Watford

Watford Football Club is an English association football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It was formed under the name of Watford Rovers in 1881, Watford Football Club entered into the FA Cup for the first time in 1886. The same year, they also took part in the County-wide Herts Senior Cup, reaching the final six times in the following 10 years. Watford Rovers became West Hertfordshire in 1893 and joined to the Southern League for the 1896-97 season. The team was changing from a team made up of amateurs in order to include professional players who were paid. It was in 1898 that West Hertfordshire merged with Watford St Mary's to form Watford Football Club.

The club was part of the Southern League from 1896 until 1920 and was able to enjoy a great deal of successes. They took home six league titles during this time which included their first title in the Southern League First Division in 1914-15. Following the return of Southern League football following a four-year pause caused by the First World War, Watford was unable to claim another title consecutively in 1919-20 based on the goal average. It were part of in the Football League Third Division in the 1920-21 season and after its subsequent reorganisation, were the first founding participants of the Third Division South in 1921.

Watford was as a member of the Third Division South for the subsequent 37 years, but saw only a few successes. Fred Pagnam finished as the Division's top scorer from 1922 to 23 The club made it to its final in the Third Division South Cup in 1935 and 1937 (winning in the second time) as well as Len Dunderdale scored 21 goals for Watford in 1938-39 , despite having to leave in mid-season. The team was able to advance after the reorganization of the Football League into four national divisions in the year 1958. They were promoted in the Third Division in 1960, the Second Division in 1969, and made it to an FA Cup semi-final in 1970. But the progress of the league was halted by two relegations in the following five years. Then, in 1976-77, Watford was briefly at the bottom of the whole Football League.

The turning point in the history of Watford came in the latter part of the 1970s. Singer, shareholder and long-time Watford supporters Elton John became chairman in 1976. He was also named Graham Taylor as manager in 1977. The club was promoted in consecutive seasons in 1977, 1979 and then made it to the First Division for the first time in the club's history in 1982. Additionally, between 1982 and 1983, Watford placed third on the First Division, and Luther Blissett was the top division goal scorer, scoring 27 goals. In the end, Watford qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1983-84. They also made it to the first FA Cup final, losing 2 in the final to Everton on Wembley Stadium. After Taylor's departure in 1987 Watford were dropped in 1988.

Watford was in English football's second division for eight years, before they were knocked out in 1995-96. Taylor was appointed manager again in the year 1997 after which he again, he guided Watford to successive promotions, however, he was not able to stop the relegation of to the Premier League in 1999-2000. In the 21st century, Watford have made it to the two FA Cup semi-finals, one League Cup semi-final, and went on to spend a second season within the Premier League after winning the 2006 Football League Championship play-off final under the direction under the direction of Aidy Boothroyd.

The club's beginnings can be traced to 1881, when Watford Rovers were formed by Henry Grover, who went to join Watford Rovers as a fullback. Rovers were initially comprised of amateurs, played home matches in various venues within the city of Watford. The team began playing at the FA Cup in the 1886-87 season. In 1889, Watford was awarded the County Cup for the first time. The team was renamed the football club that was part of "West Hertfordshire club and ground" in 1891, and then moved to a new stadium situated on Cassio Road. In 1893, Watford Rovers changed their name to "West Herts" and, in 1896, they were admitted to with the Southern Football League. West Herts fortunes slumped at the beginning of the 1897-98 season, with attendances of less than 200. They made the bold decision of becoming professional, and saw their fortunes rise. Watford St. Mary's were runners-up at the Hertfordshire Senior Cup of 1894-95 and attracted crowds of up to 500 at times when West Herts were at home. The two clubs had discussions about merging, and this took place on the 15th April in 1898. This was covered in The Watford Observer of 7 May 1898. It was decided to the clubs finish their remaining games during the current season. The club's name was changed to Watford Football Club.

After being relegated into the Southern League Second Division in 1903, Watford appointed its first manager who was a an ex- England national in 1903 and First Division top scorer John Goodall. John Goodall led Watford to promotion and remained at the top of the table until the time of his departure in 1910. Despite financial challenges, Watford won the Southern League title in 1415-15 campaign under the new coach, Harry Kent. Watford retained this title for five seasons after the suspension of the Southern League during the First World War and after being runners-up during the 1919-20 season on average for goals The club was forced to leave their Southern League to join the new Football League Third Division.

