You must log in or register to see images
Everton V Watford
You must log in or register to see images
Saturday 8 August 2015 3PM
Goodison Park Stadium
Ok – before we get into the football side of things I think we all want to pay respects to Watford fan Chris Dyer who was among the dead (and we respect the others to of course) in the beach massacre at Sousse Tunisia on 26 June. The club will be organising a tribute for the West Brom game next week.
You must log in or register to see images
As fans, one of the best pieces of news this close season has been the continued spectacular recovery of Nic Cruwys, the Watford fan who was very badly injured following an attack after the Wolverhampton game. Nic’s plight really brought out the best in football fans and players from many clubs and we now wish him a continued recovery and welcome him back to Vicarage road and the away terraces this season.
You must log in or register to see images
WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE
Well, after the build-up and anticipation, which has made me feel like a kid in the run up to 25 December, it is finally upon us and the Hornets will embark upon their fourth spell in the top flight. This follows a momentous season where we finished second and were only pipped to the title by a last minute equaliser at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
It’s fitting that the first game should be against Everton as they have a special place in the folklore of our club.
On 28 August 1982 Watford played their first ever match in the old division one beating Everton 2-0 at Vicarage Road.
You must log in or register to see media
We met again on 19 May 1984 in Watford’s first, and to date only, appearance in n FA Cup Final with Everton running out 2-0 winners which was to be a springboard for 3 seasons of success where they won 2 league titles, a Cup Winners Cup and reached 2 more FA Cup Finals – I don’t think we ever get the credit we deserve for our part in their development
.In 2006 Adrian Boothroyd led us a third spell in the top flight (after we had a one season spell in 1999/2000 under a returning Graham Taylor) and our first match was at Goodison Park on 19 August where we were beaten 2-1 after conceding what was described by BBC as a “shocking” penalty.
Head to head
In 20 matches against the second longest serving club in the top flight of English football Watford have lost 17, drawn 1 and won just 2 with the last coming in 1987 – which for the nostalgics among us was the game before THAT quarter final at Highbury!.
Crossing the divide
More on one player later but the highest profile footballer to play for both clubs was Kevin Richardson. He spent 6 seasons at Goodison Park, winning the Division 1 league title, Cup Winners cup and FA Cup, before joining us in 1986 where he spent one season, before moving to Arsenal.
Comings and goings
Everton
At the time of writing Everton have signed 2 players and let 6 go. Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin were released with the latter now joining Bournemouth. Luke Garbutt has joined Fulham on loan, George Green joined Oldham on a free, Matthew Kennedy joined Cardiff and Chris Long joined Burnley on undisclosed.
Midfielder Tom Cleverley has joined on a free from Manchester United having spent a season at Villa on loan and right winger Gerard Deulofeu has signed permanently for £4.2 million from Barcelona after a loan spell.
Cleverley, of course, needs no introduction to Hornets fans having been on loan with us making 33 appearances and scoring 11 games in the 2009 / 10 and being voted player of the season.
Deulofeu, a former Spanish youth player at all age groups and the player of the tournament in the European under 19 tournmanet in 2012 joins on a 3 year contract. He has had the last 2 seasons on loan wth Everton and now joins permanently.
Watford
Blimey – where do we start?
Well, the wonderful Slavisa Jokanovic could not agree a new contract with the owners. He has now joined Macabi Tel Aviv and I am sure we all wish him well.
You must log in or register to see images
The man in the dugout is now Qui que Flores who represented Spain as a right back at Italia 90. He began his managerial at Getaffe in 2004 after coming through the coaching ranks at Real Madrid. He then took charge at Valencia guiding them to third place in La Liga and, in the following season, reaching the Quarter finals of the Champions league where they lost to Chelsea. In May 2007 he repeated a top four finish but was sacked in October 2007.
In 2008 he joined Benfica and won the League cup bit left after finishing third in the Primeira Liga. In 2009 he joined Atletico Madrid and led them to the Europa Cup Final winning 2-1 against Fulham and the Copa del Rey where they lost to Seville. He left the club in 2011 and then had a spell in UAE before returning to Getaffe in January 2015 but left in February.
You must log in or register to see images
Due to probelms with posting images I've had to paste the sky link which gives you details of them all - apologies guys.
Watford Transfers
Summer 2015
Completed Ins
From Fee
Giedrius Arlauskis FC Steaua Bucuresti Undisclosed
Valon Behrami Hamburg £3
Steven Berghuis AZ Alkmaar £4.6m
Miguel Britos Napoli Undisclosed
Etienne Capoue Tottenham Hotspur Undisclosed
Jose Holebas Roma £1.8m
Jose Manuel Jurado Spartak Moscow Undisclosed
Marco Motta Juventus Free
Allan Nyom Udinese Undisclosed
Sebastian Prodl Werder Bremen Free
Completed Outs
To Fee
Jonathan Bond Reading Undisclosed
Luke O'Nien Wycombe Wanderers Free
The man in the middle
Mike Jones from Chester is the match referee. Mr Jones referred 34 games last season handing out 117 cards and 10 sendings off. He took charge of our game against Middlesboro. Bizarrely this is the second season in a row he will take charge of the Toffeemen’s opening fixture having officiated in the 2-2 draw against Leicester City last year.
So there we go – all we need now is the game to start. We can’t have an Everton vs Watford thread without mentioning the obvious link so support the boys and make some noise!
You must log in or register to see media
Last edited:
Pictures can be a real problem for me as I am a novice at these things and do not have different software that might allow re-sizing etc.
Everton was actually my first non London away game in 1986. We finished 9th - I don't think anyone would be unhappy with a repeat of that!