Michael Terence O’BRIEN (1931-1933) Centre-half

Born Ushaw Moor, County Durham, 10 August 1893 Died Uxbridge, Middlesex, 12 September 1940 Representative Honours Ireland Full Republic of Ireland Full Watford Career Football League: 61 appearances (5 goals, all of them penalties) FA Cup: 10 appearances (1 goal, a penalty) Début: 2-1 home win v Clapton Orient, Football League Div 3 (South), 29 Aug 1931 Final game: 1-0 home win v Crystal Palace, Football League Div 3 (South), 18 Feb 1933 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 32; all competitions 40

Career Path South Shields (1911); Walker Celtic (December 1912); Wallsend; Blyth Spartans (March 1913); Jarrow; Newcastle East End; Celtic (briefly, early 1914); Brentford (December 1914); Alloa (March 1919); Brentford (May 1919); Norwich City (August 1919); South Shields (December 1919); Queens Park Rangers (May 1920); City (March 1922); Hull City (£750 June 1924); Brooklyn Wanderers (USA) (July 1926); Derby County (December 1926); Walsall (June 1928); Norwich City (May 1929); WATFORD (June 1931); Queens Park Rangers manager (May 1933 until April 1935); Middlesex FA coach (October 1935); Brentford trainer (November 1935); Ipswich Town manager (May 1936); Cork City manager (August 1937 until close season 1938)

Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1914/15 Brentford 9 3 Southern League Division 2 – 7th of 13 1919/20 Norwich City 10 1 Southern League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1919/20 South Shields 3 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 22 1920/21 Queens Park Rangers 36 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 22 1921/22 Queens Park Rangers 30 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 5th of 22 1921/22 Leicester City 6 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 22 1922/23 Leicester City 24 2 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 22 1923/24 Leicester City 35 4 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 22 1924/25 Hull City 33 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 22 1925/26 Hull City 41 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 22 1926/27 Derby County 1 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1927/28 Derby County 2 Football League Division 1 – 4th of 22 1928/29 Walsall 34 Football League Division 3 (South) – 14th of 22 1929/30 Norwich City 32 4 Football League Division 3 (South) – 8th of 22 1930/31 Norwich City 32 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 22nd of 22 1931/32 WATFORD 34 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1932/33 WATFORD 27 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22

A big centre-half who captained his country when on Watford’s books, and a devout Roman Catholic of strong opinions who left professional football after leading Ipswich Town to the Southern League championship in his only season with the club. In the Great War Mick O’Brien served on HMS Chester in the Battle of Jutland, as well as in the Royal Flying Corps. He led an extraordinarily full life until his early death following a succession of personal setbacks.

Known as “Mick”. Birth & death certificates obtained by Mark Chapman – born 51 Clarke’s Row, Usher Moor, to parents James & Mary; died in Uxbridge 12 Sep 1940. Probate: nothing. Not in 1939 Register – he didn’t return to England from the Rep of Ireland until March 1940. Played only 6 games for Brooklyn Wanderers before returning to England. Said to have spent a short time with Celtic early in 1914, but there’s nothing in SFA archives. Might there have been confusion with Walker Celtic, for whom he did play in 1912/13? Played for Fbl Lge v Army 10/11/1921 (see AFS Report 27, page 12). Captain of Rep of Ireland v Netherlands 8/5/1932. 6 ft 2 ins / 6 ft 1 ins / 6 ft. 12 st 10 lbs / 13 st 7 lbs.

Robert Victor O’BRIEN (1934-1946) Defender / Forward

Born Coventry, Warwickshire, 1 May 1909 Died Coventry, West Midlands, 16 March 1997 Representative Honours ‘England Junior’ Watford Career Football League: 179 appearances (9 goals) FA Cup: 23 appearances (1 goal) Division 3 (South) Cup: 19 appearances (1 goal) Second World War competitions: 54 appearances (4 goals, including 1 penalty) Début: 2-3 home defeat v Millwall, Football League Div 3 (South), 1 Sep 1934 Final game in peacetime competitions: 1-1 home draw v Birmingham City, FA Cup 4th Round 2nd Leg, 30 Jan 1946 (Lost 1-6 on aggregate.) Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 62; all competitions 66

Career Path Morris Motors; Coventry City (amateur November 1930, professional February 1931); WATFORD (June 1934); Coventry City, Dunfermline Athletic, Hibernian & Morris Motors guest player during Second World War; Worcester City (briefly 1945); Bedworth Town (1946 until 1951)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1930/31 Coventry City 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 14th of 22 1931/32 Coventry City 29 Football League Division 3 (South) – 12th of 22 1932/33 Coventry City 17 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22 1933/34 Coventry City 8 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 2nd of 22 1934/35 WATFORD 21 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22 1935/36 WATFORD 37 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 5th of 22 1936/37 WATFORD 41 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1937/38 WATFORD 42 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1938/39 WATFORD 38 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1939/40 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – season abandoned

Versatile in the extreme, Vic O’Brien occupied every playing position, including goalkeeper, as a guest player for Coventry City during the Second World War, which he spent in aircraft manufacture. He once scored six goals as an inside-forward in a reserve-team fixture for Watford against Queens Park Rangers (result 9-1), but later settled down at right-back, and barely missed a first-team game in the last four peacetime seasons, as well as becoming club captain. In 1931 he played in a ‘Junior’ international against Scotland for a side representing England, although these fixtures were actually undertaken by a Birmingham FA XI. Managing somehow to avoid an identity crisis, as a young boy he was known to friends and neighbours as Bob, became Vic in his youth, and was also later known as Mick.

Told me he was originally known to friends & neighbours as “Bob”, became “Vic” in his youth, and was later also call “Mick” (and is referred to thus in the 1937/38 Handbook). Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Club captain 1937/38 & 1938/39. For details of 1943/44 apps, see Soccer History 29, page 22 (Dunfermline 2nd Series). For details of 1944/45 apps for Hibernian, see Soccer History 30, p 16. Listed at £1,000 cs 1946, but FL reduced it to £500, and he was eventually released. Signed for Worcester City at the end of the war, but Watford objected and the signing was cancelled, but Watford subsequently released him and he joined newly- formed Bedworth Town. Scored 6 for Reserves v QPR 30/3/1935 (9-1). Represented Birmingham FA v Scotland in a ‘Junior’ international in 1931 - his nephew, when advising me of Vic’s death, mentioned the cap which he received for this app. Guested for Hibernian 1942/43 (5 apps) – see Soccer History 27, page 25. Lived at 54 Goodwood Avenue whilst with Watford. Shortly after outbreak of war he returned to Coventry, where he spent the war involved in aircraft manufacture. Worked for Standard Motor Co until retirement age. Lived at 35 Prince of Wales Rd, Coventry (0203 678784). Ht 5 ft 9 ins. Wt 12 st.

Roelof Johannes Gysbertus OELOFSE (1953‐1954) Full‐back / Centre‐half

Born Lichtenburg, Transvaal, South Africa, 12 November 1926 Died South Africa, November 2001 Representative Honours South Africa ‘Unofficial’ Watford Career Football League: 15 appearances Début: 0‐2 away defeat v Southampton, Football League Div 3 (South), 19 Aug 1953 Final game: 1‐0 home win v Coventry City, Football League Div 3 (South), 6 Feb 1954 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League all 9; competitions 9

Career Path Berea Park (South Africa); Chelsea (October 1951); WATFORD (“nearly £2,000” July 1953 until close season 1954)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1951/52 Chelsea 3 Football League Division 1 – 19th of 22 1952/53 Chelsea 5 Football League Division 1 – 19th of 22 1953/54 WATFORD 15 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 24

Expressing no personal preference for either position, he was a well‐built full‐back or centre‐half who returned to South Africa after nearly three seasons in English football, although Watford had retained his registration and placed him on the open‐to‐transfer list at £1,500. He also played baseball while in England, and subsequently represented his home country in ‘unofficial’ international football matches against both Australia and England. Although he was known here as Ralph, the authentic pronunciation of his name was ‘Roolaf Oolafsa’, with the accent on the first syllable in both words.

Known in England as “Ralph”. I have copy of birth certificate. Returned to South Africa July 1954. Died of cancer. Toured Australia with South Africa circa October 1955. Played there in “Test Matches” v Australia, and also v England XI 1956 (designated as ‘Northern Transvaal’). Played for Anglo‐South African XI v South Africa at Highbury 9/11/1953. Married and living in Harrow when he joined Watford. Living in Pretoria mid‐1990s. A baseball player who played in England for Briggs Bodies in 1952. 5 ft 11 ins. 12 st. Stefano OKAKA (2016- ) Striker (Full name: Stefano OKAKA CHUKA) Born Castiglione del Lago, Italy, 9 August 1989 Representative Honours Italy Youth, Under-21 & Full Watford Career (to the end of 2016/17 season) FA : 10+9 appearances (4 goals) FA Cup: 1 appearance Début: (as sub) 4-2 away win v West Ham United, FA Premier League, 10 Sep 2016 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League 8; all competitions 8

Career Path Castiglionese (Italy) (1994); Sanfatucchio (Italy); Centro Italia Parma (Italy) (2001); AS Cittadella (Italy) (2002); Roma (Italy) (2004); Modena (Italy) (loan 2007); Brescia (Italy) (2009); Fulham (loan January 2010); Bari (Italy) (loan January 2011); Parma (Italy) (loan January 2012, contract August 2012); Spezia (Italy) (loan August 2012); Sampdoria (Italy) (January 2014); Anderlecht () (£2.5 million July 2015); WATFORD (£10 million August 2016)

FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2009/10 Fulham 3 8 2 FA Premier League – 12th of 20 2016/17 WATFORD 10 9 4 FA Premier League – 17th of 20

Capped at U-19 & U-20 levels. Paul Michael OKON (2002) Midfielder

Born Bosley Park, Sydney, Australia, 5 April 1972 Representative Honours Australia Youth, Under-23 & Full Watford Career Football League: 14+1 appearances Début: 1-1 away draw v Rotherham United, Football League Div 1, 12 Jan 2002 Final game: 2-3 home defeat v Gillingham, Football League Div 1, 21 Apr 2002 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 9; all competitions 9

Career Path Marconi Stallions (Australia) (1989); FC Brugge (Belgium) (300,000 Australian dollars 1991); Lazio (Italy) (July 1996); Fiorentina (Italy) (July 1999); Middlesbrough (free August 2000); WATFORD (free January 2002); Leeds United (free August 2002 until August 2003); Vicenza (Italy); KV Oostende (Belgium) (January 2004); Apoel (Cyprus) (June 2005); Newcastle United Jets (Australia) (2006); APIA Leichhardt (Australia) coaching assistant (briefly September 2008); Gold Coast United (Australia) assistant-coach (September 2008 until February 2010); also Australia Under-18s manager at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (January 2009); Australia Under-20s head coach (April 2012)

FA Premier League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2000/01 Middlesbrough 23 1 FA Premier League – 14th of 20 2001/02 Middlesbrough 1 3 FA Premier League – 12th of 20 2001/02 WATFORD 14 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2002/03 Leeds United 15 FA Premier League – 15th of 20

The last of Luca Vialla’s international signings made little impact as the club’s season continued on its mediocre course to the end. ’s appearances included only three victories. Born in Australia to an Italian mother and German father, he had won two Belgian League championships, two Belgian Cup-winner’s medals and that country’s Player of the Year award in 1995/96. He also captained Fiorentina, played in the 1992 World Youth Cup finals and the Barcelona Olympics, and at senior level was captain of the Australia side which beat England 3-1 at Upton Park in February 2003. In short, those few weeks at did not represent the high-point of his career.