From 1921 to the year 221 in the third tier in The Football League consisted of two sections that were separate from 22 clubsthat fought for advancement into the Second Division and also battling to maintain the status of a league. The league had a re-election process that was in place, which meant that the two teams at the bottom of both divisions were required to submit a request for re-election to league. Watford was not among the top six positions in league throughout the seasons between 1922 between 1922 and 1934. After Kent's departure in 1926, they were 21st of 22 clubs in 1926-27 however, they were unanimously elected to the league in 1926-27 following the balloting of clubs in the two top divisions within The Football League. In contrast, under Neil McBain and subsequently Bill Findlay the team had five straight top-six performances between 1934-35 and the 1938-39 season and also took home the Football League Third Division South Cup in 1937. In 1937, the Football League was suspended in 1939 as a result of wartime tensions during the Second World War.

Football resumed in 1946 with Watford remaining playing in its Third Division South. A 23rd-place finish in 1950-51 was enough for the club to submit a request for re-election the league again and again, however teams in leagues in the First as well as the Second Divisions unanimously voted for Watford to remain within the league. McBain came back to the league in 1956 and the team continued to be there until and the league was changed into four divisions of the national league in the 1958-59 season as well. Watford was placed into the Fourth Division. Ron Burgess replaced McBain during the same season, and in the subsequent season Burgess was the Watford's coach for their initial Football League promotion. The team featured Fourth Division top scorer Cliff Holton who had the club's record of 42 league goals during the course of the season. Holton was traded to Northampton the following year , after an additional 34 points, much to the ire of fans. Burgess was replaced by Bill McGarry, who bought new players like Charlie Livesey and Ron Saunders as well as in his one season at the club , led Holton to what was then the highest league position ever which was 3rd within the Third Division. The 18-year-old Northern Irish goalkeeper Pat Jennings was also part of the squad under McGarry and also made his debut for the international team despite being an Third Division player.

McGarry was signed by Ipswich in 1964. He was replaced by manager-player Ken Furphy, from Workington Furphy created Ipswich's team around key players like Keith Eddy and Dennis Bond However, after the team held Liverpool to one drawing in the FA Cup and narrowly failing to gain promotion in 1966 and 1967, Bond was sold to Tottenham Hotspur for PS30,000, the highest transfer fee that time. Furphy's reconstruction was completed in 1969 when he signed to Barry Endean, whose arrival brought the start of a unbeaten streak following Christmas. Watford won victory in the Third Division title in April when they played at home against Plymouth Argyle. The following year, Watford made it to the FA Cup semi-final for the first time, beating First Division teams Stoke City and Liverpool throughout the course. Affected by a financial deficit, however, Furphy eventually joined Blackburn Rovers before being replaced by George Kirby. In the end, they had to sell players in order in order to keep the club going, Watford fell back into the Third Division in 1972. The team struggled in the third division and despite a change in the management, Watford were relegated again in the year 1975.

A lifelong Watford fan Elton John became club chairman in the year 1976. The musician declared his desire to lead the team into the First Division, and sacked Kirby's successor Mike Keen in April 1977. In the year that Graham Taylor was named as Keen's successor in April 1977, the team was located in the Fourth Division. Taylor was promoted in his debut season. Watford took home the Fourth Division title, recording the highest number of wins, the smallest amount of defeats, the most goals scored and the least number of goals conceded by any team that played in this division. The promotion into the Second Division followed in 1978-79 as did Ross Jenkins finished the season as the top scoring player in the league having scored 29 goals. Watford maintained its position with a 9th and 18th-placed finish during the next two seasons. It also earned advancement into the First Division for the first time in 1981-82. They finished second to their rivals Luton Town.

Watford began the 1982-83 campaign with four league victories in the first five games; within the span of 7 years the team been able to climb from last place in The Football League's lowest division The Football League to top spot in the top division. Watford did not manage to sustain their title hopes and ended up finishing the season in second place behind Liverpool and secured UEFA Cup qualification for the next season. Luther Blissett finished the season as the First Division top scorer, prior to signing with Italian Serie A side Milan for PS1 million at end year. A FA Cup Final appearance followed during the 1984 match which they lost to Everton. After leading Watford to an eighth-place finish during 1986-87 Taylor was sacked to run Aston Villa.

