Watford Football Club

Watford Football Club is a professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. The club currently competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English club football. The club played their home games at several locations before moving into Vicarage Road in 1922. They enjoy a long-standing rivalry with nearby Luton Town F.C. Since the formation of the Premier League in 1992, Watford have spent eight seasons in English football’s topflight, with their longest stint coming between 2015 and 2020. They were last in the Premier League during the 2021/2022 season but were relegated and have competed in the Championship since the 2022/23 campaign.

Watford FC Updates

Watford have been in the EFL Championship since their relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2021/2022 season. During the 2022/23 Championship season they had three different managers and finished the season in eleventh place in the table, six points off the Play-Offs. The following campaign, the 2023/24 season saw them finish in fifteenth position, seventeen points off the Top Six.

So far in the 2024/25 EFL Championship season the club sit in sixth place under Head Coach, former player Tom Cleverley. They have won five of their first nine matches, losing three and drawing one. Cleverley’s team have scored fourteen goals and conceded fourteen.

Watford FC Signings

Watford were extremely busy over the summer transfer window bringing in thirteen players into their first team squad. Experienced players like box-to-box midfielder Moussa Sissoko former West Ham centre half Angelo Ogbonna and returning goalkeeper Jonathan Bond were all added to the squad.

Those experienced players have been complimented by the additions of young and exciting talents for the future in Kevin Keben, Mamadou Doumbia and Kayky. Festy Ebosele, Yaser Larouchi and Vakoun Bayo have been brought in on loan from Udinese to provide squad depth in the wing back positions and up front, while England U-20 international forward Daniel Jebbison has also been brought in on a season long loan from Bournemouth.

Player	Age	Nationality	Left	Fee £	Contract Duration
Pierre Dwomoh	20	Belgian	Royal Antwerp	1,000,000	4 Years
Kevin Keben	20	Cameroon	Toulouse	500,000	4 Years
Kayky Almeida	19	Brazilian	Fluminense	1,000,000	5 Years
Rocco Vata	19	Ireland	Celtic	250,000	4 Years
Moussa Sissoko	34	France	FC Nantes	0	2 Years
Angelo Ogbonna	36	Italy	West Ham	0	1 Year
Mamadou Doumbia	18	Mali	Black Stars	Undisclosed	5 Years
Festy Ebosele	22	Ireland	Udinese	Loan	1 Year
Yasser Larouchi	23	France	Troyes	Loan	1 Year
Vakoun Bayo	27	Cote d’Ivoire	Udinese	Loan	1 Year
Daniel Jebbison	21	England	Bournemouth	Loan	1 Year
Antonio Tikvic	20	Croatia	Udinese	Loan	1 Year
Jonathan Bond	31	England	Unattached	0	1 Year

Watford FC Key Matches of the season

Watford have had an impressive start to the season under Tom Cleverley with just a couple of blips along the way so far at Norwich and Preston. Their form against the other fancied sides for the Top Six places will be crucial, as will their home form at Vicarage Rd. If they can turn their ground into a fortress for the rest of the season, they can be there or there abouts come the end of the season.

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Watford FC Key achievements

Watford really came to prominence under Graham Taylor in the 1970s and 1980s. A period in the Second and Third tiers followed before Taylor returned in the late 1990’s to bring the club back to the top tier of English football. A period of financial instability nearly cost the club in the early 2000s before their longest stint in England’s topflight between 2015 and 2020.

• Fourth Division Winners 1977/1978
• Third Division Winners 1968/69, 1997/98
• Second Division/First Division/Championship Runners Up 1981/82, 2014/15, 2020/21
• First Division/Premier League Runners Up 1982/83
• FA Cup Runners Up 1983/84, 2018/2019

Watford FC Current Squad

Watford currently possess an exciting squad that has a good blend of players with good potential to take Watford high in the table along with some good older more experienced players who have been in pressurised positions in their careers.

Watford FC Attackers

Watford have a number of good quality attacking players in their squad this season. Players such as Tom Ince, Kwadwo Baah and Giorgi Chakvetadze are certainly players that can lift Watford up the table this season. Ince and Chakvetadze have done well up to now, and if Tom Cleverley can get Vakoun Bayo and Daniel Jebbison contributing as well, Watford could give anyone a game in the Championship.

