Featured post

1st November 2025- Championship, Watford 3 Middlesbrough 0

Watford Observer: Team news: Gracia on niggles, Maamma, Chakvetadze and centre-back options

‘Take care of the details’ – Gracia on how Watford can become consistent force

Gracia knows young players need time but warns competition is on

Rob Edwards reflects on ‘frustrating’ Watford spell but believes exit was right

Gracia: Vicarage Road has to be our ‘extra power’

Match Wrap: Watford 3-0 Middlesbrough – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: Watford 3-0 Middlesbrough

Match Report: Watford beat Middlesbrough 3-0 with clinical display

Vata injury the ‘only bad thing’ to come from Middlesbrough win

Gracia on Middlesbrough win: ‘We showed a hunger, an attitude’

Louza: ‘Gracia has brought the spirit we’ve missed for years’

Scoring first and strong vibes: Five talking points from Watford 3-0 Middlesbrough

Edwards reveals Middlesbrough worked to stop exactly what led to Watford goals

BBC: Rob Edwards left Vicarage Road frustrated again after Middlesbrough’s promotion hopes were dented by his old club Watford. Edwards was back at Vicarage Road for the first time since his sacking in 2022 after just 11 matches. And the Boro boss left disappointed again as the Teessiders missed a great chance to move level on points with Coventry City at the top of the Championship.

Sky: Pacy winger Kwadwo Baah ran 60 yards with the ball, beat Matt Targett down the outside and his cut-back was fired home by Watford captain Louza, whose pass had instigated the breakaway, for his fifth goal in seven games.

BHappy: There’s nowhere to hide with a formation that’s less 4-4-2 than 4-2-4. The excitement at the prospect was tempered by the memory of the flimsy defending that contributed to at least two of the goals last weekend and the knowledge that we were again up against one of the division’s strongest sides the like of whom we’ve largely gotten away without playing thus far thanks to a quirk of the fixture list.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The main criticism last week against Coventry was that the Hornets were not clinical enough in front of goal, and the defence was porous. Neither was the case in this game. The Hornets took their chances brilliantly and gave Middlesbrough no space to play. The defence looked well organised and when the visitors did create chances, Selvik was superb. Baah was back to his best, belting down the right wing and putting in some great balls, particularly for Louza’s goal. Ngakia also found space down the right and his cross for Kjerrumgaard’s goal was sublime. Luca had his best game for some time and capped it with a brace, even if he didn’t know much about the second goal. Pollock was very solid and the defence looked like a unit, finally keeping a clean sheet. In fact, Gracia has got us looking like a team again rather than the group of individuals that we saw under Pezzolano. That and the attacking approach has been very pleasing. The only negative was the injury to Vata. He has been a joy to watch in recent weeks, so I hope he is not out for long.

From the Rookery End: On this weekend’s FTRE, Jon, Jason, Kieran and Jordi shelter from the rain as they stand outside Vicarage Road to celebrate a dominant 3–0 win over Middlesbrough — and Rob Edwards’ return. The team unpack a near-perfect display under Javi, from Selvik’s superb save to Bola’s standout performance against his old club, Louza’s growing influence, and a front line that finally clicked.

Featured post

1st November 2014- Championship, Watford 3 Millwall 1

1 Reply

The 100 year anniversary of the outbreak of World War One was commemorated at this game. Our change shirt for the season was based on our kit from 1914 and was worn specially at the game. Before kick off The Last Post was played followed by two minutes silence which turned into applause during which all those in the Rookery Stand held up foil banners to make an enormous display of a poppy on a black and white background.

Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary   Goals: 1  2  3

Watford moved two points clear at the top of the Championship with victory over Millwall at Vicarage Road.

The afternoon got under way with a poignant remembrance commemoration, which involved the Rookery end of the ground being transformed into a giant poppy as more than 6,000 foils were held aloft.

Martyn Woolford had fired the visitors into an early lead, but Matej Vydra equalised before Daniel Tozser gave the Hornets the lead shortly before the interval. Slavisa Jokanovic’s men were largely comfortable in the second half and made sure of the points when Gianni Munari netted a third.

So perhaps stability doesn’t equal success after all. Watford may be on their fourth manager of the season but they are also on top of the Championship after coming from behind to win and maintain Slavisa Jokanovic’s unbeaten start as the latest incumbent of the home dugout.

