Bryan Herbert ATKINSON (1955‐1956) Defender

Born Clavering, Essex, 15 April 1934 Died Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, 10 August 1989 Watford Career Football League: 20 appearances FA Cup: 1 appearance Début: 1‐6 away defeat v Reading, Football League Div 3 (South), 14 Sep 1955 Final game: 3‐3 home draw v Norwich City, Football League Div 3 (South), 1 Dec 1956 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 9; all competitions 9

Career Path Chase of Chertsey; Leyton Orient trial (1952); Bishops Stortford; Royal Artillery, Woolwich; Hertfordshire (1953/54); WATFORD (amateur January 1954, professional June 1954); Folkestone Town (free February 1957 until January 1964)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1955/56 WATFORD 16 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 24 1956/57 WATFORD 4 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 24

He was doing his National Service and playing for Bishops Stortford when he signed amateur forms for Watford, and turned professional five months later, having by then been demobbed. A sturdy half‐back, Bryan Atkinson left for Folkestone Town in mid‐season on a free transfer at the same time as Derrick Allen. In 1953/54 he’d represented Hertfordshire in the Southern Counties Amateur Championship.

Known as “Bryan”. Birth index OK. Death index & probate OK. Played for Herts in Southern Counties Amateur Championship 1953/54. Signed pro on demob from army. Together with Derrick Allen was released mid‐season to join Folkestone. Son Steve e‐mailed the club in Feb 2012 – [email protected] 5 ft 9 ins. 13 st. Paul Graham ATKINSON (1983-1984) Winger

Born Otley, Yorkshire, 14 August 1961 Watford Career Football League: 8+3 appearances FA Cup: 0+2 appearances Début: (as sub) 0-1 away defeat v Southampton, Football League Div 1, 27 Dec 1983 Final game: (as sub) 0-2 defeat v Everton at Wembley Stadium, FA Cup Final, 19 May 1984 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 3; all competitions 3

Career Path Leeds Schools; Yorkshire Schools; Oldham Athletic (apprentice August 1977, professional August 1979); WATFORD (£175,000 July 1983); Oldham Athletic (£30,000 August 1985); Swansea City (loan December 1986); Bolton Wanderers (loan February 1987); Swansea City (loan March 1987); Burnley (free July 1988 – released close season 1990 following injury problems); Northwich Victoria (March 1991); RUS Binchoise (Belgium) (July 1991); Altrincham (August 1993); Frickley Athletic; Farsley Celtic (by November 1994); Yorkshire Amateurs manager (close season 2000 until December 2001); Leeds United football-in- the-community staff (by April 2005); Whetley Lane Vets (by February 2009); Vintage Clarets (by September 2010)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1979/80 Oldham Athletic 36 2 6 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 22 1980/81 Oldham Athletic 28 2 2 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 22 1981/82 Oldham Athletic 33 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 22 1982/83 Oldham Athletic 42 3 Football League Division 2 – 7th of 22 1983/84 WATFORD 8 3 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1985/86 Oldham Athletic 26 1 Football League Division 2 – 8th of 22 1986/87 Swansea City 18 3 Football League Division 4 – 12th of 24 1986/87 Bolton Wanderers 2 1 Football League Division 3 – 21st of 24 (Relegated) 1987/88 Oldham Athletic 3 4 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 23 1988/89 Burnley 13 1 1 Football League Division 4 – 16th of 24 1989/90 Burnley 5 3 Football League Division 4 – 16th of 24

A left-winger who suffered a broken ankle at the start of his Watford career, which never really took off, Paul Atkinson did however play as a substitute in the FA Cup Final – his last competitive appearance for the club. Earlier a farcical transfer- tribunal decision, after Watford’s failure to agree a price with Oldham Athletic, left them to pay more than Oldham had asked for in the first place. Having joined the professional ranks on his 17th birthday, he scored on his Football League début at Newcastle United four days later. His father Charlie made nearly four hundred League appearances for Hull City and the two Bradford clubs.

Known as “Paul”. Birth index OK. Signing for Altrincham was subject to international clearance. Son of Charles (Hull C, etc). Scored at Newcastle on FL début, 4 days after signing pro on 17th birthday. Fee paid by Watford decided by FL tribunal, and was more than Oldham had originally asked for. 5 ft 10 ins. 11 st 5 lbs. Duncan Stewart AULD (1897) Wing-half / Forward

Born Govan, Lanarkshire, 16 July 1878 Died Hounslow, Middlesex, 6 December 1911 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: 2-1 away win v Wycombe Wanderers, Southern League Div 2, 6 Nov 1897 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 1; all competitions 2

Career Path Watford Church Institute; WEST HERTS (1897/98)

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

Unusually among his compatriots who have represented the club down the years, Duncan Auld was actually living and playing in the Watford area when he was called up at Cassio Road. A wing-half or forward, he was a member of the last all- amateur line-up to be fielded by the club in a Southern League fixture. It took place at Uxbridge, and the home side won 2-0.

Known as “Duncan”. Birth registration OK. Death index (D1911) OK – probate nothing. Born at Thomson St, Govan, son of Peter Dickson Auld, master grocer. A daughter born 31 Mar 1901 at 4 Liverpool Rd, Watford. 1927 electoral register shows a Florence May Auld at 77a Queens Road. Cedric Mickael AVINEL (2007) Centre-half

Born Paris, France, 11 September 1986 Representative Honours Guadeloupe Full Watford Career FA Premier League: 1 appearance Football League Cup: 2 appearances Début: 2-0 away win v Reading, FA Premier League, 5 May 2007 Final game: 0-2 away defeat v Southend United, Football League Cup 2nd Round, 28 Aug 2007 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 1

Career Path Union Sportive Créteil-Lusitanos (France); WATFORD (free January 2007); Stafford Rangers (loan September 2007); Gueugnon (France) (loan January 2009, free close season 2009); AS Cannes (France) (May 1910); Clermont Foot Auvergne 63 (France) (May 2011); Ajaccio (France) (July 2017)

FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2006/07 WATFORD 1 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated)

Cedric Avinel’s Watford career wasn’t a conspicuous one – he was replaced at half-time in his only Premier League appearance and his two Football League Cup outings were in a deliberately weakened side – but he did acquire Full international status, playing five times in eleven days for Guadeloupe just before returning to French club football, initially in a loan move until it was made permanent five months later.

Known as “Cedric”. Officially ceased to be a Watford player 30 June 2009. 5 caps as a Watford player: 4 Dec 2008, 6 Dec 2008, 8 Dec 2008, 11 Dec 2008 & 14 Dec 2008.

Arthur William AYLING (1896-1897) Forward

Born Newport, Isle of Wight, 9 October 1876 Died Christchurch, Hampshire, 1956 West Herts Career Southern League: 3 appearances FA Amateur Cup: 1 appearance (1 goal) Début: 3-1 home win v Bradfield Waifs, FA Amateur Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, 7 November 1896 Final game: 0-3 home defeat v 1st Scots Guards, Southern League Div 2, 16 Jan 1897 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 1; all competitions 2

Career Path Bushey Grove (by 1895); WEST HERTS (1896)

Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1896/97 WEST HERTS 3 Southern League Division 2 – 9th of 13

A forward in the club’s first season of Southern League football, he was on the losing side in each of his three games. He was also picked for an FA Amateur Cup tie, and scored in the 3-1 win against Bradfield Waifs, which was the club’s last-ever victory in that competition. He was employed by André & Sleigh, a Bushey firm which later become Sun Printers, and it was recorded in the club minutes that the honorary secretary should write to thank Mr Sleigh “for allowing Ayling to get away from Business” and play in the Southern League fixture against the Royal Engineers Training Battalion at Chatham seven days after the Bradfield Waifs game. (This occurrence reflects the fact that Saturday morning was then part of the normal working week – Ayling would have been free to play in the home Amateur Cup tie after working in the morning, but needed the permission of his employer to travel down to Chatham the following Saturday morning.) Arthur Ayling had been born stone deaf, and was educated as a boarder at the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, Brighton.

Birth index OK (Isle of Wight D1876). Death OK index: Christchurch M1956. Baptized 8 Dec 1876 at St Thomas’, Newport, Isle of Wight. Probate nothing. 1881 census: aged 4 and living at Godshill, Isle of Wight. 1891 census: aged 14 and boarding at the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, Brighton. 1901 census: living as a lodger in Woking, aged 24, compositor, b Newport IOW, deaf (head of the household was a printer’s machinist). A.B.A.Sleigh (see “Misc Biogs”) had Surrey connections. It was minuted that the Hon Sec should write to Mr Sleigh for “allowing Ayling to get away from Business” and play v RE at Chatham. Seems very likely that Sleigh was connected with the printing firm André & Sleigh (which became Sun Printers). His brother certainly was. 1911 census: living with widowed mother at Send, near Woking - “24, compositor (printer), born Newport, IOW”. Per Espen BAARDSEN (2000‐2001) Goalkeeper

Born San Rafael, USA, 7 December 1977 Representative Honours USA Youth Norway Under‐21, ‘B’ & Full Watford Career Football League: 41 appearances Football League Cup: 5 appearances Début: 2‐1 away win v Huddersfield Town, Football League Div 1, 12 Aug 2000 Final game: 3‐4 away defeat v Bradford City, Football League Div 1, 27 Oct 2001 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 15; all competitions 17

Career Path Tottenham Hotspur trial (close season 1992); San Francisco All Blacks (USA); Tottenham Hotspur (free July 1996); WATFORD (£1.25 million August 2000 – contract cancelled December 2002); Everton (December 2002 – retired February 2003)

FA Premier League and Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1996/97 Tottenham Hotspur 1 1 FA Premier League – 10th of 20 1997/98 Tottenham Hotspur 9 FA Premier League – 14th of 20 1998/99 Tottenham Hotspur 12 FA Premier League – 11th of 20 2000/01 WATFORD 27 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 2001/02 WATFORD 14 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2002/03 Everton 1 FA Premier League – 7th of 20

A giant of a goalkeeper, 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing nearly 14 stone, Espen Baardsen is one of a handful of Watford players who have represented two nations, his qualification for Norway (which he had never previously visited) deriving from the fact that his parents were born and raised in that country. He came to Vicarage Road while studying for an Open University degree in Economics and Social Science, and having got bored with football he retired from the game at the age of 25 to travel the world and then pursue a career in the finance industry.

Known as “Espen”. Most registration lists don’t have the “Per”. Unused sub in 1999 FLC Final. As at Sep 2004, one of five Watford players (Gallogly, Gayle, McCarthy & Noble the others) who represented 2 countries. Not credited by reference books with ‘B’ international status, but in fact he played for Norway ‘B’ v Scotland ‘B’ at Tynecastle, 21 Apr 1998. Transfer to Watford involved possible additional payments, totalling £500,000, based on appearances & promotion. Working as a financial analyst in London by February 2007. Ernest Frederick BACON (1920‐1921) Wing‐half

Born Leicester, 19 February 1896 Died Aylestone, Leicestershire, 9 January 1972 Representative Honours England Schools Watford Career Football League: 12 appearances Début: 2‐1 away win v Queens Park Rangers, Football League Div 3, 28 Aug 1920 Final game: 3‐0 away win v Brighton & Hove Albion, Football League Div 3, 23 Apr 1921 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 3; all competitions 3

Career Path Oxford Street; St Andrews Bible Class, Leicester; Coventry City guest player during the First World War; Army football; Leicester City (August 1919); WATFORD (free May 1920); Charlton Athletic (free July 1921); Nuneaton Town (May 1923); Kettering Town (December 1923); Barwell United (1924 until 1926); Rothwell Town (June 1927); Erith & Belvedere (1928); Callendar Athletic (1929)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1919/20 Leicester City 4 Football League Division 2 – 14th of 2 1920/21 WATFORD 12 Football League Division 3 – 16th of 22 1921/22 Charlton Athletic 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 16th of 22 1922/23 Charlton Athletic 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 12th of 22

Watford’s right‐half in the club’s first Football League match. He was in and out of the side before being released at the end of the season, having never made more than three consecutive appearances. After winning schoolboy international honours he’d had to wait a long time for his peacetime début in senior football, which came when he was 23, after the Great War.

