List of Watford F.C. seasons

The Rookery and Main stands at Vicarage Road, at the end of the 1999–2000 season

Watford Football Club is an English football club from Watford, Hertfordshire. Formed as Watford Rovers in 1881, the club entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886. In the same year, they also entered the county-wide Herts Senior Cup, reaching the final six times over the next ten years. Watford Rovers became West Hertfordshire in 1893, and joined the Southern League for the 1896–97 season. The team started to change from one composed entirely of amateurs to one including paid professionals. In 1898, West Hertfordshire merged with Watford St Mary's to form Watford Football Club.^[1]

The club participated in the Southern League from 1896 until 1920, experiencing considerable success. They won six league titles in this period, including the Southern League First Division in 1914–15.^[2] After the resumption of Southern League football following a four-year hiatus due to the First World War, Watford missed out on a second consecutive title in 1919–20 on goal average. They joined the Football League Third Division in the 1920–21 season, and following its subsequent reorganisation became founder members of the Third Division South in 1921.^[3]

Watford competed in the Third Division South for the next 37 years, with little success. Fred Pagnam finished as the Division's top scorer in 1922–23,^[4] the club reached the final of the Third Division South Cup in 1935 and 1937 (winning on the latter occasion),^[5] and Len Dunderdale scored 21 goals for Watford in 1938–39 despite leaving mid-way through the season.^[6] The team started to progress after the reorganisation of the Football League into four national divisions in 1958. They won promotion to the Third Division in 1960, the Second Division in 1969, and reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1970. However, the league progress was reversed with two relegations over the next five years, and in 1976–77 Watford were briefly bottom of the entire Football League.^[1]

A turning point in the club's history came in the late 1970s. Singer, shareholder and lifelong Watford supporter Elton John became chairman in 1976, and appointed Graham Taylor as manager in 1977. The club achieved consecutive promotions between 1977 and 1979, and reached the First Division for the first time in their history in 1982.^[7] Furthermore, in 1982–83 Watford finished second in the First Division, and Luther Blissett was the division's top scorer with 27 goals. Consequently, Watford qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1983–84. They also reached their first FA Cup final, losing 2–0 to Everton at Wembley Stadium.^[8] Following Taylor's departure in 1987, Watford were relegated in 1988.^[9]

Watford remained in English football's second tier for eight seasons, until they were relegated in 1995–96.^[1] Taylor returned as manager in 1997, and for the second time in his career led Watford to consecutive promotions, although he was unable to prevent relegation from the Premier League in 1999–2000.^[10] In the 21st century Watford have reached two FA Cup semi-finals, one League Cup semi-final, and spent a further season in the Premier League after winning the 2006 Football League Championship play-off final under the management of Aidy Boothroyd.^[11][12]

Key

South 1 = Southern League First Division South 2 = Southern League Second Division South 2L = Southern League Second London Division Premier League = Premier League Championship = Football League Championship Division 1 = Football League First Division Division 2 = Football League Second Division Division 3 = Football League Third Division Division 3S = Football League Third Division South Division 4 = Football League Fourth Division BCCL = Bucks & Contiguous Counties League[lower-alpha 1] United = United League[lower-alpha 2]

P = Games played W = Games won D = Games drawn L = Games lost F = Goals for A = Goals against Pts = Points Pos = Final position PR = Preliminary Round QR1 = First Qualifying Round QR2 = Second Qualifying Round QR3 = Third Qualifying Round

QR4 = Fourth Qualifying Round QR5 = Fifth Qualifying Round QR6 = Sixth Qualifying Round R1 = Round 1 R2 = Round 2 R3 = Round 3 R4 = Round 4 R5 = Round 5 QF = Quarter-finals SF = Semi-finals F = Final W = Winners

