Watford F.C.

Watford Football Club is a British professional football club based in Hertfordshire, England. Founded in 1881 as Watford Rovers, the club entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade later. After finishing the 1914–15 season as Southern League champions under the management of Harry Kent, Watford joined the Football League in 1920. The club played at several grounds in its early history, before moving to a permanent location at Vicarage Road in 1922, where it remains to this day.[5]  Watford spent most of the following half century in the lower divisions of The Football League, changing colours and crest on multiple occasions.[6]

A period under the leadership of future England manager Graham Taylor saw Watford scale new heights. Between Taylor's appointment in 1977 and departure in 1987, Watford rose from the Fourth Division to the First Division. The team finished second in the First Division in the 1982–83 season, competed in the UEFA Cup in 1983–84, and also reached the 1984 FA Cup Final.[7] [8]  Watford experienced a decade of decline between 1987 and 1997, before Taylor returned as full-time manager, leading the team to successive promotions from the renamed Second Division[a]  to the Premier League. The club's most recent stint in the top division of English football was during the 2006–07 season, under Aidy Boothroyd's management.[10]  In the 2014–15 season, Watford will compete in the Football League Championship – the second highest level of English football.[11]

Watford is currently owned by the Pozzo family, which also owns Udinese Calcio in Italy and Granada CF in Spain.[2]  Sir Elton John, who owned Watford during both of Graham Taylor's successful periods as manager, served alongside Taylor as the club's joint Honorary Life President, until 2008[12]  only to later resume the role which he now shares alongside Graham Taylor. [13]



Contents
[hide]  *1 History  ==History<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Main article: History of Watford F.C.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford Rovers was formed in 1881 by Henry Groverand, who went on to play for the club as a full-back.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-wfcnotablepeople_15-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[14] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-j15_16-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[15]  Rovers, originally composed entirely of amateur players, held home games at several locations in the town of Watford.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-j15_16-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[15] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chronology_17-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[16]  The team first competed in the FA Cup in the 1886–87 season, and in 1889 Watford won the County Cup for the first time. The team became the football section of West Hertfordshire Sports Club in 1890, and consequently moved to a ground on Cassio Road. Renamed as West Hertfordshire in 1893, Rovers joined the Southern Football League in 1896, and started to pay professional footballers in 1897. West Hertfordshire merged with local rivals Watford St Mary's in 1898; the merged team was named Watford Football Club.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chronology_17-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[16]
 * 2 Club identity
 * 3 Stadium
 * 4 Luton Rivalry
 * 5 Players
 * 5.1 Current squad
 * 5.2 Out on loan
 * 5.3 Hall of fame
 * 6 Management
 * 6.1 Managerial history
 * 6.2 Current management team
 * 7 Honours
 * 8 Records
 * 9 Footnotes
 * 10 Further reading
 * 11 References
 * 12 External links

Long-serving Skilly Williams was Watford's first choice goalkeeper between 1914 and 1926.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Following relegation to the Southern League Second Division in 1903, Watford appointed its first manager – former England international and First Division top scorerJohn Goodall. He led Watford to promotion, and kept the team in the division until his departure in 1910.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-managers_18-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[17]  Despite financial constraints, Watford won the Southern League title in the 1914–15 season under his successor, Harry Kent. Watford held the title for five years following the suspension of the Southern League during the First World War – after finishing the 1919–20 season runners-up on goal average, the club resigned from the Southern League to join the new Football League Third Division.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[18]

Chart of yearly table positions of Watford in the English football league.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">From 1921–22, the third tier of The Football League consisted of two parallel sections of 22 clubs, fighting both for promotion to the Second Division and also battling to hold on to their league status.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-arsenal_9-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[9]  There was a re-election system in place which meant the bottom two teams in each of the two divisions had to apply for re-election to the league.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[19]  Watford finished outside the top six league positions in every season between 1922 and 1934. Following Kent's departure in 1926, they finished 21st out of 22 clubs in 1926–27, but were unanimously re-elected to the league after a ballot of clubs in the top two divisions of The Football League.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[20]  By contrast, under Neil McBain and subsequently Bill Findlay, the team recorded five consecutive top six finishes between 1934–35 and 1938–39, and won the Football League Third Division South Cup in 1937.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[21]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">The Football League was suspended in 1939 due to the Second World War. It resumed in 1946, with Watford still in the Third Division South. A 23rd-placed finish in 1950–51 meant that the club had to apply for re-election to the league once more, but again teams in the First and Second Divisions unanimously voted for Watford to stay in the league.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[22]  McBain returned in 1956,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-managers_18-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[17]  and the team remained in the division until 1958; the league was restructured into four national divisions for the1958–59 season, and Watford were placed in the Fourth Division. Ron Burgess replaced McBain during that season, and in the following campaign Burgess presided over Watford's first Football League promotion. This team included Fourth Division top scorer Cliff Holton,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[23]  who scored a club record 42 league goals in the season.