Birth index OK. Death index & probate OK. Pen pic in Kettering football paper 15 Oct 1927. 5 ft 9 ins / 5 ft 10½ ins. 11 st 2 lbs Gerard Robert BACOT (1889) Forward

Born Blandford, Dorset, 25 May 1871 Died Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, 8 August 1955 Watford Rovers Career Herts County Cup: 2 appearances (1 goal) Début: 6-0 win v Hitchin Town (at St Albans), Herts County Cup Semi-final, 23 Feb 1889 Final game: 2-0 win v Hoddesdon (at St Albans), Herts County Cup Final, 23 Mar 1889 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 1

Career Path Aldenham School; WATFORD ROVERS

From the inside-right position he scored one of the club’s two goals in the 1888/89 Herts County Cup final, for a side in which his Aldenham School headmaster, the Reverend John Kennedy, was at right back. He also played in three friendly matches and scored once.

No trace in birth index, but baptized Blandford Forum 2 Aug 1871. Death index OK (Berkhamsted, S1955, aged 84). Probate OK – address Marwell, Ashurst Wood, East Grinstead, but died at The Prep School, Berkhamsted. Left £21,000. 1939 Register: Gerard R.Bacot, tea broker retired, address Harp Hall, Felbridge, Sussex, born 25 May 1871, wife Florence E.Bacot. Married J1928 (=Cheesewright). 1891 census: living Hackney, 19, articled clerk to broker’s agent, b Blandford. 1901 census: tea broker agent. Passenger lists – arrivals in England: 1920 from Sydney (Gerard Reberts Bacot), 1932 from Yokohama, 1937 from Brisbane. One of two members of the Aldenham School XI (E.Hockliffe the other) who played for Watford Rovers against St Albans on 13 October 1888. Bacot also made further appearances. George Huntly BADENOCH (1903‐1906) Wing‐half / Winger

Born Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, 9 April 1882 Died Givenchy‐lès‐la‐Bassée, France, 15 June 1915 Watford Career Southern League: 80 appearances (9 goals) FA Cup: 9 appearances (1 goal) South Eastern League: 22 appearances (3 goals) United League: 14 appearances (4 goals) Début: 3‐1 away win v Grays United, Southern League Div 2, 5 Sep 1903 Final game: 3‐0 home win v Millwall, Southern League Div 1, 28 Apr 1906 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 20; all competitions 32

Career Path Douglas Wanderers; Glossop (October 1901); WATFORD (August 1903); Tottenham Hotspur (May 1906); Northampton Town (May 1907 until close season 1909); Indian Head (Canada)

Football League and Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1901/02 Glossop 27 2 Football League Division 2 – 8th of 18 1902/03 Glossop 21 2 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 18 1903/04 WATFORD 19 1 Southern League Division 2 – 1st of 11 (Promoted) 1904/05 WATFORD 28 7 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 18 1905/06 WATFORD 33 1 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 18 1906/07 Tottenham Hotspur 1 Southern League Division 1 – 6th of 20 1907/08 Northampton Town 34 Southern League Division 1 – 8th of 20 1908/09 Northampton Town 13 1 Southern League Division 1 – 1st of 21

John Goodall, when captain of Glossop, discovered George Badenoch in Scotland, played alongside him for the Derbyshire club for two seasons, and brought him down to Hertfordshire when appointed Watford’s first manager, at a time when Badenoch was reported to be studying for chemistry exams. A popular wing‐half at Cassio Road, he later played on the right wing. His only Southern League game for Tottenham Hospur was a drawn match against Watford. His Northampton spell was ended by a knee injury, and he emigrated to Canada, where he played with another former Watford man, Micky Wood. Badenoch was killed in the trenches by a shell while serving with the 1st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.

Known as “George”. Birth registration OK. Born at 31 King Street, Castle Douglas. Place of death not be confused with Givenchy‐en‐Gohelle, south‐west of Lens. Signed for 1904/05 for £3 pw. Signed for 1905/06 for £10 signing‐on fee, £2 pw in summer and £3 winter. Douglas Wanderers was a Castle Douglas club. Discovered in a match at Dumfries by John Goodall when the latter was captain of Glossop. Another Badenoch, possibly a brother, playing for Douglas Wanderers in April 1904. Spent the summer of 1908 in Canada, to where he subsequently emigrated. With Indian Head when they twice won the Saskatchewan championship, as was Micky Wood. Enlisted in 9th Bn CEF in March 1915, and as 19169 Pte, 1st Bn Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regt) was killed by a shell. Stated on his attestation paper that he was a sales manager at time of enlistment. Obit in 1918 Wisden – he played for Indian Head CC. No mention of death in Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser. 5 ft 7½ ins. 11 st / 11 st 4 lbs.

Herbert Osborne BADGER (1906-1908) Wing-half

Born Islington, Middlesex, 4 October 1882 Died Colchester, Essex, 16 March 1965 Watford Career Southern League: 54 appearances (5 goals) FA Cup: 2 appearances South Eastern League: 2 appearances United League: 11 appearances (2 goals) Début: 0-2 away defeat v Brentford, Southern League Div 1, 1 Sep 1906 Final game: 3-3 away draw v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 4 Apr 1908 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 35; all competitions 40

Career Path Clacton Town; Colchester Town (one season); Ilford; Tottenham Hotspur (amateur November 1903); Woolwich Arsenal (professional September 1904); WATFORD (August 1906); Brentford (July 1908); Nottingham Forest (September 1909); Brentford (December 1910 until close season 1911)

Southern League and Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1906/07 WATFORD 23 2 Southern League Division 1 – 19th of 20 1907/08 WATFORD 31 3 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1908/09 Brentford 39 1 Southern League Division 1 – 21st of 21 1909/10 Nottingham Forest 2 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1910/11 Brentford 14 Southern League Division 1 – 12th of 20

He didn’t make the first team at Arsenal, but Bert Badger was a senior player for the greater part of his two seasons at Cassio Road, mainly as a long-striding wing-half, and he later had a couple of top-flight games during his Nottingham Forest spell. Football was not his only talent: he had another string to his bow, so to speak, being an accomplished violinist. He was wounded in a shooting accident near Clacton in December 1932, but lived to tell the tale for another 32 years.

Known as “Bert”. Birth & death (M1965) indexes OK – probate nothing. Played for Clacton Town with Vivian Woodward. Won Essex Senior Cup with Ilford (7-0 v South Weald in final) and in the same season played for Tottenham in Western Lge. List of reduced transfer fees fixed by Joint League Board in July 1910 includes “H.O.Badger, Brentford £50, Nottingham Forest £50”. And at a meeting on 30 May 1911 the Board reduced the required fees for £25 to each club, he being on the transfer lists of both at this time. Extremely accomplished violinist. 5 ft 10 ins. 12 st 5 lbs. John James BAGSHAW (1921) Centre-half

Born Derby, 25 December 1885 Died Nottingham, 25 August 1966 Representative Honours England Full Watford Career Football League: 14 appearances Début: 0-0 home draw v Swansea Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 27 Aug 1921 Final game: 0-1 away defeat v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 19 Nov 1921 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 13; all competitions 13

Career Path Graham Street Primitives; Fletcher’s Athletic (February 1906); Derby County (October 1906); Notts County (guest player during First World War, then signed February 1920); WATFORD (£200 May 1921); Ilkeston United (free August 1922); Grantham (July 1924); Ilkeston United (May 1926); during the Second World War scouted for Nottingham Forest, Notts County & Coventry City, and served on Nottingham Forest’s training staff

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1906/07 Derby County 20 Football League Division 1 – 19th of 20 (Relegated) 1907/08 Derby County 7 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 20 1908/09 Derby County 13 Football League Division 2 – 5th of 20 1909/10 Derby County 28 3 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 20 1910/11 Derby County 35 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 20 1911/12 Derby County 33 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 20 (Promoted) 1912/13 Derby County 29 2 Football League Division 1 – 7th of 20 1913/14 Derby County 26 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1914/15 Derby County 17 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 20 (Promoted) 1919/20 Derby County 18 1 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 22 1919/20 Notts County 16 Football League Division 1 – 21st of 22 (Relegated) 1920/21 Notts County 8 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 22 1921/22 WATFORD 14 Football League Division 3 (South) – 7th of 22

That long period at the Baseball Ground encompassed two Second Division championships, in the first of which Jimmy Bagshaw was one of five participants who were past or future Watford men, the others being Arthur Betts, David Donald, Billy Grimes and Ivan Sharpe. At Cassio Road Bagshaw played only at centre-half, but for Derby County had performed in all three half-back positions. As a 33-year-old he played twice for England, including an ‘unofficial’ Victory International. In August 1929, when working for Raleigh Industries in Nottingham he was refused permission to act as chairman of Raleigh Athletic FC, the unstated reason undoubtedly being that he’d played the game professionally.

Known as “Jimmy”. Birth & death indexes OK – probate nothing. Watford had listed him at £100, but he joined Ilkeston on a free. Transfer-listed by Watford in Jan 1922. 5 ft 9½ ins. 11 st 10 lbs. Dennis Lincoln BAILEY (1994) Forward

Born Lambeth, London, 13 November 1965 Watford Career Football League: 2+6 appearances (4 goals) Début: (as sub) 2-0 home win v Millwall, Football League Div 1, 26 Mar 1994 Final game: (as sub) 1-0 home win v Portsmouth, Football League Div 1, 30 Apr 1994 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 7; all competitions 7

Career Path WATFORD youth & reserve teams (1982/83 & 1983/84); Barking; Fulham (non-contract April 1986); Farnborough Town (February 1987); Crystal Palace (£10,000 December 1987); Bristol Rovers (loan February 1989); Birmingham City (£80,000 August 1989); Bristol Rovers (loan March 1991); Queens Park Rangers (£175,000 July 1991); Charlton Athletic (loan October 1993); WATFORD (loan March 1994); Brentford (loan January 1995); Gillingham (£25,000 plus possible increments August 1995); Lincoln City (non-contract March 1998); Farnborough Town (July 1998); Cheltenham Town (free March 1999); Forest Green Rovers (£15,000 August 1999); Aberystwyth Town (free January 2001); Halesowen Town (March 2001); Tamworth (September 2001); Halesowen Town (December 2001); Stafford Rangers (August 2002); Moor Green (August 2003); Stratford Town (August 2004, retired November 2006); Solihull Renewal Christian Centre player-coach (by June 2012)

Football League and FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1987/88 Crystal Palace 5 1 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 23 1988/89 Bristol Rovers 17 9 Football League Division 3 – 5th of 24 1989/90 Birmingham City 40 3 18 Football League Division 3 – 7th of 24 1990/91 Birmingham City 25 7 5 Football League Division 3 – 12th of 24 1990/91 Bristol Rovers 6 1 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 24 1991/92 Queens Park Rangers 19 5 9 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1992/93 Queens Park Rangers 13 2 1 FA Premier League – 5th of 22 1993/94 Charlton Athletic 4 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 11th of 24 1993/94 WATFORD 2 6 4 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 19th of 24 1994/95 Brentford 6 3 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 2nd of 24 1995/96 Gillingham 40 5 8 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1996/97 Gillingham 16 14 2 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 11th of 24 1997/98 Gillingham 7 6 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 8th of 24 1997/98 Lincoln City 1 4 1 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 3rd of 24 (Promoted)

This much-travelled man had two seasons in Watford’s youth team and a few reserve-team outings at the age of 18, but was 28 years old before he appeared in the club’s first team, scoring valuable goals on loan during a successful fight against relegation, including one in each of three consecutive games as a substitute. He went on to score twice in a 6-0 win on his Brentford début, but the high point of Dennis Bailey’s career was a Football League hat-trick for Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day 1992.

