Hi all, Just thought I'd post at this interesting time in the club's history as I've been a long time reader of 606 and recently started reading this one, although I've never actually posted an article on either. Its obviously a difficult time for the club and a challenging one, and let's hope the right decisions are made over the next few weeks. Personally I'm fairly downbeat, I've been a fan since the mid 90's, a season ticket holder for the last twelve years or so, the last ten of those with a long distance ST, and for the first time next season I won't have one. It wasn't really a conscious decision, I was actually debating whether or not to do so as my attendance fell away a fair bit last season, partly through disillusionment, but more through other committments, then as it turned out I was in hospital when the stupidly early deadline for the cheaper prices expired, and while I could have sorted something out, I just didn't bother. I've felt for a few years that the club has lacked ambition and direction, and obviously money! Everything just seems to be an uphill slog for WFC now. As someone pointed out, we've long been a feeder club for bigger clubs, and that's to be expected, but now we seem to be feeding the likes of Cardiff and Brighton, clubs at our own level or even below. I don't know why it proved so difficult to find buyers/investors over the last couple of years, but I think that failure was key. The club doesn't seem to have anyone at the very top level with a real vision, something to galvanise the support, give people a reason for coming besides loyalty (players and fans), and now it feels like both are starting to drift away, a real shame as at times last season I really thought it might be the start of something good again. How can this be fixed? I haven't a clue, perhaps it can't without just getting lucky and acquiring a sugar daddy, but with the Bassini purchase it seems likely we have given up on that for the time being anyway. Who would I like as the next manager? As above really - someone who will really send a message that we do still mean something, we have a proud recent history (two seasons in the Prem following two play off wins and three major cup semi finals in my time as an ST holder) a great youth set up and a model club in many ways, and these things ought to be impressive to potential candidates. I don't think that the "ex-player who's never managed" be it our own or someone else's is always the best route, but then I don't know the budget or wages on offer, and no doubt they will be pitiful by the standards of anyone who would be an asset as a manager at Championship level. I'll be looking forward to visiting the Vic next season regardless, but I expect my connection to the club will feel different without the season ticket bond anymore. I just hope something happens over the next couple of months to give everyone a bit of a lift! Just thought I'd get all that off my chest!
Wow Glos, And I thought I was pretty down!! But I know where you are coming from. The only difference is that, 6 months ago I felt really positive. We were on our long unbeaten run, we had a team playing attractive football, we had a good young talented manager and everything felt good. The rot for me started with the take over, and it's gone downhill from there. I hope that I am a mile wide of the Mark, but where I could see a season full of promise, I now see a long hard slog.
Welcome Glos Star..and yes, a good first post. And i feel fairly similar, it does seem that we are, for the time being, a feeder club for clubs at our level, but if that's where the money will come in from, i guess we should take it. It's up to players/Managers if they want to take a sideways step. We will keep on keeping on, and hope that this feeling of gloom and doom will soon lift from the club. Our fans may not be the loudest, but we're full of passion. Watford is a small town, the net for support is not a wide one, we do well under the circumstances, and let's hope that we can get through this season with our heads held high, and build for greater things.
Welcome Glos Star, I read your post with a quiet nod of the head. You make a lot of sense, and I share your concerns and it is a shame you wont be a regular at the Vic next season. There isn't a lot I can add to your words, but I fear we are on a "downward curve" - I've always felt supporting Watford was a bit like a rollercoaster ride - after all this isn't Man U (I remember them being relegated!). The debts incurred by the Simpson regime were frightening considering our size and yet we have nothing to show for it! I hope GT can ensure that Baz runs the club well and that we can look back on this "uncertain period" with a deal of pride. Good luck and I hope your health is restored.
Welcome Glos. There are some potentially depressing aspects to recent events at the Vic but I console myself with these thoughts: 1. Many clubs outside the Prem (and a few in it) can hardly be approaching the new season with more optimism; 2. The beer before the game will be just as good; 3. Live football still beats sitting on the sofa in front of snooker and horse racing!
Sorry you have decided not to renew your season ticket, but I have. This is my club. Despite also not living too close to the ground any more, I'll be there. Week in, week out. Supporters show the only true loyalty in football, and if we stop, our club will die, and I for one am not prepared to see that happen. Having followed the horns since the early 1970s, I've been through the ups and downs, and where we are now is OK by me. We are still a Championship club, and I really hope that we can stay where we are next season, but whatever happens, I'll be there. All home games, and most away games too. (I know it's going back a while, but Workington away midweek is my claim to fame!!!) Get down to the Vic whenever you can. Buy a programe and a beer ( just one, as they are horrendously expensive!) but most importantly..... Keep the faith.
We are all Hornets through and through. You won't have a different connection with the club. I could't afford the time or money this season, being a v busy student and also having a young family. But I listened to every game, shouted with glee every goal we scored, swore every time we conceded. Whether you go to every game or some, we're all Hornets, and I know we all agree with Itsgrim about financially supporting the club to the best of our ability. Come on you 'orns!!
Thanks everyone for your kind comments! I agree Itsgrim, where we are now is perfectly fine with me - in many ways, better than struggling in the Prem. I just fear that we're in for a season of real struggle and turmoil and lots of griping! And continually falling crowds unless someone pulls something out of the hat. But at the end of the day, we'll still have our club (unless things get really bad . . )! And thanks to those who asked - yes I'm fine now!
good to see more of the family finding us Glos - I'm with SLB on this one maybe you can't go anymore - don't worry about it, circumstances change, that's life just keep on believing, and if you can support the horns when they're down in the West, that will do and remember...in terms of pre-1977, we're still punching above our weight. There's at least one club in League One whose spot in the Championship we have...anyone from Sheffield around...!??! COYH
Glos Star, good to hear your input. Some of us can never get to games but we are still hornets and suffer the pain and jubilation of supporting a small team. I too am feeling rather depressed but reconcile myself to the fact that I started supporting Watford when they were an average third division team with no real prospects other than the dream of a couple of years of second division football, if we were lucky. If that proves to be the case again I will still be following the hornets. It is not often that I have anything good to say about them up the road but if the same were to happen to us I would be supporting the lads. If we were to become AFC Watford as a result of owners, I would be a lifelong AFC supporter and dream that we could do a Wimbledon. There is an article on the Guardian website about tribalism in football as currently shown by Villa supporters. Football is tribal. Sometimes you are a member of a small tribe, but they are still your tribe. To misquote Loudon Wainwright : Through thick or thin Draw lose or win To the bitter end You'll be the team of mine
Welcome glos star I do think most fans are going into the new season with little optimism, and mid-table obscurity would be great. Unfortunately we have been here a few times, but we still managed to get through. I work with Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham (plus a couple of QPR) fans, and am proud to say that I am from Watford.... and I'm a Watford fan!! I don't go to as many games as I'd like to but still try to get a few home and some away games each season, and love being in amongst the fans, cheering on my team!! Form is temporary, but Watford is forever!!