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-wfcrecords_25-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[24]  Holton was sold to Northampton the following year after another 34 goals, to the anger of supporters.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[25]  Burgess was succeeded by Bill McGarry, who bought new players such as Charlie Livesey and Ron Saunders, and in his only season at the club led the club to what was at the time its highest ever league position: third in the Third Division.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mcgarry_27-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[26]  18-year old Northern Irish goalkeeper Pat Jennings also featured under McGarry, and made his international debut despite being a Third Division player.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[27]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">McGarry joined Ipswich in 1964, and was replaced by player-manager Ken Furphy, from Workington<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mcgarry_27-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[26]  Furphy rebuilt the team around players such as Keith Eddy and Dennis Bond, but after holding Liverpool to a draw in the FA Cup and narrowly failing to win promotion in 1966–67, Bond was sold to Tottenham for £30,000, Watford's record transfer receipt at the time.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jones_1996.2C_p._43_29-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[28]  Furphy's rebuilding came to fruition in 1969 with the signing of Barry Endean, whose arrival marked the start of an unbeaten run after Christmas.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[29]  Watford secured the league title in April, at home toPlymouth Argyle. A year later Watford reached the FA Cup semi-final for the first time, defeating First Division teams Stoke City and Liverpool along the way.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-31" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[30]  However, hampered by a lack of funds, Furphy eventually joined Blackburn Rovers, to be succeeded by George Kirby. Forced to sell players to survive, Watford fell back into the Third Division in 1972. The team continued to struggle in the third tier, and despite a managerial change, Watford were relegated again in 1975.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-managers_18-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[17] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[31] <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Lifelong Watford supporter Elton John became club chairman in 1976. The singer declared an ambition to take the team into the First Division, and sacked Kirby's successor Mike Keen in April 1977.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[32]  When Graham Taylor was named as Keen's successor, the club was still in the Fourth Division.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbctaylor_34-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[33]  Taylor achieved promotion in his first season; Watford won the Fourth Division title, recording the most wins, fewest defeats, most goals scored and fewest goals conceded of any side in the division.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[34]  Promotion to the Second Division followed in 1978–79, and Ross Jenkins finished the season as the league's top scorer with 29 goals. Watford consolidated with 18th and 9th placed finishes over the following two seasons, and secured promotion to the First Division for the first time in 1981–82, finishing second behind rivals Luton Town.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbctaylor_34-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[33] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-promotion1982_36-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[35]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford started the 1982–83 season with four league wins from the opening five fixtures; in the space of seven years, the club had climbed from bottom place in the lowest division of The Football League, to top position in the highest division.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-37" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[36] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-top_38-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[37]  Watford were unable to maintain a title challenge, but eventually finished the season second behind Liverpool, which ensured UEFA Cup qualification for the following season. Luther Blissett finished the season as the First Division top scorer, before signing for Italian Serie A side A.C. Milan for £1 million at the end of the season.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[38]  An FA Cup final appearance followed in 1984, although Watford lost toEverton.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-fa1984cupfinal_8-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[8]  After guiding Watford to a ninth-place finish in 1986–87, Taylor left the club to manage Aston Villa.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbctaylor_34-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[33]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Following Taylor's departure, Wimbledon manager Dave Bassett was appointed as his replacement, and England winger John Barnes was sold to Liverpool. After 4 wins from his opening 23 league fixtures, Bassett was sacked in January 1988. Watford were bottom of the First Division at the time of his departure, and Steve Harrison could not prevent relegation at the end of the season. In 1988–89, Harrison's Watford failed to return to the First Division, after defeat in the Second Division play-offs. The under-18 team won the FA Youth Cup, beating Manchester City 2–1 after extra time,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[39]  with future England international David James in goal for the Hornets. Harrison departed in 1990, and over the next few years, the closest Watford came to promotion was a seventh-placed finish in Division One<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-flc_42-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[b]  in the 1994–95 season.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-recentseasons_12-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[11]  However, in the following season – Glenn Roeder's third as manager – Watford struggled. Despite the return of Graham Taylor as caretaker manager in February 1996, the club was relegated to Division Two.