the past five years at Vicarage Road, including engrossing run downs on the Head Coaches that have inhabited the dugout during the Hornets’ stint in the Premier League. While football clearly played a huge part in both conversations, a common and equally important theme running through the two interviews was growing as a person, learning and improving as an individual. It was definitely helpful to hear from Troy the man instead of just Troy the footballer, serving as a reminder to all of us that while the players are our heroes, they are ultimately human, doing the best for themselves, their family and Watford Football Club. With the end of the season approaching, we find ourselves in a tough spot, but thanks to our two in-depth encounters with the club captain, we’re certain that he will be leading by example. Come on you ‘Orns!

FROM THE ARCHIVES Dinner With Deeney (April 2015) With the Hornets on course for promotion in one of the tightest Championship races in years, the boys took club captain Troy Deeney for dinner at The Grove. In a typically candid interview, Troy correctly predicted the season would end in promotion as well as talking through his first five years as a Watford player.

N O S TA L G I A

STORY OF A SEASON: 1984/85 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

Division One: 11th place | P42 W14 D13 L15 F83 A71 GD+12 Pts55

OVERVIEW

Following on from three seasons which respectively featured promotion, a second-placed finish in our first top-flight season, and a cup final plus European campaign, 1984/85 might appear quite mundane. By any reasonable standards it was anything but. The campaign began at Old Trafford, where Nigel Callaghan netted an 89th-minute equaliser to earn a point, but this was a rare high in a difficult start. The Hornets didn’t record a win until mid-October; conceding more than two goals a game on average for the first couple of months. Mo Johnston had by then left for Celtic, but the Hornets brought in first Tony Coton (whose debut was a 5-4 reverse to Everton) and then new skipper John McClelland, forming the bedrock of the last great side of GT’s first spell in charge. McClelland’s arrival heralded a run of five straight wins with only three goals conceded as the Hornets recovered their form. Luther Blissett, back from Milan, bettered 20 topflight goals once again. Nonetheless, on May 7 Watford were 15th, nine points clear of the relegation zone but Coventry City, in the final place, had two games in hand. They would earn 10 points from their last five games, relegating League Cup winners Norwich who themselves had had a five-point cushion. The Hornets finished the season in the top half, but only six points clear of the Canaries having finished the season with 5-1 victories at White Hart Lane and at home to Manchester United, as well as a scarcely more sensible 4-3 defeat at Anfield, having led 2-0 at the break.

SAME PLACE TODAY Thirteen of the current 20 Premier League sides were in the slightly larger Division One in 1984/85. This includes the five sides who have not been relegated in the interim – Arsenal, Spurs, Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United.

>> THE HORNET

MOVED FURTHEST AWAY

Three of the Hornets’ contemporaries in 1984/85 played in League One this season. Coventry City will play in the Championship next time around, but Sunderland and Ipswich may yet be joined in League One by Luton Town, the one top-flight side in this year to have dropped into non-league since.

ON THE PITCH MANAGER: Graham Taylor MOST LEAGUE APPS: John Barnes (40 of 42), Luther Blissett, Les Taylor, Steve Terry (all 38) MOST LEAGUE GOALS: Luther Blissett (21), John Barnes (12), Nigel Callaghan (8) PENALTIES: Luther Blissett (6) RED CARDS: None PLAYER OF THE SEASON: John McClelland DOUBLES OVER: Stoke City DOUBLES AGAINST: Coventry City, Everton, West Brom WATFORD DEBUTS: Tony Coton, John McClelland, Colin West WATFORD FINAL BOWS: Jimmy Gilligan, Mo Johnston, George Reilly, Ian Richardson

ELSWEWHERE...

Tragically, 39 supporters were killed after a wall collapsed at the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels. Elsewhere, 56 supporters died at Valley Parade as a discarded cigarette ignited a fire underneath the wooden main stand. Everton, having beaten Watford in the 1984 FA Cup final, won both the league title and the European Cup Winners’ Cup, but were denied a domestic double by Norman Whiteside’s strike for Manchester United in the FA Cup final. Chris Waddle scored a first-half hat-trick as Newcastle sped into a 4-0 half-time lead at Loftus Road in September, only for QPR to recover to draw 5-5. Arsenal unveiled a video screen at Highbury, the first of its kind in English football stadia.

MORE NOSTALGIA NEXT TIME...

51 N OR W I C H C I T Y 07.07.20 / 6PM / £3.50

LESLIE’S SURPRISE LOCKDOWN CALL T H E

Leslie Bilney moved to Watford in 1965 and although he was brought up a Fulham fan, he switched allegiances to Watford FC on the very day he arrived. As a younger man, he followed the team home and away. His daughter Sarah arrived in July 1968, and the rest as they say is history. Sarah had a season ticket from a very young age, and the pair had great seats in the old Shrodells Stand. They even lived down the road from Ross Jenkins. Twenty-three years ago, Leslie moved up to Worcester but still enjoys attending the away games near him – West Brom is a particular favourite. Sarah recently moved to Cornwall, but they still have season tickets having moved from the Rookery to the Lower Graham Taylor Stand because Leslie’s eyesight is failing. Sarah said: “Matchday starts at 6am for me, getting on the long road before the crowds. I pick up Dad from the train and from there we meet my sister and go for lunch. We always get to the ground early and have recently been known to be part of the welcoming crowd when the players arrive. “Our favourite games have got to be the recent 3-0 win over Liverpool, and that Deeney moment in 2013. One of the most poignant games, however, was the Birmingham play-off at St Andrew’s. Dad was at the game but due to work commitments, I watched in London. Alec Chamberlain was such a hero that night, as he was the whole 1998/99 season, and he is still my favourite player of all time.” Lockdown has been hard for Leslie and Sarah, not being allowed to see each other, but there was one moment of real joy amidst the challenges.

“The absolute highlight of Dad’s time shielding was a phone call from the legend who is Tommy Mooney,” said Sarah, referring to a call made as part of the Hornets at Home scheme. “Dad used to sing his song all the time! They talked of Watford’s form and Dad told him about securing a 1966 World Cup final ticket from outside Wembley for one pound 10 shillings!“ “We are so glad to have football back on the TV, but nothing beats our Saturdays at The Vic cheering on the lads.”

THE BOY FROM BRAZIL JOÃO P E D R O O F F & R U N N I N G WI T H P R E M I E R L E AGU E D E BU T !

NEW CAP RANGE SS20 Collection

6. 4.

