John GRIEVE (1909-1911) Wing-half
Born Edinburgh, 1883/84 Watford Career Southern League: 62 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 6 appearances Southern Charity Cup: 5 appearances Début: 3-4 away defeat v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 1 Sep 1909 Final game: 0-0 away draw v Portsmouth, Southern League Div 1, 14 Apr 1911 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 19; all competitions 24
Career Path Belfast Distillery (1904/05); Hibernian (May 1905); WATFORD (July 1909); Stoke (£200 April 1911, of which £100 was paid to Hibernian); South Shields (July 1912)
Scottish League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1905/06 Hibernian 24 Scottish League Division 1 – 11th of 16 1906/07 Hibernian 27 2 Scottish League Division 1 – 12th of 18 1907/08 Hibernian 29 3 Scottish League Division 1 – 5th of 18 1908/09 Hibernian 11 Scottish League Division 1 – 6th of 18 1909/10 WATFORD 34 1 Southern League Division 1 – 19th of 22 1910/11 WATFORD 28 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1910/11 Stoke ? ? Southern League Division 2 – 2nd of 12 (Promoted) 1911/12 Stoke 23 1 Southern League Division 1 – 10th of 20
Having captained Hibernian in 1908/09, he became Watford’s regular left-half for two seasons. Together with Frank Cotterill and Peter Kyle he was suspended sine die by the club in February 1910, for what a local paper described as “utterly disgraceful and demoralising conduct”, but unlike the others Jock Grieve was reinstated a week later. On his departure one journalist dubbed him “probably the best wing-half the club has ever had”.
Known as “Jock”. Both local papers erroneously named him James when he signed. “24” when signed (Jul 1909), but “27” in 1911 census & also early-1911/12 - birth indexes examined, but name is not uncommon in Scotland. Said to have spent “8 months with Belfast Distillery when he was 19”. Captain of Hibs 1908/09 and transfer-listed by them cs 1909 and cs 1910. Stoke signed him for £100 to Hibs, £100 to Watford and £15 to Grieve. 1911 census: boarding at 168 Queens Rd, Watford (married, but no wife present) – John Grieve, 27, professional footballer, born Edinburgh. In February 1910 he, Cotterill & Kyle were suspended by the club sine die for disciplinary reasons, and “given their papers” - West Herts Post refers to “utterly disgraceful & demoralising conduct”. Grieve, however, was reinstated a week later. Described by Watford Observer on his departure as “probably the best wing-half the club has ever had”. 5 ft 7½ ins. 11 st 10 lbs. Thomas GRIEVE (1904) Winger
Born Leith, Edinburgh, 7 July 1875 Died Wishaw, Lanarkshire, 28 November 1948 Watford Career Southern League: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 2‐1 home win v Fulham, Southern League Div 1, 22 Oct 1904
Career Path Northfleet United (amateur close season 1895, professional February 1896); New Brompton (May 1898); Gravesend United (May 1899); Woolwich Arsenal (May 1900); Brentford (November 1901 until close season 1902); WATFORD (a month’s trial October 1904); Brighton & Hove Albion (briefly November 1904); Northfleet United (October 1905)
Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1896/97 Northfleet United 20 4 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 11 1897/98 Northfleet United 23 4 Southern League Division 1 – 11th of 12 (Resigned) 1898/99 New Brompton 18 6 Southern League Division 1 – 6th of 13 1899/00 Gravesend United 28 6 Southern League Division 1 – 12th of 15 1900/01 Woolwich Arsenal 6 Football League Division 2 – 7th of 18 1901/02 Brentford 22 3 Southern League Division 1 – 15th of 16 1904/05 WATFORD 1 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 18
As a trialist at Cassio Road he played on the right wing in a 2‐1 Southern League win over Fulham, but wasn’t offered an engagement. A clever, energetic little footballer, Tom Grieve had been serving in The Royal Scots since 1892 and was stationed at Chatham and Gravesend when he played for Northfleet United as an amateur, and he turned professional after being discharged from the army by purchase.
Known as “Tom”. Birth & death indexes OK. Turned pro with Northfleet in Feb 1896 having been discharged from the army by purchase the previous month. The only reference found by Brighton & Hove Albion historian Roger Harris was 2 goals by Grieve for the Reserves in a South Eastern League game at Luton early‐December 1904. Northfleet left the Southern Lge after 1897/98 and joined the Kent Lge. Described by a Northfleet reporter as a “clever little footballer” with a “tremendous amount of dash”. Enlisted in Royal Scots 24/12/1892; 5’3½” & 118lbs; tattooes ‐ “T.G.” and a thistle on left forearm, horseshoe & heart on left wrist; stationed Glencorse (from 24/12/1892); York (from 21/2/1893); Chatham (from 12/2/1894); Gravesend (from 5/1/1895) & Chatham (from 22/10/1895). Discharged by purchase 30/1/1896. 1881 Census: 136 Duke St, Leith, father a house carpenter. 1891 Census: 5 Ferrier St, Leith ‐ 15‐year‐old Thomas employed as labourer in manure works.
Daniel Leonard GRIEVES (1997) Midfielder
Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 21 September 1978 Watford Career Associate Members Cup: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 0-1 away defeat v Fulham, Associate Members Cup 1st Round, 9 Dec 1997
Career Path WATFORD (schoolboy May 1993, trainee 1995, professional February 1997); Maccabi Herzilya (Israel) (free August 1999, cancelled November 1999); Swindon Town trial (January 2000); Cambridge United (non-contract March 2000); Queens Park Rangers (monthly contracts from August 2000 to March 2001); Thame United (August 2002); Aylesbury United (close season 2003); Hemel Hempstead Town (September 2003); Cheshunt (October 2004); Dover Athletic (November 2004); Folkestone Invicta (2006)
A grandson of former Watford player Reg Williams junior, and great-grandson of Reg’s father, the legendary ‘Skilly’ Williams, Daniel Grieves was unable to break into the first team, although he played in that one first-team fixture, in which the club fielded nine reserve-team players.
Known as “Daniel”. Birth index OK. Joined Thame Utd Aug 2002 having been “out injured since he left QPR”. Great-grandson of Skilly Williams (see also G.L.W. Cornock) & grandson of Reg jnr. By 2011 out of the game and owning a taxi firm in Croxley.
William John GRIMES (1906‐1907) Forward
Born Ickleford, Hertfordshire, 27 March 1886 Died Arlesey, Bedfordshire, 6 January 1936 Watford Career Southern League: 15 appearances (3 goals) FA Cup: 1 appearance (1 goal) United League: 6 appearances Début: 0‐2 away defeat v Luton Town, United League, 10 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 7; all competitions 11
Career Path St John’s, Hitchin; Hitchin Town (by 1904); Hertfordshire; WATFORD (professional May 1906); Glossop (May 1907); Bradford City (December 1908); Derby County (March 1910 – Watford received £25); Tottenham Hotspur guest player during First World War; Luton Town (July 1919 until retirement in 1920)
Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1906/07 WATFORD 15 3 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 20 1907/08 Glossop 33 9 Football League Division 2 – 17th of 20 1908/09 Glossop 12 1 Football League Division 2 – 8th of 20 1908/09 Bradford City 15 1 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 20 1909/10 Bradford City 2 Football League Division 1 – 7th of 20 1909/10 Derby County 10 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 20 1910/11 Derby County 22 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 20 1911/12 Derby County 35 4 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 20 (Promoted) 1912/13 Derby County 32 3 Football League Division 1 – 7th of 20 1913/14 Derby County 34 1 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1914/15 Derby County 28 3 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 20 (Promoted) 1919/20 Luton Town 11 Southern League Division 1 – 20th of 22
After representing Hertfordshire as a Hitchin Town amateur, he scored on both his Southern League and FA Cup débuts for Watford, for whom he turned out in all five forward positions. On the right wing he helped Derby County to win the Football League Second Division championship twice in four seasons, and was partnered at inside‐right by Steve Bloomer for the last few years of that great player’s career. Billy Grimes was married in 1907 to a sister of George and Vic Furr, and their son Harold signed amateur forms for Watford in 1929.
Known as “Billy”. (Referred to in a Hitchin paper as “Curly” Grimes.) Birth & death indexes and probate OK. The balance sheet presented at Watford’s AGM in June 1910 reveals that £25 had been received from Derby County for Grimes’s transfer. Married the sister of George & Vic Furr in June 1907. Partnered Steve Bloomer at Derby. Returned to being a bricklayer on retirement. Son Harold W. Grimes signed amateur forms for Watford August 1929, and in March 1984 lived at 2 Station Rd, Arlesey, Beds (0462 731285). Billy’s address at time of death: 1 Station Rd, Arlesey. 5 ft 7 ins / 5 ft 9 ins. 11 st 4 lbs.
Arthur GRIMSDELL (1911-1912) Half-back
Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 23 March 1894 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 13 March 1963 Representative Honours England Schools and Full Football League Watford Career Southern League: 36 appearances (3 goals) FA Cup: 5 appearances (1 goal) Southern Charity Cup: 1 appearance First World War competitions: 1 appearance Début: 2-0 home win v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 22 Apr 1911 Final game in peacetime competitions: 1-2 away defeat v Southampton, Southern League Div 1, 13 Apr 1912 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 26; all competitions 31
Career Path St Stephens; St Albans City (1910/11); Hertfordshire; WATFORD (amateur, professional October 1911); Tottenham Hotspur (£500 for Grimsdell & W.S.Tattersall April 1912); Clapton Orient player-manager (free August 1929 until June 1930); WATFORD director (October 1945, resigned August 1951)
Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1910/11 WATFORD 2 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1911/12 WATFORD 34 3 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 20 1911/12 Tottenham Hotspur 2 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 20 1912/13 Tottenham Hotspur 25 Football League Division 1 – 17th of 20 1913/14 Tottenham Hotspur 37 1 Football League Division 1 – 17th of 20 1914/15 Tottenham Hotspur 8 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1919/20 Tottenham Hotspur 37 14 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 22 (Promoted) 1920/21 Tottenham Hotspur 38 3 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 22 1921/22 Tottenham Hotspur 35 3 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1922/23 Tottenham Hotspur 40 2 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1923/24 Tottenham Hotspur 27 1 Football League Division 1 – 15th of 22 1924/25 Tottenham Hotspur 14 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1925/26 Tottenham Hotspur 13 Football League Division 1 – 15th of 22 1926/27 Tottenham Hotspur 2 Football League Division 1 – 13th of 22 1927/28 Tottenham Hotspur 35 2 Football League Division 1 – 21st of 22 (Relegated) 1928/29 Tottenham Hotspur 11 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 22 1929/30 Clapton Orient 11 Football League Division 3 (South) – 12th of 22
Having won his first international cap when a pupil at Watford Field School, he went on to captain England at senior level, and also led Tottenham Hotspur to victory in the 1921 FA Cup Final, in which Val Gregory skippered the opposition. A great wing-half, Arthur Grimsdell first appeared in Watford’s first team just after his 17th birthday, and his transfer and that of Wally Tattersall at the end of the following season was forced by the club’s parlous financial state, no money being available for summer wages. In the middle of the 1947/48 season, as a director of the club he took charge of team affairs between Jack Bray’s resignation as manager and the appointment of Eddie Hapgood, and was responsible with fellow-directors for the simultaneous signing of five Leicester City players. His brother Ernie also played for Watford. As a wicketkeeper Arthur played first-class cricket, and his Hertfordshire CCC career, which included a spell as captain, spanned 26 years. For many years he ran the newsagent/tobacconist business in Watford High Street which had previously been owned by another Watford player and director, Johnny Hill.