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-managers_18-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[17] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbctaylor_34-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[33]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Following the relegation, Taylor became Director of Football, with former Watford midfielder Kenny Jackett as manager. After a mid-table finish in Division Two in 1996–97, Jackett was demoted to the position of assistant manager. Taylor returned as manager, and won the Second Division title in 1997–98 – Watford's second league title under his management. A second successive promotion followed in 1998–99, thanks to a 2–0 play-off final victory over Bolton Wanderers. Watford's first Premiership season started with an early victory over Liverpool, but Watford's form soon faded, and the club was relegated after finishing bottom. Graham Taylor retired at the end of the 2000–01 season,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbctaylor_34-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[33]  and was replaced by Gianluca Vialli.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-43" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[41]  Wage bills at the club rose by £4 million during Vialli's tenure, and the club finished 14th in the division in 2001–02. Vialli was sacked at the end of the season, following a dispute with the club's board over the wage bill.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-44" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[42] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-45" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[43] He was replaced by Ray Lewington, who had joined the club the previous summer as Vialli's reserve team manager.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[44]

Nyron Nosworthy celebrates a goal againstCardiff City in the 2011–12 season.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford's weak financial position was exposed in 2002–03, following the collapse of ITV Digital.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-47" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[45] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-48" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[46]  The club was facing administration, but an agreement by players and staff to a 12% wage deferral helped the club's cash flow, and a run to the FA Cup semi-final generated vital revenue.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbc2003cuprun_49-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[47] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-50" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[48]  Financial constraints saw a large number of players released that summer. After consolidating in 2003–04, the following seasonstarted well, with the club in the upper half of the Championship at the end of September. However, poor form saw the club drop towards the relegation zone. Despite reaching the semi-final of the League Cup, Watford's league form did not improve, and Lewington was sacked in March 2005.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-51" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[49]  His successor, Aidy Boothroyd,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-boothroydsummary_52-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[50]  led the club to Championship survival.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-recentseasons_12-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[11]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford finished third in the league in Boothroyd's first full season,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-recentseasons_12-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[11]  and defeated Leeds United 3–0 in the play-off final to gain promotion to the Premier League.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Leedsplayoff_53-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[51]  But the team did not record a Premier League win until November, and Ashley Young was sold to Aston Villa for a club record fee of £9.65 million in January 2007.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-wfcrecords_25-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbcsellyoung_54-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[52]  Watford finished bottom after only winning five league games,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-recentseasons_12-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[11]  but did reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-55" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[53]  Boothroyd continued as manager, and spent heavily on players, including a club record £3.25 million for Nathan Ellington.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbcbuyellington_56-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[54]  Watford led the Championship by several points early in 2007–08, but only finished 6th;<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-recentseasons_12-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[11]  Boothroyd's team were defeated 6–1 on aggregate by Hull City in the play-off semi-finals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-57" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[55]  Boothroyd left the club by mutual consent three months into the 2008–09 season, with Watford 21st in the Championship table.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-boothroydsummary_52-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[50]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Under Boothroyd's successor, Brendan Rodgers, Watford finished 13th. Rodgers left to manage Reading at the end of the season;<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-58" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[56]  Malky Mackay, who had previously served as caretaker manager, was his replacement.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-MM_59-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[57]  Amid the departures of several key players during Mackay's tenure, including Tommy Smith and Jay DeMerit, and the club coming close to administration,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-60" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[58]  Watford finished 16th in 2009–10 and 14th the following season.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-managers2_61-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[59]  Mackay left to manage Cardiff City in June 2011, and was replaced by Sean Dyche.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-MMCC_62-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[60]  Despite presiding over Watford's highest league position in four years, Dyche was dismissed as Watford manager in July 2012.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-63" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[61]  He was replaced by former Italy international Gianfranco Zola, following the Pozzo family's purchase of the club.