In the background and to the left are two large stands, each of which seem capable of holding thousands of people. In the foreground is a well maintained grass pitch. Yellow balloons can be seen in the sky.
The Rookery and Main stands at Vicarage Road, at the end of the 1999–2000 season

Watford Football Club is an English football club from Watford, Hertfordshire. Formed on 15 April 1898 as a result of the amalgamation of two strong local clubs, Watford St. Mary's and West Herts. West Herts began life as Watford Rovers in 1881, the club entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886. In the same year, they also entered the county-wide Herts Senior Cup, reaching the final six times over the next ten years. Watford Rovers became West Herts in 1891, and joined the Southern League for the 1896–97 season. The team started to change from one composed entirely of amateurs to one including paid professionals. In 1898, West Herts amalgamated with Watford St Mary's to form a new club, Watford Football Club.[1]

The club participated in the Southern League from 1896 until 1920, experiencing considerable success. They won six league titles in this period, including the Southern League First Division in 1914–15.[2] After the resumption of Southern League football following a four-year hiatus due to the First World War, Watford missed out on a second consecutive title in 1919–20 on goal average. They joined the Football League Third Division in the 1920–21 season, and following its subsequent reorganisation became founder members of the Third Division South in 1921.[3]

Watford competed in the Third Division South for the next 37 years, with little success. Fred Pagnam finished as the Division's top scorer in 1922–23,[4] the club reached the final of the Third Division South Cup in 1935 and 1937 (winning on the latter occasion),[5] and Len Dunderdale scored 21 goals for Watford in 1938–39 despite leaving midway through the season.[6] The team started to progress after the reorganisation of the Football League into four national divisions in 1958. They won promotion to the Third Division in 1960, the Second Division in 1969, and reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1970. However, the league progress was reversed with two relegations over the next five years, and in 1976–77 Watford were briefly bottom of the entire Football League.[1]

Watford Performances from 1920 until 2023

A turning point in the club's history came in the late 1970s. Singer, shareholder and lifelong Watford supporter Elton John became chairman in 1976, and appointed Graham Taylor as manager in 1977. The club achieved consecutive promotions between 1977 and 1979, and reached the First Division for the first time in their history in 1982.[7] Furthermore, in 1982–83 Watford finished second in the First Division, and Luther Blissett was the division's top scorer with 27 goals. Consequently, Watford qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1983–84. They also reached their first FA Cup final, losing 2–0 to Everton at Wembley Stadium.[8] Following Taylor's departure in 1987, Watford were relegated in 1988.[9]

Watford remained in English football's second tier for eight seasons, until they were relegated in 1995–96.[1] Taylor returned as manager in 1997, and for the second time in his career led Watford to consecutive promotions, although he was unable to prevent relegation from the Premier League in 1999–2000.[10] In the 21st century Watford have reached three FA Cup semi-finals, one League Cup semi-final, and spent three further season in the Premier League after winning the 2006 Football League Championship play-off final under the management of Aidy Boothroyd and following automatic promotion under Slaviša Jokanović in 2015.[11][12]

Key

Winners Runners-up Play-offs* Promoted ↑ Relegated ↓ Top scorer in Watford's division ♦

Seasons

Early history

The club was formed on 15 April 1898 as a result of the amalgamation of two strong local clubs, Watford St. Mary's and West Herts. West Herts began life as Watford Rovers in 1881, when George Devereux de Vere Capell, Earl of Essex and owner of Cassiobury Park, gave a group of boys permission to use the grounds for football. However, the agreement stipulated that the team could not play organised competitive matches on the estate.[15] Members of the group included Henry Grover, the man later recognised as the club's founder, and Charlie Peacock, who played for Hertfordshire, became involved with board meetings at the club, and became the proprietor of the Watford Observer, the local newspaper. Over the next five years the team participated exclusively in friendly matches against schools and local clubs.[15] Matches played when the club was not entering competitions included the first recorded fixture against future rivals Luton Town; a 1–0 home win to Watford on 5 December 1885.[16] In the 1886–87 season, Watford Rovers entered the FA Cup for the first time, although they were eliminated in their opening game. They have competed in at least one competition in every season since.[16] From 1886 Rovers participated in the Herts Senior Cup, a competition open to all clubs in Hertfordshire, winning it on four occasions. They also participated in the Hennessey Cup—open to clubs within a 10-mile (16 km) radius of Uxbridge—between 1888 and 1891.[17] Rovers' first match against Watford St Mary's was a 7–4 home win on 17 January 1891. The teams met on eleven further occasions prior to their amalgamation in 1898. In total, Rovers and their successors West Herts won six times, St Mary's four times, and the remaining two matches ended in draws.[16][18]