1. SS20 CANVAS CAP £15.00 2. YELLOW SUPERCORE CAP £12.00 3. SS20 PATCH CAP £15.00 4. SS20 WOMENS MESH CAP £15.00 5. SS20 TWEED CAP £15.00 6. SS20 TRUCKER CAP £15.00 7. SS20 KIDS POW! CAP £12.00

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

The Hornets welcome to Vicarage Road a Norwich City team who sit bottom of the Premier League table after a difficult season on their return to the top-flight. Watford secured their first win of the season in the reverse fixture back in November, with Gerard Deulofeuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magical run and finish giving the Hornets an early lead. Despite their league position, the Canaries have earned plaudits for their attacking approach this season and the impressive young players in their ranks, and they achieved a notable scalp against Manchester City in September.

WELCOMING

THE CANARIES

THE MANAGER

DANIEL FARKE

THE HORNET

Age: 43 Previous clubs: SV Lippstadt 08 (2009-2015), Borussia Dortmund II (2015-2017) The German began his managerial career in his country’s fourth tier with SV Lippstadt, taking on a role as Manager and Sporting Director with the club after retiring as a player. After six seasons he earned a move to coach Borussia Dortmund’s development team. During this spell he worked with current Canaries players Christoph Zimmermann and Moritz Leitner as well as many young players who have gone on to establish themselves in German football. Farke’s move to England came in 2017 when he joined Norwich in the Championship. After a mid-table finish in his first season, the German’s side took the league by storm the following year. His team amassed 94 points and won the Championship having scored an impressive 93 goals in 46 games.

SQUAD LIST NAME

POS

DOB

JOINED FROM

Tim Krul

03.04.88

Brighton (Jul 2018)

Max Aarons

DEF

04.01.00

Academy

Sam Byram

DEF

16.09.93

West Ham (Jul 2019)

Ben Godfrey

DEF

15.01.98

York City (Jan 2016)

Grant Hanley

DEF

20.11.91

Newcastle (Aug 2017)

Christoph Zimmermann

DEF

12.01.93

Borussia Dortmund II (Jul 2017)

Lukas Rupp

MID

08.01.91

Hoffenheim (Jan 2020)

Mario Vrancic

MID

23.05.89

Darmstadt (Jul 2017)

Moritz Leitner

MID

08.12.92

Augsburg (Jul 2018)

Onel Hernández

MID

01.02.93

Braunschweig (Jan 2018)

Jamal Lewis

DEF

25.01.98

Academy

Todd Cantwell

MID

27.02.98

Academy

Timm Klose

DEF

09.05.88

Wolfsburg (Jan 2016)

Emiliano Buendía

MID

25.12.96

Getafe (Jul 2018)

Marco Stiepermann

MID

09.02.91

Bochum (Aug 2017)

Tom Trybull

MID

09.03.93

ADO Den Haag (Aug 2017)

Josip Drmic

FOR

08.08.90

Borussia Monchengladbach (Jul 2019)

Teemu Pukki

FOR

29.03.90

Brondby (Jul 2018)

Kenny McLean

MID

08.01.92

Aberdeen (Aug 2018)

Ondrej Duda

MID

05.12.94

Hertha Berlin (Jan 2020, loan)

Alexander Tettey

MID

04.04.86

Stade Rennes (Aug 2012)

Michael McGovern

12.07.84

Hamilton Academical (Jul 2016)

Louis Thompson

MID

19.12.94

Swindon Town (2014)

Adam Idah

FOR

11.02.01

Academy

Aston Oxborough

09.05.98

Academy

Akin Famewo

DEF

09.11.98

Luton Town (2019)

Josh Martin

FOR

09.09.01

Academy

STAR MAN

TEEMU

PUKKI

22 FORWARD

2019/20 LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 31 2019/20 LEAGUE GOALS: 11

THE HORNET

*Stats do not include fixture v Brighton (Jul 4)

The former Celtic man has been a goalscoring machine since returning to British football after four seasons away with Danish side Brøndby IF. Pukki scored 29 times in Norwich’s Championship-winning campaign last term, only one shy of the league’s record. The striker also went on a run of 12 goal contributions in eight games during a vital spell for the Canaries. He won the Championship’s Player of the Season award for his efforts and was trusted to lead the line for his side on their return to the Premier League. The Finn continued his scoring form into this season, netting six and setting up two in his first five games. He won August’s Player of the Month award and has been the side’s main source of goals this season.

ONE TO WATCH

EMILIANO

BUENDÍA

MIDFIELDER

2019/20 LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 31 2019/20 LEAGUE GOALS: 0 *Stats do not include fixture v Brighton (Jul 4)

The Argentine is among the Premier League’s top assist providers this season as he has built on a strong understanding with Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell in attack. The wide man began his career with Getafe in Spain before catching the eye of Daniel Farke as he was preparing to build his Championship-winning team. He scored eight times last season, including an impressive effort against Swansea City, as he was part of Norwich’s clinical attacking outfit. Buendía has shone this season, operating off the flank and drifting inside, threading balls through to his forwards and overlapping full-back Max Aarons. His creativity in attack and tenacity in defence will likely provide a tough test for the Hornets today.

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 outâ&#x20AC;¦ , week in

E H T E D I S IN E N I L JON PUNT THE HORNET

ALONG CAME NORWICH FANZINE EDITOR

59 What’s the general view among fans of how this season has gone for Norwich, and do supporters still have hope of escaping the drop during the final run-in? The vast majority of the fan base are pretty consigned to what now looks like an inevitable relegation. We’ve become used to merely brief flirtations with the top flight. The thing is with Norwich, when all is lost, they seem to offer up a crumb of hope. Two dismal home defeats in the league were followed by a spirited and altogether more cohesive cup display, which demonstrated there’s still fight in the camp. Whether there’s enough fight to actually conjure up a miracle seems improbable now though. The Canaries have pulled off some impressive results this campaign – were these flukes, or a sign of what this team is truly capable of on its day? Definitely the latter, and they were more clustered towards the start of the campaign, when confidence was still high after taking the Championship title at a relative canter in the end. Back then, in the heady days of last August and September, we played with real purpose. There was a zip and speed around our passing and movement, and we seemed to have no difficulty playing out from the back through either educated or relentless pressing. Unfortunately, any kind of momentum we started to build seemed to be blighted by a combination of factors. Just how damaging have injuries – especially in defence – been to your chances of climbing the table throughout this season? We haven’t really been able to pick from a fully fit defence all season, and when it looked like all of them were returning to some kind of fitness after the prolonged break, our club captain and team captain from last season were then ruled out for several months, along with Sam Byram joining them on the treatment table. While lacking proper leadership certainly hasn’t helped, you can’t point to that being the sole reason for our poor form. Recruitment in both transfer windows has let us down and some players have struggled to adjust to the level. Teemu Pukki was quick off the blocks this season but has scored only twice since Christmas – what’s the story of his fluctuating form? Teemu had been absolutely electric for City since he’s joined us, so it was inevitable there would be some kind of a dip in form. Unfortunately, a niggling toe injury dogged him for some time. Throughout that period, he never really looked as sharp as he had been, plus with our form dwindling he wasn’t receiving the same kind of support he’d become accustomed to.