Champions

Runners-up

Play-offs*

Promoted

Relegated

Top scorer in Watford's division ♦

Seasons

Early history

The club was formed as Watford Rovers in 1881, when George Devereux de Vere Capell, Earl of Essex and owner of Cassiobury Park, gave a group of boys permission to use the grounds for football. However, the agreement stipulated that the team could not play organised competitive matches on the estate.^[15] Members of the group included Henry Grover, the man later recognised as the club's founder, and Charlie Peacock, who played for Hertfordshire, became involved with board meetings at the club, and became the proprietor of the Watford Observer, the local newspaper. Over the next five years the team participated exclusively in friendly matches against schools and local clubs.^[15] Matches played when the club was not entering competitions included the first recorded fixture against future rivals Luton Town; a 1–0 home win to Watford on 5 December 1885.^[16] In the 1886–87 season, Watford Rovers entered the FA Cup for the first time, although they were eliminated in their opening game. They have competed in at least one competition in every season since.^[16] From 1886 Rovers participated in the Herts Senior Cup, a competition open to all clubs in Hertfordshire, winning it on four occasions. They also participated in the Hennessey Cup—open to clubs within a 10-mile (16 km) radius of Uxbridge—between 1888 and 1891.^[17] Rovers' first match against Watford St Mary's was a 7–4 home win on 17 January 1891. The teams met on eleven further occasions prior to their merge in 1898. In total, Rovers and their successors West Hertfordshire won six times, St Mary's four times, and the remaining two matches ended in draws.^[16][18]

Season	FA Cup	FA Amateur Cup	Herts Senior Cup	Hennessey Cup	Top scorer	Goals
1886–87	R1	& —	F	& —	Sargent, FredFred Sargent	4
1887–88	R2	& —	F	& —	Sargent, FredFred Sargent	12
1888–89	QR3	& —	W	SF	Sargent, FredFred Sargent	7
1889–90	QR3	& —	SF[lower-alpha 3]	SF	Sargent, FredFred Sargent	7
1890–91	QR2	& —	W	R2	Sargent, FredFred Sargent	10
1891–92	QR2	& —	W	& —	Coles, WalterWalter Coles	13
1892–93	QR1	& —	& —	& —	Coles, WalterWalter Coles	1
1893	Watford Rovers were renamed West Hertfordshire for 1893–94.
1893–94	& —	R3	W	& —	Coles, WalterWalter Coles	4
1894–95	QR1	R3	SF	& —	Hobbs, SydSyd Hobbs & Richard Wright	5
1895–96	QR2	R2	& —	& —	MacLachlan, MacMac MacLachlan	3

League history

From 1896–97 until 1919–20, the Football League and Southern League ran in parallel, and were organised by separate bodies. The Southern League was therefore not part of the English football league pyramid. In 1920–21, the Southern League First Division was absorbed by the Football League, thus becoming part of the English football pyramid, initially as the Football League Third Division. From 1921–22 until 1957–58, the Third Division South operated as the third highest level of English football, running in parallel with the Third Division North. From 1958–59 until 1991–92, Division 1 was the highest level of English football, Division 2 the second highest, Division 3 the third highest and Division 4 the fourth highest. The Premier League was formed in 1992–93, and since then has been the highest level of English football. Division 1 became the second level, and Division 2 the third level. In 2004–05, Division 1 was renamed as the Football League Championship.^[20]

Correct as of the end of the 2014–15 season.