Season FA Cup FA Amateur Cup Herts Senior Cup Hennessey Cup Top scorer(s) Goals
1886–87 R1 — F — Fred Sargent 4
1887–88 R2 — F — Fred Sargent 12
1888–89 QR3 — W SF Fred Sargent 7
1889–90 QR3 — SF[c] SF Fred Sargent 7
1890–91 QR2 — W R2 Fred Sargent 10
1891–92 QR2 — W — Walter Coles 13
1892–93 QR1 — — — Walter Coles 1
1893 &
Watford Rovers were renamed West Hertfordshire for 1893–94.
 & & & é &
1893–94 — R3 W — Walter Coles 4
1894–95 QR1 R3 SF — Syd Hobbs & Richard Wright 5
1895–96 QR2 R2 — — Mac MacLachlan 3

League history

See also: History of Watford F.C.

From 1896–97 until 1919–20, the Football League and Southern League ran in parallel, and were organised by separate bodies. The Southern League was therefore not part of the English football league pyramid. In 1920–21, the Southern League First Division was absorbed by the Football League, thus becoming part of the English football pyramid, initially as the Football League Third Division. From 1921–22 until 1957–58, the Third Division South operated as the third highest level of English football, running in parallel with the Third Division North. From 1958–59 until 1991–92, Division 1 was the highest level of English football, Division 2 the second highest, Division 3 the third highest and Division 4 the fourth highest. The Premier League was formed in 1992–93, and since then has been the highest level of English football. Division 1 became the second level, and Division 2 the third level. In 2004–05, Division 1 was renamed as the Football League Championship.[20]