Ernest Frederick GRIMSDELL (1913-1920) Full-back
Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 18 August 1892 Died Bushey, Hertfordshire, 20 September 1947 Representative Honours England Amateur Watford Career Southern League: 15 appearances First World War competitions: 30 appearances Début: 0-2 away defeat v Cardiff City, Southern League Div 1, 11 Oct 1913 Final game: 3-0 home win v Southampton, Southern League Div 1, 1 May 1920 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 4; all peacetime competitions 4
Career Path St Stephens; WATFORD (amateur September 1909); Hertfordshire; St Albans City (1910/11 to 1913/14); also Watford Orient; also Reading (amateur February 1913); Fulham guest player during First World War; Queens Park Rangers (professional August 1920); Guildford United (August 1921); Queens Park Rangers (June 1922); Chatham (August 1923); Dartford (by March 1927)
Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1912/13 Reading 1 Southern League Division 1 – 8th of 20 1913/14 WATFORD 9 Southern League Division 1 – 18th of 20 1914/15 WATFORD 1 Southern League Division 1 – 1st of 20 1919/20 WATFORD 5 Southern League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1920/21 Queens Park Rangers 20 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 22 1922/23 Queens Park Rangers 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22
His brother Arthur was a great player who captained England, but full-back Ernie Grimsdell was an accomplished footballer in his own right, as his two Amateur international caps testify. The two Grimsdells and George Edmonds, all three of whom went to Watford Field School, all played in the Watford Schoolboys’ Shield team which reached the Semi-final of the English Schools Cup in 1905/06. In August 1917 the tall Ernie represented the Army against the Royal Navy at Fulham, for which club he then went on to appear frequently as a guest player for two seasons. After a very late entry to the professional ranks in 1920, he subsequently took up refereeing and became a Football League linesman in 1932.
Known as “Ernie”. Birth (S1892) & death indexes and probate all OK. No birth announcement in the Observer. I have his First World War service record. With brother Arthur and George Edmonds, helped St Stephens to win the Watford & Dist Jnr Lge 1908/09. First reserve-team app for Watford Sep 1909. Guested for Fulham Sep 1917 and 1918/19 – altogether 39 apps. Awarded county badge (for 3 or more apps for Herts) May 1911. Went with the English Wanderers (including Ivan Sharpe) to play in the Ghent Exhibition tournament, May 1913. 2 England caps - 10/6/1914 & 12/6/1914, both as a St Albans player. Played for Army v Navy at Fulham 25/8/1917 (or maybe a week later). Played in Guildford Utd’s (name changed to City in 1927) first-ever competitive match, August 1921 (Southern Lge). The new club had borrowed from Watford the legal documentation on which to base their formation as a limited company. Took up refereeing & was appointed to the FL linesmen’s list cs 1932. Employed by Messrs Broad & Riggall, and later various govt departments. Member of the London Masonic Lodge (connection with 1st Life Guards, in which he served in Great War - enlisted with Arthur 9/11/1914). Address at time of death: 94 Aldenham Rd, Bushey. 6 ft 1 ins. 12 st 10 lbs.
Joseph Phoenix George GROOME (1927-1928) Centre-forward
Born Apsley, Hertfordshire, 1 September 1901 Died Beckenham, Kent, 20 August 1956 Watford Career Football League: 17 appearances (14 goals) Début: 2-3 away defeat v Newport County, Football League Div 3 (South), 3 Sep 1927 Final game: 0-1 away defeat v Torquay United, Football League Div 3 (South), 8 Sep 1928 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 4; all competitions 4
Career Path Apsley (1919); Northampton Town (amateur February 1927); WATFORD (professional July 1927); Queens Park Rangers (free May 1929); Dartford (free February 1930); House of Dickinson Book Department (April 1932); Apsley manager (by 1933/34 until October 1935)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1926/27 Northampton Town 13 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 18th of 22 1927/28 WATFORD 16 14 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1928/29 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 8th of 22
Even that formidable scoring record didn’t get him established in the first team, and he never played in more than four consecutive senior games for Watford before being released. A competitive sprinter, Joe Groome used his pace to good effect as a direct, dashing centre-forward, and he scored twice on his Football League débuts for both Northampton Town (as an amateur) and Watford. Before that he scored seven of Apsley’s nine goals against Stevenage in the 1925/26 Herts Charity Shield Semi-final, and there was a five-goal performance for Watford Reserves against Swansea Town Reserves on 13 April 1929 (result 8-1), just before he was released.
Known as “Joe”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. Died Beckenham Hospital. House of Dickinson Book Dept registration is in FA list. Resigned as manager of Apsley “for business and personal reasons”. Scored 7 for Apsley v Stevenage in Herts Charity Shield semi-final 6/4/1926 (9-2). 5 ft 8 ins. 11 st 0 lbs.
Henry William GROVER (1886-1889) Defender
Born Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, 28 October 1865 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 22 March 1949 Watford Rovers Career FA Cup: 2 appearances Herts County Cup: 3 appearances Hennessey Cup: 4 appearances Début: 0-1 home defeat v Swindon Town, FA Cup 1st Round, 23 Oct 1886 Final game: 3-2 home win v Uxbridge Caxtonians, Hennessey Cup 2nd Round, 28 Dec 1889 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 2
When a group of teenaged boys who had been given permission to kick a ball about in Cassiobury Park subscribed to form a club which they called Watford Rovers, it was one of their number, Henry Grover, who purchased the ball and was acknowledged as the founder. After playing at full-back and later half-back regularly for nearly a decade, he faded from the scene, and although he continued to live just a short walk from all the sites which have successively provided the club with its home grounds, when he died in old age his identity as Watford FC’s founder had long gone completely unrecognized. The son of a prosperous wine-merchant and ex-farmer with many properties in the Watford area and elsewhere, he became the financial partner in a building firm. In addition to the cup games, he played in 63 friendlies, plus others for which the line-ups are unknown, and scored one goal.
Henry Grover’s badly weathered family-grave headstone
No trace in birth indexes, but I have a photo taken “on his 83rd birthday”, 28/10/1948 Death index & probate OK. Grave is in Vicarage Rd Cemetery – adjacent to the path immediately to the right of Plot ‘G’ Consecrated. Club founder - referred to specifically as that in April 1888. Elected vice-captain of Reserves for 1889/90. Also reappointed assistant-secretary June 1889. Still playing for Reserves 1890/91. 1891 Census: Elmlands, 7 St Albans Rd, assistant wine merchant, b Bovingdon. 1927 electoral register: 24 Upton Rd (Freddie Sargent at No 28).
Jóhann Birnir GUDMUNDSSON (1998-2000) Midfielder
Born Reykjavik, Iceland, 5 December 1977 Representative Honours Iceland Youth, Under-21 & Full Watford Career Football League & FA Premier League: 7+15 appearances (2 goals) FA Cup: 0+1 appearance Football League Cup: 1+2 appearances Début: (as sub) 2-1 away win v Bolton Wanderers, Football League Div 1, 20 Oct 1998 Final game: 0-2 home defeat v Notts County, Football League Cup 2nd Round 2nd Leg, 26 Sep 2000 (Aggregate score 3-3 – won on “away goals” rule) Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League/Football League 5; all competitions 5
Career Path Keflavik (Iceland); WATFORD (£85,000 March 1998); Cambridge United (loan November 2000); Keflavik (Iceland) (free January 2001); Lyn Oslo (Norway) (2001); Queens Park Rangers trial (January 2004); Őrgryte (Sweden) (March 2004); GAIS (Sweden) (2006); Keflavik IF (Iceland) (July 2008)
Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1998/99 WATFORD 6 7 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 5th of 24 (Promoted) 1999/00 WATFORD 1 8 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2000/01 Cambridge United 3 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 19th of 24
He got off to a cracking start at Watford, scoring both goals in a 2-2 draw against Port Vale in his first senior start after only a few minutes of substitute action four days earlier, but Jóhann Gudmundsson never became more than a fringe player throughout his time at Vicarage Road. He was released after nearly three years to rejoin the Icelandic club which he had helped to win the national cup competition in 1997. He was capped at Under-17, Under-19, Under-21 and Full levels.
Known as “Jóhann”. Capped at U-17 & U-19 levels. There were increments based on appearances which could have raised the total fee paid by Watford to £176,000. Transfer from Watford back to Keflavik was free, but would have been 50% of any sell-on fee. As at 1/2/2000 had won 3 Full caps (all as a sub, and all before joining Watford), 11 Under-21 (5 goals), 10 Under-18 (1 goal) & 2 Under-16. BUT it was discovered in May 2005 that the official Iceland web-site credited him with a sub app v South Africa on 6/6/1998, whilst a Watford player, and also that he was capped at U-17 and U-19 levels, not U-16 and U-18.
Adlène GUÉDIOURA (2014-2017) Midfielder
Born La Roche-sur-Yon, France, 12 November 1985 Representative Honours Algeria Full Watford Career Football League and FA Premier League: 25+22 appearances (3 goals) FA Cup: 4+2 appearances (1 goal) Football League Cup: 1 appearance Début: (as sub) 0-1 home defeat v Cardiff City, Football League Championship, 29 Nov 2014 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League & FA Premier League 6; all competitions 7
Career Path Racing 92 (France) (from age 7); CS Sedan Ardennes (France) (2004); Olympique Noisy-le-Sec (France) (2005); L’Entente SSG (France) (2006); US Créteil-Lusitanos (France) (2007); KV Kortrijk (Belgium) (2008); Sporting de Charleroi (Belgium) (January 2009); Wolverhampton Wanderers (£2 million January 2010); Nottingham Forest (loan January 2012, £1 million July 2012); Crystal Palace (undisclosed fee September 2013); WATFORD (loan November 2014 and February 2015, undisclosed fee September 2015); Middlesbrough (£3.50 million, January 2017); Nottingham Forest (free January 2018)
FA Premier League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2009/10 Wolverhampton Wanderers 7 7 1 FA Premier League – 15th of 20 2010/11 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4 6 1 FA Premier League – 17th of 20 2011/12 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 8 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2011/12 Nottingham Forest 19 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 19th of 24 2012/13 Nottingham Forest 30 5 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 8th of 24 2013/14 Nottingham Forest 5 Football League Championship (2nd tier) -11th of 24 2013/14 Crystal Palace 4 4 FA Premier League – 11th of 20 2014/15 Crystal Palace 7 FA Premier League – 10th of 20 2014/15 WATFORD 13 4 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2015/16 WATFORD 3 15 FA Premier League – 13th of 20 2016/17 WATFORD 9 3 FA Premier League – 17th of 20 2016/17 Middlesbrough 5 FA Premier League – 19th of 20 (Relegated)
In two loan spells Adlène Guédioura assisted Watford’s successful bid for promotion to the top flight with some energetic and skilful midfield performances. In the 2011/12 season he achieved the very unusual status of having scored the selected “Goal of the Season” for both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest. Not just an international sportsman himself, he is a son of parents who were both similarly distinguished, his father representing Algeria at football and his mother Spain at basketball.