Following Taylor's departure Wimbledon the manager Dave Bassett was appointed as his replacement. England the winger John Barnes was sold to Liverpool. After winning four times in his initial 23 league matches, Bassett was sacked in January 1988. Watford were in the bottom half in the First Division at the time when Bassett was dismissed in addition, Steve Harrison could not prevent from being sent to the bottom at the conclusion this season. In 1988-89 the Harrison's Watford did not make it back to the First Division, after defeat in the Second Division play-offs. The team's under-18 players won the FA Youth Cup, beating Manchester City 2-1 after extra time, with the then England national David James in goal for the Hornets. Harrison was dismissed in the year 1990. Over the next couple of years the closest Watford could get towards promotion was a seventh place finishing in Division One during the 1994-95 season. However, the following season, Glenn Roeder's third as manager as manager Watford was unable to get promoted. Even after the return to the club of Graham Taylor as caretaker manager in February 1996, the team was dropped into Division Two.

After the club was relegated, Taylor became director of football, and the former Watford midfielder Kenny Jackett as manager. After finishing in the middle of the table within Division Two in 1996-97, Jackett was promoted to assistant manager. Taylor came back as the manager and was awarded his first Second Division title in 1997-98 the second time Watford won a league title under his direction. Another promotion was occurred in 1998-99, because of the play-off final win of 2-0 against Bolton Wanderers. The Watford's debut Premiership season began by winning its first game against Liverpool however, Watford's performance quickly waned and the club was relegated after finishing last. Graham Taylor retired at the close of the 2000-01 season being replaced with Gianluca Vialli. The club's wage bill increased by PS4 million under Vialli's reign and the team finished fourteenth overall for 2001-2002. Vialli was dismissed at the close of the season following an argument with the board of the club over the amount of wages paid. Vialli got replaced Ray Lewington, who had joined the club earlier in the summer as Vialli's reserve manager.

The financial woes of Watford were exposed in 2002-03after the demise of ITV Digital. The club was under administration however, an agreement between staff and players for a 12 percent salary delay helped the club's cash flow and running to an FA Cup semi-final generated vital income. The financial situation led to a huge number of players being released during in the summer. Following a consolidation in the 2003-04 season the season that followed was successful and the club was at the top of the Championship at the close of September. However, poor form saw the club fall into the zone of relegation. While they made it to the semi-finals in the League Cup, Watford's league performance did not improve and Lewington was fired on March 5, 2005. Lewington's successor Aidy Boothroyd was able to lead Watford to Championship success.

Watford was 3rd in league Boothroyd's debut season and then beat Leeds United 3-0 in the play-off final to earn promotion into the Premier League. However, the team failed to get an official Premier League win until November and Ashley Young was sold to Aston Villa for a club record price that was PS9.65 million on January 7, 2007. Watford was bottom of the table after winning five league matches, however they did reach finals for the FA Cup. Boothroyd remained as manager and spent hugely with players. One of them was a record PS3.25 million for Nathan Ellington. Watford was leading the Championship by a number of points in the early part of 2007-08, however, they finished in the sixth position; Boothroyd's team was defeated by 6-1 aggregate in the play-off semis by Hull City in the play-off semi-finals. Boothroyd quit the club on mutual agreement just about three months into the 2008-09 campaign, which saw Watford 21st on the Championship table.

Under Boothroyd's successor Brendan Rodgers, Watford finished 13th. Rodgers quit to take over Reading at the conclusion of the season. Malky Mackay who previously been the interim manager, took over as his replacement. In the wake of the departures of a number of crucial players during Mackay's tenure such as Tommy Smith and Jay DeMerit as well as the club's move close to going into administration, Watford was 16th in 2009-2010 and then 14th in subsequent seasons. Mackay was replaced by Cardiff City in June 2011 and was replaced by Sean Dyche. Even though he steered Watford to its highest league spot in four years, finishing 11th in the league, Dyche was fired from his position as Watford coach in July of 2012.