It’s been a little while since I was last here; the usual excuses apply. I’ve missed two managers in that time…but if I’m honest, I’ve quietly enjoyed our little spell as the division’s in-joke. No better way to remind ourselves of how far we’ve come under these owners than to wipe the egg from our faces and have a look in the mirror; the in-joke within the in-joke is that far from being the next basket-case to trouble When Saturday Comes’ “Clubs in Crisis” page, we appear to be thoroughly good shape. The point is emphasised by the pre-match remembrance display, indicative of an administration that’s doing significantly more than the bare minimum and is being solidly backed by fans as a consequence. (That’s hardly the main purpose, of course, but there’s no shame in feeling proud of good intentions.)

http://watford.fcdb.info?s=35051&id=5136
https://oldwatford.com/2019/04/27/27th-april-2019-premier-league-watford-1-wolverhampton-wanderers-2/
Featured post

1st November 2011- Championship, Watford 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 0

Leave a Reply
Scan 108
Scan 109
Scan 110
Scan 111
Scan 112
Scan 113
Scan 114
Scan 115
Scan 116
Scan 117
Scan 118
Scan 119
Scan 120
Scan 121
Scan 122
Scan 123
Scan 124
Scan 125
Scan 126
Scan 127
Scan 128
Scan-129-4.jpeg
Scan 130
Scan 131
Scan 132
Scan 133
Scan 134
Scan 135
Scan 136
Scan 137
Scan 138
Scan 139
Scan 140
Scan 141
Scan 142
Scan 143
Scan 144
Scan 145
Scan 146
Scan 147
Scan 148
Scan 149

BBC SportA 77th-minute goal from Troy Deeney helped struggling Watford to an important win over Brighton.

BHappy image23:45 London Charing Cross Station. It’s bloody late and it’s only going to get later. Somewhere ahead, two hours into the darkness at the end of the line, is Hastings, a warm, soft bed and what’ll remain of a night’s sleep. Here, there’s me and an old laptop with a fading battery and a tosser on a mobile phone talking very loudly about fancy dress costumes. Midweek games are brutal; commitment is required.

http://watford.fcdb.info?s=35051&id=4982
Screen Shot 2018-10-29 at 21.10.22
Screen Shot 2018-10-29 at 21.09.33
Featured post

1st November 2008- Championship, Watford 3 Blackpool 4

Leave a Reply

Aidy Boothroyd’s final programme notes

Blackpool equalised three times before Alan Gow’s last-gasp winner.

Will Hoskins, Grzegorz Rasiak and Tommy Smith from the penalty spot all put Watford in front at various stages of a thrilling game.

Of all the decent players that have left the club over the past few years, the one you’d have back quickest – with the possible exception of Ben Foster – and with a few fewer miles on the clock, would be Malky Mackay.  Which begs the question… how can a defence that is being “coached” by Mackay look as utterly, comprehensively, incapable of doing the job?

Watford have appointed reserve-team coach Malky Mackay as caretaker manager following the departure of Adrian Boothroyd last night. Mackay will be assisted by first-team coach Martin Hunter while the club search for a suitable replacement for Boothroyd.

http://watford.fcdb.info?s=35051&id=4831
Featured post

1st November 2005- Championship, Watford 3 Queens Park Rangers 1

Leave a Reply
Scan 65
Scan 66
Scan 67
Scan 68
Scan 69
Scan 70
Scan 71
Scan 72
Scan 73
Scan 74
Scan 75
Scan 76
Scan 77
Scan 78
Scan 79
Scan 81
Scan 82
Scan 83
Scan 84
Scan 85
Scan 86
Scan 87
Scan 88
Scan 89
Scan 90
Scan 91
Scan 92
Scan 93
Scan 94
Scan 95
Scan 96
Scan 97
Scan 98
Scan 99
Scan 100
Scan 101
Scan 102
Scan 103
Scan 104
Scan 105
Scan 106
Scan 107

BBC SportWatford midfielder Ashley Young struck his 10th goal of the season as the Hornets eased to a comfortable victory.

guardian“If anyone underestimated us at the start of the season they won’t be doing it now because we’re third,” said their manager Adrian Boothroyd. “And if they do so, they do it at their peril.” Where Boothroyd’s challenge at the start of the campaign was to raise his squad’s spirits, now he must prevent them from soaring out of sight.

BSAD imageBSAD report: For the game itself, both sides had one change to their starting line ups from Saturday’s wins. Watford replaced Darius Henderson, who was on the bench (meaning “bunch of red seats in front of the shack”), with Anthony McNamee. McNamee had substituted Henderson against Wolves. Rangers included former Villa striker Stefan Moore in place of Paul Furlong who was dismissed at Derby on Saturday for kicking Derby’s Wigan loanee Emerson Thome where it hurts most.

http://watford.fcdb.info?s=35051&id=4682
Screen Shot 2018-10-27 at 22.24.13
Screen Shot 2018-10-27 at 22.23.17
Featured post

1st November 2003- New Division One, Watford 1 Rotherham United 0

Leave a Reply

Danny Webber claimed his fourth goal of the campaign as his solitary strike earned Watford the victory over Rotherham, despite the heroics of the visitors’ stand-in goalkeeper Gary Montgomery.