He was the first Watford player to have all five vowels in his surname. His father was also an Algeria Full international, and his mother was a Spain international basketball player. Scored “The Goal of the Season” for both Wolves and Forest in the same season. Played in the 2014 World Cup Finals. Brynjar Bjorn GUNNARSSON (2004-2005) Midfielder
Born Reykjavik, Iceland, 16 October 1975 Reperesentative Honours Iceland Youth, U-21 & Full Watford Career Football League: 34+2 appearances (3 goals) FA Cup: 1+1 appearances Football League Cup: 5 appearances Début: 1-2 away defeat v Preston North End, Football League Championship, 7 Aug 2004 Final game: 1-0 away win v Rotherham United, Football League Championship, 16 Apr 2005 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 16; all competitions 22
Career Path KR (Iceland) (1995 until 1997); Vålerenga IF (Norway) (1998); Moss FK (Norway) (1998); Őrgryte IS (Sweden) (1999); Stoke City (£600,000 January 2000); Nottingham Forest (free August 2003); Stoke City (loan March 2004, free March 2004); WATFORD (free July 2004); Reading (£50,000 July 2005, plus 3 subsequent £25,000 increments); Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur (Iceland) (free March 2013); Stjarnan (Iceland) assistant-manager (close season 2014)
Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1999/00 Stoke City 23 1 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 6th of 24 2000/01 Stoke City 48 5 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 5th of 24 2001/02 Stoke City 21 2 5 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 5th of 24 (Promoted) 2002/03 Stoke City 40 5 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 21st of 24 2003/04 Nottingham Forest 9 4 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2003/04 Stoke City 1 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 11th of 24 2004/05 WATFORD 34 2 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 18th of 24 2005/06 Reading 19 10 4 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 2006/07 Reading 10 13 3 FA Premier League – 8th of 20 2007/08 Reading 18 2 FA Premier League – 18th of 20 (Relegated) 2008/09 Reading 13 14 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 4th of 24 2009/10 Reading 18 8 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 2010/11 Reading 10 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 5th of 24 2011/12 Reading 1 4 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted)
Owing his move to Watford to a recommendation by fellow Iceland international Heider Helguson, he spent a season at Vicarage Road as a tall, hardworking midfielder, strong in the tackle, but elsewhere has proved himself equally capable in defensive positions. Reading got good value for their modest layout, Bryn Gunnarsson’s long service at the Madejski Stadium having started with participation in the club’s record-breaking rise to the Premier League and an eighth-place finish in their first-ever top-flight campaign. Of his useful smattering of goals, his favourite will have been the header at Old Trafford which earned Reading an FA Cup replay.
Known as “Bryn”. Capped at U-19 level. The £600,000 paid by Stoke was the sum of payments to two different clubs. The increments paid by Reading were 3 x £25,000, based on appearances and promotion. I have assumed that these criteria were all met. A member of Stoke’s AMC-winning side in 1999/2000.
Gordon HAIGH (1951-1952) Inside-forward
Born Barnsley, Yorkshire, 18 August 1921 Died Brierfield, Lancashire, 22 August 2011 Watford Career Football League: 29 appearances (5 goals) FA Cup: 2 appearances (2 goals) Début: 3-2 away win v Shrewsbury Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 18 Aug 1951 Final game: 0-1 away defeat v Colchester United, Football League Div 3 (South), 3 May 1952 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 11; all competitions 12
Career Path RAF (during the Second World War); Ransom & Marles, Newark; Burnley (November 1945); Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic (April 1950); WATFORD (August 1951); Rossendale United (close season 1952); Nelson (until retirement in 1953)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1946/47 Burnley 6 1 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1947/48 Burnley 4 1 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 22 1948/49 Burnley 6 1 Football League Division 1 – 15th of 22 1949/50 Burnley 2 Football League Division 1 – 10th of 22 1949/50 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 12th of 22 1950/51 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 14 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 9th of 24 1951/52 WATFORD 29 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 24
He wore the first-team number 8 shirt for most of his only Vicarage Road season, after which he returned to the area in which he had first emerged as a professional footballer immediately after the Second World War, when already in his mid- twenties. Although he scored for Burnley on his Football League début, he made only spasmodic first-team appearances but earned a championship medal when the Reserves won the Central League in 1948/49. Five of Gordon Haigh’s Watford goals, including two against Aylesbury United in a FA Cup tie, came in a mid-season sequence of six games.
Known as “Gordon”. Birth index OK. Watford listed him at £1,250 cs 1952 & cs 1953. A steelworker in Sheffield when Second World War broke out. Joined the RAF in 1941 and was posted to Canada, where he trained as a wireless operator. Represented RAF in inter-service games. Returned to England in 1944. While stationed at Newark he played in the Midland Lge for engineering-works team Ransom & Marles. After many years as a school caretaker, lived in retirement in Burnley - still there in 1994. 5 ft 8½ ins. Richard HALE (1967‐1970) Midfield
Born Waterford, 29 May 1935 Representative Honours League of Ireland Watford Career Football League: 95+3 appearances (7 goals) FA Cup: 8+1 appearances (3 goals) Football League Cup: 6 appearances Début: 1‐2 home defeat v Walsall, Football League Div 3, 19 Aug 1967 Final game: 1‐1 away draw v Norwich City, Football League Div 2, 18 Apr 1970 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 43; all competitions 49
Career Path Waterford; Shamrock Rovers; Swansea Town (October 1959); Barrow (July 1961); Workington (August 1964); WATFORD (£3,500 July 1967 until September 1970); King’s Lynn (September 1970); Wealdstone (close season 1971); Pembroke Borough; Pontardawe manager (1981/82); Pembroke Borough manager; Milford United manager (by April 1988, and made several appearances 1987/88); manager of a Swansea club (1992/93)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1959/60 Swansea Town 19 1 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 22 1960/61 Swansea Town 15 2 Football League Division 2 – 7th of 22 1961/62 Barrow 43 6 Football League Division 4 – 9th of 23 1962/63 Barrow 40 8 Football League Division 4 – 9th of 24 1963/64 Barrow 35 2 Football League Division 4 – 24th of 24 1964/65 Workington 43 1 Football League Division 3 – 15th of 24 1965/66 Workington 46 6 Football League Division 3 – 5th of 24 1966/67 Workington 42 3 Football League Division 3 – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 1967/68 WATFORD 41 6 Football League Division 3 – 6th of 24 1968/69 WATFORD 39 1 1 Football League Division 3 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1969/70 WATFORD 15 2 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 22
An exceptionally busy little Irish midfield player who, at the age of 33, enjoyed what was the major triumph of his career as an influential and popular member of the Watford team with which Ken Furphy took the club into Division 2 for the first time in its history. Dixie Hale had once played in the League of Ireland for Waterford alongside his three brothers, of whom Alfie became a Full international. Dixie retired from full‐time football in September 1970 and took a job with AEC at Aldenham.
Known as “Dixie”. “Richard J.” & “Joseph R.” in FL archives, but he told me himself he has no middle name, although the ‘Joseph’ had something to do with his Roman Catholicism. Retired from full‐time football and took a job with AEC at Aldenham. Signed for King’s Lynn very shortly afterwards. 3 inter‐lge apps. One of four brothers who played in Lge of Ireland for Waterford ‐ all four in the same game on one occasion. Brother Alfie won Full caps. In 1992 living at 36 Windermere Rd, Morriston, Swansea (Swansea 773569). Ht 5 ft 8 ins. Wt 11 st 6 lbs. Fitz Benjamin HALL (2012-2014) Defender
Born Leytonstone, London, 20 December 1980 Watford Career Football League: 22+5 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 1 appearance Début: (as sub) 2-2 home draw v Bristol City, Football League Championship, 22 Sep 2012 Final game: (as sub) 2-2 away draw v Leicester City, Football League Championship, 8 Feb 2014 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 8; all competitions 8
Career Path Senrab; West Ham United (until age 15); Barnet (trainee October 1998, non-contract February 2000); Chesham United (2001); Oldham Athletic (£20,000 March 2002); Southampton (£250,000 July 2003); Crystal Palace (£1.5 million August 2004); Wigan Athletic (£3 million June 2006); Queens Park Rangers (£700,000 January 2008); Newcastle United (loan January 2010); WATFORD (free July 2012, released close season 2013, monthly contracts November 2013 & January 2014, contract January 2014); Percival (free September 2014, retired December 2014)
Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2001/02 Oldham Athletic 4 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 9th of 24 2002/03 Oldham Athletic 42 4 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 5th of 24 2003/04 Southampton 7 4 FA Premier League – 12th of 20 2004/05 Crystal Palace 36 2 FA Premier League – 18th of 20 (Relegated) 2005/06 Crystal Palace 41 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 6th of 24 2006/07 Wigan Athletic 22 2 FA Premier League – 17th of 20 2007/08 Wigan Athletic 1 FA Premier League – 14th of 20 2007/08 Queens Park Rangers 14 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2008/09 Queens Park Rangers 18 6 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 11th of 24 2009/10 Queens Park Rangers 12 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2009/10 Newcastle United 7 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 2010/11 Queens Park Rangers 12 7 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 2011/12 Queens Park Rangers 11 3 FA Premier League – 17th of 20 2012/13 WATFORD 19 3 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 2013/14 WATFORD 3 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24
Signed as a tall (6 feet 3 inches) and experienced central defender, Fitz Hall had fitness problems both at the start of and during his Watford engagement, and wasn’t able to make his club début – as a substitute – until the ninth game of the campaign. His first start came at Huddersfield Town, where he scored one of the goals which brought a 3-2 victory. The club’s narrow failure to reach the top flight deprived him of the distinction of having participated in a third promotion to the FA Premier League in four years.
Known as ‘Fitz’. Birth index OK. Not retained cs 2013, but continued to train with the club to maintain his fitness and took part in 2013/14 friendlies, until being re-signed. H.A.HALL (1897) Winger
West Herts Career Southern League: 2 appearances FA Cup: 1 appearance Début: 4‐7 home defeat v 3rd Grenadier Guards, FA Cup Preliminary Round, 18 Sep 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 3
Career Path Watford St Mary’s; WEST HERTS (September 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 many other locals in the mid‐1890s, Harry Hall turned out for both of Watford’s major clubs, and he switched his allegiance to Cassio Road just before professionalism was adopted. He started the 1897/98 season as the first‐team outside‐ right, but after three games (7‐4, 2‐0 and 8‐0 defeats) he was muscled out by the influx of the paid men.
