Miguel Arturo LAYÚN (2015) Midfielder (Full name Miguel Arturo LAYÚN PRADO) Born Córdoba, Mexico, 25 June 1988 Representative honours Mexico Full Watford Career Football League & FA Premier League: 16+4 appearances (1 goal) Football League Cup: 1 appearance Début: 1-3 away defeat v Huddersfield Town, Football League Championship, 10 Jan 2015 Final game: (as sub) 0-2 away defeat v Manchester City, FA Premier League, 29 Aug 2015 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 11; all competitions 11
Career Path Tiberunes Rojos de Veracruz (Mexico) (2006); Atalanta (Italy) (€625,000 2009); Club América (Mexico) (2010); Granada (Spain) (December 2014); WATFORD (undisclosed fee January 2015); Porto (Portugal) (€500,000 loan September 2015, €6 million permanent transfer July 2016); Sevilla (Spain) (loan January 2018)
Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2014/15 WATFORD 14 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2015/16 WATFORD 2 1 1 FA Premier League – 13th of 20
The first Mexican to play in Italy’s Serie A, Miguel Layún represented his native country as a full-back in the 2014 World Cup Finals, but was used by Watford as an energetic midfielder in the second half of a season in which the club won promotion to the FA Premier League. He then went on to help Mexico win the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, in which Adrian Mariappa and Jobi McAnuff were in the Jamaica side that was beaten in the Final. Layún is descended from grandfathers of Lebanese and Spanish nationality, respectively.
****Watford will get 20 per cent if he is sold by Porto for a fee exceeding €6.5 million*** Lebanese paternal grandfather, Spanish maternal grandfather. First Mexican to play in Italy’s Serie A. Played in 2014 World Cup Finals. Frederick John Sidney LE MAY (1932) Winger
Born Bethnal Green, London, 2 February 1907 Died Hoo, Suffolk, 13 September 1988 Watford Career Football League: 4 appearances Début: 2-2 away draw v Clapton Orient, Football League Div 3 (South), 2 Jan 1932 Final game: 1-2 home defeat v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 12 Mar 1932 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 2; all competitions 2
Career Path Clark’s College; Bulpham; Laindon Hills; Tilbury; Southend United Reserves (half a season); Grays Thurrock; Grays Athletic; Woking; Thames (amateur July 1930, professional May 1931); WATFORD (“small fee” July 1931); Clapton Orient (August 1932); Margate (August 1933); Chelmsford (permit to play as an amateur granted August 1936)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1930/31 Thames 34 4 Football League Division 3 (South) – 20th of 22 1931/32 WATFORD 4 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1932/33 Clapton Orient 10 Football League Division 3 (South) – 20th of 22
Standing just five feet tall (actually two inches shorter than that, his son was to say later), Fred Le May is reputed to have been the shortest player in Football League history, and very probably he was. He was one of a succession of right-wingers whose first-team aspirations at Vicarage Road were thwarted by Billy Chapman’s consistency. It was as a 23-year-old amateur that Le May made his Football League début – against Watford, for whom his brother Leslie signed amateur forms for 1931/32. The pair had played together for Thames as amateurs, one on either wing, in the final League game of the previous season. Fred’s full-time career was ended by a broken ankle sustained while with Clapton Orient.
Known as “Fred”. Birth & death (Deben reg dist – office is in Woodbridge) indexes OK, probate nothing. Clark’s College is an independent secondary school in Ilford, providing business & commerical education. Originally listed by Watford at £150 cs 1932, but reduced to £50. FL début was v Watford 11/10/1930, as an amateur. Brother Leslie G. also played for Grays Athletic & Thames (1930/31) and signed am forms for Watford August 1931. 5ft. 9 st 12 lbs - but player himself says 7st 2lb in pen pic in Athletic News cuttings. His son says 4ft 10in, and 7 st.
James LEAVER (1926‐1927) Centre‐half
Born Blackburn, Lancashire, 26 December 1897 Died Blackburn, Lancashire, 1959 Watford Career Football League: 35 appearances (3 goals) Début: 1‐0 home win v Charlton Athletic, Football League Div 3 (South), 28 Aug 1926 Final game: 0‐3 away defeat v Southend United, Football League Div 3 (South), 3 Dec 1927 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 25; all competitions 25
Career Path Accrington Stanley (July 1919); Blackburn Rovers (December 1919); Blackpool (May 1920); WATFORD (July 1926); Mossley (August 1928); Stalybridge Celtic (player‐manager July 1932, committee member August 1936); Mossley secretary‐manager (July 1939)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1920/21 Blackpool 3 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 22 1921/22 Blackpool 4 1 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 22 1922/23 Blackpool 26 1 Football League Division 2 – 5th of 22 1923/24 Blackpool 28 1 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 22 1924/25 Blackpool 33 Football League Division 2 – 17th of 22 1925/26 Blackpool 10 1 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 22 1926/27 WATFORD 24 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 22 1927/28 WATFORD 11 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22
After being quickly discarded by his home‐town club without making a Football League appearance, Jimmy Leaver had plenty of Second Division experience in his six years with Blackpool. A big and powerful defender, he played most of his Watford football in the position for which he was best equipped, centre‐half, and captained the side for a time towards the end of his first season.