You’d rather hope that our ambitions might stretch a little further than that, of course. Being a bit better than Bradford isn’t exactly a towering achievement, after all. But it’ll do for now, I guess. For all that the season started with fairly high expectations, not being in the bottom three seems like a useful point from which to begin again. It could be worse. And it might get better.

http://watford.fcdb.info?s=35051&id=4575
Featured post

1st November 1997-New Division Two, Watford 4 Blackpool 1

Leave a Reply
http://watford.fcdb.info?s=35051&id=4270

BSAD imageBSAD report: Micah Hyde and Richard Johnson ran this game. When that’s allowed to happen, the Hornets become an altogether more effective outfit – the difference is in the quantity of supply to the flanks and the quality of supply to the forwards. It’s obvious that Ronny Rosenthal and Gifton Noel-Williams ought to profit from such circumstances but, perhaps more than anyone, it also brings the best out of Jason Lee.

Screen Shot 2016-10-31 at 17.12.53.pngScreen Shot 2016-10-31 at 17.13.41.png

Featured post

1st November 1969- Division Two, Watford 2 Birmingham City 3

Leave a Reply

This game saw the opening of the extension to the main stand.

http://watford.fcdb.info?s=35058&id=2802
Evening Standard, 1 Nov 1969
Sunday Sun, 2 Nov 1969

Watford Observer match report

Screen Shot 2017-10-31 at 17.12.33
Screen Shot 2017-10-31 at 17.12.11

24th October 2026- Championship, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Kenny Jackett to be remembered as Watford travel to Molineux

Alessio Dionisi says Watford squad in high spirits

Alessio Dionisi issues positive Watford fitness update

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: Wolves 1-0 Watford: Hornets fall to defeat

Match report: Wolves 1-0 Watford: Hornets get dominated

Alessio Dionisi frustrated by lack of courage in Wolves defeat

Alessio Dionisi offers Watford fitness update after Wolves loss

BBC: Adam Armstrong scored the only goal as Wolves edged out struggling Watford at Molineux to cut the gap to the Championship promotion places.

Sky: Defeat for Watford – one of only two Championship teams without an away win this season – left them with one point out of 18 on their travels. They have lost seven of their last nine games, conceding 17 goals, and they forced just one save out of Jose Sa.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The conditions were appalling with strong winds and a swirling rain, but both teams had to deal with the same conditions, so the Hornets cannot use that as an excuse. We have another game on the road next week and I fear that Norwich will be another team who will have their season kick-started by a visit from the Hornets. I hope I am wrong.

From the Rookery End: Another away day, another defeat—and the same familiar questions. Jon, Adam, Charlie and Colin reflect on Watford’s 1–0 loss at Wolves, a woeful first half and the mounting pressure on Alessio Dionisi.

17th October 2026- Championship, Watford 2 Charlton Athletic 0

Watford Observer: Alessio Dionisi slams ‘fake news’ after sack claim

Alessio Dionisi unaware of Watford ownership frustrations

Mattie Pollock led Watford support of boss Alessio Dionisi

Gino Pozzo discusses everything Watford-related

Alessio Dionisi braced for ‘very strong’ Charlton Athletic mentality

Watford Observer: Matchday as it happened: Watford 2-0 Charlton Athletic: Hornets bounce back

Match report: Watford 2-0 Charlton Athletic – Hornets bounce back

‘Today, I drink’ – Alessio Dionisi celebrates Watford win

Sir Elton John hails bounce-back Watford triumph

BBC: Watford ended their run of four straight Championship defeats as goals from Luca Kjerrumgaard and Jordan Zemura gave them victory over Charlton Athletic.

Sky: Despite the mood of insurrection swirling around Pozzo on social media, protests against his 14-year ownership outside the ground before kick-off were limited.

BHappy: In the distance, walking away from me, someone is holding up a placard. He does an impressive job of keeping his arms raised until he reaches the Red Lion, at which point he turns to reveal the slogan that had been guessable from the outset. He keeps his arms raised for a few seconds, scouring the area defiantly as if waiting for the club’s owner to emerge from behind a burger van, before heading into the pub for a pint.