The summer of 2012 saw Laurence Bassini completed the sale of the club Pozzo family. Pozzo family (Gino Pozzo and his father). After Dyche's departure and the subsequent transfer to the Pozzo family, the new owners appointed the former Italy national Gianfranco Zola to take charge. In the 2012-13 season, Watford was 3rd in the Championship and made it to the play-off final in which they lost at the end of play against Crystal Palace 1-0 via an extra-time penalty scored by Kevin Phillips. The next campaign, Giuseppe Sannino replaced Zola as the new manager, and the team ended the season 13th. Sannino was fired at the beginning of the 2014-15 season . He then was succeeded by Oscar Garcia, who left shortly after for "health reason."

Billy McKinlay replaced him and was successful in his first match as coach, 2-1, with Brentford F.C., before the draw was 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Despite the team earning 4 points from six under McKinlay's leadership The club decided to replace McKinlay after just seven days after his term and replace him with Slavisa Jokanovic. With Jokanovic in charge of the team, Watford, on 25 April 2015, were promoted into the Premier League after defeating Brighton with a 2-0 win and other results going their way. However, they did not beat their final match in the league with Sheffield Wednesday, thus allowing AFC Bournemouth to win the Championship title in the season's final.

Jokanovic and Watford didn't renew his one-year contract , and Watford's manager was replaced at the end of June of 2015 by Spain-based Quique Sanchez Flores. The first match for Watford since their return into the Premier League was a 2-2 draw away to Everton. In the season of 2015-16, Watford reached the semi-finals in the FA Cup with a goal by midfielder Adlene Guedioura in a game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, ending Arsenal's attempts to win the competition for three times in succession, and finishing 13th in Premier League. At the close of the season, in May 2016, Sanchez Flores and the club adopted an exclusion clause into his contract. the club replaced him with Italian manager Walter Mazzarri who signed a three-year contract. The end of the following season the club finished 17th in mai 2017. Watford placed 17th, and Mazzari quit, and was replaced by Marco Silva. This new manager was fired after about six months in January 2018 and the club appointed Javi Gracia. After only four games in the charge of the season 2019-20, Gracia was sacked due to poor performances within the League. Within 30 minutes of his being dismissed after which the former Watford director Quique Sanchez Flores got again named manager. He lasted only until December 2019, having just one victory following the appointment was made in September. A temporary manager was appointed for one game prior to when Nigel Pearson came into management. Pearson was able to lead the Hornets from the back of contention come back However, he was dismissed in the final two games. 

In April of 2019 Watford returned from a two goals down to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers to reach the FA Cup Final for the second time in their history including Gerard Deulofeu scoring twice and Troy Deeney scoring a penalty in the 94th minutes to bring it into extra time. After losing 4-1 against West Ham on the last league match of the year, Watford confirmed their highest ever point total and finished at the top of English Premier League football of 50 points and 11th position in both places, but they finished 2nd with 71 points during 1983-83 of the English Football League.

In February of 2020, Watford defeated Liverpool in the Premier League match, ending Liverpool's streak of never losing top-flight matches in a row and 18 wins in consecutive games. They were sent into the Championship at the conclusion of the season after finishing 19th in the league, they were just one point removed from the safety line.

For the 2021/2020 Championship season, Watford was able to secure a second-place finish, and was immediately promoted into the Premier League.

In the 2022/22 Premiership period, Watford were relegated back to the EFL Championship following a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace away from home.

The kit of Watford has been changed a lot through the club's time. The kit of the club featured a variety of variations of red, green and yellow stripes. Then a new scheme of white and black was introduced for the 1909-10 season. The colors were kept until the 1920s, when the team introduced a uniform of blue. Following a switch to black shorts and gold shirts in 1959-60, the name of the team has been changed The Hornets, after a popular vote from the supporters ' club. They remained in the colours until 1976 when the Watford's kits began to feature red while the gold replaced with yellow. This colour scheme is still in use through the 21st century.

Watford's first nickname used to be The Brewers, in reference to the Benskins Brewery, which owned the freehold of Vicarage Road. The nickname was not very popular and, following the introduction of a blue-and white color pattern in 1920, the team was primarily called The Blues. When Watford changed their kit colours in 1959, the fans picked The Hornets as the team's new nickname. The club then introduced the crest of an eagle. The design was altered to portray Harry the Hornet as the team's symbol. The nickname of the club remains, however, in 1978 the hornet's design was replaced with the image of a hart , a male, red deer with a black and yellow background. The hart symbolises the location of the town within Hertfordshire County. Hertfordshire. Up until Barnet and the following year, Stevenage became part of Stevenage to the Football League, Watford were Hertfordshire's only club in the league. There have been other nicknames used, such as Yellow Army and The 'Orns.