That said, from what we hear the injury is now completely behind him and Pukki is probably only a goal or two away from hitting his stride once more. Just how vital has Todd Cantwell’s contribution been to the team and what heights do you expect him to reach? Cantwell has been a relatively late bloomer at the age of 22, and this is his first season where you’d consider him a starter. During the Championship campaign he showed glimpses of his ability, but his efforts were overshadowed by his more experienced counterparts. This season he came back in the summer with a real desire to play his part and, since working his way into the starting line-up, he’s shown more consistency and confidence than anyone really expected. He seems to have a knack of contributing at just the right time, with goals and assists in most of our positive results this season. If he continues to tap into his potential, he’ll go on to play for England. Who has been the unsung hero for Norwich this season? Jamal Lewis. While most pundits have raved about Todd Cantwell, Max Aarons, Emiliano Buendia or Ben Godfrey, the left-back has really been the most consistent and dependable of all Norwich City’s youngsters. Defensively his game has progressed rapidly this season, and he offers a real outlet with our midfield usually playing narrowly, allowing Lewis the freedom of the left flank. Who do you see as the key threats in this Watford team? *Obvious answer klaxon* that Troy Deeney is a real handful. Watford struggled until his return and I’ve heard several defenders commenting on how much of a physical challenge it is to play against him. Finally, how do you expect Daniel Farke to set up at Vicarage Road, and what are your predictions for the game? Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Farke was playing a 4-2-3-1 formation which at its best was set up to allow Norwich to play a fluid brand of possession-based football. Since the restart he’s tinkered slightly, experimenting with a slightly more direct 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. Regardless of the actual formation, expect Buendia and Cantwell to start in wide areas but to drift inside, allowing the full-backs Aarons and Lewis to come forward from deep. I’m ever the optimist, so let’s go for 1-0 Norwich, in a real smash-and-grab away performance. A scrappy goal courtesy of Pukki, which sets him up for a decent finish to the season.

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 ENGAGING HORNETS PLAYERS OF THE FUTURE

>> THE HORNET

t the Trust we deliver Player Development Centres across Watford, St Albans, Harrow and Hemel Hempstead to young players from the Under-7 age group up to Under-16s. Like so many things, coronavirus stopped our PDCs before the football calendars were due to end. Our staff were not going to let that stop them keeping players engaged and developing new skills though; instead they put one of the Trust’s values into action: Innovation. Players have taken part in an array of activities such as daily football practice challenges, baking and quizzes. They also got the chance to speak with the Hornets’ Under-18 players Andi Janjeva and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton via a special Zoom call arranged to give our PDC players the chance to understand what it takes to be playing at that level. Through completing these challenges, players have also managed to raise a fantastic £540 for our continued community work. Thank you and great work by all our PDC players. To donate, please visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ wfctrust-pdc-challenges One of the daily practice challenges

given by Watford FC and the Academy was a footwork challenge. PDC players showed off their skills by sharing online and Mathieu from our North Herts PDC ended up winning a signed Hornets shirt. Well played Mathieu! Fiona Beeming, Mathieu’s mother, said: “The Watford challenges have really kept Mathieu going and he has learnt some new skills. He continues to do them daily. I just wanted to say thank you as it’s really helped Mathieu mentally as well as physically.” As well as continuing this engagement, we are now looking to expand our PDCs ahead of the 2020/21 season. Find out more information at watfordfccsetrust. com/project/player-development-centre Our PDCs are designed to offer additional training for ‘advanced’ football players associated with a local grassroots football club. Our centres will provide high-quality coaching to enable players to improve their skills, techniques, knowledge and understanding of the game. All coaches are minimum FA Level 2 qualified (Head Coaches minimum UEFA B) with vital qualifications in first aid and safeguarding.

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 Curtis - Harrow U10

Mathieu - North Herts PDC

PDC Summer Trails

ACADEMY NEWS BARRY QUIN

>> THE HORNET

HEAD OF ACADEMY COACHING & DEVELOPMENT

During lockdown, the Academy have been hard at work finding creative ways to interact and engage with our young players. One of the most exciting opportunities recently came in the form of some Q&A sessions with first-team stars who kindly gave up their time to answer questions from the future Hornets. Rob Morris, one of our Lead Phase coaches, set up the sessions and the results were excellent. The week started with a goalkeeper-specific session for the Academy keepers, with Ben Foster and Dan Bachmann giving some amazing insight around their journeys and some outstanding psychological advice. As the week went on, various age groups from Under-9s to Under-16s were joined by players such as Will

Hughes, Daryl Janmaat, Christian Kabasele and Adrian Mariappa. The players spoke about their time as Academy players at various clubs, how they got their opportunities and the importance of hard work, dedication and overcoming setbacks, as well as answering some very thoughtprovoking questions from the players. We would like to thank the firstteam players who took part for giving their time to those lads who dream of achieving what their heroes have. The feedback from the players and staff that tuned in was really positive, and we are hoping to do similar events in the future. A fantastic week for the Academy players and we were very grateful for the opportunity.

SCHOL ART SPOTLIGH

D O O W E S R HO

>> THE HORNET

TOM

65 ACADEMY TEAM? Under-18s. POSITION: Striker. FAVOURITE FOOTBALLER GROWING UP? My favourite footballer growing up has to be Ronaldinho. He was unstoppable in his prime and just watching him do stuff with the ball that nobody had seen before inspired me to play football myself. FIRST EVER FOOTBALL MATCH? The first match that I remember going to was Arsenal vs Bayern Munich in the Champions League. It was a really good game and the atmosphere was electric throughout. FAVOURITE FOOTBALL KIT? My favourite ever is the blue Brazil away kit from the 2010 World Cup. I still have the kit now and it always brings back lots of memories of watching my first World Cup on TV. BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER? The biggest inﬂuence on my career has always been my parents, who have always supported and motivated me in anything I do.