Known as “Dennis”. Birth index OK. Cheltenham reported to have paid £15,000, but FA registration listed Farnborough contract as “cancelled by mutual consent”. Last game for Watford Reserves 12 May 1984, first Watford Lge app 26 Mar 1994. Address mid-1998: 44 Durand Gdns, Stockwell, SW9 0PP (0171-582 4404) Christopher Patrick BAIRD (2004) Full-back

Born Rasharkin, County Antrim, 25 February 1982 Representative Honours Northern Ireland Youth, Under-21 & Full Watford Career Football League: 8 appearances Début: 1-4 away defeat v Ipswich Town, Football League Div 1, 20 Mar 2004 Final game: 0-4 away defeat v West Ham United, Football League Div 1, 1 May 2004 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 8; all competitions 8

Career Path Ballymena United; Southampton (scholar September 1998, professional January 2001); Walsall (loan September 2003); WATFORD (loan March 2004); Fulham (£3 million +, July 2007, released close season 2013); Reading (September 2013); Ross County (free January 2014); Burnley (March 2014); West Bromwich Albion (free July 2014); Derby County (free June 2015); Fulham (loan February 2016)

FA Premier League and Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2002/03 Southampton 1 2 FA Premier League – 8th of 20 2003/04 Walsall 10 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 22nd of 24 (Relegated) 2003/04 Southampton 1 3 FA Premier League – 12th of 20 2003/04 WATFORD 8 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2005/06 Southampton 16 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 12th of 24 2006/07 Southampton 46 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 6th of 24 2007/08 Fulham 17 1 FA Premier League – 17th of 20 2008/09 Fulham 3 7 FA Premier League – 7th of 20 2009/10 Fulham 29 3 FA Premier League – 12th of 20 2010/11 Fulham 25 4 2 FA Premier League – 8th of 20 2011/12 Fulham 13 6 FA Premier League – 9th of 20 2012/13 Fulham 14 5 2 FA Premier League – 12th of 20 2013/14 Reading 9 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 7th of 24 2013/14 Burnley 5 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2014/15 West Bromwich Albion 9 10 FA Premier League – 13th of 20 2015/16 Derby County 8 6 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 5th of 24 2015/16 Fulham 3 4 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 20th of 24 2016/17 Derby County 28 5 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 9th of 24

Southampton’s 2002/03 FA Cup final side included Chris Baird at right back, who at that time, remarkably, had made only three first-team appearances – and two of those were as a substitute. And to follow that, his next appearance was a Full international début, after which he went on to establish himself as a fixture in the Northern Ireland side. His run of appearances when on loan to Watford began and ended with heavy away defeats.

Known as “Chris”. Played in 2003 FA Cup Final after only 1+2 Lge apps. Adrian BAKALLI (1999) Midfielder

Born Brussels, Belgium, 22 November 1976 Representative Honours Belgium Under-21 & ‘B’ Watford Career FA Premier League: 0+2 appearances Début: (as sub) 0-1 away defeat v Leicester City, FA Premier League, 30 Aug 1999 Final game: (as sub) 1-1 home draw v Newcastle United, FA Premier League, 20 Nov 1999 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League 1

Career Path RWD Molenbeek (Belgium) (3 seasons); WATFORD (£100,000 January 1999, released December 2000); Luton Town trial (October 2000); also trials with Lierse SK (Belgium) and in The Netherlands and with Reading; Swindon Town (March 2001 – released close season 2001); KFC Strombeek (Belgium) (by August 2002); KV Kortrijk (Belgium) (free close season 2003); KSV Bornem (Belgium) (July 2004); KFC Rhodienne-Verrewinkel (Begium) (July 2005); Koninklijk Berchem (Belgium) (July 2006 until July 2010); Kosova Schaerbeek (Belgium) (by August 2013)

FA Premier League and Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1999/00 WATFORD 2 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2000/01 Swindon Town 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 20th of 24

A Belgian midfield player of Albanian descent, Adrian Bakalli proved a disappointing six-figure signing and earned just a couple of substitute appearances in the first team in nearly two years on the staff. Attempts to establish himself with other English clubs were unsuccessful and he resumed his career in Belgium.

Known as “Adrian”. Incorrectly stated by WFC to be a Full international. Of Albanian descent. Alfred Guthrie BAKER (1897‐1900) Goalkeeper

Born Camberwell, Surrey, 25 December 1871 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 11 October 1945 West Herts / Watford Career Southern League: 51 appearances FA Cup: 9 appearances Bucks & Contiguous Counties League: 16 appearances Début: 2‐2 away draw v St Albans, Southern League Div 2, 11 Dec 1897 Final game: 2‐1 home win v Sheppey United, Southern League Test Match, 30 Apr 1900 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 30; all competitions 40

Career Path Wilsons Grammar School; Old Wilsonians (until club ceased to exist at end of 1896/87); Clapham Rovers (1 appearance); Bowes Park (1 appearance); Upton Park (1 appearance); Vampires (1 appearance); Old St Stephen’s (1 appearance); Watford St Mary’s (1 appearance); WEST HERTS (name changed to Watford 1898) (amateur 1897); Surrey; Hertfordshire; Harrow Athletic (by November 1901)

Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1897/98 WEST HERTS 14 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12 1898/99 WATFORD 21 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12 1899/00 WATFORD 16 Southern League Division 2 – 1st of 22 (Promoted)

A goalkeeper who played for both Surrey and Hertfordshire and turned out for quite a few prominent clubs on the amateur circuit in and around London. He had connections with music‐hall greats, his sister having married Harry Tate and Baker himself having trodden the boards as a young man with George Robey. In later years Guthrie Baker became well‐known in Watford as a dog‐breeder and exhibitor.

Known as “Guthrie”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. Wilsons Grammar School became Camberwell GS. Was his one Old Stephen’s app a Southern Lge game? Clapham Rovers had won FA Cup in 1880. 3 apps for Surrey in 1897/98. Described in 1939 as “well‐known in Watford as a dog‐breeder and exhibitor”. Sister married Harry Tate, and as young man Baker himself too part in theatricals with George Robey. Photo & pen pic in Watford Observer 29 Oct 1898. Died in Peace Memorial – home was in Parkside Drive. Long obit in local paper(s).

James Seymour BAKER (1925‐1926) Half‐back / Inside‐forward

Born Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, 24 November 1897 Died Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 13 April 1975 Watford Career Football League: 9 appearances (2 goals) Début: 0‐3 home defeat v Southend United, Football League Div 3 (South), 17 Jan 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 3; all competitions 3

Career Path Aylesbury; Wycombe Wanderers; WATFORD (amateur August 1924, professional November 1924); Wolverton Town (free July 1926)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1924/25 WATFORD 6 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1925/26 WATFORD 3 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22

A versatile performer who played at wing‐half, centre‐half and inside‐forward in his occasional first‐team appearances. Jimmy Baker’s two Watford goals contributed to narrow victories against western clubs Merthyr Town and Bristol Rovers, but he was less successful on two visits to Exeter City, where he suffered defeat by 4‐0 and, in his final League game, 6‐1.

Known as “Jimmy”. Birth & death indexes & probate all OK. John David BAMBER (1988) Forward

Born Huyton, Lancashire, 1 February 1959 Watford Career Football League: 16+2 appearances (3 goals) Football League Cup: 2 appearances (1 goal) Full Members Cup: 2 appearances (1 goal) Début: 1-0 home win v Birmingham City, Football League Div 2, 27 Aug 1988 Final game: 1-1 home draw v Oxford United, Football League Div 2, 10 Dec 1988 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 8; all competitions 10

Career Path Winsford United; St Helens Town; Leicester University; British Students (at World Student Games in Mexico); Blackpool (September 1979); Coventry City (£50,000 June 1983); Walsall (£20,000 March 1984); Portsmouth (free December 1984); Swindon Town (loan November 1985, £12,500 March 1986); WATFORD (£105,000 June 1988); Stoke City (£200,000 December 1988, Stoke City also paying the VAT and 5% levy – £240,000 in all); Hull City (£130,000 February 1990); Blackpool (loan November 1990, £25,000 January 1991 – released close season 1995, when he retired)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1979/80 Blackpool 6 1 1 Football League Division 3 – 18th of 24 1980/81 Blackpool 12 3 3 Football League Division 3 – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1981/82 Blackpool 38 15 Football League Division 4 – 12th of 24 1982/83 Blackpool 25 1 10 Football League Division 4 – 21st of 24 1983/84 Coventry City 18 1 3 Football League Division 1 – 19th of 22 1983/84 Walsall 9 1 3 Football League Division 3 – 6th of 24 1984/85 Walsall 8 2 4 Football League Division 3 – 11th of 24 1984/85 Portsmouth 4 1 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 22 1985/86 Swindon Town 23 9 Football League Division 4 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1986/87 Swindon Town 43 3 10 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 1987/88 Swindon Town 41 13 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 23 1988/89 WATFORD 16 2 3 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 24 1988/89 Stoke City 23 6 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 24 1989/90 Stoke City 20 2 Football League Division 2 – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 1989/90 Hull City 19 3 Football League Division 2 – 14th of 24 1990/91 Hull City 6 3 2 Football League Division 2 – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 1990/91 Blackpool 24 17 Football League Division 4 – 5th of 24 1991/92 Blackpool 45 27 Football League Division 4 – 4th of 22 (Promoted) 1992/93 Blackpool 24 13 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 18th of 24 1993/94 Blackpool 20 2 4 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 20th of 24 1994/95 Blackpool 2 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 12th of 24

Dave Bamber turned professional after representing Great Britain at the World Student Games in Mexico. He was a tall forward who possessed more all-round skill than most players of his height, and fetched a healthy profit on becoming one of several men purchased and then quickly sold by Steve Harrison. He scored heavily after rejoining Blackpool in his thirties – 61 goals in 115+2 Football League appearances – and became a property developer in that town.