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-zolajoins_64-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[62]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Following a successful 2012–13 season which saw a league-best 85 goals scored, Watford ultimately finished third in the Championship, narrowly missing out on an automatic promotion place by two points, behind Hull City. In the promotion play-off semi-final, Watford was defeated by Leicester City 1–0 in the away leg, but won 3–1 at home, with Troy Deeney scoring the winning goal on a last-second injury time attack following a Leicester penalty kick miss to advance to the final. Watford was defeated in the final by Crystal Palace, 1–0, on an extra-time penalty by Kevin Phillips.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford went into the 2013/14 season full of confidence. They started the season well with positive results, including a 6–1 win over Bournemouth and then a 5–1 win over Barnsley. Although the form soon dipped and Watford struggled losing five consecutive home matches. This lack of form ultimately led to Gianfranco Zola's departure from the club. In December 2013, Watford appointedBeppe Sannino as their new manager and finished the 2013/14 season in 13th place.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford faced SK Austria Klagenfurt (Away), SV Feldkirchen(Away), Rubin Kazan(Away), FC Chemnitzer(Away), Shrewsbury Town(Away), Coventry City(Away) and Udinese(Home) in their pre-season matches before the 2014/15 season.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Despite winning four of the first five league games of the 2014/15 season, Beppe Sannino's future at Watford was subject to much speculation after it emerged some players were unhappy with his management style. Sannino resigned from his position as Watford manager on 31 August 2014 with the club 2nd in the table, despite winning 4–2 at home to Huddersfield Town the previous day.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-65" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[63]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Two days later, on 2 September 2014, Watford confirmed the appointment of former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Óscar Garcia as the club's new manager and the successor to Sannino, beating off competition from fellow Championship side Leeds United for his services. ==Club identity<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Watford's colours were blue and white from 1927 until 1959. The club changed to a gold and black colour scheme in 1959–60.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford's kit has changed considerably over the course of the club's history. The club's kit featured various combinations of red, green and yellow stripes, before a new colour scheme of black and white was adopted for the 1909–10 season. These colours were retained until the 1920s, when the club introduced an all-blue shirt. After a change of colours to gold shirts and black shorts, the team's nickname was changed to The Hornets, after a popular vote via the supporters club. These colours remained until 1976, when Watford's kits started featuring red, and the gold was changed to yellow. That colour scheme that has continued into the 21st century.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-historicalkits_6-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[6]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford's initial nickname was The Brewers, in reference to the Benskins Brewery, which owned the freehold of Vicarage Road.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-benskins_66-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[64]  This nickname did not prove particularly popular, and upon the adoption of a blue-and-white colour scheme in the 1920s, the club became predominantly known as The Blues. When Watford changed kit colours in 1959, supporters chose The Hornets as the team's new nickname, and the club later introduced a crest depicting a hornet.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-historicalkits_6-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[6]  In 1974 the design was changed to depictHarry the Hornet, the club's mascot.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-historicalkits_6-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-67" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[65]  The club's nickname remains, but in 1978 the hornet crest was replaced by a depiction of a hart – a male red deer – on a yellow and black background. A hart represents the town's location in the county of Hertfordshire. Until Barnet<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-70" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[c]  joined the Football League, Watford were Hertfordshire's only league club.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-71" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[68]  Other nicknames have since been adopted, including The Golden Boys,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-72" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[69]  Yellow Army<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-73" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[70]  and The 'Orns.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-74" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[71]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">When Watford play at Vicarage Road their players traditionally enter the pitch at the start of the game to the Z-Cars theme tune.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-75" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[72] ==Stadium<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Main article: Vicarage RoadWatford fans at Vicarage Road, on the last day of the 1999–2000 season<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford Rovers played at several grounds in the late 19th century, including Cassiobury Park, Vicarage Meadow, and Market Street, Watford. In 1890, the team moved to a site on Cassio Road, and remained there for 32 years, before moving to Watford's current stadium at nearby Vicarage Road.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chronology_17-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[16]  The new stadium was initially owned byBenskins Brewery; the club rented the ground until 2001, when it purchased the freehold outright. However, the club's financial situation worsened following the purchase, and in 2002 Watford sold the ground for £6m, in a deal which entitled Watford to buy the stadium back for £7m in future. Watford took up this option in 2004 using a campaign backed and funded by the fans called "Lets buy back the Vic".