MOST TALENTED TEAM-MATE? That’s a really tough question as being able to train with all my teammates every day, you get to see close up how talented every player is in their own way, so you can’t really compare as everyone is different. However, if I was to pick one player to be on my team it would be Mohammed Bosun Lawal as he is technically really good and can bully players with his strength MOST USED APP ON YOUR PHONE? Definitely Snapchat. WHAT’S ON YOUR PRE-MATCH PLAYLIST? Right now, it would be Polo G – 33. WHICH FOOTBALLER ARE YOU SIMILAR TO? I would say Luis Suarez because I’m a technical striker and will run in behind the defence. WHAT SPORT WOULD YOU PLAY IF YOU DIDN’T PLAY FOOTBALL? I like watching the NBA, so probably basketball. DREAM STADIUM TO PLAY IN? It has to be the Camp Nou. I think every player would want to play there!

MY DREAM 5-A-SIDE TEAM...

HORSEWOOD

MESSI

ZIDANE

PUYOL

(GK) VAN DER SAR

© 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.

IVAN SAVITSKY

MY FAVOURITE GOAL

Watford supporter IVAN SAVITSKY picks out his most cherished Hornets goal of all-time… My favourite goal was Odion Ighalo’s equaliser in a 2-2 draw away at Derby County on Good Friday in 2015. A couple of friends and I had driven up from university, buoyed by the fact that a win would have put us top of the league in the Championship before our rivals played that weekend. That and being pulled over for a few slow-mos for Sky Sports’ match coverage! The game started very well when Matěj Vydra put us ahead against a Derby side that included Will Hughes and a second-half cameo from Jesse Lingard. A sold-out away end was in very good voice and confidence was sky high. However, just before half-time a red card for Marco Motta and a Darren Bent penalty turned the game on its head. When Tom Ince (of whom the large majority of us are not fans!) put Derby ahead in the second half, we were completely out of the game and in danger of losing some serious momentum in the promotion race.

Whilst Derby tried to kill the game off, and were having most of the ball, out of nowhere Ighalo had chested a long ball to Adlène Guedioura on the right wing in the 75th minute. Guedioura pinged a perfect first-time pass through to Ighalo, who managed to flick home a scruffy finish to spark delirium in the away end. Even better, we followed up snatching a point at the iPro by beating Middlesbrough 2-0 on Easter Monday and it eventually led to promotion! Without wanting to exaggerate, I really think Ighalo’s equaliser that day was key to us going up that year, by avoiding defeat against two promotion rivals over what was a season-defining weekend. That day was one of my all-time favourite away days as a Watford fan, and that’s why it’s my favourite goal.

Would you like to tell us about your favourite Watford goal? Email programme@watfordfc.com for details.

FIRST& WITH

LAST

>> THE HORNET

BEN FOSTER

CAR First

Last

It was a Renault Clio 2.1 litre engine in blue. It wasn’t very big, so I looked a bit like Bowser or Donkey Kong riding it on Mario Cart! It was a decent second-hand car; a good little runner. I have just bought a Tesla. I absolutely love it and I don’t think I’ll be buying a petrol or diesel car again. I think it’s the way forward and a lovely car.

FILM First

The first film I watched at the cinema was Cool Runnings. I went with my mate and our mums. It was class! I put it on with the kids recently and they loved it.

Last

We like to watch all the Avengers and Marvel films. We’ll watch the whole catalogue from start to finish in order and then go around again!

CONCERT First

I’m not a big concert goer but the first one I went to was Celine Dion! My dad took us all because he loves her and it was good, to be fair.

Last

I’m a big Bloc Party fan and my brother got me tickets for it, but we ended up having a game rearranged for the same night so I couldn’t go.

MATCH WATCHED

First

I remember watching some of the Italia ‘90 games when I was seven. I remember the Cameroon game and Roger Milla’s famous celebration which captured a lot of hearts and minds. My dad got the video of the World Cup and I watched it on repeat.

Last

It would have been one of the first games back, I think. I’m not a big watcher of games but my son loves it so if there’s one on at a reasonable time then we’ll watch it together.

ALBUM First

My first CD was Babylon Zoo’s Spaceman. That’s a belter and it’s the first one I bought.

Last

I’m all over 80s music at the moment. Throughout lockdown we’ve been sat outside listening to it, I’ve even started to play it in the gym and on matchdays but it’s not gone down that well! The gaffer, Shakey and Gomes love it, but some of them weren’t having it.

COUNTRY VISITED

First

The first place I visited was Portugal on a family holiday. We normally stayed in the UK, but that was the first time I went abroad.

Last

In the last international break we went to Oman. If we ever get chance to go there we do because it’s so great for the kids and the weather is guaranteed as well.

PHONE First

It was a BT Cellnet phone! We had no contracts back then so you had to top it up and you couldn’t do anything on it really.

Last

I have the latest iPhone now.

TROPHY OR MEDAL First

Last

It was playing for my Sunday league team as a kid. They were called Central Ajax Colts and I won the Most Improved Player award in my first proper season as a goalkeeper. I remember my Dad gave me £10 and I was buzzing! I won Goalkeeper of the Year at the London Football Awards recently. I won it a second year running, which was a bit of a surprise. The awards night raises funds for Willow, Bob Wilson’s charity, so to get that recognition from a goalkeeping legend in really nice.

BOOTS First

I had a pair of Gola ones from Woolworths. I remember my mum getting them for me.

Last

I have some new silver Nike ones. I can’t remember the model but they’re just nice and shiny!

MEAL COOKED First

When I worked as a chef at 16 or 17, I cooked a lamb steak and potato dauphinoise for my mum and dad. It was nice because I learned how to do it at work and could show them.

Last

We had a roast chicken dinner on Sunday night. I love a Sunday dinner but I’ll have it two or three days a week, not just on a Sunday!

THE HORNET

Fun Fantasy League 2019/20

WILL WILLIS WIN IT? Ryan Finn remains out in front of THE HORNET’s unique Fantasy Football League (FFL), but with games coming thick and fast, a big win or defeat for a team can change things very quickly. Still in with a remote chance of victory is 12year old James Willis, who presently lies equal sixth, together with six others, including Cerys Collins and Gerald Ahern – both of whom who we featured earlier in the season. James is a third-generation Hornet who was even given the middle name ‘Harry’ after our famous Hornet mascot. His grandfather, Allan Flowers, his Mum, Allan’s daughter Laura, Dad David and brother Matthew are all lifelong fans. Even if he does not win the FFL, James looks certain to have bragging rights over his grandfather, who lies about a hundred points behind him at present. Next season, the whole family have vowed to compete in the FFL to try and eclipse James. James attends Priory Academy, in Dunstable, where, he assures us, there are several other Watford fans, despite this having an LU postcode!