Known as “Dave”. Birth index OK. Birthplace was not St Helens, as claimed by some reference books. 5th ed of Hugman says born Whiston, which is between Huyton & St Helens. Some books also say he was at Manchester Univ, which is wrong. At Coventry he suffered a viral infection which necessitated the removal of all his teeth. Fee paid by Watford was set by tribunal. He married the sister-in-law of Colin Greenall (Blackpool etc). Became a property developer in Blackpool. Alhassan BANGURA (2005-2008) Midfielder

Born Freetown, Sierra Leone, 24 January 1988 Representative Honours Sierra Leone Full Watford Career Football League & FA Premier League: 28+37 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 3 appearances Football League Cup: 7+3 appearances Début: (as sub) 1-0 away win v Stoke City, Football League Championship, 30 Apr 2005 Final game: (as sub) 0-2 away defeat v Preston North End, Football League Championship, 28 Oct 2008 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League/Football League) 13; all competitions 13

Career Path Chertsey Town youth team; WATFORD (scholar December 2004, professional June 2005, released July 2009); Brighton & Hove Albion (loan March 2009); Blackpool (non-contract August 2009, contract September 2009, released close season 2010); Mersin İdmanyurdu (Turkey); Gabala (Azerbaijan) (2011); Forest Green Rovers (August 2011 until August 2014); Coventry City (March 2015, released close season 2015); St Albans City (December 2015); Nuneaton Town (January 2017, released March 2017)

Football League and FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2004/05 WATFORD 1 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 18th of 24 2005/06 WATFORD 12 26 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 2006/07 WATFORD 12 4 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2007/08 WATFORD 3 4 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 6th of 24 2008/09 WATFORD 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2008/09 Brighton & Hove Albion 6 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 16th of 24 2009/10 Blackpool 2 7 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 6th of 24 (Promoted)

Al Bangura reached Vicarage Road via a conspicuously unusual route and a tale which featured a barbaric cult, initiation rites, a flight from Sierra Leone, threats of homosexual prostitution in France ..... and Chertsey Town’s youth team. Having joined Watford as an illegal immigrant, he was supported by the club in a high-profile application for asylum which led to the nauseating spectacle of the local MP jumping on the bandwagon and parading round Vicarage Road. Asylum was granted, but the player’s early tenacious midfield promise eventually fell away, as did his relationship with the club’s management.

Known as “Al”. Lge début as a scholar – joint-fifth youngest first-teamer in peacetime, until the next match, when Osborne was even younger. Fled from Sierra Leone to Guinea aged 15, following the death of his father, head of a barbaric cult, under codes of which the son would have had to be initiated on the father’s death. In Guinea he was befriended by a Frenchman who tried to get him into homosexual prostitution, first in France and then in England. Bangura escaped and applied for asylum, and was subsequently spotted by Watford when playing in Chertsey. Herbert Ernest BANKS (1903-1904) Inside-forward

Born Coventry, Warwickshire, 19 June 1874 Died Smethwick, Staffordshire, 1947 Representative Honours England Full Watford Career Southern League: 19 appearances (21 goals) FA Cup: 2 appearances (1 goal) South Eastern League: 11 appearances (11 goals) Début: 3-1 away win v Grays United, Southern League Div 2, 5 Sep 1903 Final game: 2-3 away defeat v Luton Town, South Eastern League, 30 Apr 1904 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 11; all competitions 13

Career Path 72nd Seaforth Highlanders; Everton (October 1896); St Mirren (January 1897); Everton (February 1897); Third Lanark (close season 1897); Millwall (March 1899); Aston Villa (April 1901); Bristol City (November 1901); WATFORD (May 1903); Coventry City (July 1904); Stafford Rangers (December 1905); Verity’s Athletic (October 1906); reinstated amateur May 1907; retired 1910/11

Football League, Scottish League and Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1896/97 Everton 2 Football League Division 1 – 7th of 16 1897/98 Third Lanark 15 5 Scottish League Division 1 – 5th of 10 1898/99 Third Lanark 13 Scottish League Division 1 – 6th of 10 1898/99 Millwall 2 Southern League Division 1 – 3rd of 13 1899/00 Millwall 24 11 Southern League Division 1 – 7th of 15 1900/01 Millwall 24 11 Southern League Division 1 – 4th of 15 1901/02 Aston Villa 5 Football League Division 1 – 8th of 18 1901/02 Bristol City 20 10 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 18 1902/03 Bristol City 20 8 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 18 1903/04 WATFORD 19 21 Southern League Division 2 – 1st of 11 (Promoted)

Although once reported for being drunk during a match, Bertie Banks shared with Harry Barton over a hundred goals in all games in 1903/04, including friendlies, and no Watford player can equal his career ratio of more than a goal a game in the Southern, Football or Premier League. The drunken incident, in a friendly early in his one Cassio Road season, was reported to the club by the referee, and the player attended a subsequent committee meeting to apologize. He made his one international appearance while on Millwall’s books, but before that had represented Glasgow in an inter-city match for which, as an Englishman, he wasn’t actually eligible. Also in his time with Third Lanark he won a Glasgow Charity Cup winner’s medal, and claimed he was the first Englishman to have done so. Before taking up the game professionally he twice helped his regiment to victory in the Simla Cup while serving with the Seaforth Highlanders in India. He was bought out of the army in December 1896 for £18, which possibly was paid by Everton.

Known as “Bert”. Birth index OK (J1874). Baptized St Peter’s, Coventry, 19 Jul 1874. Death index OK (J 1947) – probate nothing. 1939 Register: 190 Merrivale Rd, Smethwick, Herbert E.Banks, warehouseman (screw works), b 19 Jun 1874, Married Rose Emily Hawgood, Aston D1905. First serious football was with Seaforths in India, where he served from 4 Dec 1893 to 15 Mar 1895 and was twice in their Simla Cup-winning side. Capped by Glasgow in an inter-city match when with 3rd Lanark, although (so he said later) as an Englishman he wasn’t eligible. Nine hat-tricks for Watford in first-team match 1903/04 (including one surrounded by a slight doubt – 30 Jan 1904). Attended a committee meeting in Sep 1903 to apologize for an incident arising from his drinking. Was reported to the club by the referee for being drunk during the friendly match v New Brompton 28 Oct 1903 – see club minutes 13 Nov 1903. 5 ft 5½ ins & 118 lbs on joining the Seaforths – he lied about his age, claiming to be 18 yrs & 6 months when he enlisted in January 1891. Military papers say born St Michael’s parish, Coventry, and a carpenter. He was discharged 2 Dec 1896, having bought himself out or been bought out (possibly by Everton?) for £18. Successfully applied, via the Birmingham FA, for reinstatement as an amateur May 1907, having “last played for Verity’s Athletic”. After football career he worked for an engineering firm in Hockley, Birmingham. William George BARBER (1957‐1960) Wing‐half

Born Bushey, Hertfordshire, 19 September 1939 Watford Career Football League: 25 appearances FA Cup: 1 appearance Southern Floodlight Cup: 2 appearances Début: 0‐2 away defeat v Colchester United, Football League Div 3 (South), 29 Apr 1957 Final game: 3‐3 away draw v Rochdale, Football League Div 4, 23 Apr 1960 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 13; all competitions 13

Career Path Bushey Manor School; Watford Schools; WATFORD (amateur July 1956, professional March 1957); Aldershot (free August 1962); Hillingdon Borough; Amersham; George Cross (Australia) (February 1967)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1956/57 WATFORD 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 24 1957/58 WATFORD 18 Football League Division 3 (South) – 16th of 24 (Relegated) 1958/59 WATFORD 2 Football League Division 4 – 15th of 24 1959/60 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 4 – 4th of 24 (Promoted) 1962/63 Aldershot 1 Football League Division 4 – 11th of 24

A sturdy young wing‐half who developed in local schools football and was in the club’s first team at 17, but failed to stay the course, making only six of his League appearances, plus one for Aldershot, after his 19th birthday. Bill Barber’s professional service was as a part‐timer and he spent his last two seasons as a Watford player while doing his National Service.

Known as “Bill”. Birth index OK. No death traced to 2005, and nothing in probate to end of 2010. George Cross is a Melbourne club. A “W.Barber (Bushey Manor)” played for Watford Schools 1954/55, and I’ve assumed it’s him. On National Service from 4 Aug 1960 until August 1962. 5 ft 10½ ins. 11 st. David John BARDSLEY (1983‐1987) Full‐back

Born Manchester, Lancashire, 11 September 1964 Representative Honours England Youth & Full Watford Career Football League: 97+3 appearances (7 goals) FA Cup: 13+1 appearances (1 goal) Football League Cup: 6 appearances (1 goal) Full Members Cup: 1 appearance Début: 1‐2 home defeat v Luton Town, Football League Div 1, 26 Nov 1983 Final game: 0‐1 home defeat v Norwich City, Football League Div 1, 5 Sep 1987 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 34; all competitions 35

Career Path Coventry City (schoolboy January 1979 until April 1981); Blackpool (schoolboy May 1981, apprentice July 1981, professional November 1982); WATFORD (£150,000 November 1983); Oxford United (£250,000 September 1987); Queens Park Rangers (£175,000 plus player‐exchange September 1989, Bardsley’s valuation being £500,000); Blackpool (free July 1998 – released close season 2000); 18 months out of the game, living in USA; Northwich Victoria (November 2001 for one season); ran soccer schools for 2 years; Ajax Orlando (USA) director of youth development (by February 2006)

Football League and FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1981/82 Blackpool 1 Football League Division 4 – 12th of 24 1982/83 Blackpool 28 Football League Division 4 – 21st of 24 1983/84 Blackpool 16 Football League Division 4 – 6th of 24 1983/84 WATFORD 25 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1984/85 WATFORD 17 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1985/86 WATFORD 10 3 2 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1986/87 WATFORD 41 5 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1987/88 WATFORD 4 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 21 (Relegated) 1987/88 Oxford United 34 1 Football League Division 1 – 21st of 21 (Relegated) 1988/89 Oxford United 37 6 Football League Division 2 – 17th of 24 1989/90 Oxford United 3 Football League Division 2 – 17th of 24 1989/90 Queens Park Rangers 31 1 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 20 1990/91 Queens Park Rangers 38 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 20 1991/92 Queens Park Rangers 41 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1992/93 Queens Park Rangers 40 3 FA Premier League – 5th of 22 1993/94 Queens Park Rangers 32 FA Premier League – 9th of 22 1994/95 Queens Park Rangers 30 FA Premier League – 8th of 22 1995/96 Queens Park Rangers 28 1 FA Premier League – 19th of 20 (Relegated) 1997/98 Queens Park Rangers 12 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 21st of 24 1998/99 Blackpool 29 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 14th of 24 1999/00 Blackpool 35 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 22nd of 24 (Relegated)

A long‐striding, attack‐minded full‐back of great pace who was ever‐present in the club’s FA Cup run to Wembley. His England youth‐team manager was Graham Taylor, who subsequently signed him for Watford, and then another nine years on capped him at senior international level. David Bardsley scored the first two Football League goals of his career in his 100th appearance in the competition – as a Watford substitute in a 5‐1 victory at Chelsea.