Known as “Harry”. Edward Charles HALSEY (1886-1887) Forward
Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 4 January 1864 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 17 January 1948 Watford Rovers Career FA Cup: 3 appearances (1 goal) Herts County Cup: 2 appearances (1 goal) Début: 0-1 home defeat v Swindon Town, FA Cup 1st Round, 23 Oct 1886 Final game: 1-3 home defeat v Old Carthusians, FA Cup 2nd Round, 5 Nov 1887 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 2
Career Path St Albans; WATFORD ROVERS
Including friendlies, he made altogether 24 appearances (and possibly two others for which the line-ups are unknown) – all in the mid-1880s – and scored 12 goals. He was in the side which contested the club’s first-ever FA Cup tie – in fact it was the first game undertaken in any competition. His brother played in a couple of friendlies and later served on the committee.
Birth index OK (M1864). Death index OK (M1948). 1939 Register: 68 Breakspear Rd, Abbots Langley, retired railway clerk, b 4 Jan 1964. Probate OK: home address 68 Brakespear Road, Abbots Langley, but died at 60 Vicarage Road, Watford. Left £208. Probate to Susan Halsey, widow. A brother of Charles Henry Halsey, who was on the committee 1899/1900 & died 14/7/1940, aged 73. 1881 census: Langley Rd, Watford – Charles, 14, clerk, b Watford; Edward, 17, apprentice, b Watford. A Charles Halsey was registered with the FA as an am, September/October 1897. Andrew HAMILTON (1900‐1901) Winger
Born Falkirk, Stirlingshire, 18 December 1873 Died Wallasey, Cheshire, 20 March 1939 Watford Career Southern League: 6 appearances (1 goal) Début: 0‐1 away defeat v Reading, Southern League Div 1, 10 Nov 1900 Final game: 1‐3 home defeat v Bristol City, Southern League Div 1, 17 Apr 1901 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 3; all competitions 3
Career Path Cambuslang; Falkirk (May 1894); Sunderland (May 1896); East Stirlingshire (May 1897); New Brighton Tower (August 1897); Warmley (May 1898); Ryde (September 1900); WATFORD (October 1900 until close season 1901)
Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1896/97 Sunderland 7 2 Football League Division 1 – 15th of 16 1900/01 WATFORD 6 1 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 15
He’d arrived at Cassio Road a few weeks into the 1900/01 season but was unable to turn the club’s fortunes in a dismal campaign. In fact, not a single point was gained from the six matches in which he played on the left wing. He’d earlier appeared in the Football League First Division for Sunderland and scored twice in a 4‐2 win against Liverpool. After leaving Watford he returned, not to Scotland, but to the Wirral, where he’d met his wife when playing for New Brighton Tower, and remained there for the rest of his life.
I have birth cert: 6am 18 Dec 1873 at Bank St, Falkirk, illegitimate, Andrew Hamilton, father Andrew Hamilton, steam boat stoker, mother Helen Bathgate, dress maker. I have marriage cert: Baptist Chapel, Ryde, 16 Aug 1900 – Andrew Hamilton, 26, bachelor, carpenter, 62 St Johns Rd, Ryde, father Andrew Hamilton, head stevedor; Gertrude Eliza Salisbury, 21, spinster, Clarence Hotel, New Brighton, father Thomas Salisbury, engineer. I have death certificate: died 75 Egerton St, Wallasey (is it the same Egerton St which is 1911 census is “New Brighton”?), aged 65, of pulmonary tuberculosis, general labourer, informant A.H.W.Hamilton, son. (NB In the 1911 census this son is named as Hector W., but he was registered at birth as Andrew Hector W.) Probate – nothing. 1881 Scotland census: Roberts Wynd, Falkirk – Andrew Hamilton, 7, b Falkirk, grandson of Janet Liddell, 61, mother’s name Helen Bathgate, 28, daughter of Janet Liddell. 1891 census: the only Andrew Hamilton born Falkirk 1872‐1876 was a joiner, nephew of Margaret Baird. 1901 census: 1 Asylum Road, Watford (among the Queens Rd entries), Andrew Hamilton, lodger, 26, football pro., born Falkirk, wife Gertrude, 21, born Crewe. 1911 census: Egerton St, New Brighton – gen lab, 36, b Falkirk, wife Gertrude E., 31, married 10 yrs, b Crewe, 5 children, all living (but only 4 listed at this address, all born New Brighton), Petheneys C.Bennett, mother (sic), 50, widow, b Windsor (she was actually Gertrude’s mother – in the 1881 census she’s Petheneys Clowes Salisbury, married, and Gertrude is Gertrude Eliza Salisbury) 5 ft 10 ins. 11 st 4 lbs.
John HAMILTON (1901‐1902) Half‐back
Born St Quivox, Ayrshire, 31 July 1869 Died Saltford, Somerset, 30 October 1931 Watford Career Southern League: 30 appearances (3 goals) FA Cup: 2 appearances Début: 1‐0 away win v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 7 Sep 1901 Final game: 1‐1 away draw v Northampton Town, Southern League Div 1, 19 Apr 1902 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 30; all competitions 32
Career Path Ayr (1891); Wolverhampton Wanderers (June 1894); Loughborough (August 1895); Bristol South End (name changed to Bristol City 1897) (May 1897); Leicester Fosse (September 1900); WATFORD (May 1901); Wellingborough Town (May 1902); Fulham (May 1903, assistant‐trainer August 1904, trainer October 1908); also CS Paulistano (Brazil) coach (briefly cs 1906); Bristol City (reserve‐team trainer 1910, manager May 1915 until August 1919); Heart of Midlothian coach; Airdrieonians coach
Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1894/95 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 16 1895/96 Loughborough 30 2 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 16 1896/97 Loughborough 29 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 16 1897/98 Bristol City 21 1 Southern League Division 1 – 2nd of 12 1898/99 Bristol City 22 1 Southern League Division 1 – 2nd of 13 1899/00 Bristol City 27 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 15 1900/01 Leicester Fosse 28 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 18 1901/02 WATFORD 30 3 Southern League Division 1 – 13th of 16 1902/03 Wellingborough Town 26 1 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 16 1903/04 Fulham 11 Southern League Division 1 – 11th of 18
Reaching Cassio Road with a fair amount of football experience under his belt, he was appointed captain and was ever‐ present in his only season, firstly at left‐half and then as the defensive pivot. In 1911, six years after he retired, the FA refused him permission to turn out as an amateur. As well as Watford, he captained Ayr, Loughborough and Bristol City. At the start of his career Jock Hamilton had taken part in three Ayr Charity Cup victories. During his three years as a Bristol City player he met a local girl, married her there soon after leaving City, returned and became a Bristol newsagent, and maintained his links with the west country for the rest of his life. He died at home in Somerset, where his house was named Sao Paolo, commemorating his brief coaching stint in South America in 1906.
Known as “Jock”. Birth registration OK. Probate OK: died at home addresss – Sao Paolo (he’d coached in Brazil), Beech Rd, Saltford, Somerset – widow Florence Clara Hamilton. 2 or 3 seasons with Ayr, the last as captain (no SFA registration 1893/94). Loughborough captain at the time he left the club. Captain of Bristol South End / Bristol City for 2 seasons (the club name was changed possibly just before he signed). Applied via Glos FA for reinstatement as an amateur May 1911, having “last played for Fulham” – application refused by FA. 1911 census: 65 Wells Rd, Totterdown, Bristol, John Hamilton, 41, newsagent, born Ayr, wife Clara, 30, b Bristol, married 11 years. 1901 census (Leicester): John Hamilton, 27, currier work leather, born Scotland, Clara, 20, born Bristol, Albert E.W., son, 2 weeks, born Leicester, Mary Pope, mother‐in‐law, 58, born Sheerness. Marriage 5 Nov 1900 at Bedminster parish church, Bristol: John Hamilton (address Lincoln Villa, Rutland Avenue, Leicester; father William Hamilton, coach painter)=Florence Clara Pope (I have marriage certificate). 1871 census: McChin’s Land, St Quivox, Ayrshire, William Hamilton, 30, coach painter, Jane, 28, John, 1, born St Quivox. 1881 census: 30 Russel St, Newton‐on‐Ayr, John Hamilton, 11, b St Quivox, Ayrshire, parents William, 41, coach painter, & Jane, 40. No trace in 1891 Scottish census. FA registrations for J. Hamilton(s): Hirst Rangers (September 1902 ‐ transferred to Ashington October 1902); Burslem (September 1902); Burslem Port Vale (April 1904 for 1904/05); West Ham Utd (October 1904); Carlisle Utd (December 1904, and April 1905 for 1905/06); Port Vale April 1905 for 1905/06); Fulham (August 1906); Port Vale (May 1907) ‐ transferred to Oldham Athletic June 1907; Brentford (July 1907); Fulham (August 1907 ‐ transferred to Leeds City April 1908); Fulham (August 1908). 5 ft 10 ins. 12 st 6 lbs.
John HAMILTON (1967) Forward
Born Larkhall, Lanarkshire, 22 January 1935 Died Edinburgh, 8 August 2013 Representative Honours Scotland Under-23 Scottish League Watford Career Football League: 7+1 appearances (2 goals) Football League Cup: 3 appearances Début: 1-2 home defeat v Walsall, Football League Div 3, 19 Aug 1967 Final game: 0-2 home defeat v Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Football League Div 3, 30 Dec 1967 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 5; all competitions 8
Career Path Larkhall Rangers Amateurs; Kirkmuirhill Juveniles; Birkenshaw Welfare Hearts; Lesmahagow (September 1954); Heart of Midlothian (£100 April 1955); WATFORD (free May 1967); Berwick Rangers (free close season 1968 until 1973); Heart of Midlothian youth-team coach (1974 until 1979)
Scottish League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1955/56 Heart of Midlothian 22 1 Scottish League Division 1 – 3rd of 18 1956/57 Heart of Midlothian 26 4 Scottish League Division 1 – 2nd of 18 1957/58 Heart of Midlothian 4 4 Scottish League Division 1 – 1st of 18 1958/59 Heart of Midlothian 27 6 Scottish League Division 1 – 2nd of 18 1959/60 Heart of Midlothian 27 7 Scottish League Division 1 – 1st of 18 1960/61 Heart of Midlothian 20 4 Scottish League Division 1 – 8th of 18 1961/62 Heart of Midlothian 27 7 Scottish League Division 1 – 6th of 18 1962/63 Heart of Midlothian 33 10 Scottish League Division 1 – 5th of 18 1963/64 Heart of Midlothian 34 13 Scottish League Division 1 – 4th of 18 1964/65 Heart of Midlothian 32 16 Scottish League Division 1 – 2nd of 18 1965/66 Heart of Midlothian 26 4 Scottish League Division 1 – 7th of 18 1966/67 Heart of Midlothian 15 Scottish League Division 1 – 11th of 18 1967/68 WATFORD 7 1 2 Football League Division 3 – 6th of 24 1968/69 Berwick Rangers ? 1 Scottish League Division 2 – 16th of 19 1969/70 Berwick Rangers ? 12 Scottish League Division 2 – 9th of 19 1970/71 Berwick Rangers 16 3 3 Scottish League Division 2 – 13th of 19
This lightweight Scottish forward’s 12 seasons at Tynecastle included the best years in Heart of Midlothian’s history. He scored in two of his four Scottish League Cup Finals, gaining winner’s medals in three of them, and contributed to two Scottish League championship triumphs. John Hamilton’s limited first-team experience at Watford was undistinguished – his first and last games were both home defeats and he was sent off at Torquay United. His contract with the club was “cancelled by mutual consent” and he returned to Scotland.
