Featured post

26th October 2024- Championship, Watford 1 Blackburn Rovers 0

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1

Report: Watford 1-0 Blackburn Rovers – Watford FCDownload

BBC: Watford extended their unbeaten home league record to 10 games with a narrow 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Sky: Rovers, managed by former Watford captain John Eustace, had two great chances to take the points and cement a place in the top six but Dominic Hyam and Andreas Weimann were left cursing their luck.

Watford Observer: Watford 1 Blackburn 0 minute-by-minute match report

RECAP: Watford 1 Blackburn 0

Kayembe was Watford’s third choice penalty-taker on Saturday

Watford boss says home win doesn’t mean derby is forgotten

A victory of any kind was just what Watford needed

Watford captain Sissoko handed three-match ban by FA

BHappy: There’s even a giant floater raised over the Rookery at kick-off, a reminder of times gone by…  it’s always a minorconcern as the thing is raised above our heads that we’re volunteered collaborators in delivering a message that we know nothing about, but the 1881 have long since earned our trust on that score and this one is championing Tom at a point in time when, one suspects, such will have been particularly gratefully received.  Other reminders of times gone by come in the greeting of two erstwhile fearless booterers… John Eustace, a fine, fine captain for many years, now in charge of the opposition and Paul Robinson, still the only player I’ve seen score with a tackle, making a most welcome return as part of our own coaching staff.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was a slightly fortunate victory for the Hornets, but a very welcome one after the defeats of the previous week. It was a competitive game with chances for both sides. Cleverley kept faith with Bachmann and, apart from the early scare, he did what was required of him although Blackburn were incredibly wasteful in their finishing. Having wondered who would take the penalty and feared the effect of the delay before it was taken, Kayembe dispatched it brilliantly. Ebosele was named man of the match after a solid performance both in attack and defence. He is certainly growing into the team, and I am enjoying watching him. Baah continues to rattle defences although he does not always make the right decision. Bayo had a decent cameo. He won the penalty and looked much more effective than of late. Vata also looked lively when he came on. He has an eye for goal and is always willing to try a shot, which is something that I wish more of our players would do. All in all, it was a pleasing performance and those who go to home games are being entertained far more than they have been in recent seasons. Those of us who travel away are not having quite so much fun. Let’s hope that changes next week.

From The Rookery End: Long term listeners will be surprised to hear no John Eustace chat from Mike but he, along with DCW, Jordi and Jon discuss the penalty decision, the decision to see who would take it, the bold substitutions from Tom Cleverly as well as how we get a centre forward and still play Baah in his strongest position.

https://oldwatford.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=102603&action=edit
Featured post

26th October 2019- Premier League, Watford 0 AFC Bournemouth 0

Leave a Reply
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 20,821

Watford and Bournemouth battle out goalless draw

Quique Sanchez Flores reflects on Watford’s lack of goals after Bournemouth draw

Watford players rated after bore draw with Bournemouth

Christian Kabasele thinks Watford have a confidence issue after Bournemouth draw

Christian Kabasele tells Watford team-mates to ‘leave now’ if they don’t believe

Watford are “getting closer” to their first victory in the Premier League this season, says manager Quique Sanchez Flores, despite their winless start stretching to 10 games with a goalless draw against Bournemouth.

Watford needed Ben Foster to deny Diego Rico and Arnaut Groeneveld just before half-time, while Aaron Ramsdale had to be at his best to keep out Gerard Deulofeu’s individual effort after the interval.

“I am confident and I am realistic too,” said Flores, who oversaw his third straight draw since taking the Watford reins. “I know how the players are training every week. They deserve to win. We are creating something solid for the future. I believe that. I want to think in a positive way and that this was a good base for the future.”

It’s not a cold day. No need for layers, not yet. But it’s wet and windy. And it’s wild. I love weather like this. “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”… and this is ferocious and invigorating. This is the weather in which heroes are made, the weather in which great deeds are done. The weather in which we claim our first three points of the season, reverse continental shift, put the enemy to the sword. Do stuff worthy of being put to a song, stuff worthy of “do you remember when…” stories in 20, 30 years time. Or. Or it could be a bit shit and underwhelming. That’s always an option, obviously.

The final whistle was greeted with some half-hearted boos from the home supporters.  The Hornets had the better of the second half but, after the promise of the performance against Tottenham, it had proved to be a very disappointing game.  The good news is that we are now three games unbeaten and the defence is looking far more solid. 

Featured post

26th October 2004- League Cup Third Round, Sheffield United 0 Watford 0 (After Extra Time, Watford won 4-2 on penalties)

Leave a Reply

Jack Smith scored the winning spot-kick as Watford won 4-2 on penalties after a dismal Carling Cup third-round game.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004%E2%80%9305_Football_League_Cup
9th March 2010- Championship, Watford 0 Swansea City 1
http://watford.fcdb.info?s=34196&id=4624

Featured post

26th October 2002- New Division One, Watford 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0

Leave a Reply
BBC Sport

Heidar Helguson’s fourth goal of the season put the pressure back on Sheffield Wednesday’s under-fire boss Terry Yorath as they slumped to a fifth away defeat of the season.

BSAD image

At some point during the second half, a familiar (but nameless, here at least) face and occasional BSaD contributor returned to his seat in the Rookery and proudly announced that he’d just been Harry Hornet for the afternoon. Which explains why Harry was looking distinctly trim and athletic as he ambled around the touchline, and why said familiar face had suddenly disappeared earlier on. “I had to do it just once,” he said, and you could see the logic in that.

http://watford.fcdb.info?s=34196&id=4521
Screen Shot 2017-10-26 at 19.39.01
Screen Shot 2017-10-26 at 19.38.30
https://oldwatford.com/2009/10/23/23rd-october-2009-championship-watford-4-sheffield-wednesday-1/
Featured post

26th October 1982-League Cup Second Round Second Leg, Watford 2 Bolton Wanderers 1 (After extra time, Watford win 4-2 on aggregate)

Leave a Reply
http://watford.fcdb.info?s=34196&id=3463

Watford Observer Match Report

Daily Mirror, 27 oct 1982
Manchester Evening News, 27 Oct 1982
Scan 218 copy1.jpg
Scan 218 copy2.jpeg
https://oldwatford.com/2012/11/06/6th-november-2012-championship-watford-0-millwall-0/
screen-shot-2016-10-30-at-21-32-30
Featured post

26th October 1976- Division Four, Huddersfield Town 2 Watford 2

http://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Daily Mirror, 27 Oct 1976
Huddersfield Daily Exaimner, 27 oct 1976

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1976-10-26
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-four/26-october-1976/
Featured post

26th October 1974- Division Three, Chesterfield 4 Watford 4

http://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Sunday Mirror, 27 Oct 1974
Sunday Mirror, 27 Oct 1974

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1974-10-26
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/26-october-1974/
Featured post

26th October 1964- Division Three, Port Vale 2 Watford 2

Leave a Reply
http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2547
Daily Telegraph, 27 Oct 1964
Evening Sentinel, 27 Oct 1964

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1964-10-26
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/26-october-1964/
Featured post

26th October 1963- Division Three, Coventry City 2 Watford 2

Leave a Reply
http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2496
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1963-10-26
Sunday People, 27 Oct 1963
Sunday Mercury, 27 Oct 1963

Watford Observer match report

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/26-october-1963/

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.

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.