Up until April 2019 the last time Watford took on Vicarage Road their players traditionally began their journey to the field in the beginning of the game to Z-Cars theme song. In mid-April, 2019 the team switched their opening tune to the song of Elton John's "I'm Still Standing". The club then returned back to Z Cars as their theme for welcoming players onto the pitch in August of 2019 to kick off the 2019-20 Premier League season, following requests from fans and petitions.

Watford Rovers played at several sites in the late 19th century, which included Cassiobury Park, Vicarage Meadow and Market Street, Watford. Around 1890 the club moved to a new site at Cassio Road, and remained there for 32 years prior to moving to the present stadium on close Vicarage Road in 1922. The stadium was originally operated through Benskins Brewery; the club was able to lease the stadium until 2001, at which point it acquired the freehold in full. The club's financial position deteriorated after the purchase and in 2002, Watford purchased the stadium for PS6 million, in a transaction that allowed Watford to purchase the stadium back at PS7 million in the next. Watford decided to take advantage of this opportunity in 2004, with an initiative backed and funded by fans, dubbed "Lets purchase again Vic". Vic".

Vicarage Road is a four-sided ground that can hold 21,577. There is also the East Stand, part of that was built by 1922 was shut to the public in 2008 due to safety and health reasons however, it was still home to the dressing rooms as well as the press area on match days. In November of 2013 The East Stand was demolished and it was replaced by a brand new, steel-framed stand with 3,500 seats was built. The stand was officially opened the following Boxing Day 2014 and was called The Elton John Stand after the long-standing chairman of the club. The Graham Taylor Stand (previously the Rous Stand) was constructed in 1986, is divided into two levels and runs across the entire playing surface, the top section housing the corporate hospitality area of the club. On either side of the field, The Vicarage Road Stand is divided between the family section of the club and supporters who travel and it is the Rookery Stand is for home supporters only. Both stands were constructed in the 90s, and funded through the proceeds of player sales. The summer of 2015 The Elton John Stand was renovated to allow for 700 more seats. The number was updated one day later to 1,000 seats after the news that there would be an increase plan in The north-east region.

From 1997 until early 2013 Watford was a part of Vicarage Road with rugby union club Saracens F.C. The stadium has played host to matches of the England under-21s and senior international football matches between overseas teams. Elton John has also used Vicarage Road as a venue for his concerts. He first performed at the venue in 1974, and then returned in 2005 and in 2010 to organize concerts to benefit the team. The past events included the horse and carriage show and greyhound races.

Watford Training Ground Watford Training Ground is located on the University College London Union (UCLU) Shenley Sports grounds in St Albans, Hertfordshire

Watford fans have a long-standing rivalry with Luton Town. Both sides played frequently during Luton Town's Southern League between 1900 and 1920. They continued to play throughout The Football League until 1937 which was the year that Luton was promoted out of division Three South. Luton continued to play in a higher division than Watford until 1963.

Through during the decade of the 60s and 70s Watford and Luton were able to meet occasionally. However the rivalry increased in importance, especially due to an unruly game between the two sides in 1969, during which three players were dismissed. Both teams were promoted in the First Division in the 1981-82 season which saw Luton winning the title over Watford. Both sides were also removed from the Division 1 in 1995-96 in 1995-96, with Watford finishing 23rd ahead the bottom-placed Luton. The promotion of Watford from Division 2 at the end of 1997 and 1998 meant both sides didn't play again until Luton received promotion towards Luton's Championship during the 2005-06 campaign. The only game between the two teams was an League Cup tie in the 2002-03 season that ended in violence on Vicarage Road.

2 January 2006. Watford defeated Leeds United 2-1 Kenilworth Road in the Championship and then a 1-1 draw between both teams on the 9th April 2006, which made Watford a part of the 2006 Championship play-offs. From which they ultimately won promotion in the Premier League for the second time, defeating Leeds United 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

In a 14-year period, Watford have played in an upper division than Luton between 2006-07 until the 2019-20 season which culminated in Luton being dropped from the league completely during the six seasons from the years 2009-10 to 2014-15.