Known as “John” – although “Johnny” in Scotland. Birth index OK. Watford contract cancelled by mutual consent May 1968. 3 SLC wins, and runner-up once - scored once in each of the first two finals, but not the others. Ran a shop after the Hearts coaching job. John Eley HAMILTON (1921) Forward
Born Marlpool, Derbyshire, 23 January 1902 Died Nottingham, 16 January 1980 Watford Career Football League: 2 appearances Début: 0-0 home draw v Swansea Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 27 Aug 1921 Final game: 1-2 away defeat v Reading, Football League Div 3 (South), 27 Dec 1921 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 1; all competitions 1
Career Path Heanor Athletic; Welbeck Colliery (mid-1920/21); WATFORD (June 1921); Sutton Town (free July 1922); Blackpool (May 1924); Queens Park Rangers (June 1926); Sutton Town (April 1927); Loughborough Corinthians (May 1929); Heanor Town (September 1930)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1921/22 WATFORD 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 7th of 22 1924/25 Blackpool 1 Football League Division 2 – 17th of 22 1925/26 Blackpool 1 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 22 1926/27 Queens Park Rangers 10 Football League Division 3 (South) – 14th of 22
After playing under a pseudonym (“Jones”) and scoring twice in a benefit match in March 1921, Jack Hamilton signed for the club (under his own name) in the summer. He was seen as a promising forward with good ball control, but made only two senior appearances and returned to non-League circles in the east Midlands before making a second attempt at a Football League career which brought him a dozen outings in three seasons.
Known as “Jack”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. 1911 census: 31 Ilkeston Rd, Marlpool, Heanor, born Marlpool. Address at time of death: 91 Parkside, Wollaton, Nottingham. 5 ft 6 ins. 10 st 7 lbs.
Richard Whitecross HAMMETT (1900‐1901) Goalkeeper
Born East Stonehouse, Devon, 1869 Died St Martin‐in‐the‐Fields, London, 4 September 1925 Watford Career Southern League: 33 appearances FA Cup: 3 appearances Début: 1‐6 away defeat v Bristol City, Southern League Div 1, 8 Sep 1900 Final game: 4‐0 home win v Bristol Rovers, Southern League Div 1, 28 Sep 1901 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 33; all competitions 36
Career Path Royal Engineers (amateur 1894 until 1896); Ryde (professional May 1897); WATFORD (July 1900 until September 1901)
Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1898/99 Ryde ? Southern League Division 2 (South‐West) – 2nd of 6 1900/01 WATFORD 29 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 15 1901/02 WATFORD 4 Southern League Division 1 – 13th of 16
The son of a senior warder at Dartmoor Prison, he was ever‐present in goal while on Watford’s books, before being released to become caretaker at the newly‐opened Callowland Schools, a job for which there were 60 applicants and which carried a weekly wage of £2 10s 0d. He’d been invalided out of the army, being “unable to march” owing to varicose veins and a leg ulcer which it was officially suspected had been deliberately self‐inflicted with a view to being discharged. He was still a school caretaker at the time of his death in Charing Cross Hospital, when his home address was in Surrey.
Birth (S1869) & death indexes and probate all OK. His first match had actually been the season’s opening Southern League fixture v Chesham, which became void when Chesham resigned from the league. FA registration as an amateur for Royal Engineers 1894/95 & 1895/96. Watford contract cancelled by mutual consent September 1901 to enable him to take caretaker’s job at the new Callowland Schools @ £2/10/‐ a week; he was one of 60 applicants. After his season with Ryde the Southern League’s South‐West division was discontinued. Still a school caretaker at time of death, when his address was 34 Glenthorne Ave, Shirley, Surrey. Joined RE at Exeter 12/9/1887; 5’7¼” & 126lbs ‐ 138lbs when discharged 21/4/1896 as medically unfit for further service, being “unable to march” due to varicose veins & ulcer on leg; ulcer stated to have been caused by leg being knocked against a coal box ‐ “probably self‐produced, he being anxious to get invalided”; had rank of sapper thoughout service, which was at Aldershot. In 1881 census he’s a pupil at Greenwich Hospital School, Greenwich, which was for sons of officers and men who had served in the RN, RM or Merchant Navy. Father a principal warder at Dartmoor who spent the night of the 1891 Census in the prison with one other principal warder, five warders and 17 assistant warders. Hammett snr’s name was listed first on the census. 5 ft 9 ins. 12 st 9 lbs. Jamie HAND (2002-2004) Midfielder
Born Uxbridge, London, 7 February 1984 Representative Honours England Youth Watford Career Football League: 40+15 appearances FA Cup: 1+2 appearances Football League Cup: 1+2 appearances Début: (as sub) 2-4 home defeat v Arsenal, FA Cup 3rd Round, 5 Jan 2002 Final game: 1-5 home defeat v Crystal Palace, Football League Div 1, 17 Jan 2004 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 11; all competitions 13
Career Path
Ruislip Rangers (1996); WATFORD (Academy by September 1999, scholar July 2000, professional April 2002, contract cancelled February 2006); Oxford United (loan August 2004); Livingston (loan January 2005); Cambridge United trial (August 2005); Peterborough United (loan September 2005); Fisher Athletic (February 2006); Northampton Town (loan February 2006); Chester City (free July 2006); Lincoln City (August 2007, released close season 2008); Oxford United (loan February 2008); Ebbsfleet United (September 2008); Chelmsford City (February 2009); Woking (October 2009); Hemel Hempstead Town (loan March 2010); Hayes & Yeading United (August 2010, cancelled January 2012); Luton Town (loan October 2011); Mansfield Town (July 2012); Eastleigh (loan November 2012); Hayes & Yeading United (loan December 2012); Margate (loan March 2013); Stockport County (free July 2013, released close season 2014); Southport (loan November 2013); Wealdstone trial (October 2014); Farnborough (December 2014 until close season 2015); Northwood first-team coach (August 2015)
Football League & Scottish Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2001/02 WATFORD 4 6 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2002/03 WATFORD 20 3 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2003/04 WATFORD 16 6 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2004/05 Oxford United 11 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 15th of 24 2004/05 Livingston 5 2 Scottish Premier League – 10th of 12 2005/06 Peterborough United 9 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 9th of 24 2005/06 Northampton Town 8 3 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2006/07 Chester City 43 2 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 18th of 24 2007/08 Chester City 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 22nd of 24 2007/08 Lincoln City 19 6 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 15th of 24
Jamie Hand’s earliest first-team appearances were as a 17-year-old scholar, and he’d already won international caps by representing the England Under-16 side, as he was later to do at Under-20 level. Not extravagantly skilled as a creative player, he compensated with a hardworking and determined approach to his midfield role. The day after signing for Fisher Athletic he was loaned to Northampton Town (transfer regulations prohibited such a move at that stage of the season direct from another Football League club), who had been steadily progressing up the 4th Division table right through the campaign. He proved a valuable acquisition, helping the club to move into third and then second spot with a few games to go, which they held on to and completed a perfectly timed promotion push.
Known as “Jamie”. Birth index OK. The loan to Northampton the day after he signed for Fisher Athletic was a contrived arrangement arising from the fact that Watford didn’t cancel his FL registration until after 31 January – too late for him to play for another FL club that season. The unorthodox move was a result of collusion between non-League Fisher Athletic, whose manager, Justin Edinburgh, was a former Spurs colleague of Northampton manager Colin Calderwood. Edris Anthony HAPGOOD (1953) Winger
Born Kettering, Northamptonshire, 13 June 1930 Died Blackburn, Lancashire, 1 September 2011 Watford Career Football League: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 0-1 away defeat v Millwall, Football League Div 3 (South), 24 Aug 1953
Career Path Blackburn Rovers youth team; Burnley (February 1948); WATFORD (“small fee” July 1953);
Ashford Town (August 1954); Chatham (1 season); Bushey United (permit to play as an amateur granted November 1957)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1951/52 Burnley 7 2 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 22 1953/54 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 24
His father was the Arsenal and England captain who became manager of Watford, but Tony Hapgood’s arrival at Vicarage Road had nothing to do with nepotism, as Hapgood senior had departed more than three years earlier. At Blackburn Rovers, however, Tony had captained the youth team when his father was that club’s manager. A right-winger, he was given a Football League outing at Millwall early in his only season with Watford, but thereafter his first-team action was limited to three friendlies. He was a talented all-round sportsman, and reached the final of the Under-21 Northern Tennis Championship.
Known as “Tony”. Birth index OK. Died in Royal Blackburn Hospital. No FL registration for Blackburn. Listed at £600 by Watford cs 1954. Missed Burnley’s Central Lge championship win in 1948/49 owing to National Service in RAF. Reached final of Under-21 Northern Tennis Championships and captained the Blackburn youth table-tennis team. Burnley Badminton Club champion 1971. Played cricket for Lansdowne (Bristol). In 1994 had been living & running a sports shop in Burnley for many years. A.HARDING (1901‐1903) Defender
Watford Career Southern League: 12 appearances FA Cup: 3 appearances South Eastern League: 1 appearance Début: 0‐5 away defeat v Southampton, Southern League Div 1, 21 Sep 1901 Final game: 2‐1 home win v Reading Reserves, Southern League Div 2, 17 Oct 1903 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 6; all competitions 7
Career Path Chesham Town (amateur by September 1898, professional August 1900); WATFORD (August 1901 until close season 1904); Leyton (November 1904)
Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1898/99 Chesham Town ? ? Southern League Division 2 – 7th of 12 1899/00 Chesham Town ? ? Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 11 1900/01 Chesham Town ? ? Southern League Division 2 – 6th of 9 1901/02 WATFORD 7 Southern League Division 1 – 13th of 16 1902/03 WATFORD 4 Southern League Division 1 – 15th of 16 (Relegated) 1903/04 WATFORD 1 Southern League Division 1 – 1st of 11 (Promoted)
A professional with Chesham Town when that club decided to revert to amateur status, he was thereupon given an engagement at Cassio Road, where he was used as a centre‐half and full‐back, and once at centre‐forward. In his first‐team début the club went down 5‐0 at Southampton, and he also played in the corresponding fixture the following season, when the outcome was actually a great deal worse: Southampton 11, Watford 0.