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-76" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[73]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">At present, only three sides of Vicarage Road stadium are open to spectators. The East Stand, part of which was constructed in 1922, was closed to the general public in 2008 for health and safety reasons, although it still hosts the dressing rooms and the matchday press area.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-77" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[74]  In November 2013 the East Stand was demolished. In its place, a new new steel framed 2,600 seater stand, which will be similar in height and depth to the old stand is being constructed.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Watford_Observer_New_East_Stand_78-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[75] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Watford_FC_new_East_Stand_79-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[76] The Rous Stand, built in 1986, has two tiers and runs the length of the pitch, with the upper section containing the club's corporate hospitality. At either end of the pitch, The Vicarage Stand is split between the club's family section and away supporters, while the Rookery Stand is for home supporters only. Both stands were built in the 1990s, financed by proceeds from player sales.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-80" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[77] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-81" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[78]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Between 1997 and early 2013, Watford shared Vicarage Road with rugby union side Saracens F.C.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-82" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[79] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-83" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[80]  The stadium has hosted matches for theEngland under-21s,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-84" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[81]  and senior international football between overseas teams.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-85" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[82]  Elton John has also used Vicarage Road as a venue for concerts. He first played at the stadium in 1974, and returned in 2005 and 2010 to stage fundraising concerts for the club.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-86" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[83]  Former events include horse and carriage shows<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-j15_16-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[15]  and greyhound racing.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-87" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[84]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">In 2013, Watford announced they planned to develop a new 3,400 seater stand to replace the former East Stand which was closed in 2008. This new stand has the option of being extended in the future if the demand warrants this. Development was expected to be completed in the summer of 2014 but after receiving various delays due to adverse weather conditions the new stands opening was put back to late September 2014, during the 2014/15 season. ==Luton Rivalry<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Main article: Luton Town F.C. and Watford F.C. rivalry<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford fans maintain a rivalry with those of Luton Town. The two sides met regularly in the Southern League between 1900 and 1920,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-88" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[85]  and continued to do so in The Football League until 1937,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-head2head_89-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[86]  when Luton gained promotion from Division Three South. Luton remained in a higher division than Watford until 1963.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-hertsbeds_90-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[87]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Watford and Luton met sporadically. Despite this, the rivalry grew in significance, particularly following an ill-tempered match between the sides in 1969, in which three players were sent off.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-hertsbeds_90-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[87]  Both sides won promotion to the First Division in the 1981–82 season, with Luton taking the championship ahead of Watford.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-promotion1982_36-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[35]  They were also relegated together from the new Division 1 in 1995–96, with Watford finishing 23rd ahead of bottom-placed Luton.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-91" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[88] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-flc_42-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[b]  Watford's promotion from Division 2 in 1997–98 meant that the two sides did not meet again until Luton won promotion to the Championship for the 2005–06 season.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-flc_42-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[b]  The only meeting between those seasons – a League Cup tie in the 2002–03 season – was marred by violence inside Vicarage Road.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-92" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[89]  A 1–1 draw in the most recent match between the sides, on 9 April 2006, secured Watford's place in the 2006 Championship play-offs, whilst ending Luton's chances of reaching them.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-93" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[90]  Watford have played in a higher division than Luton in every season since 2006–07.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-recentseasons_12-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[11] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-94" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[91]  The head-to-head record between the clubs in competitions which currently exist stands at Luton 39 wins, Watford 27 wins, with 23 draws.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-96" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[d]  Watford have remained the higher ranked team at the end of every season since 1997 (and for 20 of the last 21 seasons, with only 1996–97 seeing Luton finish higher in the league than Watford). ==Players<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Main article: List of Watford F.C. players===Current squad<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">For more information on the squad, see 2014–15 Watford F.C. season.