Season[lower-alpha 4]	Division[lower-alpha 5]	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts[lower-alpha 6]	Pos	FA Cup[8][lower-alpha 7]	League Cup[24]	Competition	Result	Name	Goals
	League[lower-alpha 8]											Other[lower-alpha 4]		Top scorer[lower-alpha 9]
1896–97	South 2	24	11	1	12	41	49	23	9th	QR3	& —	Herts Senior Cup	W	Saunders, WilliamWilliam Saunders	15
1897–98	South 2	22	11	6	5	50	48	28	3rd	PR	& —	é —	& —	Beach, TuggyTuggy Beach	11
1898	After merging with amateur team Watford St Mary's, the club was renamed Watford Football Club.
1898–99	South 2L BCCL	22 10	14 8	2 1	6 1	62 43	35 12	30 17	3rd 1st	QR3	& —	é —	& —	Hare, CharlieCharlie Hare	22
1899–1900	South 2 BCCL	20 10	14 7	2 0	4 1	57 40	25 6	30 14	1st 1st	QR4	& —	é —	& —	Hare, CharlieCharlie Hare	32
1900–01	South 1	28	6	4	18	24	52	16	14th	QR4	& —	é —	& —	Price, JackJack Price	9
1901–02	South 1	30	9	4	17	36	60	22	13th	QR4	& —	é —	& —	Lyon, HerbertHerbert Lyon	14
1902–03	South 1	30	6	4	20	35	87	16	15th	QR3	& —	é —	& —	Cottrell, ErnestErnest Cottrell Jimmy Tennant	7
1903–04	South 2	20	18	2	0	70	15	38	1st	QR4	& —	é —	& —	Banks, BertieBertie Banks	22
1904–05	South 1	34	14	3	17	41	44	31	13th	QR6	& —	é —	& —	Goodall, JohnJohn Goodall	12
1905–06	South 1 United	34 18	8 13	10 4	16 1	38 49	57 15	26 20	14th 1st	R2	& —	é —	& —	Reid, JimmyJimmy Reid	15
1906–07	South 1 United	38 14	13 3	16 1	9 10	46 15	43 38	42 7	9th 8th	R1	& —	é —	& —	Foster, JackJack Foster	16
1907–08	South 1	38	12	10	16	47	59	34	14th	R1	& —	é —	& —	Foster, JackJack Foster	12
1908–09	South 1	40	14	9	17	51	64	37	14th	R1	& —	é —	& —	Hubbard, ArchieArchie Hubbard	16
1909–10	South 1	42	10	13	19	51	76	33	19th	R1	& —	Southern Charity Cup[lower-alpha 10]	F	Maclaine, JimmyJimmy Maclaine	15
1910–11	South 1	38	13	9	16	49	65	35	14th	R1	& —	Southern Charity Cup[lower-alpha 10]	SF	White, CharlieCharlie White	12
1911–12	South 1	38	13	10	15	56	58	36	9th	R1	& —	Southern Charity Cup[lower-alpha 10]	R1	Dixon, TommyTommy Dixon	13
1912–13	South 1	38	12	10	16	43	50	34	14th	QR5	& —	Southern Charity Cup[lower-alpha 10]	SF	Dixon, TommyTommy Dixon	13
1913–14	South 1	38	10	9	19	50	56	29	18th	QR5	& —	Southern Charity Cup[lower-alpha 10]	R1	Ashbridge, ThomasThomas Ashbridge	14
1914–15	South 1	38	22	8	8	68	46	52	1st	QR6	& —	Southern Charity Cup[lower-alpha 10]	R1	Edmonds, GeorgeGeorge Edmonds	17
1915–17	Due to the First World War, Watford competed in the Wartime London Combination in 1915–16 and 1916–17.[26]
1917–19	Watford did not play any organised fixtures in 1917–18 and 1918–19.[26]
1919–20	South 1	42	26	6	10	69	42	58	2nd	QR6	& —	é —	& —	Edmonds, GeorgeGeorge Edmonds	19
1920–21	Division 3	42	20	8	14	59	44	48	6th	R2	& —	é —	& —	Hoddinott, FrankFrank Hoddinott	25
1921–22	Division 3S	42	13	18	11	54	48	44	7th	R2	& —	é —	& —	Pagnam, FredFred Pagnam	17
1922–23	Division 3S	42	17	10	15	57	54	44	10th	R1	& —	é —	& —	Pagnam, FredFred Pagnam[lower-alpha 11]	32 ♦