Made his first‐team début for Chesham Town Sep 1898 but doesn’t appear in FA pro registration lists until August 1900. He moved to Watford when Chesham reverted to amateur status. Was believed to have played for a Welsh rugby club. There’s no trace of a Wales‐born Harding in Chesham in 1901 census. Chesham papers done ‐ not comprehensively, but well enough to believe that there is probably no reference to first name. An A.Harding playing for Chesham CC 1908, and there was a Harding in the Herts CCC XI in 1899 (but there’s nothing in the Herts CCC archives to indicate whether this was him). Several east London papers done November 1904 ‐ not much detail, and he doesn’t seem to have established himself at Leyton. 1901 census: unable to trace.
Paul John HARDING (1993) Midfielder
Born Mitcham, Surrey, 6 March 1964 Watford Career Football League: 1+1 appearances Début: 0-2 away defeat v Southend United, Football League Div 1, 3 Nov 1993 Final game: (as sub) 1-3 home defeat v Stoke City, Football League Div 1, 6 Nov 1993 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 2; all competitions 2
Career Path Whyteleafe; Sutton United; Epsom & Ewell; Carshalton Athletic; Dulwich Hamlet (by 1985); Enfield; Barnet (February 1990); Notts County (£60,000 September 1990); Southend United (loan August 1993); WATFORD (loan November 1993); Birmingham City (loan December 1993, £50,000 January 1994); Cardiff City (free August 1995); Kettering Town (loan August 1996); Worcester City (free October 1996); Halesowen Town player-coach (£5,000 November 1997); Harrow Borough (loan February 1999); Dulwich Hamlet (August 1999, cancelled after 1 week)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1990/91 Notts County 22 5 1 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 24 (Promoted) 1991/92 Notts County 25 4 1 Football League Division 1 – 21st of 22 (Relegated) 1992/93 Notts County 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 17th of 24 1993/94 Southend United 2 3 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 15th of 24 1993/94 WATFORD 1 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 19th of 24 1993/94 Birmingham City 14 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 22nd of 24 (Relegated) 1994/95 Birmingham City 5 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1995/96 Cardiff City 36 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 22nd of 24
Paul Harding was a midfielder who didn’t play in the Football League until he was 25, but went on to become one of many players who were signed more than once by Barry Fry. He was involved in what was probably a unique coincidence when, within a few weeks, he played at Roots Hall both as a substitute against Watford while on loan to Southend, and as a substitute against Southend while on loan to Watford. He was a member of the Enfield side which won the FA Trophy in 1987/88.
Known as “Paul”. No indexed birth M1964 or J1964 in London area except in reg dist Middlesex S, so something’s amiss. In Tony Matthews’s Birmingham book he is credited with having played for Chelsea (appr) & Wimbledon, but he was definitely not a Chelsea apprentice and there was never an FL registration for Wimbledon. FA Trophy win with Enfield in 1988. Played on loan for Southend v Watford (AIC) & on loan for Watford v Southend (FL) - both at Roots Hall in 1993/94.
Charles Boyd HARE (1898-1900) Centre-forward
Born Ladywood, Birmingham, Warwickshire, 16 March 1870 Died Erdington, Warwickshire, 10 August 1947 Watford Career Southern League: 43 appearances (23 goals, including 1 penalty) FA Cup: 12 appearances (12 goals) Bucks & Contiguous Counties League: 16 appearances (24 goals, including 1 penalty) Début: 15-0 home win v Wycombe Wanderers, Bucks & Contiguous Counties League Div 1, 14 Sep 1898 Final game: 2-4 away defeat v Gravesend United, Southern League Div 1, 24 Nov 1900 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 19; all competitions 30
Career Path Warwick County; Birmingham United; Aston Villa (March 1891); Woolwich Arsenal (February 1895); Small Heath (November 1896); WATFORD (June 1898 until close season 1901); Argyle (name changed to Plymouth Argyle in 1903) (October 1902); Green Waves player-coach (September 1904); application for reinstatement as an amateur for 1905/06 deferred for 12 months and granted for 1906/07
Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1891/92 Aston Villa 8 4 Football League Division 1 – 4th of 14 1892/93 Aston Villa 6 2 Football League Division 1 – 4th of 16 1893/94 Aston Villa 10 7 Football League Division 1 – 1st of 16 1894/95 Aston Villa 1 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 16 1894/95 Woolwich Arsenal 6 5 Football League Division 2 – 8th of 16 1895/96 Woolwich Arsenal 13 2 Football League Division 2 – 7th of 16 1896/97 Small Heath 20 8 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 16 1897/98 Small Heath 23 6 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 16 1898/99 WATFORD 18 10 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12 1899/00 WATFORD 20 11 Southern League Division 2 – 1st of 11 (Promoted) 1900/01 WATFORD 5 2 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 15 1903/04 Plymouth Argyle 4 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 18
Good enough to have scored seven times in ten appearances when Aston Villa won the Football League championship in 1893/94, Charlie Hare was a centre-forward who started his Watford career with six goals in a friendly and continued to score freely, running up a total of 59 goals in 71 competitive first-team outings. He served with the Herts Yeomanry in the Boer War and was discharged in April 1902 as being medically unfit, but resumed his football career in Devon and later ran The Bell Hotel over the county border in Liskeard, in which small town eventually, after many years living back in Birmingham, he was buried.
Known as “Charlie”. Birth (J1870) & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Married Plymouth D1904. Buried Liskeard (despite long residence and death in Birmingham). 1881 census: aged 11, b parish of Birmingham. 1891 census: boarding in Aston, clerk (manufacturer), b Ladywood, Birmingham. 1911 census: running the Bell Hotel, Liskeard, Cornwall, born Birmingham. Residential directories: 1910 & 1914 Bell Hotel, Liskeard. 1939 & 1940 10 Hillaries Rd, Erdington. 1939 Register: 10 Hillaries Rd, Birmingham, b 16/3/1870, Retired stores clerk. Electoral Registers: Birmingham 1920, 1922, 1925, 1927, 1930, 1939. Warwick County FC was defunct by 1899. Announced his retirement July 1900, but eventually re-signed in mid-Sep 1900. Green Waves was a Plymouth club. By November 1901 was serving with the Herts Company of the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa - discharged as medically unfit 12/4/1902. There’s a document (WO97/5044) relating to the Boer War service of 25550 Cpl Charles Boyd Hare, 57 Company (Bucks) Imperial Yeomanry. Photo & pen pic in Observer 12/11/1898. Left his employment as a clerk with the Birmingham Small Arms Co to join Watford, so had presumably been a part-time pro with Small Heath. Scored 6 on Watford début (friendly) 3/9/1898. 12 st 6 lbs. Herbert Merrick HARFORD (1893‐1895) Full‐back
Born Highbury, London, 16 January 1873 Died Bushey, Hertfordshire, 29 December 1916 West Herts Career FA Cup: 2 appearances FA Amateur Cup: 1 appearance Herts County Cup: 6 appearances Début: 0‐2 away defeat v Ilford, FA Amateur Cup 3rd Round, 2 Dec 1893 Final game: 0‐1 home defeat v Old St Stephens, FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, 2 Nov 1895 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 6
Career Path St John’s College, Hurstpierpoint (1888/89); Bushey Rovers (1891/92); WEST HERTS (1893 until 1895)
His total of first‐team appearances, all of which were before the club’s entry to the Southern League in 1896, was 47, including the cup ties. He was appointed captain for 1894/95, but sailed for India and didn’t play until his return in January 1895. Reappointed for the following season, he was injured in November and didn’t play again. He became captain of Hertfordshire County Cricket Club in 1905 and held the position for eight years.
He’s in an 1897 West Herts CC v Gents of Herts team pic, of which I have a copy. – So where is it?
ALSO 38 APPS IN FRIENDLIES PRE‐1896/97. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. Died Merry Hill House, Bushey. At an Eastbourne prep school until 1884. Awarded school colours at St John’s College, Hurstpierpoint in 1889. Played no football in 1890/91, when he was in France. Went to Smyrna in January 1893. Appointed West Herts capt for 1894/95, but sailed for India and didn’t appear until his return in January 1895. Appointed capt again 1895/96 but was injured in Nov and missed rest of season. Captain of Herts CCC ‐ see Cricket in Hertfordshire, p81. Obit in Wisden. Lived at his father’s home, The Manor House, Bushey, in the summer of 1894, when he was hon sec of Bushey CC.
Jon HARLEY (2008-2010) Full-back / Midfielder
Born Maidstone, Kent, 26 September 1979 Representative Honours England Youth & Under-21 Watford Career Football League: 52+23 appearances (2 goals) FA Cup: 2+1 appearances Football League Cup: 3+2 appearances Début: 0-0 away draw v Crystal Palace, Football League Championship, 9 Aug 2008 Final game: 4-0 away win v Coventry City, Football League Championship, 2 May 2010 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 14; all competitions 17
Career Path Chelsea (schoolboy November 1993, trainee May 1996, professional March 1997); Wimbledon (loan October 2000); Fulham (£3.5 million August 2001); Sheffield United (loan October 2002 & September 2003); West Ham United (loan January 2004); Sheffield United (free August 2004); Burnley (£75,000 August 2005); WATFORD (free July 2008); Notts County (free July 2010); Rotherham United (loan October 2011); Portsmouth (free August 2012, released January 2013); Maidstone United (non-contract March 2013); also Chelsea academy coaching staff
FA Premier League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1997/98 Chelsea 3 FA Premier League – 4th of 20 1999/00 Chelsea 13 4 2 FA Premier League – 5th of 20 2000/01 Chelsea 6 4 FA Premier League – 6th of 20 2000/01 Wimbledon 6 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 8th of 24 2001/02 Fulham 5 5 FA Premier League – 13th of 20 2002/03 Sheffield United 8 1 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 2002/03 Fulham 11 1 FA Premier League – 14th of 20 2003/04 Sheffield United 5 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 8th of 24 2003/04 Fulham 3 1 FA Premier League – 9th of 20 2003/04 West Ham United 15 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 4th of 24 2004/05 Sheffield United 44 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 8th of 24 2005/06 Sheffield United 4 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2005/06 Burnley 41 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 17th of 24 2006/07 Burnley 44 1 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 15th of 24 2007/08 Burnley 31 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2008/09 WATFORD 32 5 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2009/10 WATFORD 20 18 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2010/11 Notts County 39 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 19th of 24 2011/12 Notts County 11 3 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 7th of 24 2011/12 Rotherham United 11 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 10th of 24 2012/13 Portsmouth 23 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 24th of 24 (Relegated)
Watford became Jon Harley’s seventh club when he arrived more than a decade after his Premier League début for Chelsea, and he spent two seasons at Vicarage Road during which he was nearly always involved in first-team action. In fact the vast majority of his senior appearances have come in the latter half of his career. He was invariably conspicuous for his busy scampering up and down the left side of defence or midfield which sometimes sent him hurtling into an opponent at the expense of a booking (and once a dismissal) – a consequence of his cheerful enthusiasm rather than any malice. His first involvement in a relegation season with any club came 15 years after his début in the FA Premier League at the age of 18.