Sean Murray playing for Watford in 2012.Tommie Hobanprogressed from Watford's academy to the first team in 2011.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth. Squad correct as of 28 August 2014.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-97" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[93] ===Out on loan<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth. ===Hall of fame<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Goalkeeper David Jamesstarted his career at Watford, and went on to play for England.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-98" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10px;">[94] ==Management<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===Managerial history<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Main article: List of Watford F.C. managersGraham Taylor took Watford from the Fourth Division to the First, between 1977 and 1982.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford's team was selected by committee until 1903, when former England international John Goodall was appointed player-manager. The impact was immediate, as Watford secured promotion to the Southern League First Division in 1903–04. Goodall retired as a player in 1907, and left the club in 1910. He was replaced by his former captain, Harry Kent, who become known for his financial management of the club; under Kent, Watford frequently made a profit in the transfer market.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-99" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[95]  Kent led the club to the Southern League title in 1914–15, and missed out on a second title in 1919–20 on goal average, before resigning in 1926. His three immediate successors – Fred Pagnam, Neil McBain and Bill Findlay – all played for Watford before and during the early part of their managerial tenures. None were able to lead the team to promotion from the Third Division South, although Findlay did lead Watford to a Third Division South Cup win in 1937.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Up until Findlay's departure in 1947, Watford had been managed by five managers in 44 years, all of whom played for the team. By contrast, six men managed the club between 1947 and 1956, only two of whom were former Watford players.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-managers_18-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[17]  After a further three years under McBain between 1956 and 1959, Watford's following three managers presided over improved teams. Ron Burgess led Watford to promotion from the Fourth Division in 1959–60. Bill McGarry was only in charge for one full season (1963–64), but Watford recorded a finish of third in the Third Division, the club's highest Football League finish until that point. His successor Ken Furphy matched that achievement in 1966–67, and led Watford to the Third Division title in 1969, before taking the club to its first FA Cup semi-final in 1970. Following Furphy's departure in 1971, Watford entered a period of decline, experiencing relegation under subsequent managers George Kirby and Mike Keen.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-managers_18-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[17]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Graham Taylor took charge of Watford in 1977. He led the club to promotion to the Third Division in 1978, the Second Division in 1979, and the First Division for the first time in Watford's history in 1982. After a second-placed finish in the First Division in 1983, Watford competed in European competition for the first time in 1983–84, as well as reaching the 1984 FA Cup final. Taylor left the club at the end of 1986–87. Under the six subsequent permanent managers (Dave Bassett,Steve Harrison, Colin Lee, Steve Perryman, Glenn Roeder and Kenny Jackett), Watford slid from 9th in the top tier in 1987, to 13th in the third tier in 1997. Taylor returned as manager for the start of the 1997–98 season. He led the club to consecutive promotions, but could not prevent relegation from the Premier League in 1999–2000. Since Taylor's retirement in 2001, Watford have had seven managers. Of these, Aidy Boothroyd took Watford back to the Premier League in 2006, but Watford were relegated in 2007, and Boothroyd departed in 2008.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-100" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[96]  The latest manager wasGianfranco Zola, who replaced former centre back Sean Dyche in July 2012,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-managers2_61-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[59]  but resigned on 16 December 2013. Zola was replaced by fellow Italian Beppe Sannino in December 2013. Sannino guided the team to a final league position of 13th.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Despite winning four of the first five league matches of the 2014/15 season, and with Watford sitting in 2nd place, Sannino's position had become the subject of much speculation following rumours of dressing-room unrest and some players taking a dislike to his style of management. Sannino resigned from his position as manager on 31 August 2014 after just over eight months in charge. His final game in charge was a 4–2 win at home to Huddersfield Town the day before.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Two days later, Watford confirmed the appointment of former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Óscar Garcia as the club's new manager and the successor to Sannino, beating off competition from fellow Championship side Leeds United for his services. ===Current management team<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ==Honours<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==
 * For a complete record of the club's achievements, see List of Watford F.C. seasons.