Watford FC Midfielders

Watford are well stocked with high-profile players in their midfield ranks this season. Moussa Sissoko has returned to the club and along with Tom Dele-Bashiru, Edo Kayembe and Imran Louza, the club have great options for Tom Cleverley to choose from when it comes to picking his midfielders. On the flanks they are also well stocked with wide players and wing backs, with the likes of Ryan Andrews and Yasser Larouchi already providing goals and assists.

Watford FC Defenders

Tom Cleverly can call on the likes of former West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna, Scottish international Ryan Porteous and Mattie Pollack in his preferred three-man defence this season. Those three aided by James Morris and Francisco Sierralta mean the club have good options at centre half for the season ahead.

Watford FC Goal Keepers

Both Watford captain Daniel Bachmann and Jonathan Bond have featured regularly for the team this season. Bond has started the last four matches after an injury to Bachmann during the 4-1 defeat to Norwich. Bond only returned to the club during the summer transfer window after leaving back in 2015.

Watford Managing and Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Tom Cleverley

The man at the helm of Watford’s first team this season is former Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley, in his first job as a Head Coach. Cleverley took interim charge of the team after the dismissal of Valerien Ismael on March 09^th but soon found himself in charge on a permanent basis after an impressive start to his managerial career.

The former Manchester United midfielder who was capped on thirteen occasions for the England team has set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation for much of his time in charge, trying to use his wide men to create chances for his forwards. Cleverley wants his team to control possession in the opposition half and use through balls to create chances.

Cleverley is assisted in the first team by several coaches and assistants. These include:

Assistant Coach: Paul Robinson

Robinson who made over 200 League appearances for the Hornets as a player returned as Assistant Coach in October 2024. After making his debut for the club as a 17-year-old, Robinson went on to play for West Brom, Bolton and Leeds United, before finishing his playing career at Birmingham City.

His coaching career began at Birmingham after he had retired before joining Gary Rowett at Millwall in 2021.

Assistant Head Coach: Damon Lathrope

Lathrope was appointed as Assistant Head Coach of Watford in May 2024, having been the interim Assistant Coach from March 2024. Lathrope is a former professional footballer who turned to coaching after his playing career was curtailed by injury

First Team Coach: Alberto Garrido

Garrido was appointed to the position of First Team Coach at Watford ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. The Spaniard joined Watford after working at Real Madrid Castilla, Real Madrid’s reserve side for over 15 years. In his role at the Spanish giants, Garrido worked closely with the club’s younger players, with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Achraf Hakimi, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo all featuring for Madrid Castilla during his time there.

Watford FC Former Managers & Key Coaches

Graham Taylor

• Taylor took over the club in the Fourth Division in 1977 and led them to promotion to the Third Division in 1978.
• Promoted to the Second Division in 1979
• Promoted to the First Division for the first time in the club’s history in 1982.
• While in the First Division, Taylor led the club to a Second-place finish in 1983.
• He also guided them to the 1984 FA Cup Final, where they were beaten 2-0 by Everton.
• Taylor left in 1987 and under the six subsequent managers, the club slid from 9^th in the First Division in 1987 to 13^th in the third tier of English football in 1997.
• Taylor returned as manager ahead of the 1997/98 season and led them to two consecutive promotions.
• They were relegated and he left once more in 2001.

Ken Furphy 1964 - 1971

• Joined as Player-Manager in 1964.
• Led Watford to Third Division title in 1969.
• Took the club to its first FA Cup semi-final in 1970.
• Furphy departed as manager in 1971.

Aidy Boothroyd 2005 - 2008

• Boothroyd was appointed as Watford manager as a thirty-four-year-old back in March 2005.
• He led the club back to the Premier League via the Playoffs in 2006, defeating Leeds 3-0 in the Playoff decider.
• Watford finished 20^th in the Premier League in the 2006/07 season and were relegated.
• He departed as boss in November 2008.