Known as “Jon”. Birth index OK – Jon, not Jonathan. Capped at U-16 level. Thomas Charles HARMER (1960‐1962) Inside‐forward
Born Hackney, London, 2 February 1928 Died Edmonton, London, 25 December 2007 Representative Honours England ‘B’ Watford Career Football League: 63 appearances (6 goals) FA Cup: 7 appearances (1 goal, a penalty) Football League Cup: 4 appearances Début: 2‐2 home draw v Colchester United, Football League Div 3, 29 Oct 1960 Final game: 3‐5 away defeat v Grimsby Town, Football League Div 3, 28 Apr 1962 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 39; all competitions 45
Career Path London Fields School; The Army; Tottenham Hotspur (amateur August 1945, professional August 1948); also Finchley while still an amateur; WATFORD (£6,000 October 1960); Chelsea (£3,500 September 1962, released close season 1965, youth‐ team coach close season 1965); Hastings United (August 1967 for 1 season)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1951/52 Tottenham Hotspur 13 3 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1952/53 Tottenham Hotspur 17 4 Football League Division 1 – 10th of 22 1953/54 Tottenham Hotspur 6 2 Football League Division 1 – 16th of 22 1954/55 Tottenham Hotspur 5 Football League Division 1 – 16th of 22 1955/56 Tottenham Hotspur 10 5 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 22 1956/57 Tottenham Hotspur 42 17 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1957/58 Tottenham Hotspur 40 9 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 22 1958/59 Tottenham Hotspur 35 4 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 22 1959/60 Tottenham Hotspur 37 3 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 22 1960/61 WATFORD 30 3 Football League Division 3 – 4th of 24 1961/62 WATFORD 33 3 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24 1962/63 Chelsea 5 1 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1963/64 Chelsea 3 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 22
Tommy Harmer was a tiny, frail‐looking figure weighing less than nine stones who looked anything but athletic: he couldn’t tackle or head a ball, and had no pace, but there was footballing genius in his brain and feet, and in spite of the physical disadvantages he won England ‘B’ caps as a ball‐playing inside‐forward. His former Tottenham Hotspur captain Ron Burgess brought him to Vicarage Road, and he was later signed by his Watford colleague Dave Underwood for Hastings United, where he ended his cereer. He was offered the managership of Torquay United, but declined and left the game altogether. In 1963, having been off‐loaded by Watford, he scored the goal at Sunderland which, in particularly dramatic circumstances, took Chelsea back up to Division 1.
Known as “Tommy”. Birth index OK, probate nothing. Dave Underwood was his manager at Hastings. Played for FA XI v RAF 24/10/1951 & v Army 7/11/1951. Told me he was offered the manager’s job at Torquay, but declined. 4 apps for Football Combination v Holland. Retired as a bank messenger February 1993, when he lived at 59 Mannock Rd, N22 6AB (081‐888 9814). Ht 5 ft 6 ins. Wt under 9 st.
‐‐ HARPER (1906) Inside‐forward
Watford Career South Eastern League: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 0‐0 home draw v Leyton, South Eastern League, 28 Mar 1906
Playing at inside‐left in that goalless draw against Leyton gave him his only experience of senior football. In South Eastern League matches the club often fielded almost a full first team and gave one or two reserve‐team players or local amateurs a taste of action. On this occasion player‐manager John Goodall stood down to accommodate Harper.
Ivor Roy HARPER (1952) Inside-forward
Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 23 June 1933 Watford Career Football League: 3 appearances Début: 1-4 away defeat v Reading, Football League Div 3 (South), 16 Feb 1952 Final game: 1-5 away defeat v Southend United, Football League Div 3 (South), 8 Mar 1952 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 2; all competitions 2
Career Path Victoria School; Whippendell Road Guild; WATFORD (amateur February 1949); Bushey United; Leyton Orient (amateur August 1949); Chelsea (amateur December 1949); Watford Boys Club ‘B’ XI (early-1950/51); Hemel Hempstead Town (January 1951); WATFORD (amateur December 1951); Wolverhampton Wanderers (amateur May 1952); Knutsford (Watford) (September 1952); Wolverhampton Wanderers Reserves (1952/53); Wealdstone; Aylesbury United (November 1953 until 1961); Chesham United; Berkhamsted Town player-manager (by September 1962); Knutsford (Watford)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1951/52 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 24
Prolific as a goalscorer when he was a colleague of Peter Walker in schoolboy and youth football locally, Ivor Harper represented many clubs as an amateur, playing for Chelsea’s youth team with the likes of future England centre-forward Bobby Smith, and spending several months in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ reserve team when he was doing his National Service. As well as his three Football League appearances at inside-right for Watford, he also played for no fewer than three different county sides – Hertfordshire, Middlesex, and Berks & Bucks.
Known as “Ivor”. Birth index OK. No death traced 2007-2012. In 1992 lived at 15 Medway Close, Watford (Garston 674292), and still listed at that address in the telephone directory in 2010. For Aylesbury 165 apps & 115 goals. Retired at the end of his Chesham spell, but soon became Berkhamsted player-manager. Reported to have played for St Albans City, but he told me he only played a few trial games, and never joined the club. Prolific scorer at school and for Whippendell Rd Guild - a colleague of Peter Walker at both. Brother on am forms for Watford by November 1947 - they lived in Kelmscott Crescent.
Joseph John HARPER (1946‐1952) Defender
Born Garnkirk, Lanarkshire, 12 January 1920 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 5 March 1987 Watford Career Football League: 159 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 11 appearances Début: 4‐3 away win v Bristol Rovers, Football League Div 3 (South), 9 Sep 1946 Final game: 0‐1 away defeat v Gillingham, Football League Div 3 (South), 5 Apr 1952 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 80; all competitions 86
Career Path Heathfield Rovers; Twechar United (professional August 1936); WATFORD (May 1937); Darlington & Kirkintilloch Rob Roy guest player during Second World War; Snowdown Colliery (August 1952); Biggleswade Town
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1946/47 WATFORD 32 Football League Division 3 (South) – 16th of 22 1947/48 WATFORD 16 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1948/49 WATFORD 18 Football League Division 3 (South) – 17th of 22 1949/50 WATFORD 42 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22 1950/51 WATFORD 37 Football League Division 3 (South) – 23rd of 24 1951/52 WATFORD 14 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 24
An unusual feature of Joe Harper’s Watford career is that he made his Football League début in his tenth season on the club’s books, although much of this period was occupied by the Second World War. Once in the side, however, he had a good run at wing‐half and full‐back, and after retiring from football went on to represent Hertfordshire at bowls. During the war, in 1943, he scored with two penalty kicks at Hampden Park in helping Kirkintilloch Rob Roy to win the Scottish Junior Cup final in a second replay, having also scored from the spot in the first of the three games. His son Bobby was on Watford’s books as an amateur, became an England Youth international, and played for Chesham United in the 1967/68 Amateur Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
Known as “Joe”. Birth & death index and probate all OK. Listed at £750 cs 1952. Guested for Darlington 1944/45. Born 9 Heathfield Sq, Garnkirk. Part‐timer until February 1949. In 1969 working at Dickinson’s, Croxley, as an engineer, and living at Garston/Woodside. Still lived there in 1984. Father of Bobby (see below). Another son, Robin, playing for Hitchin Town January 1969. 5 ft 10 ins. 11 st.
R.H. (Bobby) Harper – England youth international. Watford (amateur Aug 1965, cancelled Oct 1966); Wealdstone; Chesham United (Amateur Cup Final app 1968). Possibly the Arsenal player whose registration was cancelled August 1964. George Alfred HARRIS (1962-1966) Winger
Born Lambeth, London, 10 June 1940 Watford Career Football League: 162+1 appearances (55 goals, including 4 penalties) FA Cup: 10 appearances (3 goals) Football League Cup: 5 appearances (2 goals, including 1 penalty) Début: 0-2 home defeat v Bradford (Park Avenue), Football League Div 3, 21 Apr 1962 Final game: 0-1 home defeat v Swansea Town, Football League Div 3, 13 May 1966 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 77; all competitions 83
Career Path Tottenham Hotspur (amateur May 1957); Woking; also Chelsea Reserves in midweek (amateur April 1961); Newport County (professional July 1961); WATFORD (April 1962); Reading (£4,500 July 1966); Cambridge United (£3,000 October 1969); Hillingdon Borough (free July 1972); Wokingham Town (player-coach June 1974, later manager); Maidenhead United manager (June 1975 for 2 years)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1961/62 Newport County 31 8 Football League Division 3 – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 1961/62 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24 1962/63 WATFORD 36 12 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24 1963/64 WATFORD 46 16 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 1964/65 WATFORD 42 19 Football League Division 3 – 9th of 24 1965/66 WATFORD 37 1 8 Football League Division 3 – 12th of 24 1966/67 Reading 45 24 Football League Division 3 – 4th of 24 1967/68 Reading 41 21 Football League Division 3 – 5th of 24 1968/69 Reading 39 1 10 Football League Division 3 – 14th of 24 1969/70 Reading 9 1 2 Football League Division 3 – 8th of 24 1970/71 Cambridge United 22 1 7 Football League Division 4 – 20th of 24 1971/72 Cambridge United 11 1 4 Football League Division 4 – 10th of 24
He constantly ran past full-backs and could deliver a good cross, his heading ability was outstanding, and his goalscoring consistency was far greater than could reasonably be expected from an outside-left. George Harris played in every game in the near-promotion season under Bill McGarry, and later at Reading continued – and indeed improved – his excellent scoring record. At the end of his Football League career he played for Hillingdon Borough under Colin Meldrum. The managership of Maidenhead United was his last involvement in the game – he left to set up in business as a painter, which later developed into a shop-fitting firm.
Known as “George”. Birth index OK. In 1992 living at 9 Coppice Rd, Woodley, Reading (0734 695177). Still there Dec 2014. Ht 5 ft 9 ins. Wt 11 st 3 lbs.
John HARRIS (1925-1926) Forward
Born Dormanstown, Yorkshire, 3 September 1903 Died Dormanstown, Yorkshire, April 1997 Watford Career Football League: 29 appearances (5 goals) FA Cup: 3 appearances Début: 2-0 home win v Aberdare Athletic, Football League Div 3 (South), 29 Aug 1925 Final game: 1-6 away defeat v Exeter City, Football League Div 3 (South), 1 May 1926 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 24; all competitions 25
Career Path Eston United; Middlesbrough (amateur February 1921, cancelled August 1923); Wolverhampton Wanderers (professional November 1923); WATFORD (£100 July 1925 until close season 1926); Darlington (August 1927); Hartlepools United (free October 1927, cancelled November 1927); Barrow (February 1929); Spennymoor United (August 1931)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1924/25 Wolverhampton Wanderers 6 2 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 22 1925/26 WATFORD 29 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1927/28 Darlington 1 1 Football League Division 3 (North) – 7th of 22 1927/28 Hartlepools United 1 Football League Division 3 (North) – 15th of 22 1928/29 Barrow 12 1 Football League Division 3 (North) – 20th of 22
After two seasons at Molineux he joined Watford as a result of a recommendation by Val Gregory. A bustling forward, Jack Harris was tried at inside-left and centre-forward before being giving the left-wing role and keeping it to the end of the season. He didn’t re-sign for the club, which retained his Football League registration and transfer-listed him in the 1926 close season at a valuation of £100, at which point he spent a season out of football. He also later spent fifteen months out of the game “to concentrate on business”, between his Hartlepools United and Barrow stints.