Season[d] Division[e] Pld W D L GF GA Pts[f] Pos FA Cup[8][g] League Cup[24] Competition Result Player(s) Goals
League[h] Other[d] Top scorer(s)[i]
1896–97 South 2 24 11 1 12 41 49 23 9th QR3 — Herts Senior Cup W William Saunders 15
1897–98 South 2 22 11 6 5 50 48 28 3rd PR — — — Tuggy Beach 11
1898 After merging with amateur team Watford St Mary's, the club was renamed Watford Football Club.
1898–99
South 2L
22
14
2
6
62
35
30
3rd
 QR3 — — — Charlie Hare 22
BCCL 10 8 1 1 42 12 17 1st
1899–1900 South 2 ↑
BCCL
20
10
14
7
2
0
4
1
57
40
25
6
30
14
1st
1st
 QR4 — — — Charlie Hare 32
1900–01 South 1 28 6 4 18 24 52 16 14th QR4 — — — Jack Price 9
1901–02 South 1 30 9 4 17 36 60 22 13th QR4 — — — Herbert Lyon 14
1902–03 South 1 ↓ 30 6 4 20 35 87 16 15th QR3 — — — Ernest Cottrell
Jimmy Tennant 		7
1903–04 South 2 ↑ 20 18 2 0 70 15 38 1st QR4 — — — Bertie Banks 22
1904–05 South 1 34 14 3 17 41 44 31 13th QR6 — — — John Goodall 12
1905–06
South 1
United
34
18
8
13
10
4
16
1
38
49
57
15
26
20
14th
1st
 R2 — — — Jimmy Reid 15
1906–07
South 1
United
38
14
13
3
16
1
9
10
46
15
43
38
42
7
9th
8th
 R1 — — — Jack Foster 16
1907–08 South 1 38 12 10 16 47 59 34 14th R1 — — — Jack Foster 12
1908–09 South 1 40 14 9 17 51 64 37 14th R1 — — — Archie Hubbard 16
1909–10 South 1 42 10 13 19 51 76 33 19th R1 — Southern Charity Cup[j] F Jimmy Maclaine 15
1910–11 South 1 38 13 9 16 49 65 35 14th R1 — Southern Charity Cup[j] SF Charlie White 12
1911–12 South 1 38 13 10 15 56 58 36 9th R1 — Southern Charity Cup[j] R1 Tommy Dixon 13
1912–13 South 1 38 12 10 16 43 50 34 14th QR5 — Southern Charity Cup[j] SF Tommy Dixon 13
1913–14 South 1 38 10 9 19 50 56 29 18th QR5 — Southern Charity Cup[j] R1 Thomas Ashbridge 14
1914–15 South 1 38 22 8 8 68 46 52 1st QR6 — Southern Charity Cup[j] R1 George Edmonds 17
1915–17 Due to the First World War, Watford competed in the Wartime London Combination in 1915–16 and 1916–17.[26]
1917–19 Watford did not play any organised fixtures in 1917–18 and 1918–19.[26]
1919–20 South 1 42 26 6 10 69 42 58 2nd QR6 — — — George Edmonds 19
1920–21 Division 3 42 20 8 14 59 44 48 6th R2 — — — Frank Hoddinott 25
1921–22 Division 3S 42 13 18 11 54 48 44 7th R2 — — — Fred Pagnam 17
1922–23 Division 3S 42 17 10 15 57 54 44 10th R1 — — — Fred Pagnam[k] 32 ♦
1923–24 Division 3S 42 9 15 18 45 54 33 20th R3 — — — Eddie Mummery 12
1924–25 Division 3S 42 17 9 16 38 47 43 11th R1 — — — Len Andrews
Fred Pagnam 		7
1925–26 Division 3S 42 15 9 18 73 89 39 15th R2 — — — Jack Swann 22
1926–27 Division 3S 42 12 8 22 57 87 32 21st
[l] 		R2 — — — George Edmonds 13
1927–28 Division 3S 42 14 10 18 68 78 38 15th R1 — — — Bill Sheppard 25
1928–29 Division 3S 42 19 10 13 79 74 48 8th R4 — — — Frank McPherson 35
1929–30 Division 3S 42 15 8 19 60 73 38 15th R2 — — — Frank McPherson 25
1930–31 Division 3S 42 14 7 21 72 75 35 18th R5 — — — George James 31
1931–32 Division 3S 42 19 8 15 81 79 46 11th QF — — — George James 26
1932–33 Division 3S 42 16 12 14 66 63 44 11th R3 — — — Billy Lane 22
1933–34 Division 3S 42 15 7 20 71 63 37 15th R1 — Third Division South Cup R2 Tommy Barnett 17
1934–35 Division 3S 42 19 9 14 76 49 47 6th R2 — Third Division South Cup F Billy Lane 35
1935–36 Division 3S 42 20 9 13 80 54 49 5th R4 — Third Division South Cup R1 Tommy Barnett 17
1936–37 Division 3S 42 19 11 12 85 60 49 4th R1 — Third Division South Cup[m] W Tommy Barnett[m] 22
1937–38 Division 3S 42 21 11 10 73 43 53 4th R3 — Third Division South Cup SF Tommy Jones[m] 15
1938–39 Division 3S 42 17 12 13 62 51 46 4th R3 — Third Division South Cup R1 Len Dunderdale 21
1939–40 [n] Division 3S 3 0 2 1 4 5 2 99
—
 — — — — Four players[o] 1
1939–46 Peacetime competitions were suspended during the Second World War. Watford participated in wartime leagues until 1945–46.[30]
1945–46 — — — — — — — — ~
—
 R4 — — — Ron Gray[p] 4
1946–47 Division 3S 42 17 4 20 61 76 39 16th R2 — — — Ralph Evans 19
1947–48 Division 3S 42 14 10 18 57 79 38 15th R1 — — — Taffy Davies 11
1948–49 Division 3S 42 10 15 17 41 54 34 17th R1 — — — Dave Thomas 14
1949–50 Division 3S 42 16 13 13 45 35 45 6th R4 — — — Dave Thomas 21
1950–51 Division 3S 46 9 11 26 54 88 29 23rd
[q] 		R1 — — — Johnny Hartburn 13
1951–52 Division 3S 46 13 10 23 57 81 36 21st R2 — — — Cyril Thompson 25
1952–53 Division 3S 46 15 17 14 62 63 47 10th R2 — — — Johnny Meadows 13
1953–54 Division 3S 46 21 10 15 85 69 52 4th R1 — — — Roy Brown 21
1954–55 Division 3S 46 18 14 14 71 62 50 7th R3 — — — Maurice Cook 31
1955–56 Division 3S 46 13 11 22 52 85 37 21st R2 — Southern Floodlit Cup[r] R1 Les Graham 16
1956–57 Division 3S 46 18 10 18 72 75 46 11th R2 — Southern Floodlit Cup[r] R2 Les Graham 17
1957–58 Division 3S 46 13 16 17 59 77 42 16th R1 — Southern Floodlit Cup[r] SF Tommy McMillan 11
1958–59 Division 4 46 16 10 20 81 79 42 15th R2 — Southern Floodlit Cup[r] R1 Johnny Gavin
Peter Gordon 		13
1959–60 Division 4 ↑ 46 24 9 13 92 67 57 4th R5 — Southern Floodlit Cup[r] R2 Cliff Holton[s] 48 ♦
1960–61 Division 3 46 20 12 14 85 72 52 4th R3 R1 — — Cliff Holton 34
1961–62 Division 3 46 14 13 19 63 74 41 17th R3 R3 — — Ron Crisp 13