Known as “Paul”. Henry Spoors OLIVER (1948-1952) Full-back / Centre-half

Born Sunderland, County Durham, 16 February 1921 Died Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, 11 January 1994 Representative Honours England Schools Watford Career Football League: 122 appearances (2 goals, both of them penalties) FA Cup: 6 appearances (2 goals, both of them penalties) Début: 0-2 away defeat v Swansea Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 21 Aug 1948 Final game: 1-2 home defeat v Torquay United, Football League Div 3 (South), 12 Apr 1952 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 44; all competitions 45

Career Path Hylton Road School, Sunderland; Sunderland Schools; Durham Schools; Doxford Juniors; Hylton Colliery Juniors; Ditchburn’s; Sunderland ‘A’ team; Houghton Colliery Welfare; Sheffield United (amateur May 1937); Hartlepools United (amateur October 1937, professional March 1938); Brentford (£1,200/£1,500 May 1938); Leeds United guest player during Second World War; WATFORD (£2,000 May 1948); Canterbury City (July 1952 until retirement October 1956)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1937/38 Hartlepools United 9 Football League Division 3 (North) – 20th of 22 1946/47 Brentford 14 Football League Division 1 – 21st of 22 (Relegated) 1947/48 Brentford 4 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 22 1948/49 WATFORD 35 Football League Division 3 (South) – 17th of 22 1949/50 WATFORD 37 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22 1950/51 WATFORD 32 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 23rd of 24 1951/52 WATFORD 18 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 24

Not long after his 17th birthday Harry Oliver attracted a good fee from top-flight Brentford, where he spent ten years but played in only 18 peacetime Football League games. A strongly-built man who moved from full-back to centre-half, he endeared himself to the Vicarage Road crowd with his forthright defending. The £2,000 which brought him to Vicarage Road was donated by the club’s landlords and benefactors, the brewing firm Benskins.

Known as “Harry”. Birth & death indexes OK. Probate nothing. Listed at £2,500 cs 1952 & £1,500 cs 1953. At time of retirement from football in 1956 worked for Universal Asbestos. By 1967 was a foreman with Doxford Engineering Co, marine engineers in Sunderland. In 1992 lived at 18 Laurel Gardens, Crook, DL15 9LW (0388 766363), but moved shortly afterwards to Grindon, Sunderland. Died 1am on 11/1/1994 in Sunderland General Hospital. Wife Ada, children Ingrid, Marlene, Sonya, Victor. Ht 5 ft 11½ ins. Wt 13 st 10 lbs.

Kenneth OLIVER (1963‐1964) Forward

Born Pelton, County Durham, 26 November 1938 Watford Career Football League: 58 appearances (26 goals) FA Cup: 4 appearances (2 goals) Football League Cup: 1 appearance Début: 3‐3 home draw v Hull City, Football League Div 3, 24 Aug 1963 Final game: 1‐5 away defeat v Brentford, Football League Div 3, 28 Nov 1964 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 41; all competitions 41

Career Path Chester‐le‐Street Schools; Lumley Juniors; Birtley Royal Ordnance Factory; Sunderland (May 1958 until close season 1959); South Shields; Barnsley (February 1960); WATFORD (£5,000 July 1963); Workington (Oliver plus £2,000 exchanged for D.Carr February 1965); Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic (January 1967 until close season 1967); Bradford City coach (by August 1970 for 3 years); Newcastle United reserve‐team coach (3 years); Birmingham City (youth‐team coach, first‐team coach from 1977/78); Walsall coach (by 1980); Tottenham Hotspur youth‐team coach (2 seasons including 1982/83); coaching in Qatar; coaching in Saudi Arabia; Carlisle United trainer‐coach (by October 1986); Walsall physiotherapist (briefly April 1987)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1959/60 Barnsley 2 1 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24 1960/61 Barnsley 18 11 Football League Division 3 – 8th of 24 1961/62 Barnsley 39 14 Football League Division 3 – 20th of 24 1962/63 Barnsley 35 12 Football League Division 3 – 18th of 24 1963/64 WATFORD 44 19 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 1964/65 WATFORD 14 7 Football League Division 3 – 9th of 24 1964/65 Workington 17 2 Football League Division 3 – 15th of 24 1965/66 Workington 46 13 Football League Division 3 – 5th of 24 1966/67 Workington 21 3 Football League Division 3 – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 1966/67 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 14 4 Football League Division 3 – 20th of 24

A hard‐working inside‐forward who provided good goalscoring support for Charlie Livesey in the unsuccessful 1963/64 promotion chase. His first professional engagement was with Sunderland, but he had to drop to a lower division before getting his Football League career started at – and in fact every one of his League outings was at Third Division level. Ken Oliver was finished as a player when a kneecap had to be removed by surgery in the summer of 1967.

Known as “Ken”. Birth index OK. Listed by Sunderland at £500 cs 1959. In July 1993 (phone number Atherstone [0827] 52467) working for KAM Sports, arranging tours for Arab clubs, and also running a taxi business. Address in 2009 – 70 Briar, Tamworth, B77 4DY (01827 52467).

Luke Terry O’NIEN (2014) Midfielder

Born Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 21 November 1994

Watford Career Football League: 0+1 appearance Sole appearance: (as sub) 3-0 home win v Barnsley, Football League Championship, 15 Mar 2014

Career Path WATFORD (from age 8, scholar June 2011, professional June 2013); Wealdstone (loan March 2014 and August 2014); Wycombe Wanderers (free July 2015)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2013/14 WATFORD 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2015/16 Wycombe Wanderers 33 2 5 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 13th of 24 2016/17 Wycombe Wanderers 28 3 3 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 9th of 24

A boy who’d been under Watford’s wing since he was eight years old, Luke O’Nien made a extremely brief entry into first- team football as a substitute, shortly before being loaned out to Wealdstone. Joseph Henry ORME (1911-1913) Goalkeeper

Born Barrow Hill, Derbyshire, 8 November 1884 Died Nottingham, June 1935 Watford Career Southern League: 13 appearances Southern Charity Cup: 1 appearance Début: 0-0 home draw v Southampton, Southern League Div 1, 9 Dec 1911 Final game: 1-1 home draw v Millwall, Southern League Div 1, 26 Apr 1913 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 11; all competitions 12

Career Path Clay Cross Zingari (May 1904); New Tupton Ivanhoe (May 1906); Clay Cross Zingari (May 1907); North Wingfield Red Rose (May 1908); Chesterfield Town (close season 1909); Pinxton Colliery (close season 1910); WATFORD (July 1911); Millwall (£100 May 1913); Notts County guest player during First World War; Nottingham Forest (November 1919, released close season 1921); Heanor; Shirebrook (May 1922); Butterley Co Works (permit to play as a amateur granted December 1927)

Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1911/12 WATFORD 1 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 20 1912/13 WATFORD 12 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1913/14 Millwall 38 Southern League Division 1 – 15th of 20 1914/15 Millwall 32 Southern League Division 1 – 8th of 20 1919/20 Nottingham Forest 5 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 22 1920/21 Nottingham Forest 6 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 22

He’d moved around extensively as a professional within a tiny Derbyshire radius before becoming Joe Webster’s goalkeeping understudy at Cassio Road, and in his first three Southern League outings, spread over 15 months, he kept three clean sheets. He spent the summer of 1912 as a professional with Rickmansworth Cricket Club. On 9 January 1915, when playing for Millwall in an FA Cup tie, he was sent off for indulging in a punch-up with Clapton Orient’s centre-forward, who was also dismissed, and two days later the pair of them lined up for their first army pay as two of the earliest batch of 250 to have enlisted in the Footballers’ Battalion. He made his Football League début after the First World War at the age of 35.

Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Notts County guest 14 Dec 1918. Possibly, or possibly not, Ilkeston Utd Nov 1919? A child of his died late-February 1915. Was invalided home due to rheumatic fever in the summer of 1916. Held “a government post” in Nottingham time of death. 5 ft 9¾ ins. 12 st.

William ORR (1906‐1907) Defender (formerly William SIMPSON) Born Ayr, 9 December 1875 Died Glossop, Derbyshire, 21 December 1912 Watford Career Southern League: 5 appearances United League: 7 appearances Début: 0‐1 home defeat v Luton Town, United League, 19 Sep 1906 Final game: 1‐2 away defeat v Norwich City, Southern League Div 1, 27 Apr 1907 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 28; all competitions 36

Career Path Ayr Parkhouse (by January 1897); Glossop North End (March 1899); Manchester City (July 1901); Fulham (close season 1903); Glossop (May 1904); WATFORD (August 1906); Glossop (September 1907)

Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1898/99 Glossop North End 2 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 18 (Promoted) 1899/00 Glossop North End 21 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 18 (Relegated) 1900/01 Glossop North End 16 Football League Division 2 – 5th of 18 1901/02 Manchester City 23 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 18 (Relegated) 1902/03 Manchester City 13 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 18 (Promoted) 1903/04 Fulham 27 Southern League Division 1 – 11th of 18 1904/05 Glossop 33 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 18 1905/06 Glossop 28 Football League Division 2 – 16th of 20 1906/07 WATFORD 5 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 20

Billy Orr was a regular Football League First Division full‐back with both his first two English clubs when they finished bottom of the table and were relegated. In the case of Manchester City, however, there was a triumphant return to the top flight the following season. Although in Watford’s first team just before being released, he had been only a minor figure during his one Cassio Road campaign, his best days being by that time behind him. He was a tailor by trade before he came to England, and continued to work as such in Glossop, where he had three spells as a footballer and died at the age of 37 after 12 months’ serious illness.

Known as “Billy”. Birth & death index OK, probate nothing. He was reported to have been “well‐known in the game for wearing a cap whilst playing”, but this was confusion with a Scotland international of the same name. I have copy of birth registration: William Simpson (illegitimate), born 11.10pm on 9 Dec 1875 at 4(?) Kyle St, Ayr, mother Annabella [sic] Crichton (illiterate) sewer, widow, maiden surname Simpson, no father named. The mother’s first name was actually Isabella – there was no such person in Scotland as Annabella Crichton). It’s a mystery as to why William was registered as Simpson rather than Crichton. Isabella Simpson, aged 28, married James Crichton, Ayr, 1867. Isabella died in 1883 (surname still Crichton). 1881 census: 1/2 High St, Ayr, Isabella Crichton, head, widowed, 40, born Ayr; William Orr [sic], son, 5, born Ayr; William Orr, boarder, unmarried, 50, coal trimmer, born Ireland. William Orr snr may or may not have been William jnr’s father, but he is named as such on William jnr’s marriage cert ‐ I have a copy of marriage certificate (11/6/1900) ‐ it’s definitely him, as a witness was Elizabeth Cunnington (Cummington?) and one of the mourners at his funeral was a Mrs Cunnington. Also, Billy was a tailor both in Ayr and after his football career finished, and the groom’s occupation on the marriage certificate is “tailor”. No trace in 1871 or 1891 census. All Glossop papers done, December 1912. 1901 Census – William, 24, tailor, born Ayrshire, address Glossop. 1911 census: William Orr, 35, married, tailor, born Ayr, living 73 High St, Glossop. Good obit in High Peak Chronicle ‐ died after 12 months’ serious illness; wife & 4 children; Scottish; worked as a tailor (after giving up football) for Mr Walter Hurst, High St East, Glossop. No SFA registration ‐ Ayr Parkhouse was an amateur club. Ayr Observer reports on his departure for Glossop, referring to him as a tailor. He was joining his former Parkhouse colleague, Hunter McCosh. “Billy” Orr was “not by any means sound in limb” and “one fears the heavy strain of English football will knock him off”. 5 ft 11 ins. 12 st.