Known as “Jack”. Birth index (Guisborough reg dist D1903) OK. Probate nothing. Not to be confused with a Middlesbrough pro of the same name. Listed at £100 cs 1926, fee reduced by FL Dec 1926. Obtained birth and death info from great-granddaughter Louise Brennan in December 2003 (54 Taylor Avenue, Bearpark, Co Durham, DH7 7AY - 0191 373 9458). 5 ft 8 ins. 11½ st.
William Thomas HARRIS (1936-1948) Winger / Full-back
Born Aberbargoed, Monmouthshire, 30 June 1913 Died Kent, 27 January 1997 Watford Career Football League: 94 appearances (6 goals) FA Cup: 8 appearances Second World War competitions: 68 appearances Début: 2-2 away draw v Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Football League Div 3 (South), 22 Apr 1936 Final game: 1-2 away defeat v Leytonstone, FA Cup 1st Round, 4 Dec 1948 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 60; all competitions 63
Career Path New Tredegar; WATFORD (amateur March 1933, professional April 1933, released close season 1950); Ipswich Town & Leeds United guest player during Second World War; De Havilland, Leavesden (August 1951 until at least October 1952); Biggleswade Town
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1935/36 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 5th of 22 1946/47 WATFORD 31 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 16th of 22 1947/48 WATFORD 41 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1948/49 WATFORD 19 Football League Division 3 (South) – 17th of 22
After becoming one of the strong Vicarage Road contingent from The Valleys, he played in three Division 3 (South) games in 1936, but then had to wait 10 years and 156 days for his fourth peacetime outing. This is a record gap between Football League appearances by a player on any club’s books for an unbroken period. Tommy Harris could perform on the wing (his original role) and at full-back, in which position he had most of his League experience, and for a time was the club’s captain.
Known as “Tommy”. Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Although living on Isle of Sheppey, death was in Swale reg dist. Guested for Leeds 1942/43 and Ipswich 1945/46. In 1984 lived at 96 Abbey View, Garsmouth Way, Watford, but by 1992 living with family on Isle of Sheppey. Ten years and 156 days separated his 3rd & 4th peacetime Lge apps - Cyril Poole’s 1st & 2nd Lge apps were separated by 12y 190d (Mansfield Town), but it seems that he was not a Mansfield player throughout this period - see obit in AFS Report 92. 5 ft 7 ins. 10 st 8 lbs.
A.HARRISON (1894) Forward
West Herts Career FA Amateur Cup: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 2‐4 away defeat v Maidenhead, FA Amateur Cup 3rd Qualifying Round replay, 8 Dec 1894
Career Path St John’s; WEST HERTS
His entire career consisted of that single FA Amateur Cup tie – he didn’t appear in any friendly matches.
Charles Henry HARRISON (1893) Forward
Born Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, 1871 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 1929 West Herts Career FA Amateur Cup: 2 appearances (2 goals) Début: 6-2 away win v Norwich Thorpe, FA Amateur Cup 2nd Round, 11 Nov 1893 Final game: 0-2 away defeat v Ilford, FA Amateur Cup 3rd Round, 2 Dec 1893 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 2
Career Path Watford St Mary’s (from formation in 1889 until disbandment in 1893, and when re-formed 1894 until at least 1897/98); Melrose; WEST HERTS; Hertfordshire
Gloriously nicknamed “Bangy”, this forward also played in 30 friendly matches, in which he scored 11 goals. Essentially a centre-forward, he linked well with his wingers and was good with his head. He represented the county on several occasions, and later served on the Watford committee.
ALSO 30 APPS & 11 GOALS IN FRIENDLIES PRE-1896/97. Birth index OK (S1871). 1881 census: Fernley St, Watford – Charles H.Harrison, 9, b Rickmansworth. Made only occasional apps for Melrose. Registered with the FA as an amateur by St Mary’s, Sep/Oct 1897. Became a Watford committee member. I have details of his career in alphabetical file of player pics & documents. 13 st. Gerald Randall HARRISON (1990) Midfielder
Born Lambeth, London, 15 April 1972 Representative Honours England Schools Watford Career Football League: 6+3 appearances Full Members Cup: 1 appearance Début: 3-3 home draw v Ipswich Town, Football League Div 2, 7 Apr 1990 Final game: (as sub) 0-0 home draw v Barnsley, Football League Div 2, 1 Dec 1990 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 5; all competitions 6
Career Path South London Schools; West Norwood; WATFORD (schoolboy February 1987, trainee July 1989, professional December 1989); Bristol City (free June 1991); Cardiff City (loan January 1992); Hereford United (loan November 1993); Bath City (loan February 1994); Huddersfield Town (free March 1994); Burnley (free August 1994); Sunderland (free July 1998); Luton Town (loan December 1998); Hull City (loan March 1999 and October 1999); Burnley (loan March 2000); Halifax Town (free, August 2000 until October 2000); Prestwich Heys; Leigh RMI (November 2001); York City (July 2004); Northwich Victoria (September 2004, released November 2004); Hyde United (February 2005 until 2010); Burnley College Academy of Sport football coach (by November 2012); Vintage Clarets (by September 2010)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1989/90 WATFORD 2 1 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 24 1990/91 WATFORD 4 2 Football League Division 2 – 20th or 24 1991/92 Bristol City 4 Football League Division 2 – 17th of 24 1991/92 Cardiff City 10 1 Football League Division 4 – 9th of 22 1992/93 Bristol City 24 9 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 15th of 24 1993/94 Bristol City 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 1993/94 Hereford United 6 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 20th of 22 1994/95 Burnley 16 3 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 22nd of 24 (Relegated) 1995/96 Burnley 35 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 17th of 24 1996/97 Burnley 32 3 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 9th of 24 1997/98 Burnley 33 2 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 20th of 24 1998/99 Luton Town 14 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 12th of 24 1998/99 Hull City 8 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 21st of 24 1999/00 Hull City 3 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 14th of 24 2000/01 Halifax Town 7 2 1 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 23rd of 24
Gerry Harrison was a Football League débutant at 17, but his career became a bitty affair, except for that settled period at Burnley. Although a midfielder, he had played twice in goal in representative schoolboy matches, filling in on the first occasion when he was present as an outfield reserve and the selected ‘keeper didn’t turn up. His sporting talent extended well beyond football – as a schoolboy he played cricket and hockey to county standard, and was the England Schools and also Great Britain Schools javelin champion.
Known as “Gerry”. Birth index OK. Played twice in goal for London Schools (should this be South London Schools?) - on the first occasion had been selected as a reserve and was asked to keep goal when the keeper failed to turn up. Address cs 1998: 23 Regal Close, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 8NR (0161-766 8515).
H.HARRISON (1896‐1897) Half‐back / Forward
West Herts Career Southern League: 8 appearances (1 goal) Herts Senior Cup: 2 appearances (1 goal) Début: 0‐1 away defeat v Royal Engineers Training Battalion (Chatham), Southern League Div 2, 14 Nov 1896 Final game: 3‐3 draw 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 5; all competitions 6
Career Path WEST HERTS (1896/97); Leighton Cee Springs (close season 1897 until at least November 1900)
Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1896/97 WEST HERTS 8 1 Southern League Division 2 – 9th of 13
There were some colourful nicknames about at Cassio Road in the 1890s, one of them worn by the versatile Harrison, who was known as “Dabber”. He turned out in a variety of half‐back and forward positions in 1896/97, and four seasons later was on the receiving end of ten Watford goals in an FA Cup tie when playing for Leighton Cee Springs. In March 1897 he and Busby both incurred the committee’s censure for the frequency with which they strayed offside.
Known as “Dabber”. It was minuted in March 1897 that the hon sec should write to Busby & Harrison and tell them “that they should take care not to infringe the offside rule”.
Steven John HARRISON (1978-1981) Full-back
Born Blackpool, Lancashire, 26 December 1952 Watford Career Football League: 82+1 appearances FA Cup: 9 appearances Football League Cup: 10 appearances Début: 4-2 home win v Oxford United, Football League Div 3, 23 Sep 1978 Final game: 2-1 away win v Notts County, Football League Div 2, 25 Apr 1981 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 31; all competitions 35
Career Path Blackpool (schoolboy September 1967, apprentice August 1968, professional December 1970); Vancouver Whitecaps (Canada) (£20,000 March 1978); WATFORD (£25,000 September 1978); Charlton Athletic (free July 1981 until April 1982); WATFORD (coaching staff June 1982, reserve-team coach July 1985); Aston Villa coach (May 1987); WATFORD manager (January 1988 until March 1990); Millwall coach (July 1990 until October 1991); also England coach (match-to-match basis August 1990 until October 1991); also White Lion, Watford (occasional player by January 1991); Crystal Palace (reserve-team coach October 1991, first-team coach May 1993); Wolverhampton Wanderers first-team coach (close season 1994 until December 1995); Preston North End assistant-manager (February 1996); Aston Villa coach (March 1998); Middlesbrough (first-team coach July 2001, later “a more general role” until July 2008); Coventry City (assistant-manager May 2009 until June 2012, briefly caretaker-manager May 2010, briefly joint caretaker-manager March 2011)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1971/72 Blackpool 6 1 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 22 1973/74 Blackpool 14 1 Football League Division 2 – 5th of 22 1974/75 Blackpool 34 Football League Division 2 – 7th of 22 1975/76 Blackpool 30 2 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 22 1976/77 Blackpool 33 1 Football League Division 2 – 5th of 22 1977/78 Blackpool 24 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 22 (Relegated) 1978/79 WATFORD 23 Football League Division 3 – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1979/80 WATFORD 35 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 22 1980/81 WATFORD 24 1 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 22 1981/82 Charlton Athletic 3 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 22
At various times Watford’s left-back, coach and manager, he admitted to being unhappy in the third role, but his aptitude for coaching, particularly of defensive players, led Graham Taylor to employ him four times. In his first full season in charge Steve Harrison did get Watford into the Second Division Play-offs, but soon reverted to coaching appointments, which offered freer reign to his extrovert personality and encompassed a wide range of clubs. Perhaps as a consequence of the pressures of management was his tendency to discard players (Bamber, Holden, Kuhl, Redfearn, Rimmer, Robson) not long after bringing them to the club. Much given to jocularity, he left his Millwall and England posts following a prank which was deemed well beyond the bounds of decency. The multi-capped Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane married his daughter. (See under ‘Managers’ for details of Harrison’s record in that role.)
Known as “Steve”. Birth index OK. Sacked as reserve-team coach May 1987 when Bassett arrived. Sacked by Millwall for “personal misconduct” over which he resigned from the England post at the same time. Left Middlesbrough in July 2008 as a result of health problems. 5 ft 7 ins. 11 st 1½ lbs.