1962–63

Division 3 46 17 8 21 82 85 42 17th R4 R1 — — Dai Ward 30
1963–64 Division 3 46 23 12 11 79 59 58 3rd R2 R1 — — Charlie Livesey 25
1964–65 Division 3 46 17 16 13 71 64 50 9th R1 R2 — — George Harris 21
1965–66 Division 3 46 17 13 16 55 51 47 12th R2 R2 — — Cliff Holton 12
1966–67 Division 3 46 20 14 12 61 46 54 3rd R3 R1 — — Terry Garbett 18
1967–68 Division 3 46 21 8 17 74 50 50 6th R3 R2 — — Barry Dyson 15
1968–69 Division 3 ↑ 46 27 10 9 74 34 64 1st R4 R1 — — Barry Endean 20
1969–70 C
Division 2
 42 9 13 20 44 57 31 19th SF
[t] 		R2 — — Barry Endean 14
1970–71 C
Division 2
 42 10 13 19 38 60 33 18th R4 R2 — — Ron Wigg 17
1971–72 C
Division 2 ↓
 42 5 9 28 24 75 19 22nd R3 R3 — — Keith Eddy 7
1972–73 Division 3 46 12 17 17 43 48 41 19th R3 R1 — — Pat Morrissey 10
1973–74 Division 3 46 19 12 15 64 56 50 7th R2 R1 — — Billy Jennings[u] 29 ♦
1974–75 Division 3 ↓ 46 10 17 19 52 75 37 23rd R1 R1 — — Ross Jenkins 11
1975–76 Division 4 46 22 6 18 62 62 50 8th R1 R2 — — Ross Jenkins 19
1976–77 Division 4 46 18 15 13 67 50 51 7th R3 R3 — — Keith Mercer 25
1977–78 Division 4 ↑ 46 30 11 5 85 38 71 1st R3 R3 — — Ross Jenkins 18
1978–79 Division 3 ↑ 46 24 12 10 83 52 60 2nd R2 SF — — Ross Jenkins[v] 37 ♦
1979–80 C
Division 2
 42 12 13 17 39 46 37 18th QF R1 — — Luther Blissett 11
1980–81 C
Division 2
 42 16 11 15 50 45 43 9th R4 QF — — Malcolm Poskett 21
1981–82[f] C
Division 2 ↑
 42 23 11 8 76 42 80 2nd R5 QF Football League Group Cup QF Luther Blissett 25
1982–83 Division 1 42 22 5 15 74 57 71 2nd R5 R3 Football League Trophy[w] QF Luther Blissett[x] 33 ♦
1983–84 Division 1 42 16 9 17 68 77 57 11th F R2 UEFA Cup R3 Mo Johnston 24
1984–85 Division 1 42 14 13 15 81 71 55 11th R5 QF — — Luther Blissett 28
1985–86 Division 1 42 16 11 15 69 62 59 12th QF R3 — — Colin West 16
1986–87 Division 1 42 18 9 15 67 54 63 9th SF R3 Full Members Cup R3 Mark Falco 16
1987–88 Division 1 ↓ 40 7 11 22 27 51 32 20th QF R4 Full Members Cup R3 Malcolm Allen 9
1988–89 C
Division 2
 46 22 12 12 74 48 78 4th*
[y] 		R5 R2 Full Members Cup QF Paul Wilkinson 21
1989–90 C
Division 2
 46 14 15 17 58 60 57 15th R4 R2 Full Members Cup R2 Paul Wilkinson 16
1990–91 C
Division 2
 46 12 15 19 45 59 51 20th R3 R2 Full Members Cup R1 Paul Wilkinson 18
1991–92 C
Division 2
 46 18 11 17 51 48 65 10th R3 R2 Full Members Cup R1 Luther Blissett 12
1992–93 C
Division 1
 46 14 13 19 57 71 55 16th R3 R4 Anglo-Italian Cup PR Paul Furlong 22
1993–94 C
