Monthly Archives: April 1997

26th April 1997- New Division Two, Watford 0 Bury 0 and Elton returns as Chairman

Before the game it was announced that Elton John was returning as Watford chairman and a consortium of businessmen including Elton was buying Jack Petchey’s shares in the club.

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4250

BSAD image The end of a best-forgotten era. If the announcement of the takeover of Watford Football Club before the game brings new hope to supporters, then the match itself was a stark reminder of how much work remains to be done. Elton’s return, along with the presentation of the ‘player of the season’ award to Kevin Miller just seconds before kick-off and the obvious need for three points, gave the pre-match atmosphere a distinctly surreal air of expectation and celebration. By the end of the first half, it was flat as a steam-rollered hedgehog – such are the sedative powers of our brand of football…

Sunday Telegraph, 27 Apr 1997
Observer, 27 Apr 1997
Independent on Sunday, 27 Apr 1997
Independent, 28 Apr 1997

English Division TwoTable »
Blackpool3-2Bristol Rovers
Bournemouth2-1Wrexham
Bristol City3-1Plymouth Argyle
Crewe Alexandra1-2Chesterfield
Millwall0-2Gillingham
Notts County1-1Burnley
Peterborough United0-1Luton Town
Rotherham United0-2York City
Shrewsbury Town0-2Preston North End
Stockport County2-1Wycombe Wanderers
Walsall1-0Brentford
Watford0-0Bury
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24th April 1997- New Division Two, Watford 0 Chesterfield 2

Everyone knows that this was a game we had to win. We still cling on to hopes, of course, but the reality of the situation is that we face two very difficult final matches at a time when our form is woeful. This wasn’t an unlucky defeat – it was a comprehensive defeat, one that involved naive tactics and several clueless performances.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1997-04-24
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/24-april-1997/

12th April 1997- New Division Two, Watford 4 York City 0

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BSAD imageBSAD reports: It would be easy to gush and to go on about how wonderful we were. Before I do so, I think I’ll emphasise now just how bloody awful York were – it really does make you wonder how they beat Everton and Man Utd in recent years. To their credit, they did try and play football, passing it around and moving, but that, of course, suited us better and overrall, I think 4-0 was probably a fair result.

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4246
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5th April 1997- New Division Two, Watford 0 Crewe Alexandra 1

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4244

Kenny Jackett’s current position is a difficult one. Under fire for recent, less-than-thrilling performances from people, including Oliver Phillips, who appear to have forgotten that promotion is all that counts, it seems that he’s been forced into a re-think. The goalposts have been moved and I’d argue that this further dent in our aspirations is a result of that.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1997-04-05
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/05-april-1997/