1923–24	Division 3S	42	9	15	18	45	54	33	20th	R3	& —	é —	& —	Mummery, EddieEddie Mummery	12
1924–25	Division 3S	42	17	9	16	38	47	43	11th	R1	& —	é —	& —	Andrews, LenLen Andrews Fred Pagnam	7
1925–26	Division 3S	42	15	9	18	73	89	39	15th	R2	& —	é —	& —	Swann, JackJack Swann	22
1926–27	Division 3S	42	12	8	22	57	87	32	21st [lower-alpha 12]	R2	& —	é —	& —	Edmonds, GeorgeGeorge Edmonds	13
1927–28	Division 3S	42	14	10	18	68	78	38	15th	R1	& —	é —	& —	Sheppard, BillBill Sheppard	25
1928–29	Division 3S	42	19	10	13	79	74	48	8th	R4	& —	é —	& —	McPherson, FrankFrank McPherson	35
1929–30	Division 3S	42	15	8	19	60	73	38	15th	R2	& —	é —	& —	McPherson, FrankFrank McPherson	25
1930–31	Division 3S	42	14	7	21	72	75	35	18th	R5	& —	é —	& —	James, GeorgeGeorge James	31
1931–32	Division 3S	42	19	8	15	81	79	46	11th	QF	& —	é —	& —	James, GeorgeGeorge James	26
1932–33	Division 3S	42	16	12	14	66	63	44	11th	R3	& —	é —	& —	Lane, BillyBilly Lane	22
1933–34	Division 3S	42	15	7	20	71	63	37	15th	R1	& —	Third Division South Cup	R2	Barnett, TommyTommy Barnett	17
1934–35	Division 3S	42	19	9	14	76	49	47	6th	R2	& —	Third Division South Cup	F	Lane, BillyBilly Lane	35
1935–36	Division 3S	42	20	9	13	80	54	49	5th	R4	& —	Third Division South Cup	R1	Barnett, TommyTommy Barnett	17
1936–37	Division 3S	42	19	11	12	85	60	49	4th	R1	& —	Third Division South Cup[lower-alpha 13]	W	Barnett, TommyTommy Barnett[lower-alpha 13]	22
1937–38	Division 3S	42	21	11	10	73	43	53	4th	R3	& —	Third Division South Cup	SF	Jones, TommyTommy Jones[lower-alpha 13]	15
1938–39	Division 3S	42	17	12	13	62	51	46	4th	R3	& —	Third Division South Cup	R1	Dunderdale, LenLen Dunderdale	21
1939–40 [lower-alpha 14]	Division 3S	3	0	2	1	4	5	2	—	& —	& —	é —	& —	Four players[lower-alpha 15]	1
1939–46	Peacetime competitions were suspended during the Second World War. Watford participated in wartime leagues until 1945–46.[30]
1945–46	é —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	—	R4	& —	é —	& —	Gray, RonRon Gray[lower-alpha 16]	4
1946–47	Division 3S	42	17	4	20	61	76	39	16th	R2	& —	é —	& —	Evans, RalphRalph Evans	19
1947–48	Division 3S	42	14	10	18	57	79	38	15th	R1	& —	é —	& —	Davies, TaffyTaffy Davies	11
1948–49	Division 3S	42	10	15	17	41	54	34	17th	R1	& —	é —	& —	Thomas, DaveDave Thomas	14
1949–50	Division 3S	42	16	13	13	45	35	45	6th	R4	& —	é —	& —	Thomas, DaveDave Thomas	21
1950–51	Division 3S	46	9	11	26	54	88	29	23rd [lower-alpha 17]	R1	& —	é —	& —	Hartburn, JohnnyJohnny Hartburn	13
1951–52	Division 3S	46	13	10	23	57	81	36	21st	R2	& —	é —	& —	Thompson, CyrilCyril Thompson	25
1952–53	Division 3S	46	15	17	14	62	63	47	10th	R2	& —	é —	& —	Meadows, JohnnyJohnny Meadows	13
1953–54	Division 3S	46	21	10	15	85	69	52	4th	R1	& —	é —	& —	Brown, RoyRoy Brown	21
1954–55	Division 3S	46	18	14	14	71	62	50	7th	R3	& —	é —	& —	Cook, MauriceMaurice Cook	31
1955–56	Division 3S	46	13	11	22	52	85	37	21st	R2	& —	Southern Floodlit Cup[lower-alpha 18]	R1	Graham, LesLes Graham	16