John Frederick OSBORN (1897) Goalkeeper

West Herts Career Southern League: 5 appearances Début: 0‐2 away defeat v Uxbridge, Southern League Div 2, 2 Oct 1897 Final game: 2‐1 away win v Wycombe Wanderers, Southern League Div 2, 6 Nov 1897 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 5; all competitions 5

Career Path Watford Wanderers (by March 1895); WEST HERTS (February 1897 until November 1897); Small Heath (professional June 1899 until close season 1900)

Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1897/98 WEST HERTS 5 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12

After keeping goal for the Reserves in 1896/97 he was approached by Apsley, and before deciding whether or not to join them he asked the West Herts committee if he could have a trial in the first team. In a quaint approach to team‐selection, the request was granted, but he left the district soon afterwards, having played in the club’s last all‐amateur eleven and also the first to include professionals.

Played for Reserves February 1897 – see H.A.Hutchings. Ceased playing for the club on leaving the district Nov 1897. Goalkeeper “Osborne of Watford” signed by Small Heath cs 1899 (Lancashire Daily Post football prospects for 1899/1900). FA registrations: J. Osborne (Birches Lane Utd, September 1901 & October 1902) & J. Osborne (South Wingfield, August 1904). A John Osborne transferred to Bathgate from an Irish club 1904/05. The Watford man was approached by Apsley, September 1897, and before deciding whether to join them he asked the West Herts committee if he could have a trial in the 1st XI. The hon sec was instructed to inform him that he would be given a trial.

E.J.OSBORNE (1897) Wing‐half

West Herts Career Southern League: 2 appearances Début: 0‐2 away defeat v Uxbridge, Southern League Div 2, 2 Oct 1897 Final game: 0‐8 away defeat v Dartford, Southern League Div 2, 16 Oct 1897 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 2; all competitions 2

Career Path Brentford (1895 for 2 seasons); WEST HERTS (close season 1897)

Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1897/98 WEST HERTS 2 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12

Like his near‐namesake goalkeeping contemporary, J.F.Osborn, he played (at left‐half) in the two Southern League matches which marked the end of the exclusively amateur era at Cassio Road and the adoption of professionalism. Apart from a few friendlies, those two were his only first‐team appearances. He’d joined the club from Brentford after moving to Watford for business reasons.

Mark Chapman says he made sporadic apps for Brentford in 1896/97, but doesn’t know anything else.

John OSBORNE (1948‐1949) Wing‐half / Inside‐forward

Born Renfrew, 14 October 1919 Died Leicester, 19 September 1981 Watford Career Football League: 34 appearances (13 goals) FA Cup: 1 appearance Début: 1‐1 home draw v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 31 Jan 1948 Final game: 0‐1 home defeat v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 16 Apr 1949 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 16; all competitions 16

Career Path Linwood Thistle (1938); Leicester City (September 1938); Dundee United & St Mirren guest player during Second World War; WATFORD (£4,750 for Osborne, J.W.H.Calvert, T.Eggleston & T.W.Hartley, January 1948); Brush Sports (August 1949); Rugby Town (July 1950); Jones & Shipman (August 1953 until early‐1960s)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1939/40 Leicester City 1 Football League Division 2 – season abandoned 1947/48 WATFORD 16 8 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1948/49 WATFORD 18 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 17th of 22

Although a Filbert Street professional for more than nine years, apart from the nullified 1939 outing he didn’t make his Football League début until Leicester shipped him out as part of the five‐man (including one on loan) package deal. He immediately went into Watford’s first team at left‐half, but was to spend most of his Vicarage Road stay in the inside‐forward positions. Every one of Johnny Osborne’s 13 goals came in a purple sequence of 15 games. He had been wounded in France during the Second World War.

Known as “Johnny”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. Listed at £1,000 cs 1949. Dundee Utd guest ap 1943/44 – see Soccer History 29, page 22. Jones & Shipman was a Leicester works team. No SFA registration for any club (Linwood Thistle not listed in the registration books). Address at time of death: 49 Wilmington Rd, Leicester. 5 ft 8 ins. 10 st 3 lbs.

Junior OSBORNE (2005-2007) Defender

Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 12 February 1988 Watford Career Football League: 1+1 appearances Football League Cup: 0+2 appearances Début: (as sub) 1-2 home defeat v West Ham United, Football League Championship, 8 May 2005 Final game: (as sub) 3-0 home win v Gillingham, Football League Cup 1st Round, 14 Aug 2007 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 1; all competitions 2

Career Path WATFORD (scholar July 2004, professional July 2005); Kidderminster Harriers (loan January 2006); Aldershot Town (free August 2008, released December 2008); Wealdstone (January 2010 until August 2010); also Bushey (until close season 2010); Northwood (August 2011 until 2012)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2004/05 WATFORD 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 18th of 24 2005/06 WATFORD 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 2008/09 Aldershot Town 8 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 15th of 24

At the time of his Football League début Junior Osborne was the fifth-youngest player to have represented Watford in a competitive first-team match, but quite a few under-18s were thrown in at the deep end under Aidy Boothroyd and little more than two years later Osborne had dropped down to eighth place in the list. He suffered three serious knee injuries before being released by the club, and they continued to hinder his career.

Known as “Junior”. Birth index OK. Edward Abdullai Mobalaji Olatunji Afo OSHODI (2009-2010) Centre-half

Born Brent, London, 14 January 1992 Representative Honours England Youth & ‘C’ Watford Career Football League: 0+1 appearance Football League Cup: 0+1 appearance Début: (as sub) 2-3 home defeat v Coventry City, Football League Championship, 29 Sep 2009 Final Game: 1-2 home defeat v Notts County, Football League Cup 2nd Round, 24 Aug 2010 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 1

Career Path WATFORD (trained from age 9, scholar July 2008, professional January 2009, contract cancelled August 2011); Dagenham & Redbridge (loan November 2010); Rushden & Diamonds (loan January 2011); Forest Green Rovers (October 2011 until January 2015); Hemel Hempstead Town (March 2015); St Albans City (December 2015); Wealdstone (free June 2016)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2009/10 WATFORD 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24

A first-team débutant at 17, Eddie Oshodi had two substitute outings separated by eleven months, and a year later he left the club. He became captain of the England Under-17 side on 24 October 2008, and in another Under-17 fixture three days later was sent off. After joining Forest Green Rovers he played for England ‘C’ (ie non-League) with his club colleague Keiron Forbes, also formerly of Watford. Oshodi, whose five forenames constitute a club record, announced his retirement from football at the age of 23 to do charity work, but a few weeks later signed for Hemel Hempstead Town.

Known as “Eddie”. Birth index OK. Trained with the club at St Clement Danes School from an early age. Capped at U-16 level 2007/08 and U-17 level 2008/09. Capped at ‘C’ level 2011/12. Watford contract cancelled “by mutual consent”, and with that of T.M.Aldred.

John Joseph O’TOOLE (2007-2009) Midfielder

Born Born Harrow, London, 30 September 1988 Representative Honours Republic of Ireland Under-21 Watford Career Football League: 31+21 appearances (10 goals) FA Cup: 2+2 appearances (1 goal) Football League Cup: 0+4 appearances (1 goal) Début: (as sub) 0-2 away defeat v Southend United, Football League Cup 2nd Round, 28 Aug 2007 Final game: (as sub) 1-3 home defeat v Chelsea, FA Cup 5th Round, 14 Feb 2009 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 22; all competitions 20

Career Path WATFORD (trained from age 9, scholar September 2005, professional September 2007); Wealdstone (loan March 2007); Sheffield United (loan February 2009); Colchester United (loan September 2009, £275,000 December 2009); Bristol Rovers (loan December 2012, undisclosed fee July 2013); Northampton Town (free June 2014); Southend United (loan November 2014)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2007/08 WATFORD 23 13 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 6th of 24 2008/09 WATFORD 14 8 7 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2008/09 Sheffield United 5 4 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 2009/10 Colchester United 30 1 2 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 8th of 24 2010/11 Colchester United 5 6 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 10th of 24 2011/12 Colchester United 8 7 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 10th of 24 2012/13 Colchester United 4 11 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 20th of 24 2012/13 Bristol Rovers 18 3 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 14th of 24 2013/14 Bristol Rovers 41 13 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 2014/15 Northampton Town 24 11 2 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 12th of 24 2014/15 Southend United 2 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 5th of 24 (Promoted) 2015/16 Northampton Town 36 2 12 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 2016/17 Northampton Town 34 6 10 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 16th of 24

Looking a mature footballer right from the start of his first-team career, John-Joe O’Toole was conspicuous for a combative approach and a knack of perfect timing with his arrival in the penalty area from midfield. Colchester United are not known for an ability to spend large amounts in the transfer market, but under Aidy Boothroyd, who’d managed the player at Vicarage Road, they deemed him worthy of one of their bigger outlays and got good value for money until injuries interrupted his progress. In 2013/14 O’Toole enjoyed personal success as goalscorer, but his club nevertheless lost its Football League membership of 94 years’ standing, as a result of which he was free to join Northampton Town. His international qualification derived from Irish grandparents.

Known as “John-Joe”. Birth index OK.

Mamadou Obbi OULARÉ (2016- ) Striker

Born Waregem, Belgium, 8 January 1996 Representative Honours Belgium Youth & Under-21 Watford Career (to end of 2016/17 season) FA Premier League: 0+2 appearances FA Cup: 1 appearance Début: 1-0 home win v Newcastle United, FA Cup 3rd Round, 9 Jan 2016 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League 1; all competitions 1

Career Path (Belgium) (2003); Anderlecht (Belgium) (2005); Lille (France) (2006); ES Wasquehal (France) (2011); Standard Liége (Belgium) (2012); Club Brugge KV (Belgium) (2013); WATFORD (£4.5 million September 2015); Zulte Waregem (Belgium) (loan July 2016); Willem II (Belgium) (loan January 2017); Royal Antwerp (Belgium) (loan July 2017)

FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2015/16 WATFORD 2 FA Premier League – 13th of 20

Known as “Obbi”. 6ft 5ins tall. Was capped at U-18 & U-19 levels. His father Souleymane Oularé was a Full international for Guinea. David OVENSTONE (1937) Winger

Born St Monance, Fife, 17 June 1913 Died Cardiff, 19 January 1983 Watford Career Football League: 1 appearance Division 3 (South) Cup: 1 appearance Début: 2-2 home draw v Millwall, 1936/37 Division 3 (South) Cup Final 1st Leg, 29 Sep 1937 Final game: 1-3 home defeat v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 16 Oct 1937 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 1; all competitions 1

Career Path Ladybank Young Men’s Guild; St Monance Swifts; Rosslyn Juniors (February 1932); Raith Rovers (amateur June 1932, professional September 1932); Queens Park Rangers (June 1935); Cardiff City (May 1936); WATFORD (free June 1937); Southport (November 1937); Barry Town (free March 1938); Ebbw Vale player-manager (July 1949)

Scottish League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1932/33 Raith Rovers ? ? Scottish League Division 2 – 6th of 18 1933/34 Raith Rovers ? ? Scottish League Division 2 – 8th of 18 1934/35 Raith Rovers ? ? Scottish League Division 2 – 13th of 18 1935/36 Queens Park Rangers 15 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1936/37 Cardiff City 21 4 Football League Division 3 (South) – 18th of 22 1937/38 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1937/38 Southport 8 3 Football League Division 3 (North) – 16th of 22

Just five months after joining the club he was on the move again, having fleetingly appeared as a first-team winger. The first of his two appearances was in the Division 3 (South) Cup Final, which had been held over from the previous season – Watford and Millwall shared the trophy after two drawn games.

Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Born Coal Wind, St Monance – father a fisherman, mother’s maiden name Guthrie. Is sometimes credited with middle name Guthrie, but this doesn’t appear in birth or death registration. There’s another David Ovenstone in SFA archives from 1938 to 1940 - Broughty Ex-Service and Forthill Athletic. 5 ft 9 ins. 11 st 7 lbs.

Brian Ernest OWEN (1963-1970) Winger

Born Harefield, Middlesex, 2 November 1944 Watford Career Football League: 148+5 appearances (17 goals) FA Cup: 11 appearances (3 goals) Football League Cup: 4+2 appearances Début: 4-1 away win v Brighton & Hove Albion, Football League Div 3, 4 May 1963 Final game: 1-3 away defeat v Portsmouth, Football League Div 2, 1 Apr 1970 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 23; all competitions 28

Career Path Hayes Schools; WATFORD (amateur August 1961, apprentice September 1961, professional June 1962); Colchester United (free May 1970); Wolverhampton Wanderers (player & coaching staff free December 1972, trainer-coach by close season 1976 until 1978/79); Peterborough United staff; a position in USA football (close season 1979); Ipswich Town (youth-team manager close season 1979, reserve-team coach by 1982/83); also England youth-team joint-trainer (September 1979) and Under-21 team trainer (by November 1984); Crystal Palace physiotherapist (close season 1988); WATFORD scout (by February 1989); Colchester United physiotherapist (close season 1989); Luton Town (reserve-team physiotherapist 1991/92, first-team physiotherapist 1992/93); Cambridge United assistant-manager (December 1992); Colchester United physiotherapist (close season 1993, also coaching & scouting by July 2005, until October 2008); Charlton Athletic scout; Bradford City scout (by September 2012)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1962/63 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24 1963/64 WATFORD 4 1 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 1964/65 WATFORD 33 4 Football League Division 3 – 9th of 24 1965/66 WATFORD 33 3 Football League Division 3 – 12th of 24 1966/67 WATFORD 17 4 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 1967/68 WATFORD 18 2 1 Football League Division 3 – 6th of 24 1968/69 WATFORD 30 1 4 Football League Division 3 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1969/70 WATFORD 10 2 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 22 1970/71 Colchester United 4 1 2 Football League Division 4 – 6th of 24 1971/72 Colchester United 7 Football League Division 4 – 11th of 24 1972/73 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 22

Loyal and dedicated, despite many spells in the Reserves, he had a long Watford career as a strong-running winger. He took part in the 1970 FA Cup Semi-final a year after scoring a spectacular freak goal as the club homed in on the Third Division championship, the ball swirling high into the air and seeming bound for the terrace, but then dropping suddenly and bouncing up into the net, leaving Tranmere Rovers’ goalkeeper Jim Cumbes thoroughly flummoxed. Brian Owen’s playing career ended with his only four top-flight outings.

Known as “Brian”. Birth index OK. Toured Switzerland with an FA youth team in 1963, and also represented an FA Youth XI v AFA Public Schools XI in January 1963. Wolves refused to release him for a youth tournament in Monaco, November 1976, and David Butler replaced him. Joint England-youth-team physio with Butler in Yugoslavia, September 1979. Address in 1992: The Queech, Capel St Mary, Ipswich, IP9 2UH (0473 310178). Ht 5 ft 10 ins. Wt 12 st 10 lbs.

Michael David PACKER (1968-1973) Defender

Born Willesden, Middlesex, 20 April 1950 Watford Career Football League: 57+11 appearances (2 goals, including 1 penalty) FA Cup: 6+2 appearances Football League Cup: 1 appearance Début: 0-1 home defeat v Stockport County, Football League Div 3, 31 Aug 1968 Final game: (as sub) 1-2 away defeat v Bristol Rovers, Football League Div 3, 24 Mar 1973 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 12; all competitions 12

Career Path Willesden Schools; WATFORD (apprentice July 1965, professional April 1968); Crewe Alexandra (loan March 1972); Colchester United (free June 1973); Wivenhoe Town player-manager (free close season 1983); later AFC Sudbury reserve- team coach

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1968/69 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1969/70 WATFORD 13 6 2 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 22 1970/71 WATFORD 17 4 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 22 1971/72 WATFORD 8 Football League Division 2 – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1971/72 Crewe Alexandra 12 Football League Division 4 – 24th of 24 1972/73 WATFORD 18 1 Football League Division 3 – 19th of 24 1973/74 Colchester United 32 1 1 Football League Division 4 – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 1974/75 Colchester United 30 1 Football League Division 3 – 11th of 24 1975/76 Colchester United 44 2 Football League Division 3 – 22nd of 24 (Relegated) 1976/77 Colchester United 35 4 5 Football League Division 4 – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 1977/78 Colchester United 44 2 Football League Division 3 – 8th of 24 1978/79 Colchester United 40 2 1 Football League Division 3 – 7th of 24 1979/80 Colchester United 43 4 Football League Division 3 – 5th of 24 1980/81 Colchester United 43 4 Football League Division 3 – 22nd of 24 (Relegated) 1981/82 Colchester United 14 1 Football League Division 4 – 6th of 24 1982/83 Colchester United 12 Football League Division 4 – 6th of 24

He was a Colchester United defender for ten seasons which encompassed two promotions, two relegations and a sending-off against Watford on his first reappearance at Vicarage Road, where he had spent eight years from the start of his apprenticeship. Mike Packer played in the 1970 FA Cup Semi-final but never held a first-team spot for very long, his best run of consecutive appearances ending after 12 games.

Known as “Mike”. Birth index OK. No death traced 2007-2012. Address in April 2014: Hadleigh High Leisure Centre, Highlands Rd, Hadleigh, IP7 5HU ([email protected]) 5 ft 10 ins. 11 st.

Frederick William PACKHAM (1926-1927) Winger

Born Birmingham, Warwickshire, 2 October 1901 Died Hendon, London, 29 January 1974 Watford Career Football League: 5 appearances Début: 0-4 away defeat v Plymouth Argyle, Football League Div 3 (South), 18 Sep 1926 Final game: 0-4 away defeat v Norwich City, Football League Div 3 (South), 18 Apr 1927 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 3; all competitions 3

Career Path Hampstead Town (1920); Barnet; Fulham (professional August 1924); WATFORD (free September 1926 after trial period,released close season 1927); Brighton & Hove Albion trial (August 1927); Dartford (1927); Hendon Garage, LGOC (permit to play as an amateur granted October 1928); Cricklewood Garage, LGOC (permit to play as an amateur granted March 1930)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1924/25 Fulham 4 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 22 1925/26 Fulham 1 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 22 1926/27 WATFORD 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 22

A successful trial at the beginning of 1926/27 led to his Vicarage Road engagement after he’d played five Football League games on Fulham’s right wing in two seasons. Fred Packham repeated this total at Watford (four defeats and a draw), but played no other League football. He did have a trial with Brighton & Hove Albion after being released, but nothing came of it, and he dropped down to a lower level.

Known as “Fred”. Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Relation Stephen Packham made contact in August 2006 - [email protected]. 5 ft 7 ins. 10 st 2 lbs.

Robert Hargood PADLEY (1903) Forward (formerly Robert HARGOOD) Born Preston, Middlesex, 2 August 1881 Died Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia, 1967 Watford Career South Eastern League: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 6-1 home win v Brighton & Hove Albion, South Eastern League, 4 Apr 1903

Career Path Bushey Heath; WATFORD (amateur December 1902)

His brief flirtation with first-team football brought two good home wins, that 6-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, in which he played at centre-forward, being followed six days later by an outing on the right-wing in a Good Friday friendly against Kensington Town, the result this time 5-1. He didn’t get on the scoresheet in either game. He was a farmer who emigrated to New South Wales in 1909, and returned temporarily to England in 1913 with a wife who bore him two sons before the family sailed back to Australia in 1919.

Born illegitimately to Lucy Hargood, who subsequently married Henry Padley (Bethnal Green 1883). He was baptized at Bushey 23 Mar 1896 (sic). Death: Robert Hargood Padley at Kogarah, NSW, 1967, son of Henry & Lucy Padley. 1891 census: Elstree Rd, Bushey, aged 19, born Preston, Middx, parents Henry (retired butcher) & Lucy M. 1901 census: aged 19, working on Henry Padley’s farm at Bushey Heath, born The Hyde, Middlesex, parents Henry & Lucy Padley. Robert Padley, farmer, aged 27, sailed on board the Waratah from London to Sydney, 26 Apr 1909. Returned with wife Alice (both aged 31), arriving London 29 Mar 1913 – the passenger list has him as “ship broker” – and sailed back to Australia 16 Dec 1919, and 39, with, inexplicably, “wife Ruth E., aged 29”, and sons Robert H., 5, and John J., 9 months. The sons were born Hendon reg dist S1914 and M1919, mother’s maiden name Bucknall. There was no England/Wales marriage Padley=Bucknall, and no death of a Ruth E.Padley, so there seems to have been an error on one of the passenger lists. He was Robert H. (ie obviously Hargood) Padley in the 1919 passenger list, and his sons’ births were both registered with H. as a third forename. Robert John PAGE (1993-2001) Centre-half

Born Llwynypia, Mid-Glamorgan, 3 September 1974 Representative Honours Wales Schools, Youth, Under-21, ‘B’ & Full Watford Career Football League & FA Premier League: 212+7 appearances (2 goals) FA Cup: 12+1 appearances Football League Cup: 17 appearances Associate Members Cup: 3 appearances (1 goal) Début: 0-1 away defeat v Birmingham City, Football League Div 1, 16 Oct 1993 Final game: 1-1 home draw v Tranmere Rovers, Football League Div 1, 28 Apr 2001 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League/Football League 34; all competitions 36