Known as “David”. Birth index OK. Wedding report in Watford Observer, June 1987, gives initials as D.J.P., but nothing substantiates this. 5 ft 10 ins. 10 st 6 lbs. Cecil BARNARD (1921) Centre‐forward

Watford Career Football League: 2 appearances (1 goal) Début: 2‐2 home draw v Charlton Athletic, Football League Div 3 (South), 5 Nov 1921 Final game: 0‐1 away defeat v Charlton Athletic, Football League Div 3 (South), 12 Nov 1921 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 2; all competitions 2

Career Path Cubitts; Aylesbury; Rotherham County (amateur trialist September 1921); WATFORD (amateur November 1921)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1921/22 WATFORD 2 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 7th of 22

As a trialist Barnard scored six times in a reserve‐team away friendly against Amersham which Watford won 7‐3, and was signed on amateur forms a few weeks later. He went straight into the first team at centre‐forward, scored on his Football League début in a 2‐1 win against Charlton Athletic and played in the return fixture a week later, but was never picked again.

“In early 20s” when signed. Jim says maybe the M1977 death (Luton reg dist) – born 1 Jul 1893, but this apparently not indexed. No trace in 1901 census and nothing promising in 1911. As a trialist scored 6 for Watford Reserves in a friendly v Amersham (away) 29 Sep 1921 (7‐3). Pic in Watford Observer 12 Nov 1921 shows him in the act of scoring – it might just be possible to lift a mug‐shot from a photographic print of it. Charles BARNES (1904-1906) Winger

Born Chesham, Buckinghamshire, 22 January 1878 Watford Career Southern League: 5 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 1 appearance (1 goal) South Eastern League: 2 appearances United League: 1 appearance Début: 3-0 home win v Grays United, South Eastern League, 21 Sep 1904 Final game: 0-0 home draw v Swindon Town, United League, 21 Mar 1906 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 3; all competitions 3

Career Path Chesham Generals (by November 1899); Chesham Town; Reading (March 1900); Bristol City (June 1902); WATFORD (free August 1904 until close season 1906)

Southern League and Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position Chesham Town ? ? Southern League Division 2 1899/00 Reading 5 1 Southern League Division 1 – 4th of 15 1900/01 Reading 21 5 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 15 1901/02 Reading 29 2 Southern League Division 1 – 5th of 16 1902/03 Bristol City 12 2 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 18 1903/04 Bristol City 11 3 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 18 1904/05 WATFORD 5 1 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 18

Essentially a reserve-team player during his two seasons at Cassio Road, he made spasmodic appearances in the senior side, performing in either of the wing positions. His two first-team goals contributed to handsome victories (7-1 and 5-1) and for the Reserves in 1905 he recorded the first goal ever scored at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road ground.

Signed for 1904/05 for £1.10.0 pw, and for 1905/06 the same. Probably not related to G.H.Barnes, whose son David had no knowledge of him. 1881 census: New Town, Ashley Green, Chesham, Charley [sic], 2, b Chesham, parents Frederick & Elizabeth. 1891 census: 44 George St, Ashley Green, Chesham, Charles Barnes, 12, b Chesham, parents Frederick & Elizabeth. 1901 census: 14 Gower St, Reading, Charles, 22, boarder, b Chesham, pro footballer. (He was a Reading player at this time.) 1901 census: Frederick and Elizabeth (his parents) were still in George St, Chesham in 1911, with four children but not Charles. 1911 census: The footballer was back with his parents in George St (age 32, brushmaker). 1939 Register: 317 Hivings Hill, Chesham – Charles Barnes, brushmaker, born 22 Jan 1878, wife Alice M. (maiden name was Penn, and they were married Amersham S1911, 3a 1923.)

(NB: There was another Charles Barnes of the same age in Chesham. He was living with his parents Robert & Mary in both 1891 & 1901, and his occupation was “boot rivetter” , all of which proves that the son of Frederick and Elizabeth was the footballer. 5 ft 7½ ins. 9 st 10 lbs. David BARNES (1994‐1996) Full‐back

Born Paddington, London, 16 November 1961 Representative Honours England Youth Watford Career Football League: 16 appearances FA Cup: 1 appearance Début: 5‐2 home win v Birmingham City, Football League Div 1, 15 Jan 1994 Final game: 2‐1 away win v Norwich City, Football League Div 1, 27 Apr 1996 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 6; all competitions 6

Career Path Coventry City (apprentice August 1978, professional May 1979); Ipswich Town (free May 1982); Wolverhampton Wanderers (£35,000 October 1984); Aldershot (£25,000 August 1987); Sheffield United (£52,000 July 1989); WATFORD (£60,000 January 1994); Colchester United (free July 1996, retired March 1997 owing to persistent groin injury)

Football League and FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1979/80 Coventry City 3 Football League Division 1 – 15th of 22 1981/82 Coventry City 6 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 22 1982/83 Ipswich Town 6 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1983/84 Ipswich Town 10 1 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1984/85 Wolverhampton Wanderers 23 1 Football League Division 2 – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1985/86 Wolverhampton Wanderers 38 1 Football League Division 3 – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1986/87 Wolverhampton Wanderers 28 2 2 Football League Division 4 – 4th of 24 1987/88 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Football League Division 4 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1987/88 Aldershot 29 1 Football League Division 3 – 20th of 24 1988/89 Aldershot 39 1 Football League Division 3 – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 1989/90 Sheffield United 24 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1990/91 Sheffield United 28 1 Football League Division 1 – 13th of 20 1991/92 Sheffield United 15 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1992/93 Sheffield United 13 FA Premier League – 14th of 22 1993/94 Sheffield United 2 FA Premier League – 20th of 22 (Relegated) 1993/94 WATFORD 5 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 19th of 24 1994/95 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 7th of 24 1995/96 WATFORD 10 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1996/97 Colchester United 11 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 8th of 24

David Barnes had been a Football League professional for nearly fifteen years when he was signed to solve a left‐back problem arising from Jason Drysdale’s lengthy absence through injury. Barnes’s own Watford career became dominated by injury, which rendered him something of a forgotten man for long periods. In 1980 he had helped England to win the UEFA International Youth Tournament, and in less than three years’ service at Molineux he played for Wolverhampton Wanderers in three League divisions.

Known as “David”. Birth index OK. Brought up in a Barnardo’s home in Felixstowe. Played for Sheffield Utd in a veterans’ competition in July 2000, as did Tony Agana. Edward BARNES (1920) Goalkeeper

Born Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, 8 June 1894 Died Hayling Island, Hampshire, 16 September 1975 Watford Career Southern League: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 0-1 away defeat v Norwich City, Southern League Div 1, 14 Feb 1920

Career Path Croxley Green; WATFORD (amateur April 1913); St Albans City (January 1920); Southend United (amateur July 1920); St Albans City (November 1920); Charlton Athletic (amateur December 1920, professional by start of 1921/22); Queens Park Rangers (June 1922 for one season); St Albans City (November 1922 until close season 1924)

Southern League and Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1919/20 WATFORD 1 Southern League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1920/21 Southend United 1 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 22 1921/22 Charlton Athletic 21 Football League Division 3 (South) – 16th of 22

An amateur goalkeeper whose one Southern League outing came seven years after his association with the club began. Deputising on the occasion of one of Skilly Williams’s rare absences, Ted Barnes conceded only one goal at Norwich City, but it was enough to give the home side the points. This came a few months after his only other first-team appearance, in a Watford victory by three goals to one in a benefit match at Luton Town.

He wrote to the club in April 1969, when he was living in Hayling Island. 1968 & 1970 Electoral Rolls: 47 South Road, Hayling Island – Edward Barnes & Frances E.Barnes. I have death certificate. 1939 Register: 62 Tenby Rd, Edgware, Edward Barnes, married, born 8.6.1894, LCC ambulance driver, wife Frances Edith. 1911 census: 299 New Rd, Croxley Green – Edward, son, 16, paper machine boy, youngest of six siblings living with parents Edward, bootmaker, born Brackley, Northants, and Lucy, born Sarratt. Tibshelf Colliery played a friendly v Watford Reserves at Cassio Road on Tuesday 25 March 1913 – there are no details or line- ups in the Watford Observer or West Herts Post. Barnes made only one appearance for the Reserves in 1912/13, and it was the final game of the season, on 19 April 1913 – Watford Reserves 6, Brentford 3. The Watford line-up listed the goalkeeper as “E.Barnes (Tibshelf Colliery)”, and elsewhere (I forget where) Tibshelf was actually recorded as his birthplace. These Tibshelf references are rubbish – they derive from the aforementioned friendly, which was the third match of Tibshelf Colliery’s “London Tour”. The Derbyshire Times of 29 March 1913 reported that “The Tibshelf players, owing to the continuous travelling and playing on the previous day, showed signs of distress, although they more than held their own and gave the home goalie more to do than Briggs.” Briggs was Tibshelf’s regular keeper, which complicates the scenario still further. Why would Barnes be reported as having any connection at all with Tibshelf? The answer, I think, is that (a) Barnes did play for the Colliery team in their friendly at Watford, the visiting keeper being one of the visitors “showing signs of distress” and not fit to play (it’s not difficult to imagine that boozing might have been a factor as well as travelling) and Barnes was provided by Watford as stand-in goalie, and that (b) The Derbyshire Times report was compiled back in Derbyshire from scanty information received by telephone. Also, the subsequent Watford Observer reference to “E.Barnes (Tibshelf Colliery)” might have occurred either because the reporter actually didn’t know that Barnes was a local player, or even that it was just a joke.

5 ft 9½ ins. 11 st. George Henry BARNES (1922‐1924) Winger

Born Chesham, Buckinghamshire, 22 May 1899 Died Chesham, Buckinghamshire, 1 Jun 1961 Watford Career Football League: 5 appearances (1 goal) Début: 4‐1 away win v Southend United, Football League Div 3 (South), 26 Apr 1922 Final game: 1‐4 away defeat v Brentford, Football League Div 3 (South), 29 Mar 1924 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 1; all competitions 1

Career Path Chesham United (until at least September 1930, chairman by September 1932); also WATFORD (amateur April 1919); also Brentford (amateur March 1930)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1921/22 WATFORD 1 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 7th of 22 1922/23 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 10th of 22 1923/24 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 20th of 22

George Barnes was extremely well‐known in his home town both as a footballer and a boot manufacturer. He was Chesham United’s left‐winger for many years, including a lengthy period as club captain, and later became its chairman. He also played for the Berks & Bucks representative side, as well as for the Spartan League. In 1924/25 his brother Maurice was killed in a match in which they were both playing.