1956–57	Division 3S	46	18	10	18	72	75	46	11th	R2	& —	Southern Floodlit Cup[lower-alpha 18]	R2	Graham, LesLes Graham	17
1957–58	Division 3S	46	13	16	17	59	77	42	16th	R1	& —	Southern Floodlit Cup[lower-alpha 18]	SF	McMillan, TommyTommy McMillan	11
1958–59	Division 4	46	16	10	20	81	79	42	15th	R2	& —	Southern Floodlit Cup[lower-alpha 18]	R1	Gavin, JohnnyJohnny Gavin Peter Gordon	13
1959–60	Division 4	46	24	9	13	92	67	57	4th	R5	& —	Southern Floodlit Cup[lower-alpha 18]	R2	Holton, CliffCliff Holton[lower-alpha 19]	48 ♦
1960–61	Division 3	46	20	12	14	85	72	52	4th	R3	R1	é —	& —	Holton, CliffCliff Holton	34
1961–62	Division 3	46	14	13	19	63	74	41	17th	R3	R3	é —	& —	Crisp, RonRon Crisp	13
1962–63	Division 3	46	17	8	21	82	85	42	17th	R4	R1	é —	& —	Dai Ward	30
1963–64	Division 3	46	23	12	11	79	59	58	3rd	R2	R1	é —	& —	Livesey, CharlieCharlie Livesey	25
1964–65	Division 3	46	17	16	13	71	64	50	9th	R1	R2	é —	& —	Harris, GeorgeGeorge Harris	21
1965–66	Division 3	46	17	13	16	55	51	47	12th	R2	R2	é —	& —	Holton, CliffCliff Holton	12
1966–67	Division 3	46	20	14	12	61	46	54	3rd	R3	R1	é —	& —	Garbett, TerryTerry Garbett	18
1967–68	Division 3	46	21	8	17	74	50	50	6th	R3	R2	é —	& —	Dyson, BarryBarry Dyson	15
1968–69	Division 3	46	27	10	9	74	34	64	1st	R4	R1	é —	& —	Endean, BarryBarry Endean	20
1969–70	Division 2	42	9	13	20	44	57	31	19th	SF [lower-alpha 20]	R2	é —	& —	Endean, BarryBarry Endean	14
1970–71	Division 2	42	10	13	19	38	60	33	18th	R4	R2	é —	& —	Wigg, RonRon Wigg	17
1971–72	Division 2	42	5	9	28	24	75	19	22nd	R3	R3	é —	& —	Eddy, KeithKeith Eddy	7
1972–73	Division 3	46	12	17	17	43	48	41	19th	R3	R1	é —	& —	Morrissey, PatPat Morrissey	10
1973–74	Division 3	46	19	12	15	64	56	50	7th	R2	R1	é —	& —	Jennings, BillyBilly Jennings[lower-alpha 21]	29 ♦
1974–75	Division 3	46	10	17	19	52	75	37	23rd	R1	R1	é —	& —	Jenkins, RossRoss Jenkins	11
1975–76	Division 4	46	22	6	18	62	62	50	8th	R1	R2	é —	& —	Jenkins, RossRoss Jenkins	19
1976–77	Division 4	46	18	15	13	67	50	51	7th	R3	R3	é —	& —	Mercer, KeithKeith Mercer	25
1977–78	Division 4	46	30	11	5	85	38	71	1st	R3	R3	é —	& —	Jenkins, RossRoss Jenkins	18
1978–79	Division 3	46	24	12	10	83	52	60	2nd	R2	SF	é —	& —	Jenkins, RossRoss Jenkins[lower-alpha 22]	37 ♦
1979–80	Division 2	42	12	13	17	39	46	37	18th	QF	R1	é —	& —	Blissett, LutherLuther Blissett	11
1980–81	Division 2	42	16	11	15	50	45	43	9th	R4	QF	é —	& —	Poskett, MalcolmMalcolm Poskett	21
1981–82[lower-alpha 6]	Division 2	42	23	11	8	76	42	80	2nd	R5	QF	Football League Group Cup	QF	Blissett, LutherLuther Blissett	25
1982–83	Division 1	42	22	5	15	74	57	71	2nd	R5	R3	Football League Trophy[lower-alpha 23]	QF	Blissett, LutherLuther Blissett[lower-alpha 24]	33 ♦
1983–84	Division 1	42	16	9	17	68	77	57	11th	F	R2	UEFA Cup	R3	Johnston, MoMo Johnston	24
1984–85	Division 1	42	14	13	15	81	71	55	11th	R5	QF	é —	& —	Blissett, LutherLuther Blissett	28
1985–86	Division 1	42	16	11	15	69	62	59	12th	QF	R3	é —	& —	West, ColinColin West	16
1986–87	Division 1	42	18	9	15	67	54	63	9th	SF	R3	Full Members Cup	R3	Falco, MarkMark Falco	16
