WATFORD F.C.
Founded: 1881
Also Known As:
WATFORD ROVERS (1881-90)
WEST HERTS (1890-98)
WATFORD (1898-)
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WATFORD F.C. (Football Club)
Included Info: Brief History, Club/Stadium Info, Team Jersey & Much More...
BRIEF HISTORY of WATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB
(reproduced from 'Wikipedia' pages)
Watford Rovers was formed in 1881 by Henry Groverand, who went on to play for the club as a full-back.
Rovers, originally composed entirely of amateur players, held home games at several locations in the town
of Watford. 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. 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.
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. Watford finished
outside the top six league positions in every season between 1922 and 1934. 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.
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. In 1969, Watford secured the league title in April, at home to Plymouth Argyle. A year later
Watford reached the FA Cup semi-final for the first time, defeating First Division teams Stoke City and Liverpool
along the way. 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.
Lifelong Watford supporter Elton John became club chairman in 1976. The singer declared an ambition to take the
team into the First Division. In the 1976-77, 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. 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. 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. 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. An FA Cup
final appearance followed in 1984, although Watford lost to Everton.
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CLUB FACTS & INFORMATION
| Official Name
| --
| Watford F.C. |
| Club Nickname
| --
| The Hornets |
| Year Founded
| --
| 1881 (136 years ago) |
| English County
| --
| Hertfordshire |
| Current Ground
| --
| Vicarage Road |
| Ground Location
| --
| Watford, England |
| Club's Owner
| --
| Gino Pozzo |
| Club Chairman
| --
| Scott Duxbury |
| Current Manager
| --
| Marco Silva |
| Current League
| --
| Premier League |
| Last Season
| --
| Premier League, 17th place |
HOME COLORS
Yellow & Black |
AWAY COLORS
Black w/White Trim |
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INTERESTING STADIUM FACTS & INFORMATION
VICARAGE ROAD STADIUM
Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18-0ER, England
OPENED: ......... August 30, 1922
SURFACE: ........ Desso GrassMaster
COST: .............. not available
CAPACITY: ...... 23,700
RECORD: ......... 34,099 (1969 vs Manchester United)
OWNER: ........... Watford F.C.
OPERATOR: ..... Watford F.C.
FIELD SIZE: ..... 115 x 75 yards (105 x 69 meters)
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HOME JERSEY
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AWAY JERSEY
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Vicarage Road (Watford) Seating Diagram
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WATFORD STADIUM WALLPAPERS (Free Download)
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