This would be the final game of the season that Watford fans were allowed to attend as a rise in Covid cases brought the relaxation of government restrictions to an end the following weekend. The attendance was given as exactly 2000.
Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary Goals: 1 2 3
There are parallels with following a football team, I think. A bit. Particularly that last point. It’s a drum I’ve banged before, no apologies for that. It’s the answer to that question we used to ask when we were in the second tier. “What’s the point of being a mid-table Premier League side?” Of being (Fulham/Stoke/West Brom/insert your choice here). No hope of challenging, limited peril until there is, then it stops. We are now that side. The side that are the go-to name for throwaway lines about mid-table irrelevance. Leicester answered that question in part of course. But there’s more to it. Being Watford (any team, but Watford more so, obviously) is great because it’s us. It’s being part of something. And being us is great wherever it is. Being good is fun. But it’s not all of it.
Evening Standard, 16 Dec 2009
Independent, 17 Dec 2009
Evening Standard, 17 Dec 2009
Evening Standard, 18 Dec 2009
Daily Telegraph, 19 Dec 2009
This was the first game played after Watford’s Sierra Leonean midfielder Al Bangura had his application for leave of stay in the UK turned down. He was initially cleared to stay in early 2007 but the Home Office appealed the decision on a legal technicality and won meaning Bangura would have to return to his homeland which he’d fled when he was just 15.
The club organised a protest against the decision at half time during the game against Plymouth. Al himself addressed the crowd alongside the then Watford chairman Graham Simpson, and Watford MP Claire Ward. Four days later the Home Office announced Bangura would be allowed to stay whilst he appealed against the decision and applied for a work permit.
On 14th January 2008 he was awarded the work permit and allowed to remain in the UK.
Bangura loses deportation hearing
Watford player to be deported, asylum tribunal rules
Norris strikes and Argyle add to Boothroyd’s blues
Matt Rowson’s thoughts on the home office decision not to allow Al Bangura leave of stay in the UK.
5 thunks from the Plymouth game.