Career Path Cardiff City (trained as a schoolboy); WATFORD (trained from 1975, schoolboy December 1988, trainee July 1991, professional April 1993); Sheffield United (loan August 2001, £350,000 September 2001); Cardiff City (free July 2004); Coventry City (free February 2005); Huddersfield Town (free January 2008); Chesterfield (free July 2008, cancelled March 2011); Port Vale (youth-team coach July 2011, first-team coach May 2012, caretaker-manager September 2013, assistant- manager July 2014, caretaker-manager September 2014, manager October 2014); also Wales Under-21s assistant manager (July 2012); Northampton Town manager (May 2016 until January 2017)

Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1993/94 WATFORD 4 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 19th of 24 1994/95 WATFORD 4 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 7th of 24 1995/96 WATFORD 16 3 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1996/97 WATFORD 35 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 13th of 24 1997/98 WATFORD 41 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1998/99 WATFORD 40 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 5th of 24 (Promoted) 1999/00 WATFORD 36 1 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2000/01 WATFORD 36 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 2001/02 Sheffield United 43 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2002/03 Sheffield United 36 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 2003/04 Sheffield United 30 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 8th of 24 2004/05 Cardiff City 8 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2004/05 Coventry City 9 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 19th of 24 2005/06 Coventry City 32 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 8th of 24 2006/07 Coventry City 28 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 17th of 24 2007/08 Huddersfield Town 18 1 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 10th of 24 2008/09 Chesterfield 16 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 10th of 24 2009/10 Chesterfield 38 1 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 8th of 24 2010/11 Chesterfield 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted)

An international captain at schoolboy, youth, Under-21, ‘B’ and Full levels who began his association with Watford by travelling from south Wales during school holidays. Although never looking a novice or out of his depth when selected, Robert Page was made to wait quite some time for a decent first-team run. Although he enjoyed a long Football League career as a centre-half, he actually began it at right-back, at St Andrews. His first League goal came in his 160th appearance in the competition, in which he never scored in a home match. His international career brought him 41 Full caps and the surely unrepeatable experience of playing away from home against Brazil and Barnet in the space of four days, for Wales and Watford, respectively.

Known as “Robert”. Birth index OK. Captained Wales Schools (U-15). Youth caps at U-16 & U-18 level - captained U-18s in 1992/93. Captained Wales Under-21 & ‘B’. Captained Wales in Full international v Hungary, February 2005.

Fred PAGNAM (1921‐1927) Centre‐forward

Born Poulton‐le‐Fylde, Lancashire, 4 September 1891 Died Preston, Lancashire, 7 March 1962 Watford Career Football League: 144 appearances (67 goals, including 6 penalties) FA Cup: 13 appearances (7 goals) Début: 0‐0 home draw v Exeter City, Football League Div 3 (South), 17 Dec 1921 Final game: 0‐3 away defeat v Gillingham, Football League Div 3 (South), 26 Feb 1927 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 71; all competitions 76

Career Path Baines Grammar School; Birchall Boys’ Club; Lytham; Blackpool Wednesday; Huddersfield Town (June 1910); Southport Central (close season 1912); Blackpool (February 1913); Liverpool (“big fee” May 1914); Arsenal, Belfast Celtic, Blackpool & Liverpool guest player during First World War); Arsenal (£1,500 October 1919); Cardiff City (£3,000 March 1921); WATFORD (£1,000 December 1921, manager May 1926 until close season 1929); Turkey national coach (July 1931); HVV (Netherlands) assistant‐coach (1933); DWV (Netherlands) (1934); FC Haarlem (Netherlands) (1937 until May 1940); also De Volewijckers (Netherlands) part‐time coach (1938); Lytham (player during Second World War)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1912/13 Blackpool 3 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 20 1913/14 Blackpool 20 1 Football League Division 2 – 16th of 20 1914/15 Liverpool 29 24 Football League Division 1 – 13th of 20 1919/20 Liverpool 8 4 Football League Division 1 – 4th of 22 1919/20 Arsenal 25 12 Football League Division 1 – 10th of 22 1920/21 Arsenal 25 14 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1920/21 Cardiff City 14 8 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1921/22 Cardiff City 13 Football League Division 1 – 4th of 22 1921/22 WATFORD 25 15 Football League Division 3 (South) – 7th of 22 1922/23 WATFORD 42 30 Football League Division 3 (South) – 10th of 22 1923/24 WATFORD 22 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 20th of 22 1924/25 WATFORD 27 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1925/26 WATFORD 27 11 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1926/27 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 22

A centre‐forward whose goalscoring, which included three Football League hat‐tricks in the space of five games, revived Watford’s fortunes from the time he arrived for what was easily a club‐record fee, and he scored the club’s last goal at Cassio Road and the first at Vicarage Road. In a very early example of the “sell‐on” clause, the club would have had to pay Cardiff City 50% of any profit (up to a maximum of £500) in the event of his being sold. As a manager, in contrast to his immediate predecessor Harry Kent he was a non‐conformist whose quirky personality was not universally popular. While still a player, he had to apologise to the directors for behaviour which had been the subject of complaint by his colleagues, and he retained his individual streak after taking charge. Many years later George Jewett, who played under Pagnam, recalled him as “barmy, a bad‐principled man, didn’t get respect”. The son of a bank manager, Fred Pagnam made a name for himself as a robust forward, and in 1917 gave evidence in a libel case in connection with a notorious Manchester United v Liverpool match‐fixing scandal, testifying that he had been illegally approached but refused to participate. Having set up as a pub landlord (of The Swan Hotel, Rickmansworth) a few months after Harry Kent had done so, he perhaps eventually gave less commitment to his Vicarage Road duties than was required of him, and his engagement was not renewed at the end of his third season as manager. Nine years of coaching overseas ended when he fled the Nazis with his Dutch wife in 1940, and he later returned to the licensed trade in Lancashire. (See under ‘Managers’ for details of his record in that role.)

Known as “Fred”. Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. 20 apps, 14 goals, guesting for Arsenal in First World War. Listed at £750 cs 1924, £500 cs 1925 & £200 cs 1926. In May 1940 returned to England as a refugee and took over the Nags Head, Samlesbury, Lancs. Served in RGA in Great War. Licensee of The Swan Hotel, Rickmansworth, from December 1922. Joined Watford on wage of £9 per week. In February 1924 apologized to the board for his behaviour when returning from Exeter ‐ Jimmy Stephenson had submitted a complaint about him on behalf of the other players. Described to me by George Jewett as “barmy ‐ a bad‐principled man ‐ didn’t get respect”. Initially refused terms for 1924/25, but re‐signed 5/9/1924. Played in the “fixed” Man Utd v Liverpool match on Good Friday 1915. Had refused to take part in the fixing and gave evidence at the enquiry ‐ see pp35 & 49 of Soccer in the Dock. In the Netherlands is credited with having introduced the ‘W’ formation to the country. In October 2001 great‐grandson, Stephen Pagnam, contacted the club and asked for any information about Fred’s football career ‐ address 23 Sandy Way Close, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 3LW ([email protected]). They sent him the relevant bit from my who’s who. It seemed unlikely that he would know anything of interest, so I didn’t bother to contact him. 5 ft 9 ins. 12 st 8 lbs. Charles Anthony PALMER (1981-1984) Full-back

Born Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, 10 July 1963 Watford Career Football League: 10 appearances (1 goal) Football League Cup: 2 appearances Football League Trophy: 2 appearances UEFA Cup: 4 appearances Début: 1-2 away defeat v Burnley, League Group Cup Quarter-final, 8 Dec 1981 Final game: 1-4 away defeat v Leicester City, Football League Div 1, 3 Mar 1984 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 5; all competitions 8

Career Path WATFORD (apprentice October 1979, professional July 1981); Derby County (free July 1984); Hull City (£30,000+ February 1987); Notts County (loan February 1989, £25,000 March 1989); Walsall (free August 1994); Burton Albion (free July 1996, released March 1998); Moor Green (loan December 1997 until March 1998); Hinckley Town (close season 1998, coach close season 2000); Long Eaton United manager (April 2013); Belper Town manager (October 2015)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1983/84 WATFORD 10 1 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1984/85 Derby County 33 2 Football League Division 3 – 7th of 24 1985/86 Derby County 18 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 1986/87 Hull City 17 Football League Division 2 – 14th of 22 1987/88 Hull City 35 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 23 1988/89 Hull City 17 1 1 Football League Division 2 – 21st of 24 1988/89 Notts County 11 Football League Division 3 – 9th of 24 1989/90 Notts County 39 1 5 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 1990/91 Notts County 42 1 1 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 24 (Promoted) 1991/92 Notts County 40 1 Football League Division 1 – 21st of 22 (Relegated) 1992/93 Notts County 30 1 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 17th of 24 1993/94 Notts County 22 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 7th of 24 1994/95 Walsall 39 2 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1995/96 Walsall 15 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 11th of 24

One of the young players pressed into UEFA Cup service for Watford, he forced the own-goal which closed what had been a two-goal deficit against 1FC Kaiserslautern and helped to pave the way for eventual victory. Charlie Palmer was then a right- back, but later in his career played in the centre of defence, gathering extensive Football League experience over a long period, and being a regular member of a promotion-winning side three times in six years.

Known as “Charlie”. Birth index OK. Address mid-1990s(?): 13 Wickersley Close, Allestree (01332 558902). Ht 5 ft 11 ins. Wt 11 st 9 lbs / 12 st 3 lbs.

Carlton Lloyd PALMER (2000-2001) Midfielder

Born Rowley Regis, Staffordshire, 5 December 1965 Representative Honours England Under-21, ‘B’ & Full Watford Career Football League: 5 appearances Début: 3-3 home draw v West Bromwich Albion, Football League Div 1, 16 Dec 2000 Final game: 3-1 home win v Wimbledon, Football League Div 1, 2 Jan 2001 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 5; all competitions 5

Career Path West Bromwich Albion (apprentice July 1983, professional December 1984); Sheffield Wednesday (£450,000 plus C.West [valued at £300,000] February 1989); Leeds United (£2.6 million June 1994); Southampton (£1 million September 1997); Nottingham Forest (£1.1 million January 1999); Coventry City (£500,000 September 1999); WATFORD (loan December 2000); Sheffield Wednesday (loan February 2001 and again September 2001); Stockport County player-manager (free November 2001 until September 2003); Mansfield Town (caretaker-manager November 2004, manager March 2005 until September 2005, also non-contract player August 2005); Repton School (Dubai) coach; running a United Arab Emirates football academy (2012); Wellington College, Shanghai (China) director of sport (August 2014)

Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1985/86 West Bromwich Albion 16 4 Football League Division 1 – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1986/87 West Bromwich Albion 36 1 1 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 22 1987/88 West Bromwich Albion 36 2 3 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 23 1988/89 West Bromwich Albion 26 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 24 1988/89 Sheffield Wednesday 13 1 Football League Division 1 – 15th of 20 1989/90 Sheffield Wednesday 34 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 20 (Relegated) 1990/91 Sheffield Wednesday 45 2 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 1991/92 Sheffield Wednesday 42 5 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 22 1992/93 Sheffield Wednesday 33 1 1 FA Premier League – 7th of 22 1993/94 Sheffield Wednesday 37 5 FA Premier League – 7th of 22 1994/95 Leeds United 39 3 FA Premier League – 5th of 22 1995/96 Leeds United 35 2 FA Premier League – 13th of 20 1996/97 Leeds United 26 2 FA Premier League – 11th of 20 1997/98 Southampton 26 3 FA Premier League – 12th of 20 1998/99 Southampton 18 1 FA Premier League – 17th of 20 1998/99 Nottingham Forest 13 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1999/00 Nottingham Forest 1 2 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 1999/00 Coventry City 15 1 FA Premier League – 14th of 20 2000/01 Coventry City 12 3 FA Premier League – 19th of 20 (Relegated) 2000/01 WATFORD 5 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 2000/01 Sheffield Wednesday 12 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 17th of 24 2001/02 Sheffield Wednesday 10 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 20th of 24 2001/02 Stockport County 20 1 3 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 2002/03 Stockport County 22 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 14th of 24 2005/06 Mansfield Town 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 16th of 24

A lanky, long-striding midfield player with an abrasive personality who won all his 18 Full international caps under , who drafted him into a Watford side on loan at a time when the club’s blistering start to the 2000/01 season had taken a spectacular turn for the worse. The 35-year-old Carlton Palmer’s positive impact was minimal, as it was in two attempts at club management.