His most memorable game of all-time was last season’s semi-final against Wolves at Wembley, but he is hopeful that one day even that will be bettered. His favourite player is Ben Foster, although he says he would have loved to have seen John Barnes play at The Vic. James’ team selections are Leicester, Man City, Charlton, Swansea, Wycombe, Coventry, Crewe and Exeter. With all his League 1 and 2 teams having doing so well, his position may well have been even higher in normal circumstances.

James Willis en route to an away game, and with his Hornetssupporting family

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 647

Carolyn Mount

584

Mick Glassborow

569

Chris Billimore

582

Cally Billimore

566

Val Lawler

638

Ken Morgan

582

Peter Simpson

564

Harry Billimore

636

Clive Burrows

581

Bill Clarke

563

Shelley Burgess

630

Kirsty Delaney

580

Alan Weller

561

Chris Gomm

607

Connor Carpenter

576

Chris Fleming

561

James Willis

606

Graham Timms

575

Adele Morgan

559

Alex Ismeni

606

Jonny Popper

575

Gertjan Honig

559

Cerys Collins

606

Julian Bingham

575

Michael Corston

559

Gerald Ahern

606

Matthew Bentote

575

Vanessa Clarke

559

Kevin Page

606

Paul Keeble

575

Victoria Evans

558

Liz Fleming

606

Tom Randall

575

Francesca Paulley

556

Nicky Bracey

606

Trish Botten

575

Peter Weller

556

Leo Fearnside

604

Jonathan Leigh

574

Steve Spittles

556

Sharon Evans

604

Alex McNicholas

573

Joe Phippen

555

Paul Russell

601

David Binge

573

Benjamin Leigh

554

Kathryn Bocock

598

Ian Simpson

573

Derek Mitchell

552

Trevor Bailey

597

Christopher Clack

571

Lawrence Samuels

552

>> THE HORNET

Table as at Wednesday July 1, 2020

Elliot Clarke

594

David Gentry

571

Matthew Fleming

552

Scott Biggerstaff

594

Leon Winsky

570

Oliver Phippen

552

Stuart Finn

593

David Evans

569

Spencer Trigg

552

71 58

Steve Delaney

552

159

David Thickens

498

257

Amy Kadir

437

Sue Craig

552

161

Kerry Phippen

497

257

Arthur Godwin

437

Michael Phippen

551

161

William Powell

497

257

Mike Coleman

437

Andrew Holmes

550

163

Beverley Pollard

495

260

Maisie Gentry

436

Mark Kelly

436

Karl Campion

549

163

Colin Westlake

495

260

Mark Bowen

548

163

Joe Clarke

495

260

Paul Atkins

436

Annabel Russell

435

Daniel Clack

546

163

John Cozens

495

263

Charlie Hancock

542

163

Kelly Allwood

495

263

Ian Greaves

435

Chloe Cuthbert

542

163

Len Parker

495

263

Ian Greaves

435

Hayley Nowley

542

163

Matthew Thomas

495

266

Dan Riddick

433

Mark Ferguson

541

170

Peter Morgan

494

266

Emma Randall

433

Mike de Jong

541

171

Mark Thomas

493

266

Fred Pigham

433

Tim Fox

541

171

Valerie Stock

493

266

Ryan Dady

433

John Poole

539

173

Katie Lovedee

492

270

Emily Westaway

432

Leila Coker

539

173

Mick Rogers

492

270

Joshua Clack

432

Roy Marino

539

173

Richard Gentry

492

270

Kieran Chrastina

432

Saskia Pace-Bonici-Mompalao 539

176

Ryan Beck

491

270

Neil Stevenson

432

David Varley

538

177

Beth Evans

490

270

Stephen Durrant

432

Andrew Aldridge

537

177

Brian Bustard

490

275

Nigel Corbyn

430

David O'Mahoney

429

Ella Gentry

537

177

Jessica Munday

490

276

Martin Grimsdale

535

180

Liam Brockhus

489

276

Joe Clayton

429

Judy Weller

428

Sue Hazleton

535

180

Nicholas Smith

489

278

Gary White

534

180

Terry Smith

489

278

Philippa Wainwright

428

Gerald Pepper

427

Carol Brown

533

183

Sylvia Durant

488

280

David Northcott

533

184

Daniel Westlake

487

281

Ian Ayres

426

James Gates

532

184

Harry Lewis

487

281

Thomas Joseph

426

Noah Campion

532

186

Dylan Robertson

486

283

Brian Snowdon

425

Oliver Thomas

532

186

Mark Chrastina

486

284

Evan Munday

424

Thomas Ahern

532

186

Theodore Robertson

486

284

Jack Shepherd

424

Caleb Chrastina

531

189

Charlotte Morgan

485

284

Sandra Munday

424

George Grace

531

189

Mark Nowley

485

287

Jenny Weller

423

Grace Clarke

531

191

Peter Watkins

484

288

Ben Rowe

422

Guy Matthews

531

192

Graham Smith

483

288

Mark Marum

422

Daryl Allwood

530

192

Shona Thomson

483

290

George Kelly

421

John Prentice

530

194

David Cox

481

290

Paul Squire

421

Josh Morris

530

194

Paul Stewart

481

292

Veronica Eastwood

419

Kaspar Campion

417

Kevin Stock

530

196

Roger Stock

480

293

100

Terence Ritchie

529

197

Liz Brodie

479

293

Mark Valentini

417

Martin Sellman

417

101

Bob Marum

528

198

Alan Allwood

478

293

102

David Barton

526

198

David Owsley

478

296

George White

416

102

Sally Ferguson

526

198

Emma Rowe

478

297

Carol Randall

415

104

David Arrighi

524

198

Richard Winterton

478

297

Emma Squire

415

104

Fraser Ritchie

524

202

Amanda Snowdon

477

297

Karen Durrant

415

104

Jackie Westaway

524

202

Mark J Smith

477

300

Colin Thomas

414

104

Peter Westaway

524

202

Val Berg

477

301

Jane Thomas

413

104

Stephen Booth

524

205

Jemima Fearnside

476

301

Ros Ayres

413

109

Jean Smith

523

206

Dimitri McNicholas

474

301

Tanya Smith

413

110

Marc Watkins

522

206

Michael Watkins

474

304