1987–88	Division 1	40	7	11	22	27	51	32	20th	QF	R4	Full Members Cup	R3	Allen, MalcolmMalcolm Allen	9
1988–89	Division 2	46	22	12	12	74	48	78	4th* [lower-alpha 25]	R5	R2	Full Members Cup	QF	Wilkinson, PaulPaul Wilkinson	21
1989–90	Division 2	46	14	15	17	58	60	57	15th	R4	R2	Full Members Cup	R2	Wilkinson, PaulPaul Wilkinson	16
1990–91	Division 2	46	12	15	19	45	59	51	20th	R3	R2	Full Members Cup	R1	Wilkinson, PaulPaul Wilkinson	18
1991–92	Division 2	46	18	11	17	51	48	65	10th	R3	R2	Full Members Cup	R1	Blissett, LutherLuther Blissett	12
1992–93	Division 1	46	14	13	19	57	71	55	16th	R3	R4	Anglo-Italian Cup	PR	Furlong, PaulPaul Furlong	22
1993–94	Division 1	46	15	9	22	66	80	54	19th	R3	R2	Anglo-Italian Cup	PR	Furlong, PaulPaul Furlong	19
1994–95	Division 1	46	19	13	14	52	46	70	7th	R5	R2	é —	& —	Ramage, CraigCraig Ramage	11
1995–96	Division 1	46	10	18	18	62	70	48	23rd	R3	R3	é —	& —	Ramage, CraigCraig Ramage	15
1996–97	Division 2	46	16	19	11	45	38	67	13th	R4	R2	Associate Members Cup	SF	Mooney, TommyTommy Mooney	12
1997–98	Division 2	46	24	16	6	67	41	88	1st	R3	R2	Associate Members Cup	R1	Kennedy, PeterPeter Kennedy	13
1998–99	Division 1	46	21	14	11	65	56	77	5th* [lower-alpha 26]	R3	R1	é —	& —	Noel-Williams, GiftonGifton Noel-Williams[41]	10
1999–2000	Premier League	38	6	6	26	35	77	24	20th	R3	R3	é —	& —	Helguson, HeiðarHeiðar Helguson[42]	6
2000–01	Division 1	46	20	9	17	76	67	69	9th	R3	R3	é —	& —	Mooney, TommyTommy Mooney[43]	19
2001–02	Division 1	46	16	11	19	62	56	59	14th	R3	QF	é —	& —	Smith, TommyTommy Smith[44]	11
2002–03	Division 1	46	17	9	20	54	70	60	13th	SF	R1	é —	& —	Helguson, HeiðarHeiðar Helguson[45]	11
2003–04	Division 1	46	15	12	19	54	68	57	16th	R3	R2	é —	& —	Fitzgerald, ScottScott Fitzgerald[46]	10
2004–05	Championship	46	12	16	18	52	59	52	18th	R3	SF	é —	& —	Helguson, HeiðarHeiðar Helguson[47]	20
2005–06	Championship	46	22	15	9	77	53	81	3rd* [lower-alpha 27]	R3	R3	é —	& —	King, MarlonMarlon King[lower-alpha 28]	22 ♦
2006–07	Premier League	38	5	13	20	29	59	28	20th	SF	R4	é —	& —	Bouazza, HameurHameur Bouazza[51]	7
2007–08	Championship	46	18	16	12	62	56	70	6th* [lower-alpha 29]	R4	R2	é —	& —	Henderson, DariusDarius Henderson[53]	12
2008–09	Championship	46	16	10	20	68	72	58	13th	R5	R5	é —	& —	Smith, TommyTommy Smith[54]	17
2009–10	Championship	46	14	12	20	61	68	54	16th	R3	R2	é —	& —	Graham, DannyDanny Graham[55]	14
2010–11	Championship	46	16	13	17	77	71	61	14th	R4	R2	é —	& —	Graham, DannyDanny Graham[lower-alpha 30]	27 ♦
2011–12	Championship	46	16	16	14	56	64	64	11th	R4	R1	é —	& —	Deeney, TroyTroy Deeney[57]	12
2012–13	Championship	46	23	8	15	85	58	77	3rd* [lower-alpha 31]	R3	R2	é —	& —	Vydra, MatějMatěj Vydra[59]	22
2013–14	Championship	46	15	15	16	74	64	60	13th	R4	R3	é —	& —	Deeney, TroyTroy Deeney[60]	25
2014–15	Championship	46	27	8	11	91	50	89	2nd	R3	R2	é —	& —	Troy Deeney	21
2015–16	Premier League	38	12	9	17	40	50	45	13th	SF	R2	é —	& —	Troy Deeney Odion Ighalo	17