Known as “Carlton”. Birth index OK. By Feb 209 working as a TV pundit, and owner of a Sheffield estate agency which ceased trading in August 2008. Mansfield Town’s oldest débutant.

Frederick Charles PALMER (1907‐1910) Wing‐half

Born Finsbury Park, London, 26 April 1886 Died Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 8 November 1973 Watford Career Southern League: 16 appearances South Eastern League: 1 appearance (1 goal) Southern Charity Cup: 2 appearances (1 goal) Début: 2‐4 home defeat v Clapton Orient, South Eastern League, 25 Sep 1907 Final game: 0‐5 away defeat v Coventry City, Southern League Div 1, 12 Mar 1910 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 6; all competitions 6

Career Path WATFORD (amateur 1907); Hertfordshire; André & Sleigh (by 1910/11); St Albans City (by January 1912)

Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1908/09 WATFORD 15 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 21 1909/10 WATFORD 1 Southern League Division 1 – 19th of 22

As an amateur wing‐half he had a number of first‐team games alongside another unpaid man, centre‐half Tiny Fayers. Fred (‘Pedlar’) Palmer represented the county, captained the Bushey works team André & Sleigh (which later became Sun Engraving) when they won the Printers & Allied Trades Cup in 1910/11, and took part in St Albans City’s Spartan League championship success a year later.

Known as “Fred”/”Freddie”/“Pedlar”. Birth index OK (J1886). I have copy of death certificate – 8 Nov 1973 at St Paul’s Hospital, Hemel Hempstead, cerebral contusion due to head injury (accident), Hemel Hempstead coroner’s inquest 15 Nov 1973, retired printer of 22 Spring Gardens, Garston, born London 26 Apr 1886. Probate – nothing. Married Annie Durrant, Watford S1909. Annie’s death very probably Watford M1977 (born 20 Mar 1884). 1911 census: St Hilda, Bushey Hall Rd, Bushey – photo‐engraver’s clerk, b Seven Sisters, wife Annie, 25, married 1 year. André & Sleigh was a print firm in Bushey Hall Rd which became Sun Engraving. Played for Herts 27/10/1909 (etc). Awarded county badge (for 3 or more apps for Herts), May 1911. In 1908 described as a son of an insurance superintendent who formerly lived in Market St and was “in the olden days” one of the most prominent supporters of the club. Residential directories reveal a John William Palmer, insurance superintendent, at 71 Market St in 1900 & 1901, but not in 1899 or 1902. A 1910 advert for fixtures for André & Sleigh (the firm was located in Bushey Hall Rd) says “apply to F. Palmer, St Kilda, Bushey Hall Rd, Bushey”. 1909/10 Kelly’s Directory has no F. Palmer in alphabetical list of private residents, and the only resident at St Kilda is Walter Collins. 1901 Census ‐ 71 Market St ‐ Frederick C., aged 15, clerk to photographic engraver, b London, Finsbury Rd. 1891 Census ‐ Seven Sisters Rd, Frederick Charles, 4, b Finsbury Pk, father John William, 36, grocer manager.

Stephen Leonard PALMER (1995-2001) Midfielder / Defender

Born Brighton, Sussex, 31 March 1968 Representative Honours England Schools (Under-18) Watford Career Football League & FA Premier League: 225+13 appearances (7 goals) FA Cup: 9+2 appearances Football League Cup: 18+1 appearances (1 goal) Associate Members Cup: 4 appearances Début: 3-2 away win v Tranmere Rovers, Football League Div 1, 30 Sep 1995 Final game: (as sub) 0-2 away defeat v Burnley, Football League Div 1, 6 May 2001 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League/Football League 92; all competitions 102

Career Path Brighton & Hove Albion (schoolboy 1983, youth team & Reserves); Cambridge University (blue 1987, 1988 & 1989); British Universities; Cambridge United (non-contract February 1989); Ipswich Town (August 1989); WATFORD (£135,000 September 1995); Queens Park Rangers (free July 2001 but £15,000 paid for helping QPR to promotion in 2003/04); Milton Keynes Dons (player-coach free July 2004 until September 2005, also joint-caretaker-manager with J.M.Gilligan November 2004 until December 2004); Tottenham Hotspur (academy coach, academy performance manager close season 2007 until close season 2010); WATFORD Academy recruitment manager (December 2011); manager of FA Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan (June 2012)

Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1989/90 Ipswich Town 3 2 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 24 1990/91 Ipswich Town 18 5 1 Football League Division 2 – 14th of 24 1991/92 Ipswich Town 16 7 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1992/93 Ipswich Town 4 3 FA Premier League – 16th of 22 1993/94 Ipswich Town 31 5 1 FA Premier League – 19th of 22 1994/95 Ipswich Town 10 2 FA Premier League – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1995/96 Ipswich Town 5 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 7th of 24 1995/96 WATFORD 35 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1996/97 WATFORD 40 1 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 13th of 24 1997/98 WATFORD 32 9 2 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1998/99 WATFORD 43 1 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 5th of 24 (Promoted) 1999/00 WATFORD 38 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2000/01 WATFORD 37 2 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 2001/02 Queens Park Rangers 46 4 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 8th of 24 2002/03 Queens Park Rangers 49 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 4th of 24 2003/04 Queens Park Rangers 24 11 4 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2004/05 Milton Keynes Dons 27 5 1 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 20th of 24 2005/06 Milton Keynes Dons 1 1 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 22nd of 24 (Relegated)

Seventy-four years after Watford were last represented in the Football League by a university blue, Steve Palmer, who played in contact lenses, was signed to improve stability in midfield. He was also to serve the club solidly as a defender. Possessing height, strength and energy, he’d captained Cambridge in 1988/89 in the second of his three Varsity matches (as well as playing for the University in one first-class cricket match under Michael Atherton) before embarking on his long professional football career. In 1997/98 he wore every first-team shirt (1-14, inclusive), although his one spurious appearance on the teamsheet as the nominated goalkeeper led to a matter of seconds under the crossbar before he changed places with “midfielder” Alec Chamberlain. The following season, of eight Watford players who took part in the penalty-kick shoot-out which decided the Play-off semi-final, he was the only one to fail from the spot, but went on to share in the Wembley triumph which followed.

Known as “Steve”. Birth index OK. Brighton Reserves début 1984. Played in Varsity football match 3 times - twice at Wembley and once at Highbury – and was captain once. Address cs 1998: The Linnetts, Quintons Rd, East Bergholt, Suffolk (01206 299124). By November 2011 running a consultancy offering advice on project management and performance development in business and sport.

Sofroni PANAYI (1999‐2002) Defender

Born Hammersmith, London, 24 January 1980 Watford Career FA Premier League & Football League: 10+3 appearances Football League Cup: 0+1 appearance Début: 0‐4 away defeat v Coventry City, FA Premier League, 31 Oct 1999 Final game: (as sub) 1‐0 away win v Portsmouth, Football League Div 1, 13 Apr 2002 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League/Football League 3; all competitions 3

Career Path WATFORD (schoolboy December 1994, trainee July 1996, professional July 1998); Leyton Orient & Colchester United trials (March 2002); Shrewsbury Town trial (April 2002); Apollon (Cyprus) (July 2002 until October 2002); York City trial (October 2002)

FA Premier League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1999/00 WATFORD 2 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2000/01 WATFORD 8 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 2001/02 WATFORD 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 14th of 24

James Panayi came through the Watford schoolboy and youth system to earn a handful of first‐team appearances as a right‐ back, before ending his professional career with a short stay in Cyprus. He subsequently took up appointments as a PE teacher in Norfolk, becoming head of department at Flegg High School, Martham.

Known as “James”. Birth index OK. (James is middle name in FA registration, but it’s not in birth index.) By February 2009 working as a PE teacher at Cliff Park High School, Great Yarmouth. By Feb 2012 Head of PE at Flegg High School, Martham, Norfolk. Thomas PANGBORN (1901‐1902) Inside‐forward

Born Birmingham, Warwickshire, 1870 Died Birmingham, Warwickshire, 1926 Watford Career Southern League: 24 appearances (5 goals) FA Cup: 2 appearances Début: 1‐0 away win v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 7 Sep 1901 Final game: 2‐1 home win v Kettering, Southern League Div 1, 5 Apr 1902 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 9; all competitions 9

Career Path Walsall Town Swifts (by 1891/92); Worcester Rovers; West Bromwich Albion (June 1895); Ashton North End (October 1895); Bury (October 1896); Grimsby Town (August 1898); Ashton North End (November 1898); New Brompton (June 1899); Tottenham Hotspur (May 1900); Reading (February 1901); WATFORD (July 1901 until close season 1902)

Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1892/93 Walsall Town Swifts 5 1 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 12 1896/97 Bury 21 1 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 16 1897/98 Bury 2 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 16 1898/99 Grimsby Town 3 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 18 1899/00 New Brompton 21 6 Southern League Division 1 – 11th of 15 1900/01 Tottenham Hotspur 2 Southern League Division 1 – 5th of 15 1900/01 Reading 8 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 15 1901/02 WATFORD 24 5 Southern League Division 1 – 13th of 16

He’d moved around extensively as a professional before spending a season as Watford’s inside‐left, during which he scored a Christmas Day hat‐trick in a friendly match. He played in Walsall’s first Football League fixture, having joined that club when it was in the Football Alliance, and had experience in the top flight with Bury.

Birth (M1870) & death (M1926) indexes OK, probate nothing. Played regularly in Alliance for Walsall Town Swifts 1891/92, then FL registration Aug 1892. Possibly with Worcester City after Watford? Missed the game 14/9/1901 owing to a family bereavement ‐ obviously Thomas (aged 1 month), son of Thomas Pangborn, who died at 15 Carey Place 13/9/1901. A Thomas Pangbourne (referred to as “Tommy”) of 22 Merton Rd, employed at Sedgwick’s Brewery, was a witness at a suicide inquest reported in Herts Leader 23/2/1909. 5 ft 9½ ins. 11 st 10 lbs.