Division 1
 46 15 9 22 66 80 54 19th R3 R2 Anglo-Italian Cup PR Paul Furlong 19
1994–95 C
Division 1
 46 19 13 14 52 46 70 7th R5 R2 — — Craig Ramage 11
1995–96 C
Division 1 ↓
 46 10 18 18 62 70 48 23rd R3 R3 — — Craig Ramage 15
1996–97 Division 2 46 16 19 11 45 38 67 13th R4 R2 Associate Members Cup SF Tommy Mooney 12
1997–98 Division 2 ↑ 46 24 16 6 67 41 88 1st R3 R2 Associate Members Cup R1 Peter Kennedy 13
1998–99 C
Division 1 ↑
 46 21 14 11 65 56 77 5th*
[z] 		R3 R1 — — Gifton Noel-Williams[41] 10
1999–2000 Premier League ↓ 38 6 6 26 35 77 24 20th R3 R3 — — Heiðar Helguson[42] 6
2000–01 C
Division 1
 46 20 9 17 76 67 69 9th R3 R3 — — Tommy Mooney[43] 19
2001–02 C
Division 1
 46 16 11 19 62 56 59 14th R3 QF — — Tommy Smith[44] 11
2002–03 C
Division 1
 46 17 9 20 54 70 60 13th SF R1 — — Heiðar Helguson[45] 11
2003–04 C
Division 1
 46 15 12 19 54 68 57 16th R3 R2 — — Scott Fitzgerald[46] 10
2004–05 C
Championship
 46 12 16 18 52 59 52 18th R3 SF — — Heiðar Helguson[47] 20
2005–06 C
Championship ↑
 46 22 15 9 77 53 81 3rd*
[aa] 		R3 R3 — — Marlon King[ab] 22 ♦
2006–07 Premier League ↓ 38 5 13 20 29 59 28 20th SF R4 — — Hamer Bouazza[51] 7
2007–08 C
Championship
 46 18 16 12 62 56 70 6th*
[ac] 		R4 R2 — — Darius Henderson[53] 12
2008–09 C
Championship
 46 16 10 20 68 72 58 13th R5 R5 — — Tommy Smith[54] 17
2009–10 C
Championship
 46 14 12 20 61 68 54 16th R3 R2 — — Danny Graham[55] 14
2010–11 C
Championship
 46 16 13 17 77 71 61 14th R4 R2 — — Danny Graham[ad] 27 ♦
2011–12 C
Championship
 46 16 16 14 56 64 64 11th R4 R1 — — Troy Deeney[57] 12
2012–13 C
Championship
 46 23 8 15 85 58 77 3rd*
[ae] 		R3 R2 — — Matěj Vydra[59] 22
2013–14 C
Championship
 46 15 15 16 74 64 60 13th R4 R3 — — Troy Deeney[60] 25
2014–15 C
Championship ↑
 46 27 8 11 91 50 89 2nd R3 R2 — — Troy Deeney 21
2015–16 B
Premier League
 38 12 9 17 40 50 45 13th SF R2 — — Troy Deeney
Odion Ighalo 		17
2016–17 B
Premier League
 38 11 7 20 40 68 40 17th R4 R2 — — Troy Deeney 10
2017–18 B
Premier League
 38 11 8 19 44 64 41 14th R4 R2 — — Abdoulaye Doucoure 7
2018–19 B
Premier League
 38 14 8 16 52 59 50 11th F R3 — — Troy Deeney
Gerard Deulofeu 		11
2019–20 Premier League ↓ 38 8 10 20 36 64 34 19th R3 R4 — — Troy Deeney 10
2020–21 C
Championship ↑
 46 27 10 9 63 30 91 2nd R3 R3 — — Ismaïla Sarr 13
2021–22 Premier League ↓ 38 6 5 27 34 77 23 19th R3 R3 — — Emmanuel Dennis 10
2022–23 C
Championship
 46 16 15 15 56 53 63 11th R3 R2 — — João Pedro 11