Footnotes

Maurice Cook (right) was Watford's top scorer in 1954–55.

Heiðar Helguson was Watford's top scorer in 1999–2000, 2002–03 and 2004–05.

1. The Bucks & Contiguous Counties League was, as the name suggests, open to clubs in the vicinity of the county of Buckinghamshire. Other participants in the league included Wycombe Wanderers, Chesham Generals, Aylesbury United and Hitchin Town.^[13]
2. The United League was contested by clubs from southern and eastern England, including Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Luton Town, Norwich City and Southampton.^[14]
3. The semi-final of the Senior Cup was abandoned at 2–2, owing to crowd trouble after a St Albans goal was disallowed. Watford Rovers declined to contest the replay, in order "to prevent further ill-feeling."^[19]
4. Seasons up to 1997–98 sourced to Watford Season by Season.^[21] Seasons from 1998–99 onwards sourced to Statto.com.^[22]
5. Divisions are sorted according to their level within the English football league system at the time.
6. From 1896–97 until 1980–81, two points were awarded for a win, and one for a draw. From the 1981–82 season onwards, three points have been awarded for a win.^[20]
7. Beginning with the 1925–26 season, the FA Cup was structured so that the third round proper contained 64 teams. Prior to that date, the structure had varied, so rounds are not directly comparable to the round of the same name after 1925.^[23]
8. In seasons when the club played in more than one league competition, league columns are sorted by the Southern League totals.
9. Goal tallies are for the competitions listed only; friendly matches are not included. Seasons up to 1997–98 are sourced to Watford Season by Season.^[21] Subsequent seasons are sourced by inline citations.
10. The Southern Charity Cup was competed for by many professional clubs in London and the South-East of England from 1901 until 1915. From 1909–10 until the suspension of football for the First World War, the majority of Southern League clubs participated.^[25]
11. Pagnam scored 30 goals in the Football League.^[4]
12. As a result of finishing 21st out of 22 clubs, Watford had to apply for re-election to the Football League. They were unanimously re-elected by the 44 clubs in the First and Second Divisions.^[27]
13. Due to fixture congestion, the 1936–37 Third Division South Cup did not finish until October 1937. As it was officially part of 1936–37, Barnett's two goals in the 8–3 semi-final win against Notts County on 13 September 1937 are included in his 1936–37 goal tally; Jones' goal in the same fixture is not included in his 1937–38 tally. If this convention were reversed, both players would have remained Watford's top scorer in the respective seasons; Barnett in 1936–37 with 20 goals, Jones in 1937–38 with 16 goals.^[28]
14. All Football League results were annulled upon the outbreak of war.^[29]
15. Ralph Evans, George Lewis, Taffy Davies and William Law scored one Football League goal each. These were annulled upon the outbreak of war, and do not count towards the player's career totals. Watford's top scorer in 1939–40 wartime competitions—that is, excluding the Football League—was George Lewis with 29 goals.^[29]
16. The goal tally given is for the FA Cup only. Including wartime matches, Watford's top scorer was George Lewis, with 27 goals.^[31]
17. As a result of finishing 23rd out of 24 clubs, Watford had to apply for re-election to the Football League. They were unanimously re-elected by the 48 clubs in the First and Second Divisions.^[32]
18. The Southern Floodlit Cup was a midweek competition for professional clubs. Despite its name, clubs in the East Midlands also participated. The competition ceased in 1960, coinciding with the formation of the Football League Cup.^[33]
19. Holton scored 42 goals in the Football League.^[34]
20. Watford played Manchester United in a match to decide third place, losing 2–0.^[8]
21. Jennings scored 26 goals in the Football League.^[35]
22. Jenkins scored 29 goals in the Football League.^[36]
23. The Group Cup was rebranded as the Football League Trophy for 1982–83 season, before being abolished completely. It should not be confused with the present day Football League Trophy.
24. Blissett scored 27 goals in the Football League.^[37][38]
25. Watford faced Blackburn Rovers in the play-off semi-finals. The teams drew 1–1 on aggregate; Watford were eliminated on the away goals rule.^[39]
26. Watford defeated Bolton Wanderers 2–0 in the 1999 Football League First Division play-off Final, thereby earning promotion to the Premier League.^[40]
27. Watford defeated Leeds United 3–0 in the 2006 Football League Championship play-off Final, thereby earning promotion to the Premier League.^[48]
28. King scored 21 goals during the regular season of the Football League. This tally – and King's status as the division's top scorer – does not include goals scored during the play-offs.^[49][50]
29. Watford were defeated in the play-off semi-finals by Hull City, 6–1 on aggregate.^[52]
30. Graham scored 24 goals in the Football League.^[56]
31. Watford were defeated 1–0 in the play-off final by Crystal Palace.^[58]