Javi Gracia 2018 - 2019

• Gracia took over the club after the dismissal of Marco Silva in January of 2018.
• Led the team to safety in the Premier League during the 2017/18 season.
• Finished in eleventh place in the Premier League in the 2018/19 campaign, the club’s highest finish since 1987.
• Gracia guided the club to the 2019 FA Cup Final, losing 6-0 to Manchester City.
• Gracia was sacked in September 2019.

Watford FC Legends

Throughout the years Watford have had some fine players take to the field at Vicarage Road. Some of these figures have even gone on to become legends at the Football club. Revered for what they brought the fans. Let’s look at some of Watford’s biggest legends.

Luther Blissett 1975 - 1983, 1984 - 1988, 1991 - 1993

Blissett’s name has become synonymous with Watford Football Club after his wonderful career for the club that spanned three different spells. The striker is not only one of the best players to have played for the club, but he is also the club’s record goal scorer with 186 goals in 503 appearances. A forward with a knack of being in the right place, Blissett’s contribution to Watford’s glorious rise under Graham Taylor will never be forgotten by Watford fans.

John Barnes 1981 - 1987

Barnes is arguably the most famous player to have played for Watford throughout their history. His career in a Watford shirt bas well his appearances for Liverpool after his subsequent move to Anfield make the former English international a bona fide legend of English football.  A winger with silky skills and blistering pace, Barnes thrived under Graham Taylor helping the club to a second placed finish in the 1982/83 First Division.

Tony Coton 1984 - 1990

Former Watford goalkeeper Coton joined the club in 1984 under legendary boss Graham Taylor and would go on to make 233 appearances for the club from 1984 - 1990. Winning the club’s Player of the Season three times during his spell, Coton was the second player to be inducted into Watford’s Hall of Fame after Luther Blissett.

Troy Deeney 2010 - 2021

Deeney is a modern-day Watford legend. Known for his leadership, hunger and never die spirit, Deeney scored 140 goals during his Watford career, after joining from Walsall in 2010. Deeney would captain the team to promotion in 2015 alongside the 2019 FA Cup Final. He will also be forever known for that goal against Leicester in the play-off semi-final in 2013.

Ross Jenkins 1972 - 1983

Jenkins was a towering figure in Watford’s attack during the 1970’s and early 80’s. Having come through at Crystal Palace, Jenkins joined Watford in 1972 and was with the club as they embarked on their legendary journey from the Fourth Division right up to the First. Jenkins finished his Watford career with 142 goals in over 400 appearances for the club.

Watford FC Team Metrics and Performance

Watford’s most recent seasons in the EFL Championship before this season have been the 2022/23 season and the 2023/24 campaign.

2023/24 Team Performance

The 2023/24 season once again saw Watford playing Championship football. They had two different managers over the course of the season with Tom Cleverley replacing Valerian Ismael in March. The club finished 15^th out of the 24 clubs in the Championship. Watford scored 61 goals and concede 61 goals in 46 matches. They won 13 of their 46 games, for a win percentage of 28.26%. They also lost 16 and drew 17 matches. Mileta Rajovic top scored with 10 League goals, and they had 14 clean sheets in 46 games.

2022/23 Team Performance

During the 2022/23 season the club had three different managers Rob Edwards, Slaven Bilic and Chris Wilder and finished the season in eleventh place. They scored 56 goals and conceded 53 in 46 matches in the Championship. They won 16 of their 46 games a win percentage of 34.78%, lost 15 and drew 15 games. Joao Pedro was their top League goal scorer with 11 goals, and they kept 16 clean sheets in 46 fixtures.

Read how the team at the https://therealefl.co.uk/ thinks Watford will fare in 2024/25 by reading their 2024/25 EFL Championship at https://therealefl.co.uk/2024/07/26/the-real-efl-2024-25-championship-prediction/

Watford FC Pitch and Amenities

Vicarage Road is a 22,000 all-seater stadium that has been home to Watford F.C. since 1922. It is a traditional four-sided British ground with open corners. The tightness of the crowd to the pitch means that it can be quite an intimidating place for opposition teams to play when the crowd is up.

The four stands of the stadium are named The Graham Taylor Stand, The Sir Elton John Stand, The Vicarage Rd Stand and the Rookery Stand.