Footnotes

Two middle-aged men, standing on a grass field
Maurice Cook (right) was Watford's top scorer in 1954–55.
A man wearing a predominantly black shirt and shorts, both with yellow and white patterns, standing on a grass field.
Heiðar Helguson was Watford's top scorer in 1999–2000, 2002–03 and 2004–05.
  1. ^ The Bucks & Contiguous Counties League was, as the name suggests, open to clubs in the vicinity of the county of Buckinghamshire. Other participants in the league included Wycombe Wanderers, Chesham Generals, Aylesbury United and Hitchin Town.[13]
  2. ^ The United League was contested by clubs from southern and eastern England, including Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Luton Town, Norwich City and Southampton.[14]
  3. ^ The semi-final of the Senior Cup was abandoned at 2–2, owing to crowd trouble after a St Albans goal was disallowed. Watford Rovers declined to contest the replay, in order "to prevent further ill-feeling."[19]
  4. ^ a b Seasons up to 1997–98 sourced to Watford Season by Season.[21] Seasons from 1998–99 onwards sourced to Statto.com.[22]
  5. ^ Divisions are sorted according to their level within the English football league system at the time.
  6. ^ a b From 1896–97 until 1980–81, two points were awarded for a win, and one for a draw. From the 1981–82 season onwards, three points have been awarded for a win.[20]
  7. ^ Beginning with the 1925–26 season, the FA Cup was structured so that the third round proper contained 64 teams. Prior to that date, the structure had varied, so rounds are not directly comparable to the round of the same name after 1925.[23]
  8. ^ In seasons when the club played in more than one league competition, league columns are sorted by the Southern League totals.
  9. ^ Goal tallies are for the competitions listed only; friendly matches are not included. Seasons up to 1997–98 are sourced to Watford Season by Season.[21] Subsequent seasons are sourced by inline citations.
  10. ^ a b c d e f The Southern Charity Cup was competed for by many professional clubs in London and the South-East of England from 1901 until 1915. From 1909–10 until the suspension of football for the First World War, the majority of Southern League clubs participated.[25]
  11. ^ Pagnam scored 30 goals in the Football League.[4]
  12. ^ As a result of finishing 21st out of 22 clubs, Watford had to apply for re-election to the Football League. They were unanimously re-elected by the 44 clubs in the First and Second Divisions.[27]
  13. ^ a b c Due to fixture congestion, the 1936–37 Third Division South Cup did not finish until October 1937. As it was officially part of 1936–37, Barnett's two goals in the 8–3 semi-final win against Notts County on 13 September 1937 are included in his 1936–37 goal tally; Jones' goal in the same fixture is not included in his 1937–38 tally. If this convention were reversed, both players would have remained Watford's top scorer in the respective seasons; Barnett in 1936–37 with 20 goals, Jones in 1937–38 with 16 goals.[28]
  14. ^ All Football League results were annulled upon the outbreak of war.[29]
  15. ^ Ralph Evans, George Lewis, Taffy Davies and William Law scored one Football League goal each. These were annulled upon the outbreak of war, and do not count towards the player's career totals. Watford's top scorer in 1939–40 wartime competitions—that is, excluding the Football League—was George Lewis with 29 goals.[29]
  16. ^ The goal tally given is for the FA Cup only. Including wartime matches, Watford's top scorer was George Lewis, with 27 goals.[31]
  17. ^ As a result of finishing 23rd out of 24 clubs, Watford had to apply for re-election to the Football League. They were unanimously re-elected by the 48 clubs in the First and Second Divisions.[32]
  18. ^ a b c d e The Southern Floodlit Cup was a midweek competition for professional clubs. Despite its name, clubs in the East Midlands also participated. The competition ceased in 1960, coinciding with the formation of the Football League Cup.[33]
  19. ^ Holton scored 42 goals in the Football League.[34]
  20. ^ Watford played Manchester United in a match to decide third place, losing 2–0.[8]
  21. ^ Jennings scored 26 goals in the Football League.[35]
  22. ^ Jenkins scored 29 goals in the Football League.[36]
  23. ^ The Group Cup was rebranded as the Football League Trophy for 1982–83 season, before being abolished completely. It should not be confused with the present day Football League Trophy.
  24. ^ Blissett scored 27 goals in the Football League.[37][38]
  25. ^ Watford faced Blackburn Rovers in the play-off semi-finals. The teams drew 1–1 on aggregate; Watford were eliminated on the away goals rule.[39]
  26. ^ Watford defeated Bolton Wanderers 2–0 in the 1999 Football League First Division play-off final, thereby earning promotion to the Premier League.[40]
  27. ^ Watford defeated Leeds United 3–0 in the 2006 Football League Championship play-off final, thereby earning promotion to the Premier League.[48]
  28. ^ King scored 21 goals during the regular season of the Football League. This tally – and King's status as the division's top scorer – does not include goals scored during the play-offs.[49][50]
  29. ^ Watford were defeated in the play-off semi-finals by Hull City, 6–1 on aggregate.[52]
  30. ^ Graham scored 24 goals in the Football League.[56]
  31. ^ Watford were defeated 1–0 in the play-off final by Crystal Palace.[58]