Known as “George”. Birth index (S1899 [sic]) OK. Death index & probate OK. Birth must have been registered late – age in death index is 62, which supports this. Married 10 Sep 1932. Born in the Cottage Hospital, Chesham. Played for the Berks & Bucks representative team, the Spartan Lge, and an FA XI v Oxford Univ. Brother Maurice killed playing for Chesham 1924/25 in a match in which George also played. They lived at Broadlands, Chesham. Their firm – George Barnes & Son (Boot Manufacturers) Ltd – was taken over circa 1983/84 and was at 71 Townsend Rd, Chesham. George’s sons Richard, John & David were in the business, and it was David (in 1993 living at 4 Gayton Close, Chesham Bois, HP6 6DW) who, after consulting his brothers, provided birth & death dates. John Benjamin BARNES (1931‐1933) Winger

Born Atherstone, Warwickshire, 28 April 1908 Died Coleshill, Warwickshire, 1 April 2008 Representative Honours ‘England Junior’ Watford Career Football League: 75 appearances (11 goals) FA Cup: 8 appearances Début: 6‐3 away win v Torquay United, Div 3 (South), 5 Sep 1931 Final game: 2‐1 home win v Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Football League Div 3 (South), 6 May 1933 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 44; all competitions 32

Career Path Atherstone Town (close season 1926); Coventry City (August 1927); Walsall (June 1929); WATFORD (July 1931); Exeter City (£100, June 1933); York City (August 1934); Atherstone Town (July 1935); Wilstaff Sports (permit to play as an amateur granted November 1936)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1927/28 Coventry City 8 Football League Division 3 (South) – 20th of 22 1929/30 Walsall 31 7 Football League Division 3 (South) – 17th of 22 1930/31 Walsall 37 11 Football League Division 3 (South) – 17th of 22 1931/32 WATFORD 39 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1932/33 WATFORD 36 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1933/34 Exeter City 18 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 9th of 22 1934/35 York City 15 1 Football League Division 3 (North) – 15th of 22

He held the outside‐left position throughout his two seasons at Vicarage Road, with Harry Lowe as his regular inside partner, before being transfer‐listed with a fee of £300 on his head. This was reduced by the Football League on appeal, and Exeter City took him on at the revised figure. Jack Barnes worked in the Warwickshire coal mines after leaving school the age of 12, and had a series of other jobs before taking up the game professionally. In 1927 he played in the Birmingham FA side which represented England in a ‘Junior’ (ie non‐League) international against Scotland. He died 27 days before what would have been his 100th birthday, and is the longest‐lived of all Watford players.

Known as “Jack”. Birth index OK. Probate nothing. I had Coventry March 1928, but then Jim said August 1927 – and he did make his Lge début 13 Feb 1928. Needs checking at Colindale or FL. Wilstaff Sports was (is?) in Birmingham. Possibly Charlton Ath guest 1942/43? – to be checked at FL. The Coventry who’s who published 1994 is useless. 5 ft 8 ins. 10 st 12 lbs. John Charles Bryan BARNES (1981-1987) Winger

Born Kingston, Jamaica, 7 November 1963 Representative Honours England Under-21 & Full Football League Watford Career Football League: 232+1 appearances (65 goals, including 1 penalty) FA Cup: 31 appearances (11 goals) Football League Cup: 21 appearances (7 goals) Football League Trophy: 4 appearances (2 goals) UEFA Cup: 6 appearances Full Members Cup: 1 appearance Début: (as sub) 1-1 home draw v Oldham Athletic, Football League Div 2, 5 Sep 1981 Final game: 1-0 home win v Tottenham Hotspur, Football League Div 1, 9 May 1987 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 54; all competitions 69

Career Path Sudbury Court; Ipswich Town trial; WATFORD (July 1981 – undisclosed sums were paid to Sudbury Court when he was signed and at various stages of his career); Liverpool (£900,000 June 1987); Newcastle United (free August 1997); Charlton Athletic (free February 1999); Celtic head coach (=manager) (June 1999 until February 2000); Jamaica national team manager (October 2008); Tranmere Rovers manager (June 2009 until October 2009)

Football League and FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1981/82 WATFORD 35 1 13 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1982/83 WATFORD 42 10 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1983/84 WATFORD 39 11 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1984/85 WATFORD 40 12 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1985/86 WATFORD 39 9 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1986/87 WATFORD 37 10 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1987/88 Liverpool 38 15 Football League Division 1 – 1st of 21 1988/89 Liverpool 33 8 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 20 1989/90 Liverpool 34 22 Football League Division 1 – 1st of 20 1990/91 Liverpool 35 16 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 20 1991/92 Liverpool 12 1 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 22 1992/93 Liverpool 26 1 5 FA Premier League – 6th of 22 1993/94 Liverpool 24 2 3 FA Premier League – 8th of 22 1994/95 Liverpool 38 7 FA Premier League – 4th of 22 1995/96 Liverpool 36 3 FA Premier League – 3rd of 20 1996/97 Liverpool 34 1 4 FA Premier League – 4th of 20 1997/98 Newcastle United 22 4 6 FA Premier League – 13th of 20 1998/99 Newcastle United 1 FA Premier League – 13th of 20 1998/99 Charlton Athletic 2 10 FA Premier League – 18th of 20 (Relegated)

Named after the great Welsh footballer John Charles, he rose with remarkable speed from parks football to Watford’s first team, to Full international status at 19 (the youngest England cap for 24 years), and a famous solo goal for England in Rio de Janeiro. The son of a former captain and manager of Jamaica, and with a sister who was an international swimmer, John Barnes always conducted himself with dignity on the field. He often disappointed in a very long international career (79 caps) but at club level reached great heights of personal and collective achievement, starting with a part in the Watford’s triumph over Manchester United in the 1981/82 FA Youth Cup final. For six full seasons, which included an FA Cup final appearance at Wembley, his ball-playing skills and athleticism were utilised mainly on the left wing by Watford, and subsequently for ten seasons by Liverpool. Forays into management with Celtic, Jamaica and Tranmere Rovers were shortlived.

Known as “John”. Named after footballer John Charles. Sister swam for Jamaica. Came to England c1976. On trial with Ipswich before Watford, but was disinclined to move from London. FA Youth Cup Final win 1981/82 – played in 2nd leg. First Full cap at 19 yrs 202 days – youngest since Greaves & Baker in 1959. (See list in AFS Report 63, page 32.) Also younger than Sharpe, who made début 27 Mar 1991. MBE in 1998 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Phone number in March 2001: 0467 323131. 5 ft 10 ins. 12 st. Peter BARNES (1960-1962) Wing-half

Born St Albans, Hertfordshire, 29 June 1938 Died Bushey, Hertfordshire, 7 October 2014 Watford Career Football League: 10 appearances Début: 2-2 home draw v Notts County, Football League Div 3, 20 Aug 1960 Final game: 0-2 home defeat v Bradford (Park Avenue), Football League Div 3, 21 Apr 1962 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 6; all competitions 6

Career Path Sun Sports Juniors; WATFORD (amateur July 1956); Hemel Hempstead Town; WATFORD (professional March 1957 – released close season 1963); Banbury United (by close season 1966); Hatfield Town; also West Herts Wanderers; Croxley Casuals

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1960/61 WATFORD 6 Football League Division 3 – 4th of 24 1961/62 WATFORD 4 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24

A local wing-half who came through the youth team and then served as a part-time professional, being employed in the print trade. National Service interfered with his progress, but he eventually had two short spells in the first team. As a junior, Peter Barnes had played in the South East Counties League representative side with Micky Benning and Chelsea’s goalscoring genius Jimmy Greaves. He later turned out with several other ex-Watford pros, including Benning and Andy Porter, for West Herts Wanderers, who played friendly and charity games with the permission of the Herts FA. His manager at Banbury United was Len Goulden, who’d been in charge at Vicarage Road when Barnes first played for the youth team.

Known as “Peter”. Birth index OK. Died in Bushey House Beaumont Care Home, Bushey. West Herts Wanderers, including several ex-Watford pros (Micky Benning, Andy Porter) played friendly and charity games played with the permission of the Herts FA. Part-time pro – employed in the printing trade. National Service in the army from May 1957. Played in South-East Counties Lge representative team with Micky Benning & Jimmy Greaves. Len Goulden was his manager at Banbury. Thomas Andrew BARNETT (1928‐1939) Inside‐forward

Born Salford, Lancashire, 11 November 1908 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 9 July 1986 Watford Career Football League: 395 appearances (144 goals) FA Cup: 36 appearances (16 goals) Division 3 (South) Cup: 11 appearances (3 goals) Second World War competitions: 87 appearances (22 goals) Début: 1‐0 home win v Gillingham, Football League Div 3 (South), 15 Sep 1928 Final game in peacetime competitions: 2‐0 home win v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 29 Apr 1939 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 80; all competitions 51

Career Path West Liverpool Street School; Lancashire Schools; Longsight; Manchester United (October 1927); WATFORD (free May 1928 until retirement March 1943); also Scammells (1941/42 & 1942/43); WATFORD Reserves (on resumption of reserve‐team fixtures 1944/45 and as a reinstated amateur 1947/48); Swillett committee member and coach (September 1955)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1928/29 WATFORD 32 12 Football League Division 3 (South) – 8th of 22 1929/30 WATFORD 29 9 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1930/31 WATFORD 38 19 Football League Division 3 (South) – 18th of 22 1931/32 WATFORD 41 16 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1932/33 WATFORD 26 7 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1933/34 WATFORD 41 17 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1934/35 WATFORD 35 12 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22 1935/36 WATFORD 34 13 Football League Division 3 (South) – 5th of 22 1936/37 WATFORD 41 19 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1937/38 WATFORD 42 9 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1938/39 WATFORD 36 11 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1939/40 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – season abandoned

Mainly a creator for others, this gifted inside‐forward scored more goals for the club than anyone except Luther Blissett. Once an England Schools trialist, Tommy Barnett, a conspicuously modest man, was content to see out his career at Watford, despite obvious potential for a higher grade of football. As a masseur he went on to serve the Wembley Lions speedway and ice‐hockey teams, and also later worked for two years in Australia at the instigation of the great tennis player Frank Sedgman. An oddity of his football career was that, although widely admired as a player and as a person (Taffy Davies, not one to splash compliments about, confided that he was the best footballer he ever played with), he was never entrusted with a penalty kick. When questioned about this, he replied that he was always thought of as “young Tommy Barnett” and it never occurred to anyone to ask him.

Known as “Tommy”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. 100 goals in a season for Longsight (Lancs & Cheshire Lge) 1926/27). On Man Utd office staff before signing pro. Married a Mrs Morley of Princes Ave, Watford, in July 1932. Played for FA XIs v Kent FA at Rochester 16 Mar 1940 & v Met Police at Millwall 4 Apr 1940. Masseum with Wembley Lions ice‐hockey team 1945/46, and the speedway team from May 1946. After several years’ involvement at Wembley he ran a newsagent business at Ruislip and eventually retired to Brighton. Went to Australia at Frank Sedgman’s instigation, where he worked as a masseur for 2 years. Returned to England and set up in business as a masseur (Chorleywood area, I think) before moving to an old family home at 322 Whippendell Rd in 1969 and was still living there at time of death. Working as a clerk at Scammells, May 1970. One of several ex‐players living in Watford area who met manager McBain in August 1956 to discuss arrangements for establishing a local scouting network. The others were McHugh, Armstrong, Woodward & Bill Brown. Never took a penalty – he told me he was always thought of as “young Tommy Barnett” and nobody ever asked him to. 5 ft 8½ ins. 10 st 8 lbs. Robert James BARNSHAW (1914‐1921) Centre‐half

Born Hebburn, County Durham, 14 March 1889 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 30 January 1974 Watford Career Southern League & Football League: 58 appearances (4 goals) FA Cup: 3 appearances Début: 0‐0 home draw v Brighton & Hove Albion, Southern League Division 1, 16 Sep 1914 Final game: 1‐0 home win v Brentford, Football League Div 3, 12 Mar 1921 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern/Football League 29; all competitions 30

Career Path Hebburn Argyle; Sheffield Wednesday (November 1910); Jarrow; Hebburn Argyle; Sheffield United (£50 May 1913, plus £30 when he made his first‐team début); WATFORD (£50 May 1914, plus £75 if retained for a second season); Darlington Forge Albion, Leeds City & Sheffield United guest player during the First World War; Aberdare Athletic (free June 1921 – released close season 1922); Hawthorn Leslie’s; Ashington (October 1923)

Football League and Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1913/14 Sheffield United 3 Football League Division 1 – 10th of 20 1914/15 WATFORD 11 Southern League Division 1 – 1st of 20 1919/20 WATFORD 35 3 Southern League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1920/21 WATFORD 12 1 Football League Division 3 – 6th of 22 1921/22 Aberdare Athletic 24 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 8th of 22

Bob Barnshaw was a centre‐half who played a part in Watford’s Southern League title triumph, and for whom the club were due to pay another £75 if they engaged him for a second season. The intervention of the Great War possibly meant that this clause in the transfer agreement was overlooked. He suffered a damaged knee after joining Sheffield Wednesday and was released, dropping back to lower levels of the game before returning to Sheffield as one of five Hebburn Argyle players signed simultaneously by Wednesday’s city rivals.