Fran’s Watford Blog: After shipping nine goals in the last two games, it was a relief to get a win as well as our first clean sheet of the season. It was a very good performance from the Hornets and a well-deserved win. Charlton were very physical, so it was great to see the lads unfazed by that and unafraid to fight for the ball. It was an energetic, attacking performance, which was a throw-back to the start of the season and lovely to see. There were some excellent individual performances. Bravo was a joy to watch, constantly breaking forward and creating chances. When he went off injured, my friend commented that he had been a victim of bullying. He wasn’t wrong. He had been targeted all game, and Skipp had to be withdrawn as he was in danger of seeing red while dealing with him. Kyprianou also had a good game, acting as the midfield fulcrum that we know he can be but haven’t seen much recently. Kayembe had his best game in some time, another player who was making regular forward breaks and he wasn’t afraid to shoot and was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet. Ravaglia had very little to do, but what he did, he did very well. The defence were solid and this was certainly partly a result of the cohesion in the midfield. All in all, it was a very good team performance, which was pleasing to see after the recent games when we saw a disjointed group of individuals.

From the Rookery End: Watford responded to a turbulent week with a much-needed 2-0 victory over Charlton, giving supporters something to smile about after a difficult run of results.

13th October 2026- Championship, Cardiff City 5 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Alessio Dionisi calls for hard work to improve Watford’s form

Watford Observer: Matchday LIVE: Cardiff City 5-1 Watford: Kyprianou pulls one back

Match report: Cardiff City 5-1 Watford: No change, no response

Alessio Dionisi insists questions over Watford future are not for him

Alessio Dionisi set to stay as Watford head coach

BBC: Cardiff City thrashed Watford 5-1 as the Hornets’ worrying slump continued and prompted fans voicing their anger at the club’s ownership.

Sky: This was a fourth defeat in a row and the sixth in the last seven games. With Burnley continuing their revival with a draw at home against Charlton it meant Dionisi’s side slipped to 22nd in the table while the Bluebirds flew up to 18th.

Fran’s Watford Blog: A Cardiff fan before the game had said that both teams would probably lose, but it would be a goal fest as both defences were woeful. He was right on one point. It was another poor performance by the Hornets. I can accept being beaten by a team that is clearly much better than us, but that has not been the case in recent games. Moylan was clinical in front of goal, but the goals were all the result of lapses in concentration giving the ball away, or the failure of the defence to deal with balls into the box.

From the Rookery End: After two humiliating defeats, nine goals conceded and a remarkable few days that have seen Sir Elton John and former players speak out, Jon, Jason, David and Mike come together for a very different kind of Debrief. There’s anger and frustration, but also a deep sadness about what supporting Watford has become. Has the club reached a tipping point? Can the growing unrest among supporters bring about meaningful change? And what, if anything, can Gino Pozzo say to restore the trust that appears to have been lost?

10th October 2026- Championship, Watford 0 Burnley 4

Watford Observer: Alessio Dionisi confirms major Watford fitness boost ahead of Burnley clash

Alessio Dionisi excited for Watford’s Vicarage Road return against Burnley

Watford to pay tribute to Kevin Miller ahead of Burnley clash

Watford Observer: Matchday as it happened: Watford 0-4 Burnley

Match report: Watford suffer heavy home defeat against Burnley

“I’m sorry” – Alessio Dionisi issues apology after Burnley thrashing

Sir Elton John says he is “very upset” about recent Watford decline

BBC: Burnley thrashed Watford at Vicarage Road to secure a first league victory of the season and climb off the foot of the Championship.

Sky: When Stoke won 2-1 at Vicarage Road last month, it ended 251 days without a win on the road for the Potters. Here, Watford extended more charity to the Clarets, who ended 241 days without an away win comfortably.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause for Kevin Miller who recently passed away at a tragically young age. It was impeccably observed.

From the Rookery End: A disastrous afternoon at Vicarage Road saw Watford fall to a 4–0 defeat against Burnley, leaving supporters with plenty of questions about where the Hornets go from here.

Following the game Troy Deeney made this comment on Instagram about the club’s current direction.

Watford Observer: Troy Deeney says ‘the writing is on the wall’ for Watford after Burnley thrashing

Troy Deeney issues Watford captaincy advice after Burnley loss

Sir Elton John then made a comment on Instagram that was widely reported.

BBC: Elton John ‘upset and disappointed’ with Watford form

Watford Observer: Sir Elton John says he is ‘very upset’ about recent Watford decline

The 1881 and Proud Hornets supporters group as well as the Watford Supporters Board released statements exprssing concern about the current direction of the club.