References

General

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

Specific

  1. ^ a b c Jones, Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who p. 9
  2. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 60–61
  3. ^ Phillips pp. 52–53
  4. ^ a b Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 69
  5. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 92–98
  6. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 101
  7. ^ Phillips pp. 196–223
  8. ^ a b c "Watford's FA Cup history". Watford Football Club. 26 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  9. ^ Jones, Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who pp. 275–276
  10. ^ "Graham Taylor profile". BBC Sport. 5 February 2002. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  11. ^ "Watford dismiss manager Lewington". BBC Sport. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  12. ^ "Boothroyd & Watford part company". BBC Sport. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  13. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 28–30
  14. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 42–45
  15. ^ a b Phillips pp. 12–15
  16. ^ a b c Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 7–13
  17. ^ Jones, Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who p. 11
  18. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 217
  19. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 11
  20. ^ a b "History of the Football League". The Football League. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  21. ^ a b Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 24–205
  22. ^ "Watford history 1975 to date". Tony Brown. Statto.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  23. ^ "The FA Cup Archive". The Football Association. Retrieved 2 December 2011. Individual seasons accessed via dropdown menu.
  24. ^ "Watford's League Cup history". Watford Football Club. 14 December 2008. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  25. ^ Carder, Tim & Harris, Roger (1993). Seagulls! The Story of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Hove: Goldstone Books. pp. 54, 326. ISBN 0-9521337-0-9.
  26. ^ a b Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 208
  27. ^ Inglis, Simon (1988). League Football and the Men Who Made It. Willow Books. p. 132. ISBN 0-00-218242-4.
  28. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 96
  29. ^ a b Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 209
  30. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 209–215
  31. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 214
  32. ^ Twdell, Dave (2001). Denied F.C.: The Football League Election Struggles. Yore Publications. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-874427-98-8.
  33. ^ Rundle, Richard. "Southern Professional Floodlit Cup summary". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  34. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 129
  35. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 157
  36. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 167
  37. ^ Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 175
  38. ^ "This week in history ~ Division One, April 9, 1983". When Saturday Comes. 9 April 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
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