James Hepple-Poole

411

110

Nigel Finn

522

208

Georgia Ayres

473

305

Irene Gibbins

407

112

Bernie Hazleton

521

208

Stuart Hazleton

473

306

Bernard Benham

405

113

Andy Pulley

520

210

David Fearnside

472

306

David Ward

405

Kezia Mount

402

113

Jacob West

520

210

Nigel Grace

472

308

115

Graeme Bridges

519

212

Sabrina Dady

471

308

Sam Westaway

402

Lucy Russell

399

116

Jonathan Winsky

519

212

Steve Cook

471

310

117

Katie Owsley

519

214

Michael Lester

470

311

Matt Churchill

397

Benjamin Gates

396

118

Robert Johnson

519

214

Phillippa Parker

470

312

119

Laura Gentry

518

216

Sarah Gentry

469

312

Luke Johnson

396

120

Caitriona Delaney

517

216

Simon Lancey

469

314

Jeff Seymour

395

121

Maggie Minty

516

216

Yvonne White

469

314

Michael Lean

395

121

Mike Puddifoot

516

219

Mandy Gomm

468

316

JakeOwsley

393

123

Pippa Ayres

514

220

Dennis Green

467

317

Andrew Carberry

391

124

Martin Coker

513

221

Jacqui Chrastina

466

318

Tobie Squire

386

124

Rachel Ferguson

513

222

Lucy Phippen

463

319

Maura Pigham

382

124

Stephen Brooks

513

223

Eddie Owsley

462

320

Tim Hume

381

127

Alex Delaney

512

223

Mark Liddle

462

321

Graham Gibbins

376

127

Evelyn Biggerstaff

512

225

Joe Bracey

461

321

Lucy Valentini

376

127

Pete Randall

512

226

Michael Day

460

323

Geoff Gough

375

130

Cheryl Munday

511

227

Gillian Russell

459

324

Felix Biggerstaff

374

Gregory Douglas

367

130

Jenny Sullivan

511

227

Olivia Gentry

459

325

130

Paul Weller

511

229

Eddy Ferguson

458

326

Henry Godwin

365

Isabelle Mount

365

133

Vanessa Paisley

510

229

Kieran O'Mahoney

458

326

134

Allan Flowers

509

229

Mike Heffernan

458

326

Stephen Ong

365

Richard Porter

364

134

Angela Cox

509

229

William Gates

458

329

134

Nick King

509

233

Mark Munday

457

330

Mandy Morgan

362

137

Carol Watkins

508

233

Sarah Seymour

457

331

Charlotte Snowdon

359

137

Jack Munday

508

235

Lewis Hunnisett

456

331

Gemma Simpson

359

139

Ben Clarke

507

236

Derek Joseph

453

333

Christine Gentry

358

139

Catherine Hazleton

507

236

Ethan Sweeney

453

334

Elizabeth Hannaby

356

139

Denis Hunnisett

507

236

Josh Gentry

453

335

Barbara Sellman

354

142

Anna Fleming

506

239

Laura Thomas

451

336

Colin Ward

349

142

Bob Bracey

506

239

Sally Danks

451

336

Mary McCarthy

349

142

Hugh Simpson

506

241

Sue Sykes

450

338

Emma Fearnside

344

145

Alex Spittles

505

242

Debbie Weller

449

339

Elliott Squire

342

145

Nick Botten

505

242

Elliott Longman

449

340

Laura Clarke

340

147

Philip Smith

503

244

Ian Woodward

448

341

Imogen Godwin

330

William Hazleton

330

148

Alex Evans

502

244

Karl Hepple-Poole

448

341

148

David Bocock

502

246

Tom Hancock

447

343

Caroline Benham

327

Toby Munday

321

148

David Gomm

502

247

Frank Manfield

446

344

148

Jim Clarke

502

247

Richard Mount

446

345

Matt Rowson

319

148

Lester Ferguson

502

249

Lexi Hunnisett

445

346

Pam Batchelor

309

148

Michael Barton

502

250

Stuart Biggerstaff

444

347

Ethel Simpson

301

148

Steve Brown

502

250

Sue Scally

444

348

Christine Gates

297

148

Stewart Sharp

502

252

Ted Bracey

443

349

Mark Carpenter

284

156

Chloe Morgan

501

253

Lucy Morgan

441

350

Belita Winsky

268

157

Graham Hunnisett

500

253

Yvonne Honig

441

351

Juliet Cross

264

158

Vince Moses

499

255

Chris Pollard

439

352

Lynn Sharpe

159

Catherine Watkins

498

255

Joe Godwin

439

353

Diane Ambridge

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.

CHELSEA 3

WATFORD 0 04.07.20 / Stamford Bridge / Att: 0

CHELSEA 28’

Arrizabalaga (GK) James Christensen Zouma Azpilicueta (C) Barkley Kante (Gilmour, 78) Mount (Hudson-Odoi, 76) Willian (Loftus-Cheek, 76) Giroud (Abraham, 76) Pulisic Subs not used: Caballero (GK) Rudiger Alonso Jorginho

43’

WATFORD

>> THE HORNET

90’

Foster (GK) Mariappa Kabasele Dawson Femenía (Masina, 64) Chalobah Capoue (Welbeck, 58) Sarr (Pereyra, 83) Doucouré Hughes Deeney (C) (Cleverley, 64) Subs not used: Gomes (GK) Cathcart Holebas João Pedro Gray

POSSESSION

70%

30%

MATCH STATS SHOTS

TOUCHES

21 7

596 497

ON TARGET 9

PASSES

414 328

FOULS

CORNERS

12 16

CARDS

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

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 21 14 25 9 21 4 16 0 10 28 31 0 7 22 0 21 0 17 0 11 33 21 28 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 4 1 9 5 0 8 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 1 0 4 1 6 0 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 22 17 25 9 21 6 18 0 14 29 32 1 11 23 5 22 2 18 2 12 33 24 28 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 5 1 9 5 1 8 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 1 0 4 1 6 1 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 22 299 58 89 321 6 33 2 64 158 125 1 44 72 12 69 17 18 2 117 152 83 160 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 19 72 9 9 1 19 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 1 5 17 14 129 1 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