Costel Fane PANTILIMON (2016- ) Goalkeeper

Born Bačau, Romania, 1 February 1987 Representative Honours Romania Youth, Under-21 & Full Watford Career (to end of 2016/17) FA Premier League: 0+2 appearances FA Cup: 6 appearances Football League Cup: 1 appearance Début: 1-0 away win v Nottingham Forest, FA Cup 4th Round, 30 Jan 2016 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League 1; all competitions 2

Career Path Aerostar Bačau (Romania); Politehnica Timişoara (Romania) (2003); Manchester City (loan August 2011, £3 million January 2012); Sunderland (free June 2014); WATFORD (£500,000 January 2016); Deportivo de La Coruña (Spain) (loan August 2017); Nottingham Forest (loan January 2018)

FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2013/14 Manchester City 7 FA Premier League – 1st of 20 2014/15 Sunderland 28 FA Premier League – 16th of 20 2016/17 WATFORD 2 FA Premier League – 17th of 20

6ft 8ins tall. Capped at U-17 & U-19 levels. Harry Harold PANTLING (1911‐1914) Full‐back / Wing‐half

Born Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, 16 May 1891 Died Sheffield, Yorkshire, 21 December 1952 Representative Honours England Full Watford Career Southern League: 35 appearances FA Cup: 2 appearances Southern Charity Cup: 2 appearances First World War competitions: 2 appearances (1 goal) Début: 2‐4 away defeat v Brentford, Southern League Div 1, 9 Sep 1911 Final game in peacetime competitions: 2‐0 home win v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 25 Apr 1914 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 15; all competitions 15

Career Path Watford Field School; Watford Wednesday; Callow Land Juniors (by April 1909); WATFORD (amateur 1908, professional July 1911); Sheffield United (valued at £500 in £850 transfer of Pantling & T.E.Ashbridge May 1914); WATFORD guest player during First World War; Rotherham United (£50 August 1926, released close season 1927); Heanor Town (November 1927)

Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1911/12 WATFORD 2 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 20 1912/13 WATFORD 8 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1913/14 WATFORD 25 Southern League Division 1 – 18th of 20 1914/15 Sheffield United 6 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 20 1919/20 Sheffield United 36 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 22 1920/21 Sheffield United 31 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 22 1921/22 Sheffield United 39 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1922/23 Sheffield United 40 1 Football League Division 1 – 10th of 22 1923/24 Sheffield United 33 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 22 1924/25 Sheffield United 31 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 22 1925/26 Sheffield United 8 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 22 1926/27 Rotherham United 12 Football League Division 3 (North) – 19th of 22

After playing at full‐back and wing‐half he was sold with Thomas Ashbridge as a matter of financial necessity. While spending his wartime honeymoon in Watford he made guest appearances at full‐back for the club on Christmas Day and Boxing Day 1915, helping to beat Queens Park Rangers 5‐1 at home and then scoring in a 3‐1 defeat in the return fixture. In 1923 he was capped by England and two years later won an FA Cup winner’s medal, and in the first‐ever game at Manchester City’s ground he saved a penalty with his first touch in goal after the Sheffield United goalkeeper had been injured. Harold Pantling was sent off once in a Watford reserve‐team game and twice when with United, where he had the reputation of being a rough sort of character, both on and off the field. He left to take over The Burgoyne Arms Hotel in Sheffield, and remained in the licensed trade until his death. To have been given the names Harry Harold, odd enough in itself, but then to be known to the world as Harold rather than Harry, seems perverse, but that was the case – a consequence of parental indecision when he was born, perhaps.

Known as “Harold”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. The sale of Pantling & Ashbridge was forced by the necessity to raise money for summer wages. Played in goal for the Reserves 1/1/1914. Sent off in a reserve‐team game at Portsmouth 20/9/1913. The transfer to Sheffield Utd was transacted in mid‐April 1914, but it was a condition of the contract that he and Ashbridge did not leave Watford until SL Div 1 status was assured. Served on the management committee of the Asssocation Football Players’ & Trainers’ Union from August 1925 until December 1928. 5 ft 7½ ins / 5 ft 8 ins / 5 ft 8½ ins / 5 ft 9¾ ins. 10 st 6 lb / 11 st 7 lbs. John Martin PAPWORTH (1925) Centre‐forward

Born Deptford, London, 8 November 1894 Died Deptford, London, 13 November 1942 Watford Career Football League: 27 appearances (12 goals) Début: 1‐3 home defeat v Swansea Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 14 Feb 1925 Final game: 1‐4 away defeat v Reading, Football League Div 3 (South), 14 Nov 1925 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 22; all competitions 22

Career Path St Nicholas, Deptford; Fulham (amateur February 1914, professional May 1919); WATFORD (£150 February 1925 until close season 1926); Dartford (December 1926)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1919/20 Fulham 7 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 22 1920/21 Fulham 1 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 22 1922/23 Fulham 10 6 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 22 1923/24 Fulham 19 10 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 22 1924/25 Fulham 2 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 22 1924/25 WATFORD 14 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1925/26 WATFORD 13 7 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22

Goals were in short supply at Vicarage Road when Jack Papworth was signed late in 1924/25 to fill the centre‐forward berth, but he didn’t score until his sixth appearance, the first five having produced a total of two Watford goals and not a single point. At Fulham he’d competed with George Edmonds for a first‐team place. During the Great War he spent four years in France and attained the rank of serjeant‐major in the Machine Gun Corps. At the time of his death he was landlord of The Mechanics Arms, Deptford.

Known as “Jack”. Birth (Greenwich reg dist, sub‐dist St Paul’s, Deptford) & death indexes and probate all OK. Listed at £100 cs 1926. Is said to have played for Fulham Reserves at the age of 16. At time of death was landlord of The Mechanics Arms, Deptford. 5 ft 7 ins / 5 ft 8 ins. 11½ st.

Juan Carlos PAREDES (2014-2016) Wing-back (Full name Juan Carlos PAREDES REASCO) Born Esmeraldas, Ecuador, 8 July 1987 Representative honours Ecuador Full Watford Career Football League: 39+17 appearances FA Cup: 2+1 appearances Football League Cup: 1 appearance Début: 3-0 home win v Bolton Wanderers, Football League Championship, 9 Aug 2014 Final game: 1-2 home defeat v Gillingham, Football League Cup 2nd Round, 23 Aug 2016 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League/FA Premier League 24; all competitions 21

Career Path Huracán (Ecuador) (2004); Barcelona (Ecuador) (2006); Deportivo Cuenca (Ecuador) (2007); Rocafuerte (Ecuador) (loan 2008); Deportivo Quito (Ecuador) (2010); Barcelona (Ecuador) (2013); Granada (Spain) (briefly close season 2014); WATFORD (free July 2014); Olympiakos (Greece) (loan January 2017); Emelec (Ecuador) (free August 2017)

Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2014/15 WATFORD 32 7 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2015/16 WATFORD 7 10 FA Premier League – 13th of 20

A South American wing-back who in 2010 embarked on an international career which culminated in the 2014 World Cup Finals. All his domestic football was played in Ecuador, the country of his birth, until he was transferred to Granada in Spain, and then almost immediately moved on to Watford, where his strong running along the right wing soon became a familiar feature of the club’s attacking play.

Played in 2014 World Cup Finals.

Henry James PARIS (1896-1897) Defender

Born Bromley, Kent, 8 March 1876 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 21 November 1947 West Herts Career Southern League: 6 appearances Début: 1-4 away defeat v Southall, Southern League Div 2, 5 Dec 1896 Final game: 3-3 v 1st Coldstream Guards (an away fixture, but played at Watford), Southern League Div 2, 17 Apr 1897 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 3; all competitions 3

Career Path WEST HERTS (by 1896); Wembley

Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1896/97 WEST HERTS 6 Southern League Division 2 – 9th of 13

Of his Southern League appearances, five were at full-back and the other at left-half. Four of those games were against military opposition, including two 3-0 defeats at the hands of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards. Harry Paris was an administrator with the London & North Western Railway, played cricket for Hertfordshire, and for West Herts CC for many years, and was prominent in church affairs in the Watford area.

Known as “Harry”. Birth (M1876) & death indexes and probate all OK. Entire reg dist of Bromley searched in 1881 Census - nothing found. 1939 Register: Henry James Paris, 44 Whippendell Rd, Watford, b 8 March 1876, railway clerk retired; Jane Paris, wife, b 28 Nov 1869 Died in Peace Memorial Hospital. In 1899 married Jenny Lee, whose brother was the grandfather of Peter Lee, who in 1996 lived at 80 Chipperfield Rd, Kings Langley, WD4 9JD.

Chu-Young PARK (2014) Forward

Born Daegu, South Korea, 10 July 1985 Representative Honours South Korea Youth, Under-23 & Full Watford Career Football League: 1+1 appearances Début: (as sub) 2-0 home win v Brighton & Hove Albion, Football League Championship, 2 Feb 2014 Final game: 0-2 away defeat v Bolton Wanderers, Football League Championship, 22 Feb 2014 Longest run of consecutive appearances: 1

Career Path Cheonggu High School (South Korea); Zico Football Center (Brazil) (2002); Korea University (South Korea) (2004); FC Seoul (South Korea) (2005); AS Monaco (September 2008); Arsenal (August 2011, released close season 2014); Celta de Vigo (Spain) (loan August 2012); WATFORD (loan January 2014); Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia) (October 2014); FC Seoul (South Korea) (March 2015)

FA Premier League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2011/12 Arsenal 1 FA Premier League – 3rd of 20 2013/14 WATFORD 1 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24

The much-capped Chu-Young Park, on loan from Arsenal, was spotted only briefly in Watford colours, and his disappearance following the onset of injury problems turned out to have been a return home to South Korea in search of suitable treatment. A few weeks later he took part in the 2014 World Cup Finals.

Capped at U-20 level, and also U-23 in Olympics. Richard PARKER (1927-1928) Centre-forward

Born Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, 14 September 1894 Died Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, 1 January 1969 Watford Career Football League: 13 appearances (2 goals) FA Cup: 1 appearance (1 goal) Début: 1-2 home defeat v Torquay United, Football League Div 3 (South), 12 Nov 1927 Final game: 1-3 away defeat v Merthyr Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 10 Apr 1928 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 5; all competitions 5

Career Path Tilery School, Stockton-on-Tees; Norton United (1913/14); Thornaby Corinthians; Stockton; South Bank (1914); army football during the First World War; Sunderland (guest player during First World War, signed June 1919); Coventry City (£1,500 January 1920); South Shields (£1,000 October 1920); Wallsend (September 1921); Queens Park Rangers (July 1922); Millwall (“substantial fee” July 1924); WATFORD (£1,100 November 1927 until retirement close season 1928)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1919/20 Sunderland 6 3 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 22 1919/20 Coventry City 16 9 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 22 1920/21 Coventry City 10 2 Football League Division 2 – 21st of 22 1920/21 South Shields 9 5 Football League Division 2 – 8th of 22 1922/23 Queens Park Rangers 28 16 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1923/24 Queens Park Rangers 33 14 Football League Division 3 (South) – 22nd of 22 1924/25 Millwall 24 10 Football League Division 3 (South) – 5th of 22 1925/26 Millwall 22 11 Football League Division 3 (South) – 3rd of 22 1926/27 Millwall 40 37 Football League Division 3 (South) – 3rd of 22 1927/28 Millwall 2 4 Football League Division 3 (South) – 1st of 22 (Promoted) 1927/28 WATFORD 13 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22

After being spotted in army football in France while serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers, Dick Parker began his Football League career as Sunderland’s first post-First World War centre-forward, but was soon on his travels. Just before moving to Vicarage Road he scored 37 League goals in 1926/27 (including five against Norwich City on the opening day of the season), which still stands as Millwall’s record haul, but his relations with the club’s directors were not cordial, and after being left out he asked for a transfer, which was granted. Despite the extraordinary scoring record, which continued with four in his two appearances in 1927/28, surprisingly there is no indication that the Millwall public voiced any strong objection to his departure. He proved a waste of what was Watford’s biggest outlay for a player up to that time, and retired while on the club’s transfer list at £1,000. In what is almost certainly a uniquely odd achievement, he scored a hat-trick in each of two consecutive Football League appearances – both of them for Millwall away to Crystal Palace.

