Watfordonians

I have often been asked what is behind my somewhat unusual life-style choices. There are several factors that may have contributed to this. After all, surely my very name can only have led to a somewhat eccentric existence?

One major contributing factor is my place of birth and formative years growing up in Watford. No disrespect, but Watford, a north-west London suburb, is a place you know you gotta get out of. Strangely, not too many of my Primary and Secondary peers seem to have managed to escape judging by Friends Reunited.

It´s difficult to describe Watfordonians, but maybe “ Barry from Watford” can give you a taster. This link is totally absurd – many thanks to Dr Gloves for passing it our way. Running through them this afternoon whilst working on my lit review was a surreal experience.

As The Clash famously asked, “Should I stay or should I go?” A real No-Brainer!

Watching Watford FC in India

What bliss for me today to watch a Watford FC football match on Indian TV Sports Ten channel. A match played last night, Watford scored four in a rout of Sheffield Wednesday. Although i predicted a difficult season for The Hornets, there is just a few points that separate the Boys from the top of their division. Long may the run continue.

I did Watford Football Club a bit of a disservice in my previous Watford FC blog by claiming it was only famous for having Sir Elton John as a famous fan. There are other famous connections that might ring a bell.

One of the most famous is the legendary football manager, Graham Taylor. He began his managerial career at unfashionable Lincoln City before moving to Watford in 1977. He stayed for 10 years taking Watford from the 4th Division to runners-up in the Premiership to Liverpool in 1983 and the FA cup final a year later.

It has to be said the football wasn´t always pretty, but it was effective, exciting, and well, you always love it when you´re winning! He is worshipped at Watford and recently returned to the club in an advisory role.

After a brief and successful spell at Aston Villa, Taylor was appointed England manager in 1990. Inheriting a rather poor quality pool of players and hit by injuries and poor form to the infamous Gazza, England spectacularly failed to qualify for the US World Cup finals and resigned in 1993.

His reign as England manager was captured by a documentary television crew and was released as “Do I Not Like That?” which can found on Youtube. A fascinating insight to one of the most difficult jobs in the World. And Gordon Brown thinks he´s got it bad?


Reasons why Watford FC should be known

• Watford appeared in the 1984 FA Cup Final (my most magical moment as a supporter)
• Watford were runners-up in the Football League to Liverpool in 1983
• Liverpool and England legend John Barnes was signed by Watford as a teenager
• Graham Taylor The humbled England manager (1990 – 93)
• Luther Blissett is a name of an Anarchist group in Italy, is named after the Watford legend who I saw score four goals on his England debut at Wembley Stadium – although it was only Luxembourg
• Watford have a strong connection with international goalkeepers
1. Current England No. 1 goalkeeper David James used to play for Watford
2. Current Under 21 England goalkeeper Scott Loach also currently plays for England
3. Watford´s goalkeeper until last season was Matt Poom – ex. Arsenal and Estonian national team
4. Pat Jennings, the legendary Arsenal, Tottenham, and Northern Ireland national keeper began his career at Watford

A Saturday Ritual - Watford Football Club

For my sins, I´ve been visiting Vicarage Road – the home of Watford Football Club - since I was four years old, and I always try and pay homage every year.

Born in nearby Garston, no-one could accuse me of glory-hunting; jumping on the bandwagon with Manchester United or the relative closeness of Arsenal. After all, as Philip Larkin would say, Watford is where my childhood was unspent.

The football club´s claim to fame is through the flamboyant Elton John – another Watford supporter addicted from an early age. Indeed, my marriage to K. was the first wedding to be held in the stadium.

My earliest travel experiences date from the time i would travel to away matches across England as a young teenager.

This year, i´m first able to attend a friendly against the Italian Series A team, Parma and watch an entertaining five goal thriller with Watford coming out victors.

There was also a moving one minute´s applause for the late, great Sir Bobby Robson – a true gentleman of football – repeated again at the first league match – Doncaster Rovers.

So it is with some confidence I´m able to witness Watford´s first match of the 09/10 season.

Click here to savour the pre-match anticipation.

Ouch! This one – all bore draw is like watching a nail rust, and Boy has to dig me in the sides to keep me awake for the full ninety minutes

I´ll listen to the live games on the potentially excellent although often erratic Watford World Home site, but i´m secretly pleased that I won´t have to watch the drivel.

I did get an opportunity to witness high-definition premiership coverage for the first time - gob-smacking!

Watford Football Club currently sit in position 12 of the Championship (2nd division), but it is going to be a long season.