0-1

3-0

0-2

1-1

2-3

1-2

0-0

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

10,384

20,548

21,348

Coote

Tottenham Hotspur

30,222

Sat 18

3-0

2-1

3-0

Mason

Marriner

Madley

1-1

21,488

53,711

Atkinson

Pawson

Oliver

Tierney

AFC Bournemouth

Aston Villa

Sat 28

20,164

31,763

26,929

19,711

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sheffield United

Thu 26

0-2

W 2-0

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

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

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

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

• • • • •• • • •• • • •• •

• • • •

•••• •••• • ••••• • • • •••• • ••••

•••

••• •• • •

•• •

••• • ••• • ••• • •••••

• • ••• ••• ••• ••• •••

• • •

• • • •

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

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

••• ••• ••• ••• •• •••

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

• • • •

• • • • • • • • •

•• •• •• •• •• ••

• • • • • •

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

••• ••• ••• •••

•• • •• • • •• • • •• • •

••• ••• • • •

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

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

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

•

• •

•

• • • •

• •• • • • •

•• • • ••

• • ••

•• •• •

•

• •

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

••• • •• •••• •• •• • ••• •• • • •••

Ben Foster

•••• •• • ••• •• • • ••••••• •

Christan Kabasele

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

Étienne Capoue

••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •• •

••• ••• ••• •••

Andi Janjeva

Newcastle United

West Ham United

Manchester City

Arsenal

Coventry City

Swansea City

Everton

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

P W D 32 16 0 32 12 2 33 10 4 33 9 3 33 10 5 33 6 7 33 8 5 32 8 3 32 9 3 32 8 2 32 8 5 32 6 7 33 6 4 32 4 2 33 5 6 32 5 3 33 4 6 32 5 3 33 4 5 33 4 3

before games of Sunday July 5

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

0-2

F A W D 44 12 12 2 45 12 9 1 33 15 7 3 27 16 8 3 37 14 5 5 22 19 7 6 30 20 4 8 20 14 4 8 30 16 3 6 21 19 5 4 21 16 4 3 16 13 5 2 12 14 5 5 16 33 8 2 19 19 3 6 26 30 3 3 18 21 2 4 19 27 2 3 18 27 3 1 19 31 1 3

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

10,039

14,373

34,979

8,903

12,257

•••• • • • • ••••

Pontus Dahlberg

•Sub Five

•Unused Sub

•• • ••• •• • •• • •

•Sub Four

•

• • •

Dimitri Foulquier

Daniel Bachmann

Kaylen Hinds

Bailey Spencer-Adams Adam Parkes Henry Wise

Jamal Balogun

Joseph Hungbo Callum Whelan Mason Barrett

Playing Thursday AFC Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur (6.00pm) Everton v Southampton (6.00pm) Aston Villa v Manchester United (8.15pm)

Playing Tomorrow Manchester City v Newcastle United (6.00pm) Sheffield United v Wolverhampton Wanderers (6.00pm) West Ham United v Burnley (6.00pm) Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool (8.15pm)

Premier League Saturday July 11, 12.30pm

Watford v Newcastle United

UP NEXT AT THE VIC

* Opposition own-goal

• ••••• •• • •••••• ••••

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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.

Tonight’s Other Fixtures Crystal Palace v Chelsea (6.00pm) Arsenal v Leicester City (8.15pm)

•Sub Three

•

EQUALITY & RESPECT AT VICARAGE ROAD

•Sub Two

• •

• • •

•

• •

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

Marvin Zeegelaar

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHWEEK 34

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

• • • • •• •

•Sub One

Harrison

Scott

Hooper

Bond

Ward

Taylor

Friend

F A GD PTS 26 13 +45 86 36 21 +48 66 30 16 +32 58 33 28 +16 57 19 19 +23 55 23 17 +9 52 19 21 +8 49 13 18 +1 47 21 28 +7 45 15 26 -9 45 19 31 -7 44 17 30 -10 42 16 26 -12 42 25 22 -14 40 16 25 -9 36 12 26 -18 30 11 31 -23 28 17 33 -24 27 14 32 -27 27 6 30 -36 21

•Played

L 1-2 aet R3R

D 3-3

W 2-1

W 3-0

4.00pm

6.00pm

8.00pm

12.30pm

Heurelho Gomes

0-3

Daryl Janmaat

6.00pm

Craig Dawson

HOW THEY STAND

Away

Norwich City

Tue 07

Home

Chelsea

Sat 04

Sebastian Prödl

Oliver

Adrian Mariappa

Gerard Deulofeu

Tom Cleverley

1-3

Troy Deeney

Danny Welbeck

Southampton

Adam Masina

JULY

Ken Sema

Sun 28

Nathaniel Chalobah

Craig Cathcart

Aldaberto Peňaranda

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

Abdoulaye Doucouré

Dean

Joao Pedro

Pawson

Andre Gray

Will Hughes

Domingos Quina

Kiko Femenia

Isaac Success

0-1

Ismaïla Sarr

0-0

Tom Dele-Bashiru

José Holebas

Ben Foster

Burnley

Christan Kabasele

Leicester City

Étienne Capoue

Thu 25

Ignacio Pussetto

Sat 20

Roberto Pereyra

JUNE

Andi Janjeva

All the latest from Watford FC’s HR & Equality Lead Officer, Sam Gillings... If you usually sit in the Rookery you may have wondered why a couple of people are always on their feet, talking to the wheelchair fans and disappearing soon after kick-off with a long sheet of paper. Then they re-appear 10 minutes before half-time with the biggest drinks and food order possible, carried from the Lower Graham Taylor Stand on a baker’s tray. Watford Welcomes would like to introduce you to Allan Flowers, assisted by Ollie Storey, Neil Austin and Jack Sapwell, all volunteers from the Watford FC Community Trust, who are now in their 13th season of helping our wheelchair and visually impaired fans to get drink and food orders ahead of the half-time rush. As you can imagine, this in itself would be a very difficult task in a wheelchair or if you are partially sighted.

Over the past 13 seasons their system has been modified and fine-tuned, they have made friends with the supporters and they are complimented for their help and dedication. Neil and Jack also support the away fans and many express surprise and thanks for receiving such a helpful service. They typically receive food and drink orders for 40+ supporters, including carers, who often cannot get to the kiosk as they cannot leave their relative or friend alone. On behalf of the club and Community Trust, through Watford Welcomes, many thanks to Allan, Ollie, Neil and Jack for helping to make the Watford matchday experience inclusive and extra special. We cannot wait to welcome everyone back, once it is safe to do so.

THE HORNET

Left to right: Rob Smith (Community Director), Kristian Hitchins (Impact & Communications Officer), volunteers Jack Sapwell, Neil Austin and Allan Flowers. Missing from the photo is Ollie Storey.