Known as “Bob”. Birth & death indexes OK – probate nothing. Date of death is “believed to be” 30 Jan 1974 by Pat Blow (his niece), but at worst it’s only a day or so out. The Sheffield Utd financial details are from that club’s minute book. Played for Leeds City on Christmas Day 1916. Widow (Pat Blow’s aunt) died 13 Oct 1980 – home was 63 Harwoods Rd. 5 ft 9½ ins. 11 st / 12 st 6 lbs. Ernest BARSBY (1909-1910) Defender

Born Stanton, Derbyshire, 19 January 1886 Died Derby, 15 March 1962 Watford Career Southern League: 4 appearances Début: 1-1 home draw v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 8 Sep 1909 Final game: 0-2 away defeat v Croydon Common, Southern League Div 1, 30 Apr 1910 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 1; all competitions 1

Career Path Overseal; Burton United (amateur August 1906); Midway Albion (professional January 1907 until close season 1908); Birmingham (May 1908); WATFORD (August 1909 for one season)

Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1906/07 Burton United 1 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1909/10 WATFORD 4 Southern League Division 1 – 19th of 22

After a season in Birmingham’s reserve team Barsby made his four appearances for Watford as a stand-in defender in a season in which team changes were a conspicuous feature. Twice he filled in at right-half, once at centre-half and once at left-back. Only six goals were conceded in the four games, but this was thrice the number scored. Soon after leaving the club he joined the police force back in Derbyshire.

Birth index OK (M1886). Death index & probate OK – died Derby Royal Infirmary, home address Louisville, 12 Holm Ave, Little Eaton. Married Lois Bennett, Ashby-de-la-Zouch D1914. 1891 census: address Bretby Colliery, Bretby, aged 5, b Stanton, parents Charles, railway labourer, & Eliza. 1911 census: aged 25, single, police constable, boarding in Beighton, Derbys, b Stanton. 1939 Register: Louisville (same house-name as he was to have at Little Eaton), New Avenue, Shardlow, retired PC, born 19 Jan 1886, wife Lois. 5 ft 11 ins. 11 st / 12 st. Frank BARSON (1928) Centre-half

Born Sheffield, Yorkshire, 10 April 1891 Died Winson Green, Birmingham, Warwickshire, 13 September 1968 Representative Honours England Full Watford Career Football League: 10 appearances (1 goal) Début: 0-3 away defeat v Crystal Palace, Football League Div 3 (South), 25 Aug 1928 Final game: 1-0 home win v Bristol Rovers, Football League Div 3 (South), 13 Oct 1928 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 10; all competitions 10

Career Path Albion; Cammell Laird, Sheffield (1909); Barnsley (July 1911); Aston Villa (£2,700 October 1919); Manchester United (£5,000 August 1922); WATFORD (free May 1928); Hartlepools United (free May 1929); Wigan Borough (July 1930); Rhyl Athletic player-manager (June 1931); Stourbridge manager (July 1935); Aston Villa coach (October 1935 until the Second World War); Solihull Town ‘B’ manager (by February 1940); Swansea Town trainer/coach (close season 1947 until close season 1954); Lye Town trainer (September 1954 until retirement 1956)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1911/12 Barnsley 4 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 20 1912/13 Barnsley 5 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 20 1913/14 Barnsley 38 Football League Division 2 – 5th of 20 1914/15 Barnsley 34 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 20 1919/20 Barnsley 10 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 22 1919/20 Aston Villa 26 4 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1920/21 Aston Villa 29 2 Football League Division 1 – 10th of 22 1921/22 Aston Villa 37 4 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 22 1922/23 Manchester United 31 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 22 1923/24 Manchester United 17 Football League Division 2 – 14th of 22 1924/25 Manchester United 32 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1925/26 Manchester United 28 2 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1926/27 Manchester United 21 2 Football League Division 1 – 15th of 22 1927/28 Manchester United 11 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 22 1928/29 WATFORD 10 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 8th of 22 1929/30 Hartlepools United 9 2 Football League Division 3 (North) – 8th of 22 1930/31 Wigan Borough 19 Football League Division 3 (North) – 10th of 22

A powerful and commanding centre-half, Frank Barson was renowned for his brushes with authority, which is probably why he failed to win more than one England cap. Soon after joining Watford he was sent off (one of ten instances in his career – an absolutely astonishing number for that era) and banned for the rest of the season, both decisions owing a great deal to his reputation and little to the innocuous incident which provoked them. A petition on his behalf bearing five thousand signatures from all over the country was handed to the FA Secretary by the Mayor of Watford, but was burned in the Mayor’s presence. The signatories, it was declared, “were not acquainted with the facts of the case”, which was almost certainly true, whatever the rights and wrongs were. A separate petition bearing fifteen thousand signatures had been organized by the Supporters Club. Fulham officials, as well as Jimmy Temple, the Fulham player involved in the sending-off incident, had spoken on Barson’s behalf at the hearing. It was all to no avail: the suspension stood, Barson’s previous record (including two offences with Watford prior to the sending-off) having been taken into account. Sixty-six years later George Jewett, a well- principled colleague of Barson’s with a phenomenal memory for detail, spoke admiringly of the man, while admitting he was not perfect, and recalled that Barson had told him that he was finished when he signed for Watford but had got manager Fred Pagnam drunk as a means towards securing the engagement; that he received £1,000 from chairman Kilby on signing (Pagnam was not present); and that on the occasion of his only international appearance he had demanded a pint of beer with his lunch, saying he wouldn’t play unless he got it – which he did, but was never picked again. (Was all this nothing but swagger on Barson’s part? There’s no way of knowing.) Jewett, who was playing when the infamous sending-off occurred, also recalled that at half-time director Jeffs (a very small man) went to the changing-room and told Barson he should be ashamed of himself, whereupon Barson grabbed Jeffs by the neck and threatened him. This account, by an entirely reliable first-hand witness, should not be doubted.

Known as “Frank”. Birth & death index OK – probate nothing. Born Grimesthorpe area of Sheffield. Attended Firshill Council School & Grimesthorpe School. Albion was a Sheffield club. Refused to re-sign for Villa for 1922/23. When it was announced that Man Utd had given him a free transfer, Pagnam went to his home and “found a queue of rivals” for his signature. It was estimated that about 25 clubs wanted him. George Jewett, whose memory for detail was quite astonishing and who in 1994 spoke to me admiringly of Barson (although admitting he was not perfect), said that Barson told him he was finished when he signed for Watford and had informed Derby County manager George Jobey, who wanted to sign him, that he didn’t want to let him down. Instead (Barson had said) Barson got Pagnam drunk and came down to sign for Watford. The transaction took place with chairman Kilby (Pagnam was not present) and Barson got £1,000 for signing. (If so, this was entirely irregular.) Barson made it abundantly clear to Jewett that he wasn’t after Pagnam’s job. Pen pic in The Football Who’s Who, page 12. Article on career in The Footballer, Vol 2, No 6. 5 ft 11 ins. 13 st 7 lbs. Harry BARTON (1903‐1905) Centre‐forward

Born Northwich, Cheshire, 1874 Died Northwich, Cheshire, 6 February 1954 Watford Career Southern League: 34 appearances (26 goals) FA Cup: 5 appearances South Eastern League: 18 appearances (17 goals) Début: 3‐1 away win v Grays United, Southern League Div 2, 5 Sep 1903 Final game: 1‐4 home defeat v Bristol Rovers, Southern League Div 1, 29 Mar 1905 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 16; all competitions 28

Career Path Castle True Blues; Fairfield (amateur November 1896); Grimsby Town (professional September 1897 until December 1897); reinstated amateur (May 1898); Witton Albion; Middlewich Athletic Rangers (by 1902/03); Northwich Victoria (amateur); WATFORD (professional August 1903); Witton Albion (February 1906 until at least close season 1909)

Football League and Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1897/98 Grimsby Town 3 1 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 16 1903/04 WATFORD 19 19 Southern League Division 2 – 1st of 11 (Promoted) 1904/05 WATFORD 15 7 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 18

He shared a bucketful of goals with Bert Banks en route to the Southern League Second Division championship, and in his first three games scored ten off his own bat, including six in a 9‐0 win against Wycombe Wanderers, a feat unequalled by any other Watford player in a Southern, Football or Premier League match. The pair totalled over a hundred goals in all matches that season, including friendlies. Harry Barton’s Watford career ended after a series of club suspensions for, inter alia, drunkenness and, finally, for making no effort whatever in a reserve‐team game in which he strolled around with his hands behind his back, claiming he was injured. A talented allrounder, he won prizes as a middle‐distance runner and in other sporting activities.

Known as “Harry”. Birth index (D1874) OK. Death index & probate OK. (Only one feasible birth reg, which is surely him, although age at death is stated as 78, which doesn’t quite fit.) False rumours of his death reached Watford in Sep 1907, when it was confirmed that he was alive and well, and working in Northwich. Designated a Middlewich Athletic Rangers player when he played for a Northwich & District team in April 1903, but had played for Northwich Victoria shortly before this in the Cheshire Amateur Cup Final – a report suggested that he had been brought in for this match and was not normally a Northwich Vics player. Also played for Vics in a friendly v Glossop shortly afterwards – was this how Goodall came to know him? Further, he was reported to have “assisted” Vics in the semi‐ final of the Cheshire Amateur Cup. Middlewich Athletic Rangers prospects for 1903/04 – “all last season’s players available except Barton, who left the town on Monday for Watford”. WFC minutes for 1 Dec 1903 recorded that it was decided to accept not less than £20 for his transfer. Signed for 1904/05 for £2.10.0 pw. 7 or 8 first‐team hat‐tricks 1903/04, as well as 4 goals in trial match. In Jan 1905 he lost his kit & bag, as did Lees. He was then suspended until end of season for being drunk. Suspended by the club after a reserve‐team match 8 Apr 1905, during which he strolled around with his hands behind his back, making no attempt to contribute to the game, claiming he had a bad foot and could hardly walk. After speaking to the captain and referee, he left the field. Good middle‐distance runner ‐ see Grimsby who’s who. Portrait in Athletic News 3/10/1904. Served in ASCMT (Army Service Corps Motor Transport) in the Great War ‐ soldier’s papers have survived, but no trace in medal‐roll index. Although he died in 1954 (address 1 Cassia Villas, Royles Place, Northwich ‐ same as on his Army papers ‐ widow Mary Maude Barton, effects £1,351), his will is dated 1911, when he lived at 191 Chester Road, Northwich. First item of will refers to his prizes won in athletic and other sports, which were bequeathed to wife, then to be distributed equally among his children “who survive me and attain the age of 21”. Obit in Northwich Chronicle refers to “big reputation” on running track and football field ‐ son of John William Barton, proprietor and licensee for many years of the Blue Barrel Inn, Chester Road, Castle. Harry educated at Old Witton Grammar School. Many successes in athletics, especially mile and half‐mile events. Brother Tom prominent at obstacle racing. The pair often attended meetings and carried off most of the chief prizes. Harry’s football career said to encompass Castle True Blues (c 1895), Grimsby, Watford, Witton Albion & Northwich Victoria. Survived by wife Maud, and one daughter, Mrs Thomas Pickup. Buried Hartford Parish Church 10/2/1954. Army papers say 40y 0m on 10/12/1915, 43y 7d on 10/5/1918 (43y 7m would have been correct), 44y on 19/4/1919, address Cassia Villa, Hartford, 187lb, 5’8”, married St John’s, Hartford 27/12/1898. 1891 Census ‐ joiner, 16, b Witton, Northwich, father a publican, Blue Barrel Inn, Hartford. 1881 census ‐ the family at 65 Albion Place, Hartford, Harry born Witton, father a waterman & publican. 5 ft 9 ins. 12 st. Edward John BASSETT (1919-1921) Winger