This rivalry was renewed in the season 2020-21. On the 26th of September, 2020 Watford took the lead in their first game in the league season against the other club, 1-0 on Vicarage Road. On the 17th April 2021, in the reverse game on Kenilworth Road, Luton won 1-1, meaning the winnings from the season were divided. Following Watford's promotion into the Premier League for season 2021-22 The rivalry did not start until that season; however, it's expected to resume in 2022-23 following Watford's immediate removal to in the Premier League, whilst Luton continued to play within the Championship.

The head-to head record between the two clubs, in the current competitions currently, is Luton 39 victories, Watford 27 victories, and 23 draws. Watford have been the highest placed team at the close of each campaign since the year 1997 (and for more than 28 of the previous 29 seasons in which only 1996-97 saw Luton finish better than Watford) however Luton remain in more seasons of playing in a superior league in both teams' history.

Detail of the players as below mentioned.

Watford F.C. under-23s, Academy and Under-23s is the primary youth set-up of Watford. The Under-23 team functions as the second string team of Watford, however it is restricted to just three outfield players and a goalkeeper older than 23 for each game, following the introduction of new rules starting in to the 2013-13 campaign. The Under-18 team is the oldest team within the Academy.

Home matches are played on The UCL Sports Ground, based in Bell Lane, Shenley, Hertfordshire.

The Watford team was picked by committees until 1903 which was the year that the former England player John Goodall was appointed player-manager. The effect was immediate as Watford gained promotion in the Southern League First Division in 1903-2004. Goodall quit as an athlete in 1907 and quit the club in 1910. The club replaced him with its captain Harry Kent, who became famous for his financial oversight of the club. Under Kent, Watford frequently made an income from transfers. Kent was the manager of the club who won an historic Southern League title in 1914-15 but missed out on winning a second one in 1919-20 due to a goal-adjusted average before resigning in 1926. His immediate successors who succeeded him - Fred Pagnam, Neil McBain and Bill Findlay - all played for Watford prior to and in the beginning of their management tenures. None of them could manage the team to advancement to in the Third Division South, although Findlay did manage Watford to an historic Third Division South Cup win in 1937.

Prior to the departure of Findlay at the end of 1947 Watford were managed by five different managers over the course of 44 years. All of them were players with the squad. Six managers ran the club between 1947 and 1956. Only two of them were ex- Watford players. After another 3 years of management with McBain from 1956 to 1959 the Watford's next three managers led more improved teams. Ron Burgess led Watford to advancement out of in the Fourth Division in 1959-60. Bill McGarry was only in charge for a single season (1963-64) however, Watford finished 3rd in the Third Division, the club's highest Football League finish until that date. The successor Ken Furphy matched that achievement in 1966-67and guided Watford into winning its first Third Division title in 1969 and then led the team towards its debut FA Cup semi-final in 1970. After Furphy's departure in 2001, Watford entered a period of decline, suffering decline under the subsequent manager George Kirby and Mike Keen.

Graham Taylor took charge of Watford in 1977. He guided the club to advancement into the Third Division in 1978, the Second Division in 1979, and finally, the First Division for the first time in the history of Watford in 1982. After finishing second within the First Division in 1983, Watford took part with the club in European contest for the first time between 1983 and 1984 and reached an final of the 1984 FA Cup final. Taylor was dismissed from the club at the close of the 1986-87. The six permanent managerships (Dave Bassett Steve Harrison, Colin Lee, Steve Perryman, Glenn Roeder and Kenny Jackett), Watford slid from 9th in the top division in 1987 to 13th in the third division in 1997. Taylor was appointed manager at the beginning 1998-97 season. Taylor led the team to successive promotions, however, he was not able to prevent the club's relegation to the Premier League in 1999-2000. After Taylor's departure at the end of 2001 Watford were ruled by twelve manager. Of them, Aidy Boothroyd took Watford back to the Premier League in 2006, however, Watford were dropped in 2007 before Boothroyd left in 2008.

After Watford's acquisition through the Pozzo family, Gianfranco Zola was appointed the head coach. He replaced Sean Dyche, who was the centre back's coach in July of 2012. Zola led Watford to third place during the Championship in 2012-13, but resigned on the 16th of December, 2013. Zola was replaced with the fellow Italian Beppe Sannino, who joined the team in December 2013. Sannino led the team to the final league spot 13th.