Watford FC Fan Base and Support

As the appeal of English football continues to grow worldwide, clubs like Watford must be innovative to attract their slice of the supporter pie. The growth in popularity of Watford around the world is illustrated by the number of fan groups dedicated to the Hornets that are cropping up all over the world. With the news that the Pozzo family have put 10% of the club up for sale to fans and investors, fans of the club could now own part of the club that they love so much.

To find out more information about any of the listed Watford Supporters Groups check out the supporters’ page on the Watford website.

Watford FC Rivalries and Notable Matches

Watford maintain a close fought rivalry with Luton Town. Throughout the 1960s and 70s the rivalry grew in significance following a hotly tempered match between the sides in 1969, in which three players were sent off. Both sides won promotion to the First Division in the 1981-82 season with Luton winning the Division ahead of Watford, while both were relegated to Division 2 in 1995/96. Watford’s promotion to Division 1 meant that the two sides didn’t meet again in the League until the 2005/06 season.

Watford earned a point against Luton in Kenilworth Rd on April 9^th, 2006, which secured Watford’s place in the playoffs, from which they got promoted to the Premier League. Over the next 14 years Watford played at a higher level than their rivals before the League rivalry resumed in the 2020/21 season. Watford played Premier League football in 2021/22 while Luton were in the Premier League during the 2023/24 season. Both clubs are now in the 2024/25 EFL Championship.

Watford FC Facts

Watford FC History

Watford is a football club from Hertfordshire in England. Formed in 1881 as Watford Rovers, the club entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886. During its early years the club played in the Southern Football League and became the club we know today as Watford Football Club in April 1898. In 1920, they resigned from the Southern Football League to join the newly formed Football League Third Division. Waford would remain part of the Third Division until the Football was restructured in 1958, when they were placed in the newly formed Fourth Division. They achieved promotion to the Third Division in 1960 and would remain there until 1969, when managed by Ken Furphy, they got promoted to the Second Division.

Financial struggles meant two more relegations back to the Fourth Division, before lifelong Watford fan and famous musician Elton John became club chairman in 1976. The singer declared an ambition to get to the First Division and hired Graham Taylor as manager with the club in the Fourth tier. Taylor would achieve promotion in his first season, before another promotion to the second Division in 1979. They then achieved their chairman’s ambition by getting promoted to the First Division in 1982. Watford finished their maiden top tier season in 2^nd place behind Liverpool, ensuring qualification for the 1983/84 UEFA Cup. An FA Cup Final appearance followed in 1984 but a spell in the doldrums would follow Graham Taylor’s departure in 1987.

Graham Taylor returned in 1997, and they won the Second Division, followed by another promotion that brought them into the Premiership for the first time. They were relegated straight back down and financial troubles would hang over the club until Aidy Boothroyd led them back to the Premier League in 2006. They struggled in the topflight however, and finished 20^th, heading straight back down at the first attempt.

The club was taken over by the Pozzo family in 2012. Under the ownership of the Pozzo family, the club got promoted back to the Premier League in 2015 and stayed there until the end of the 2019/20 season. They got promoted again in 2021 but have been in the Championship since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Watford FC Social Media Links

Keep up to date with the club as you are on the move by following the club on social media or downloading the Watford F.C. app

Check out the club’s official website at https://www.watfordfc.com/ or follow them on X https://x.com/WatfordFC

Frequently Asked Questions on Watford Football Club

Is Watford a big Club?

Watford has a long tradition in the English club game. Though they have never won England’s topflight or any domestic cup, the club became famous in the 1970s and 1980s under Grahm Taylor with players such as John Barnes and Luther Blissett.

How much is Watford FC Worth?

Watford is judged to be worth about £175 million after 10% of the club was put up for sale by the owners at a price of approximately £17.5 million.

Has Watford FC ever won the Premier League?

No, Watford have never won England’s top division. Their best performance was 2^nd place in the old First Division in 1982/83.

What does Watford FC nickname mean?

The Hornets became the nickname of the club in 1959 when fans picked it as the new nickname to replace their old name of the Brewers after the club’s shirt colour was changed to gold and black.