Known as “Dick”. Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Listed at £1,000 cs 1928 & £1,000 cs 1929 (subsequently reduced to £500), cs £500 cs 1930, and £500 cs 1931. (Therefore he’s not the R.Parker who made FL apps for Merthyr Town 1928/29. Hat-trick on début for South Shields. Attracted Sunderland’s attention whilst serving in France with the Northumberland Fusiliers. Scored Sunderland first FL goal after the Great War. 5 ft 8½ ins. 10 st.

Frederick William PARKES (1888-1891) Forward

Born Leavesden, Hertfordshire, 11 July 1865 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 6 February 1944 Watford Rovers Career Herts County Cup: 2 appearances Hennessey Cup: 3 appearances Début: 1-1 away draw v Windsor Phoenix, Hennessey Cup 1st Round, 8 Dec 1888 Final game: 6-0 home win v Watford St Mary’s , Herts County Cup Semi-Final, 28 Feb 1891 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 2

He was elected reserve-team captain for 1890/91 as the result of a ballot between him and the previous season’s captain, W.F.Horton, but he resigned the position in October 1890. A rule of the Hennessey Cup, a competition in which Parkes made three appearances, was that only players who lived with three miles of their clubs were elegible for selection. In addition to the cup games, he played in 27 first-team friendly matches (and possibly one or two more for which the line-ups are unknown) between 1885 and 1891, and scored eight goals.

Birth index OK (S1865) – but surname spelt “Parks”. Death index OK. Probate: died 26 St John’s Road. Estate £7,034/2/11. 1871 census: Frederick, 5, born Leavesden 1881 census: Frederic, 15, born Leavesden 1891 census: Frederick W., 25, born Watford, living in Vicarage Rd 1901 census: Frederick W., 35, stockbroker’s clerk, born Leavesden, living 25 Vicarage Rd 1911 census: Frederick W., 45, born Watford, stockbroker’s clerk, living 26 St John’s Rd – married to Henrietta 18 years Marriage: Frederick William Parkes = Henrietta Cole, Watford S1892 1939 Register: Frederick W.Parkes, Stock Exchange clerk retired, 26 St John’s Rd, Watford, born 11 July 1865; wife Henrietta. Death: Frederick W.Parkes (78), Watford M1944 Probate: Frederick William Parkes of 26 St John’s Rd, Watford, died 6 Feb 1944, probate to Nat Prov Bank, estate £7034/2/11 An “F.A.” Parkes of 13 Station Rd was secretary of Old Fullerians FC in 1922 - see 1922/23 handbook, p80.

Jordan David PARKES (2006-2008) Full-back

Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 26 July 1989 Representative Honours England Youth Watford Career Football League: 1 appearance Football League Cup: 4 appearances Début: 0-0 home draw v Accrington Stanley, Football League Cup 2nd Round, 19 Sep 2006 (Won in penalty shoot-out.) Final game: 1-0 home win v West Ham United, Football League Cup 3rd Round, 23 Sep 2008 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 1; all competitions 1

Career Path WATFORD (trained from age 11, scholar July 2006, professional February 2007, cancelled June 2010); Brentford (loan January 2008); Barnet (loan March 2008); Stevenage Borough (loan November 2008); Gillingham trial (July 2009); AFC Bournemouth trials (December 2009 & February 2010); Cheltenham Town trial (January 2010); Leyton Orient trial (May 2010); Barnet (July 2010); Farnborough (loan January 2012); Chelmsford City (free August 2012); Hemel Hempstead Town (October 2012); Ebbsfleet (undisclosed fee May 2015); Hemel Hempstead Town (September 2016)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2007/08 Brentford 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 14th of 24 2007/08 Barnet 7 3 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 12th of 24 2008/09 WATFORD 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2010/11 Barnet 37 3 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 22nd of 24 2011/12 Barnet 11 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 22nd of 24

Originally a striker, Jordan Parkes had become a full-back by the time he was entrusted with a shoot-out spot-kick on his first- team début a couple of months after his 17th birthday, and was not found wanting. He was also capped at Under-18 and Under-20 levels, but all these events were not the prelude to a substantial Watford career and his contract was cancelled in June 2010 to allow him to join Barnet. The previous month he was sent off in two reserve-team games against Aldershot Town within three days of each other while on trial with Leyton Orient, having never been dismissed in any previous match. Later in his career he scored freely from midfield for Hemel Hempstead Town.

Known as “Jordan”. Said to have been born Hemel Hempstead, but birth was Watford registration district. Made senior début as a scholar in League Cup tie 19 Sep 2006. Capped at Under-18 and Under-20 level. When on trial scored in 8-1 win for Cheltenham Reserves v Swindon Reserves (Billy Gibson, also on trial, scored 2). Scored 2 on début for Hemel Hempstead.

Robert PARKINSON (1900-1901) Centre-forward

Born Preston, Lancashire, 1872 Watford Career Southern League: 15 appearances (5 goals) Début: 0-1 away defeat v Southampton, Southern League Div 1, 8 Dec 1900 Final game: 1-3 home defeat v Bristol City, Southern League Div 1, 17 Apr 1901 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 10; all competitions 10

Career Path Preston Ramblers; Preston Athletic; Fleetwood Rangers; Rotherham Town (December 1894); Luton Town (May 1895); Blackpool (May 1896); Warmley (1897); Nottingham Forest (October 1898); Newton Heath (November 1899); WATFORD (November 1900); Swindon Town (close season 1901)

Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1894/95 Rotherham Town 14 1 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 16 1895/96 Luton Town 10 4 Southern League Division 1 – 2nd of 10 1896/97 Blackpool 8 1 Football League Division 2 – 8th of 16 1897/98 Warmley ? ? Southern League Division 2 – 2nd of 12 1898/99 Nottingham Forest 2 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 18 1899/00 Newton Heath 15 7 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 18 1900/01 WATFORD 15 5 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 15

Bob Parkinson’s brief reign as Watford’s first-team centre-forward ended when he was dropped in April 1901, the committee announcing that they had no further need of his services. His Football League début was on Christmas Day 1894, and two seasons later he was in Blackpool’s first-ever League line-up. In the following campaign he captained Warmley when they had the astonishing Southern League goals tally of 72 for and none against in their eleven home games, of which the visit of West Herts produced an 11-0 result.

Known as “Bob”. The birth date stated in Luton News as 27 Apr 1872; there are two indexed Preston births. 1901 census: Boarding (with Watty Allen & Fred Nidd) at 9 Malden Rd, Watford – Robert Parkinson, 29, boarder, single, pro footballer, b Preston. In the 1881 census there is only one 8-year-old Robert Parkinson born Preston - 4 Water Lane, Preston (father not listed, mother Mary, married, moulder’s wife). In 1891 Census (RG12/3436/p46) this family (including father - William, iron moulder) is at 32 Ripon St, Preston, and Robert, 18, is described as a butcher.) Luton Town history says 5 goals – in consecutive games. He made 4 Test Match apps for Warmley 1897/98. Not to be confused with the brothers R. (“Pank”) & J. (“Skills”) Parkinson, who played for Lytham, Blackpool & South Shore in early-1890s. It was, however, definitely Bob who joined Blackpool from Luton in 1896. An R. Parkinson was registered with FA by Hindley Central in October 1906. Rotherham papers for December 1894 done - “tall, muscular and speedy” (but see height & weight, below, as stated when he joined Luton). Omitted from the friendly match 24/4/1901 “as the committee had no further need of his services”. 5 ft 8 ins. 11 st 10 lbs.

Martin PATCHING (1979-1983) Midfielder

Born Rotherham, Yorkshire, 1 November 1958 Representative Honours England Schools & Youth Watford Career Football League: 24+1 appearances (3 goals) FA Cup: 3+1 appearances (2 goals) Football League Cup: 4 appearances (1 goal) Football League Trophy: 2+1 appearances Début: 2-1 away win v Preston North End, Football League Div 2, 21 Dec 1979 Final game: 0-2 away defeat v Birmingham City, Football League Div 1, 3 Sep 1983 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 10; all competitions 13

Career Path Rotherham Schools; Yorkshire Schools; Wolverhampton Wanderers (schoolboy December 1973, apprentice July 1975, professional March 1976); WATFORD (£100,000 December 1979 until November 1983); Northampton Town (loan January 1983); Hemel Hempstead Spinners (December 1983); Dunstable Town (February 1985); Staines Town (by October 1987); Hendon (November 1996); WATFORD scout in the Lincoln area (by March 1998); Nottingham Forest part-time scout (by April 2001)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1975/76 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 1 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 22 (Relegated) 1976/77 Wolverhampton Wanderers 26 5 2 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 22 (Promoted) 1977/78 Wolverhampton Wanderers 34 1 7 Football League Division 1 – 15th of 22 1978/79 Wolverhampton Wanderers 11 5 1 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 22 1979/80 Wolverhampton Wanderers 5 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 22 1979/80 WATFORD 14 1 1 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 22 1980/81 WATFORD 6 1 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 22 1982/83 WATFORD 3 1 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1982/83 Northampton Town 6 1 Football League Division 4 – 15th of 24 1983/84 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22

A goal at Preston North End in a 2-1 win was a good start to his Watford career, but injury was to become a severe restriction to his midfield appearances. Returning after one long absence, Martin Patching scored spectacularly against Liverpool in his last game at Vicarage Road as the club clinched the First Division runners-up spot, but he was soon forced into retirement from full-time football. He was signed much later for Hendon by a former Watford colleague, Neil Price.

Known as “Martin”. Birth index OK. Retired from full-time football Nov 1983 owing to injury. Signed by Neil Price for Hendon after being out of the game for a while. A Martin Patching was registered by Horsham in February 1993 - almost certainly not him. When forced out of full-time football he joined his wife in running The Bull, Bovingdon. The business failed (leaving him with debts of £10,000), as did a bookmaking venture, and in January 1987, when working as a labourer and living in a one- bedroom flat at Winton Drive, Croxley Green, he was convicted of a £2,000 insurance swindle, having falsely claimed that a car had been stolen. He was given a 2-year conditional discharge. Running The Post Office Arms, Boxmoor, by August 1993, having also run pubs in Wheatley, Oxon, and the Paddington Packet Boat, West Drayton. By 2015 living back in Rotherham. In 2001 working on special events for a wine-and-champagne company, and also for the Press Association on match days. Son Cauley Woodrow (full surname Woodrow-Patching) plays for Fulham. 5 ft 11 ins / 6 ft. 11 st 4 lbs / 12 st 9½ lbs.