Vialli was sacked at the end of the season, following a dispute with the club's board over the wage bill. A second successive promotion followed in 1998–99, thanks to a 2–0 play-off final victory over Bolton Wanderers. Luther Blissett finished the season as the First Division top scorer, before signing for Italian Serie A side Milan for £1 million at the end of the season. Watford have a new four year deal with Kelme. This team included Fourth Division top scorer Cliff Holton,[14] who scored a club record 42 league goals in the season. HP10 9TY | 01676637 | Registered in England & Wales. 'If a nightmare could stare you in the face,' said one Twitter user, but another said 'really like this new kit actually. His successor Ken Furphy matched that achievement in 1966–67, and led Watford to the Third Division title in 1969, before taking the club to its first FA Cup semi-final in 1970. Looks like cheap crap. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. He led the club to consecutive promotions, but could not prevent relegation from the Premier League in 1999–2000. [101] Both sides won promotion to the First Division in the 1981–82 season, with Luton taking the championship ahead of Watford. The strip is the first one to be produced by the club’s new technical partner Kelme and will be worn in home games during the upcoming Championship campaign. Love the launch, love the kit. [34] Wage bills at the club rose by £4 million during Vialli's tenure, and the club finished 14th in the division in 2001–02. The team continued to struggle in the third tier, and despite a managerial change, Watford were relegated again in 1975. Never bothered what the kit is like tbh. Watford consolidated with 18th and 9th-placed finishes over the following two seasons, and secured promotion to the First Division for the first time in 1981–82, finishing second behind rivals Luton Town. [15] Watford's home capacity has since been reduced due to all-seater requirements; it currently stands at 21,577. The head-to-head record between the clubs in competitions which currently exist stands at Luton 39 wins, Watford 27 wins, with 23 draws. [93][94] The stadium has hosted matches for the England under-21s,[95] and senior international football between overseas teams. [44] But the team did not record a Premier League win until November, and Ashley Young was sold to Aston Villa for a club record fee of £9.65 million in January 2007. [61] Watford's first fixture in their return to the Premier League was a 2–2 away draw with Everton. The club's highest home attendance is 34,099, for a fourth round FA Cup match against Manchester United on 3 February 1969. He was replaced by his former captain, Harry Kent, who become known for his financial management of the club; under Kent, Watford frequently made a profit in the transfer market. [86], Between 1997 and early 2013, Watford shared Vicarage Road with rugby union side Saracens F.C. “We will develop our global capacities to make this wonderful team and their loyal fans benefit from our outstanding total look official club collection, as well as providing huge exposure thanks to our significant presence in Asia, where Watford FC will be one of our main assets.”, Get involved with the news in your community, This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. [43], Under Boothroyd's successor, Brendan Rodgers, Watford finished 13th. ©Copyright 2001-2020. [8] After a further three years under McBain between 1956 and 1959, Watford's following three managers presided over improved teams. First Team News. [13] McBain returned in 1956,[8] and the team remained in the division until 1958; the league was restructured into four national divisions for the 1958–59 season, and Watford were placed in the Fourth Division. Actually hurts my eyes. Usually, the unveiling of the new kit is greeted with lots of excitement by supporters over the summer months, eager to see their side back in action as soon as possible. In 1890, the team moved to a site on Cassio Road, and remained there for 32 years, before moving to Watford's current stadium at nearby Vicarage Road in 1922. They can play in skins for all I care.......just deliver on the pitch this coming season. Of these, Aidy Boothroyd took Watford back to the Premier League in 2006, but Watford were relegated in 2007, and Boothroyd departed in 2008.[110]. At either end of the pitch, The Vicarage Stand is split between the club's family section and away supporters, while the Rookery Stand is for home supporters only. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Brazilian keepers aren't such a joke now, are they? His final game in charge was a 4–2 win at home to Huddersfield Town the day before. Watford held the title for five years following the suspension of the Southern League during the First World War – after finishing the 1919–20 season runners-up on goal average, the club resigned from the Southern League to join the new Football League Third Division.[9]. Despite winning four of the first five league matches of the 2014/15 season, and with Watford sitting in 2nd place, Sannino's position had become the subject of much speculation following rumours of dressing-room unrest and some players taking a dislike to his style of management. [75] In 1974 the design was changed to depict Harry the Hornet, the club's mascot.