References

General

• Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford Football Club. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0.
• Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
• Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.

Specific

1. Jones, Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who p. 9
2. Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 60–61
3. Phillips pp. 52–53
4. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 69
5. Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 92–98
6. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 101
7. Phillips pp. 196–223
8. "Watford's FA Cup history". Watford Football Club. 26 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
9. Jones, Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who pp. 275–276
10. "Graham Taylor profile". BBC Sport. 5 February 2002. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
11. "Watford dismiss manager Lewington". BBC Sport. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
12. "Boothroyd & Watford part company". BBC Sport. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
13. Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 28–30
14. Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 42–45
15. Phillips pp. 12–15
16. Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 7–13
17. Jones, Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who p. 11
18. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 217
19. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 11
20. "History of the Football League". The Football League. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
21. Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 24–205
22. "Watford history 1975 to date". Tony Brown. Statto.com. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
23. "The FA Cup Archive". The Football Association. Retrieved 2 December 2011. Individual seasons accessed via dropdown menu.
24. "Watford's League Cup history". Watford Football Club. 14 December 2008. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
25. Carder, Tim & Harris, Roger (1993). Seagulls! The Story of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Hove: Goldstone Books. pp. 54, 326. ISBN 0-9521337-0-9.
26. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 208
27. Inglis, Simon (1988). League Football and the Men Who Made It. Willow Books. p. 132. ISBN 0-00-218242-4.
28. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 96
29. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 209
30. Jones, Watford Season by Season pp. 209–215
31. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 214
32. Twdell, Dave (2001). Denied F.C.: The Football League Election Struggles. Yore Publications. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-874427-98-8.
33. Rundle, Richard. "Southern Professional Floodlit Cup summary". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
34. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 129
35. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 157
36. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 167
37. Jones, Watford Season by Season p. 175
38. "This week in history ~ Division One, April 9, 1983". When Saturday Comes. 9 April 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
39. "Watford 1988–1989 results". Tony Brown. Statto.com. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
40. "Watford 1998–1999 results". Tony Brown. Statto.com. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
41. "Watford 1998/99 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
42. "Watford 1999/2000 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
43. "Watford 2000/01 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
44. "Watford 2001/02 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
45. "Watford 2002/03 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
46. "Watford 2003/04 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
47. "Watford 2004/05 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
48. "Watford 2005–2006 results". Tony Brown. Statto.com. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
49. Hodges, Vicki (6 May 2006). "Dowie issues Palace rallying cry". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
50. "Watford 2005/06 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
51. "Watford 2006/07 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
52. "Watford 2007–2008 results". Tony Brown. Statto.com. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
53. "Watford 2007/08 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
54. "Watford 2008/09 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
55. "Watford 2009/10 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
56. "Watford 2010/11 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
57. "Watford 2011/12 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
58. "Watford 2012–2013 results". Tony Brown. Statto.com. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
59. "Watford 2012/13 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
60. "Watford 2013/14 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 August 2014.