Born Rotherhithe, Surrey, 3 December 1887 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 25 November 1970 Watford Career Southern League & Football League: 70 appearances (9 goals) FA Cup: 3 appearances Début: 0-0 away draw v Gillingham, Southern League Div 1, 30 Aug 1919 Final game: 0-1 away defeat v Luton Town, Football League Div 3, 28 Mar 1921 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern/Football League 38; all competitions 40

Career Path Deptford Invicta; Woolwich Arsenal (amateur); Dartford (January 1909); Croydon Common trial (September 1909); Metrogas (October 1909); Charlton Albion (1910); Tottenham Hotspur; Millwall (November 1911); Newark Stanley Works (1912); Dartford (June 1912); Notts County (August 1913); Arsenal, Fulham & Tottenham Hotspur guest player during First World War; WATFORD (June 1919); Luton Town (£200 June 1921); Dartford (August 1922); Fordson’s, Cork; Finchley (November 1930)

Southern League and Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1911/12 Millwall 1 Southern League Division 1 – 8th of 20 1913/14 Notts County 35 5 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 20 (Promoted) 1914/15 Notts County 9 Football League Division 1 – 16th of 20 1919/20 WATFORD 37 6 Southern League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1920/21 WATFORD 33 3 Football League Division 3 – 6th of 22 1921/22 Luton Town 21 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22

Ted Bassett (nicknamed “Rabbit”) was a small and tricky crowd-pleasing character for two seasons on Watford’s right wing immediately after the Great War, before which he had won a Football League Division 2 championship medal with Notts County. After moving to Luton Town he was reported to the League for demanding from Watford, in writing, a share of the transfer fee. He remained resident in Watford and for a time in later years ran a snooker club in the town. (It seems likely that he was never sure of his exact date of birth, which is widely recorded as 1 January 1888. Extensive and conclusive research has established beyond doubt that he was actually born 29 days earlier. He clearly wasn’t bothered about such things, judging by his habit of stating his age incorrectly, with various discrepancies for instance on army documents, at his marriage and even in a magistrate’s court.)

Known as “Ted” & “Rabbit”. I have birth and marriage (= Mary Ann Folkard: see army service record, below) certificates. Birth registered as just Edward, and first reference to middle name John seems to be on his marriage certificate. Death index OK, probate nothing. Proof of his date of birth: (1) First World War army papers state he was a pro footballer and had married Mary Folkerd 20/7/1911; (2) his marriage certificate shows the first witness to have been “M.A.Davis” – this was obviously his mother, who on his birth certificate was “Mary Ann Bassett, formerly Davis”; (3) there is actually no trace of his parents ever having married; (4) on the Bassett/Folkard marriage his father was stated to be “Deceased”, although there is nothing in the death indexes to indicate this, and it’s clear that Mary Ann was no longer using her “married” name.) Woolwich Arsenal amateur?? – no registration. Notts County listed him at £150 cs 1919, reduced to £50. 1901 Census - aged 13, b Rotherhithe, parents Edward (40, general labourer) & Mary, address Hatteraick Street. 1891 Census – 29 Cornbury Rd, Deptford, Edward, 3, b Rotherhithe, parents Edward (30, iron plate worker) & Mary. 1911: 21 Swan Lane (doesn’t say where, but there’s a present-day Swan Street very close to Hatteraick St [see his 1901 address]), Edward, 23, stevedore, born Rotherhithe, parents Edward (50, stevedore labourer) & Mary. Enlisted in the 17th Bn Middlesex Regt (Footballers Bn) 12/1/1915 (“professional footballer, age 25”, but then “29” in December 1918), and had previously served in the RAMC (Territorials). No trace of him in medal-roll index, but his soldier’s papers have survived - 5’4¼”, Roman Catholic, wife Mary, née Folkard, married 20/7/1911, children Eileen May 22/5/1914 & Gladys Julia 19/2/1916. The papers have two home addresses - Charlton & Deptford. At court case in November 1933 he gave his age as 43 and said he was pro from age 21 to 34, then a coach until 40, when he joined Sun Engraving. Guested for Fulham March 1918 and Arsenal Aug 1918. Wrote to WFC in July 1921, demanding a share of transfer fee received from Luton. Club threatened to send letter to FL in view of his tone, and did so when he refused to withdraw it. It is recorded in the club minutes 14/9/1921 that Luton had sent the £200 fee and that the FL had pointed out that no share of it could be paid to the player. Later ran a snooker club in Watford. Living at 28 Rose Gardens, Watford in 1931. Attended Watford St Mary’s reunion dinner in April 1966. 5 ft 6½ ins / 5ft 7 ins. 10 st 8 lbs. Sébastien Aymar BASSONG (2014) Central defender (Full name Sébastien Aymar BASSONG NGUENA) Born Paris, France, 9 July 1986 Representative honours France Under-21 Cameroon Full Watford Career Football League: 11 appearances Début: 3-0 away win v Sheffield Wednesday, Football League Championship, 18 Oct 2014 Final game: 0-1 home defeat v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Football League Championship, 26 Dec 2014 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 7; all competitions 7

Career Path French Football Federation National Technical Centre, Clairefontaine (1999); FC Metz (France) (2002); Newcastle United (£500,000 August 2008); Tottenham Hotspur (£8 million August 2009); Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan January 2012); Norwich City (undisclosed fee August 2012, released June 2017); WATFORD (loan October 2014)

FA Premier League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2008/09 Newcastle United 26 4 FA Premier League, 18th of 24 (Relegated) 2009/10 Tottenham Hotspur 25 3 1 FA Premier League, 4th of 20 2010/11 Tottenham Hotspur 7 5 1 FA Premier League, 5th of 20 2011/12 Tottenham Hotspur 1 4 FA Premier League, 4th of 20 2011/12 Wolverhampton Wanderers 9 FA Premier League, 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2012/13 Norwich City 34 3 FA Premier League, 11th of 20 2013/14 Norwich City 27 FA Premier League, 19th of 20 (Relegated) 2014/15 WATFORD 11 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2014/15 Norwich City 21 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 2015/16 Norwich City 30 2 1 FA Premier League, 19th of 20 (Relegated) 2016/17 Norwich City 8 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 8th of 24

Having played commanding roles at the centre of defence in the 2014/15 promotion to the FA Premier League of both Watford (on loan) and Norwich City, Sébastien Bassong became the recipient of identical medals for the two achievements. In earlier seasons he had won Player of the Year awards for both Newcastle United and Norwich City. Colin BATEMAN (1954‐1957) Full‐back

Born Boxmoor, Hertfordshire, 22 October 1930 Watford Career Football League: 50 appearances FA Cup: 6 appearances Début: 1‐0 away win v Gillingham, Football League Div 3 (South), 16 Oct 1954 Final game: 5‐4 home win v Exeter City, Football League Div 3 (South), 7 Dec 1957 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 18; all competitions 21

Career Path Hemel Hempstead Town; WATFORD (professional March 1953); Sittingbourne (July 1958)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1954/55 WATFORD 29 Football League Division 3 (South) – 7th of 24 1955/56 WATFORD 19 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 24 1957/58 WATFORD 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 16th of 24 (Relegated)

The younger of two brothers, Colin Bateman both arrived at and left Vicarage Road a year after Ernie, whom he followed from and to the same clubs either side of his Watford service. A fair‐haired right‐back with a powerful kick, he had good runs in the first team, but then, after becoming a part‐timer at the same time as his brother in 1956, made only two senior appearances in his final two seasons with the club.

Known as “Colin”. Birth index OK. No death traced to 2005, and probate nothing to end of 2010. Brother of Ernie. Part‐time from cs 1956. 5 ft 10 ins. 12 st 3 lbs. Ernest BATEMAN (1955‐1956) Centre‐half

Born Boxmoor, Hertfordshire, 5 April 1929 Watford Career Football League: 23 appearances FA Cup: 1 appearance Southern Floodlight Cup: 1 appearance Début: 1‐4 away defeat v Norwich City, Football League Div 3 (South), 10 Sep 1955 Final game: 0‐2 away defeat v Southend United, Football League Div 3 (South), 27 Oct 1956 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 14; all competitions 9

Career Path Hemel Hempstead Town; WATFORD (professional March 1952); Sittingbourne (free August 1957); Hemel Hempstead United joint‐coach with F.Jackett (October 1960)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1955/56 WATFORD 21 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 24 1956/57 WATFORD 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 24

This was a tall centre‐half who, like his brother Colin, became one of the many Watford players of the 1950s who ended their careers in the Kent League. Ernie later joined Hemel Hempstead United as joint‐coach with former Vicarage Road colleague Frank Jackett. The Batemans were the last brothers for more than three decades to play League football for Watford.

Known as “Ernie”. Birth index OK. No death traced to 2005, and probate nothing to end of 2010. Brother of Colin. Part‐time from cs 1957. 6 ft 1 in. 13 st 1 lb. William Harold BATES (1948‐1949) Winger

Born Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, 13 January 1922 Died Luton, Bedfordshire, August 1997 Watford Career Football League: 13 appearances (1 goal) Second World War competitions: 1 appearance Début in peacetime competitions: 4‐2 home win v Swansea Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 18 Dec 1948 Final game: 0‐1 away defeat v Leyton Orient, Football League Div 3 (South), 26 Mar 1949 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 8; all competitions 8

Career Path Waterlows; Luton Town (amateur May 1939, professional September 1941); WATFORD (guest player December 1942, signed July 1948, released close season 1949); Dunstable Town (by October 1955)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1946/47 Luton Town 1 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 22 1948/49 WATFORD 13 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 17th of 22

His Watford début was on Christmas Day 1942 – six years before he joined the club – when as a Luton Town player he was loaned to the visitors when they turned up at Kenilworth Road a man short. After the war Billy Bates played on both wings in his first‐team run at Vicarage Road, at a time when things were not going well. Only two of the games in which he appeared were won, and eight were lost.

Known as “Billy”. Birth & death indexes OK. Probate – nothing. FL card says William Henry, death index William Harold. Re this discrepancy, there’s no birth notice in Dunstable Borough Gazette, but Luton News covers Eaton Bray and might be worth a try.