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 Norwich City Tuesday July 7, 2020 Premier League

15ig

Cra Cathcart

Player Poster

#17

der Position: Defen Date of birth: 1989 r February 6, : Mancheste Previous clubsAntwerp (loan), United, Royal e (loan), Plymouth Argyl, Blackpool (loan) Watford

Autograph

Pull this section out for the following amazing features… • • • • •

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

From Junior Hornets To The Players

With our Junior Hornets not currently able to cheer Watford on in person, we’ve been receiving lots of messages for the Golden Boys! Here’s a selection ahead of today’s game with Southampton…

Emily Deacon (9) My first Watford game was the friendly against Sampdoria, where I met my first Watford player Miguel Britos, and before Christmas last year I was lucky enough to meet all the players with my little brother. I can’t wait to see Deulofeu back on the pitch as he is one of my favourite players, along with Troy Deeney and Ismaila Sarr. We will all be cheering you on from home and it will be an amazing birthday present if you win against Norwich because it is my 10th birthday the day after. Come on you ‘Orns!

Archie (5) & Edith (6 months) Good luck Watford. Me and Edie will be staying up watching the games on the TV supporting you. Edie is looking forward to her first game soon. We will be watching and supporting on the TV. Come on you ‘Orns. See you soon.

Arann (11), Roisin (9) & Oscar (7) We are three Junior Hornets living in Galway on the West Coast of Ireland. It’s difficult to go to games now but Daddy tries to bring us to a few games each season. Our favourite players are Nathanial Chalobah (Arann), Gerard Deulofeu (Roisin) and Will Hughes (Oscar). We wish the Hornets the ‘luck of the Irish’ for the rest of the games!

Jack (12) Come on Watford! I am watching every game at home and cheering you all on. I can’t wait to be back at Vicarage Road when it’s safe to watch us in the Premier League again.

Ben (9) Come on Watford!

Theo (12) & Nathan (8) Score five, Troy! Sorry we can’t be there to see the matches. We hope we play the best we can.

Bailey (9) & Parker (6) We are cheering big Nigel Pearson and the Golden Boys on from home with our Dad and want them to stay up, so that we can watch Premier League football at Vicarage Road again next season. We are hoping that our favourite player Troy Deeney will score the goals and super Ben Foster will keep the clean sheets we need! Come on you Horns!!!

Joshua Knight (11) Come on Watford, you can do it! If you can thrash Liverpool, then you can beat anyone. With Foster in goal and Sarr speeding down the wing, and Deeney and Deulofeu’s lethal finishing, and Dawson’s bicycle kicks, we’re all sure that you can win. This means so much to everyone in Watford, and we’re all right behind you, so go and give it your all.

Emilee (5) & Wyatt (4) We would like to wish a huge good luck to Watford FC for the remaining games of the season. We had the most amazing time at our first visit to Vicarage Road last year and cannot wait to come back and cheer on the Hornets.

Isobel (9) Dear the Golden Boys, you can do this, DO NOT give up. Me and my family will be supporting all of you. Try your very best. Up the Horns!

Emily Smith (7) Good luck Watford! Score lots of goals in our final games and keep us up in the Prem!! Yellow Army!!

Joshua Moss (11) Everywhere in my bedroom there are Watford posters. I’ve loved Watford since I was 4. My first game was the Leicester play-off “DEEEEEEENEY!” game. I was young back then but I still remember the atmosphere and the adrenaline throughout Vicarage Road. However my favourite Hornets memory has to be the Wolves semi-final. I was almost in tears. I am Watford through and through. COME ON YOU HORNS!!!!!

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…

ARSENAL v LEICESTER Tuesday July 7, 8.15pm

Arsenal have had a rollercoaster set of performances since the restart of the Premier League. To keep alive their chance of European football next season, this game could be a must win for the Gunners. They host a Leicester side who have had a great season but have struggled since football resumed. A win here would strengthen the Foxes’ chances of finishing in the top three, but this game could go either way.

LVES

SHEFFIELD UNITED v WO Wednesday July 8, 6pm

for, for both these There is so much to play What a game this could be! ffield United have She . ball foot le for European teams, not least the batt Wolves seem but es, tanc with recent circums not found it easy coping ing strong at the back. look and ls goa ring sco r, to be stronger than eve definitely worth a the first whistle, so this is Both teams will battling from watch.

BRIGHTON v LIVERPOOL Wednesday July 8, 8.15pm

Brighton are in a relatively comfortable position as they look to pull away from the bottom three and you feel another win should make sure of their safety. They beat Arsenal as football restarted, but were easily beaten by Manchester United last week. Liverpool have convincingly swept the league title and it’ll be interesting to see if they change how they play in the final games.

r 0-15-year-olds

Junior Hornets is FREE fo Visit

atfordfc.com juniorhornets.w . to sign up!

Competition Time! WATFORD

I made my 150th appearance for the Hornets in the 1-0 loss at Burnley.

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’.

I scored the opening goal in our 2-0 victory over Norwich last time we met.

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

5. 2.

I scored an acrobatic overhead kick for my ﬁrst Watford goal against Leicester.

I am an international Mexican footballer who joined Watford in 2015. I now play for Monterrey.

I played for Watford at youth level from 2009-10 before continuing my stay for an additional eight years. I was released by the club at the end of the 2018/19 season after playing for Aberdeen on loan.

NORWICH CITY

1. I am the top Norwich goalscorer for this season so far.

2. I am an English footballer who made my debut for the Canaries during the 2018/19 promotion season.

3. I am a Switzerland international player who plays as a forward for Norwich.

4. The last time Norwich played Watford in the Championship, I scored a brace in a 3-0 win over the Hornets.

I saved two of Tottenham’s penalties in a 3-2 shoot-out win to put us through to the next round of the FA Cup.

WATFORD v NORWICH CITY

Watford

Norwich City Starting XI

Final Score:

............................................

Yellow Cards:

Used Subs:

............................................

Shots:

Corners:

Free-Kicks:

Penalties:

Starting XI

Watford Goalscorers: ............................................ ............................................ ............................................ Norwich City Goalscorers: ............................................ ............................................

............................................ Red Cards: ............................................ My Man Of The Match: ............................................ Referee: ............................................ Attendance: ............................................

Position: Defender Date of birth: February 6, 1989 Previous clubs: Manchester United, Royal Antwerp (loan), Plymouth Argyle (loan), Watford (loan), Blackpool

Craig Cathcart

15 Player Poster #17

Autograph