Despite winning four of the five league games during the 2014/15 season and having Watford being in second place the position of Sannino was the focus of speculation due to rumours of dressing room disturbances and players becoming discontented with his method of coaching. Sannino quit his post as the head coach on 31 August 2014, after just eight months as head coach. The final game he was in charge of was a 4-2 victory at home against Huddersfield Town the day before.

Sannino's departure triggered an unsettling sequence of events that resulted in Watford being able to hire three more head coaches within less than one month. On September 2, Watford confirmed the appointment of the former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Oscar Garcia as the successor to Sannino and beat off the competition of the rival Championship club Leeds United for his services. Garcia was, however, forced to resign of his position on the 29th of September, 2014 due to reasons of health, after being admitted to hospital for chest pains only a couple of weeks before. Billy McKinlay, who had just been appointed the first-team coach on September 26, 2014 He was appointed his successor immediately on the same day . It was his first management position. The following week, McKinlay was released by mutual consent , and the former Partizan head coach Slavisa Jokanovic was appointed to replace him, possibly since the club wanted the head coach with more knowledge.

On the 4th of June, the 4th of June in 2015 Quique Sanchez Flores named his new coach, the replacement for Jokanovic who was unable to agree on terms for his contract. Despite leading his newly-promoted Watford to an impressive mid-table spot within the Premier League and the semi-final of the FA Cup, it was revealed on May 13, 2016 the news that Sanchez Flores would be leaving the club at the conclusion of the season.

After the departure of Sanchez Flores, Walter Mazzarri was announced as Watford's new head coach on the 1st of July, 2016. Mazzari's time as manager came to an end at the close in the current season. On May 27, 2017, Marco Silva was appointed head coach. On January 21, 2018 Javi Garcia was named the head coach after Silva's departure. Gracia was greeted with great acclaim following his appointment following an extremely successful year in 2018-19 Premier League campaign which saw Watford achieve their highest number of points during English Premier League football. After an unsatisfactory beginning to the 2019-20 season Javi Gracia was dismissed and replaced by former director Quique Sanchez Flores. After that, Quique Sanchez Flores had to be dismissed following a loss of 2-1 to Southampton on December 1. The 6th December of 2019 Nigel Pearson agreed to take the role of manager and Craig Shakespeare as his assistant who was on a contract for a short time until the end season. The club fired him on the 19th July of 2020, with two games remaining after which Hayden Mullins appointed as interim coach until the close in the current season.

In the 2020-21 season there were two additional coaches. The first was Vladimir Ivic, and followed by Xisco Munoz who later guided Watford toward being promoted towards the Premier League. Xisco continued to be the coach of the team through in the 2021-22 Premier League campaign until October 2021. He was then later replaced by Claudio Ranieri from October 2021 until January 2022. A former England coach Roy Hodgson took hold of the team from February 2022 to the season's conclusion, when Watford ended up 19th and were eliminated out of in the Premier League.

The striker Luther Blissett holds the record for Watford appearances with 503 games throughout all competitions from the years 1976 and 1992. his matches on The Football League during the same time frame is also a record for the club. Blissett has the same goalscoring records, scoring an impressive 186 career Watford goals including 148 within the League. The record for the highest number of league goals scored in a single period was set by Cliff Holton, having scored 42 goals during the 1959-61 season. The most goals scored by an individual in a single match at a professional level was the six goals scored from Harry Barton against Wycombe Wanderers in September 1903.

Watford's most significant win in a competitive match occurred in the year 1900 and the team beat Maidenhead by 11-0, within the Southern League Second Division. Watford's greatest Football League winning margin is 8-0. This first happened during the Third Division South match against Newport County in 1924, and then was repeated in an First Division match against Sunderland in 1982. Both of these games were played at home. Watford have won away league matches by five goals in six instances and most recently, in the 6-1 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road in 2012. The highest number of goals scored in the course of a Football League game involving Watford is 11 in the Watford's 7-4 win over Swindon Town, Torquay United and Burnley in 1934 in 1937, 2003 and 1934 respectively. The highest attendance at home for the club was 34,099 in an fourth round FA Cup match against Manchester United on February 3rd, 1969. The record attendance in the league at home was 27,968 for a match against Queens Park Rangers in August in this year. The capacity at home for Watford has been reduced since because of the all-seater requirement and is currently 21,577.