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News
The ability for football to surprise and astound especially at
boardroom level never ceases to meet and pass expectations.
We had a ghost goal at home in a 2-2 draw against Reading...
The Reading chance went wide only for Linesman Nigel Bannister to wave his
little flag..Ha Ha he's awarded a Goal Kick instead of a corner we all
thought. But nope the guy running the line tells Ref Stuart Attwell that it
was a goal and Attwell takes his word for it, in the worst comedy double
act since Cannon and Ball. Thus producing a moment that will frequent quiz
nights and Christmas cock-up DVDs for years.
Otherwise on the pitch the season started with the same awful
football that had carried over from the second half of last season. Scoring
was not a problem, it was the fact we could not keep the ball out of our
own net.
We played Blackpool at home on the 1st of November and despite
being ahead 3 times we lost 4-3 it was the 3rd defeat in a row and left us
4th bottom.
Boothroyd who had used up his goodwill in the disastrous run
the previous season left by 'Mutual Consent'.
Malky Mackay helped by Sean Dyche took over on a caretaker basis and we saw
a team with more fight, the highlight of this short reign a 3-0 win over
QPR.
However when the new first team manager was anounced, Simpson and Ashton
produce a man that nobody was expecting. Chelsea reserve team coach Brendan
Rodgers... he brings in ex Tottenham player Dean Austin and retains Malky
as a coach. Also coming in is Frank Lampard Snr in an advisory role.
Brendan's first game against Doncaster ended in a draw with the football
played a polar opposite to the stuff played under Boothroyd. However it was
awful stuff as the players took him literally and passed the ball in style
similar to the Vialli era when any pass will do as long as it's side ways.
However as his techniques started to bed in we saw a different Watford
playing neat attractive football combined with some useful signings in the
form of Jack Cork from Chelsea on Loan, Mike Williamson from Wycombe
Wanderers and Don Cowie from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
February saw three league wins out of three and although there was a little
blip in April in the end we were clear of the drop Zone and able to enjoy
the last game against Derby in the Knowledge this season could have been a
hell of a lot worse than it had turned out in the end...
Off the pitch it was more interesting than on it....
Graham Simpson and the club announce they are in talks to sell
the club, with Simpson stating he is willing to stand aside if the right
buyer is found.
'Hornets facing cash crisis' shouts the Watford Observer in
July...so starting another war of words between the Club and The Local
Newspaper. Closely followed by solicitor letters as legal action is taken
by the club again.
The reporter, Kevin Affleck leaves the Observer but the air
remains frosty between the two sides.
A week or so later Darius Henderson departs for 2 million to
Sheffield United giving enormous credence to the newspaper article and much
needed cash for the club. Followed by other high earners Danny Shittu to
Bolton for 2 Million and Matt Jackson retiring.
Sir Elton resigns as Vice President and issues a statement
about his concerns for the club. The Russos request a vote of no confidence
in the board.. Simpson vows to fight.
Simpson gets rid of Boothroyd and appoints Rodgers. However...
No sooner than Brendan is appointed to manage the team we have
a change of board.
The General Meeting that was requested by Valley Grown Salads
for the vote of no confidence throws up a major talking point. Simpson
looked to be in a position where the vote would be defeated as the make up
of the shares were in his favour. Simpson was also bullish and refused to
be undermined by this act. However just before the meeting occurred
something happened.
No one in the know has said what happened however it was enough for Simpson
to capitulate and stating ill health promptly resigned from the
board.
Andrew Wilson who was a non executive director became interim chairman and
everyone scratched their heads wondering what dirt the Russo's in the shape
of Valley Grown Salads had over Simpson. The motion of no confidence was
withdrawn after Simpson stepped down and the town was filled with the
sounds of Champagne corks coming from the direction of the Watford Observer
as they celebrated the ending of a fractious marriage.
All they and indeed a large number of the fans wanted now was Ashton
out.... 12th of December he was gone having fallen on his own sword. Julian
Winter is appointed CEO in his place.
In January Graham Taylor rejoins Watford along with Jimmy and
Vince Russo and Ex Chairman Stuart Timperley in a move to a six man board
and a pledge is made to make the board fan friendly.
The Watford Observer and The club kiss and make up and all
legal actions against the paper and former employees who spoke out against
the club are dropped.
Andrew Wilson steps down as chairman at the end of February
and is replaced by Jimmy Russo his brother Vince becomes Vice Chairman.
Sir Elton John resumes his title of Honoury Vice President at
the club.
However just as I have written all of this, Mr Integrity,
Brendan Rodgers jumps ship and goes to Reading.
Steve Coppell had resigned from Reading after they had failed in the
Championship playoffs.
Rodgers was linked with the job due to his history with Reading but brushed
away all talk of moving claming he had integrity and Watford was the place
to be. However we had not banked on one thing.
Rodgers is a bare faced liar !!
Going on the 4th of June he took Dean Austin and Frank Lampard Snr with
him.
On the 15th June Malky Mackay is announced manager.
Vic Lewis former Director who introduced Elton John to the
Watford Board in 1974 dies aged 89.
Jimmy Hernon passes away March 7th aged 84.
Former Manager and Player Mike Keen dies aged 69 in April
In the League We finish 13th out of 24 of
the Championship
We Won 16 Drew 10 Lost 20
We Scored 68 Goals and conceded 72.
In the FA Cup 5th Round
3rd Rnd Scunthorpe United (H) 1-0
4th Rnd Crystal Palace (H) 4-3
5th Rnd Chelsea (A) 1-3
League Cup 5th Round
1st Rnd Bristol Rovers (H) 1-0
2nd Rnd Darlington (H) AET 2-1
3rd Rnd West Ham United (H) 1-0
4th Rnd Swansea City (A) 1-0
5th Rnd Tottenham Hotspurs (H) 1-2
Highest Scorer Tommy Smith 17
Manager: Adrian Boothroyd until 3rd
of November.
Malky Mackay, Caretaker, Brendan Rogers appointed on 24th of
November. Departs 4th June 2009.
Malky Mackay 15th June 2009
IN for this season came
Dale Bennett
Liam Bridcutt
Aleksandrs Cauna
Jack Cork
Don Cowie
Billy Gibson
John Harley
Liam Henderson
Lee Hodson
Gavin Hoyte
Robert Kiernan
Grzegorz Rasiak
Danny Rose
Sam Sodje
Andrei Stepanov
Mike Williamson
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Lionel Ainsworth
Moses Ashicodi
Alhassan Bangura
Leigh Bromby
Liam Bridcutt
Aleksandrs Cauna
Jack Cork
Damien Francis
Gavin Hoyte
Steve Kabba
Mart Poom
Tamas Priskin
Gregorz Rasiak
Theo Robinson
Danny Rose
Sam Sodje
Andrei Stepanov
Darren Ward
Gareth Williams
Lee Williamson
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