Victory in the 2006 Football League Championship play-off Final against Leeds United gained Watford promotion to the Premier League.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Leedsplayoff_53-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10px;">[51] ==Records<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Main article: List of Watford F.C. records and statistics<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Striker Luther Blissett holds the record for Watford appearances, having played 503 matches in all competitions between 1976 and 1992, and his 415 appearances in The Football League during the same period is also a club record. Blissett holds the corresponding goalscoring records, with 186 career Watford goals, 148 of which were in the league. The records for the most league goals in a season is held by Cliff Holton, having scored 42 goals in the 1959–60 season. The highest number of goals scored by a player in a single game at a professional level is the six registered by Harry Barton against Wycombe Wanderers in September 1903.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-wfcrecords_25-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[24]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">Watford's biggest ever competitive win came in 1900, when the team defeated Maidenhead 11–0 in the Southern League Second Division.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-wfcrecords_25-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[24]  The team's biggest Football League winning margin is 8–0; this first occurred in a Third Division South match against Newport County in 1924, and was repeated in a First Division match against Sunderland in 1982. Both of these matches were at home – Watford have won an away league match by five goals on six occasions, most recently in the 6–1 win against Leeds United at Elland Road in 2012. The most goals scored in a Football League game involving Watford is 11, in Watford's 7–4 victories against Swindon Town, Torquay United and Burnley in 1934, 1937 and 2003 respectively.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-stattorecords_101-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[97]  The club's highest home attendance is 34,099, for a 4th round FA Cup match against Manchester United on 3 February 1969; the record home league attendance is 27,968 against Queens Park Rangers in August of the same year.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-wfcrecords_25-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[24]  Watford's home capacity has since been reduced; it currently stands at 17,477.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-capacity_1-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10.9090909957886px;">[1] ==Footnotes<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==
 * 1) <span class="cite-accessibility-label" style="top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px1px1px1px);overflow:hidden;-webkit-user-select:none;position:absolute!important;height:1px!important;width:1px!important;">Jump up ^  The third division was renamed Division 2 upon the inception of the Premier League in 1992–93.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-arsenal_9-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10px;">[9]
 * 2) ^ <span class="cite-accessibility-label" style="top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px1px1px1px);overflow:hidden;-webkit-user-select:none;position:absolute!important;height:1px!important;width:1px!important;">Jump up to: <sup style="line-height:1;font-size:10px;">a <sup style="line-height:1;font-size:10px;">b <sup style="line-height:1;font-size:10px;">c  The second division was renamed Division 1 upon the inception of the Premier League in 1992–93,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-arsenal_9-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10px;">[9]  and rebranded as the Football League Championship in 2004–05.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-41" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10px;">[40]
 * 3) <span class="cite-accessibility-label" style="top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px1px1px1px);overflow:hidden;-webkit-user-select:none;position:absolute!important;height:1px!important;width:1px!important;">Jump up ^  Although located in what is now Greater London, Barnet continue to participate in the Herts Senior Cup, organised by the Hertfordshire Football Association.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-68" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10px;">[66] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-69" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10px;">[67]
 * 4) <span class="cite-accessibility-label" style="top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px1px1px1px);overflow:hidden;-webkit-user-select:none;position:absolute!important;height:1px!important;width:1px!important;">Jump up ^  This refers to games played in The Football League, FA Cup and Football League Cup. Soccerbase covers matches played in these competitions since Watford joined the Football League in 1920 – the record in these matches is Luton 35 wins, Watford 27 wins, 22 draws.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-head2head_89-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10px;">[86]  The teams met five times in the FA Cup prior to the 1920–21 season: Luton won 4 games, and the other was drawn.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-95" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:10px;">[92