Known as “Jimmy”. Birth & death (M1959) indexes OK, probate nothing. 5 ft 11 ins / 6 ft / 6 ft 1½ ins. 12 st 3lbs / 12 st 6 lbs / 14 st. John LEE (1924‐1925) Winger
Born Sheffield, Yorkshire, 1890 Died Hull, Yorkshire, 10 August 1955 Watford Career Football League: 8 appearances Début: 1‐0 home win v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 30 Aug 1924 Final game: 1‐0 home win v Bristol Rovers, Football League Div 3 (South), 31 Jan 1925 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 7; all competitions 7
Career Path ‘An Ashfield team’ (aged 16); Bird in Hand, Sheffield; Hull City (March 1913); Chelsea (£1,500 February 1920); WATFORD (free July 1924); Rotherham United (June 1925, released 1926)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1913/14 Hull City 22 3 Football League Division 2 – 7th of 20 1914/15 Hull City 29 7 Football League Division 2 – 7th of 20 1919/20 Hull City 24 9 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 22 1919/20 Chelsea 4 1 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 22 1920/21 Chelsea 2 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 22 1922/23 Chelsea 1 Football League Division 1 – 19th of 22 1924/25 WATFORD 8 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1925/26 Rotherham United 17 2 Football League Division 3 (North) – 14th of 22
Discovered in local football in Sheffield, he was brought into the professional game by Hull City, where his progress induced Chelsea to part with a useful fee, but he made only seven Football League appearances before being released after more than four years at Stamford Bridge. Jack Lee began the 1924/25 season as Watford’s 34‐year‐old first‐team outside‐left, but soon lost his place. He and his brother Willis both played in Rotherham United’s first team in 1925/26, but never in the same match. Jack retired from the game at the end of that season.
Known as “Jack”. Death index OK, probate nothing. 5 ft 8 ins / 5 ft 10¼ ins. 11 st 2 lbs / 12 st.
Jason Benedict LEE (1997-1998) Centre-forward
Born Forest Gate, London, 9 May 1971 Watford Career Football League: 36+1 appearances (11 goals) FA Cup: 4 appearances Football League Cup: 4 appearances Full Members Cup: 1 appearance Début: 1-0 home win v Burnley, Football League Div 2, 9 Aug 1997 Final game: 0-1 away defeat v Cambridge United, Football League Cup 1st Round 1st Leg, 11 Aug 1998 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 12; all competitions 16
Career Path Charlton Athletic (trainee October 1987, professional June 1989); Fisher Athletic (loan); Stockport County (loan February 1991); Lincoln City (£35,000 March 1991); Southend United (£150,000/£250,000 August 1993); Nottingham Forest (£200,000 March 1994); Charlton Athletic (loan February 1997); Grimsby Town (loan March 1997); WATFORD (£200,000 June 1997, plus a subsequent £20,000 increment based on first-team appearances); Chesterfield (£250,000 August 1998); Peterborough United (loan January 2000, £50,000 March 2000); Scarborough trial (July 2003); Falkirk (free August 2003); Boston United (July 2004); Northampton Town (free January 2006); Notts County (free June 2006); Mansfield Town (free August 2008); Kettering Town (January 2009); Corby Town (March 2009); Ilkeston Town (April 2010 – “retired” November 2010); Arnold Town (briefly March 2011); Lincoln City hospitality host (March 2011); Boston United (joint caretaker-coach March 2011, also player April 2011, joint-manager May 2011, manager April 2012 until December 2012); Professional Footballers’ Association staff (by November 2013)
Football League , FA Premier League & Scottish League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1989/90 Charlton Athletic 1 Football League Division 1 – 19th of 20 (Relegated) 1990/91 Stockport County 2 Football League Division 4 – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1990/91 Lincoln City 17 3 Football League Division 4 – 14th of 24 1991/92 Lincoln City 33 2 6 Football League Division 4 – 10th of 22 1992/93 Lincoln City 36 5 12 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 8th of 22 1993/94 Southend United 18 6 3 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 15th of 24 1993/94 Nottingham Forest 10 3 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1994/95 Nottingham Forest 5 17 3 FA Premier League – 3rd of 22 1995/96 Nottingham Forest 21 7 8 FA Premier League – 9th of 20 1996/97 Nottingham Forest 5 8 1 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1996/97 Charlton Athletic 7 1 3 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 15th of 24 1996/97 Grimsby Town 2 5 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) - 22nd of 24 (Relegated) 1997/98 WATFORD 35 1 10 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1998/99 WATFORD 1 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 5th of 24 (Promoted) 1998/99 Chesterfield 14 8 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 9th of 24 1999/00 Chesterfield 3 3 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 1999/00 Peterborough United 23 6 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 5th of 24 (Promoted) 2000/01 Peterborough United 14 16 8 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 12th of 24 2002/03 Peterborough United 12 13 3 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 11th of 24 2003/04 Falkirk 27 2 8 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 4th of 20 2004/05 Boston United 32 7 9 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 16th of 24 2005/06 Boston United 11 6 2 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 11th of 24 2005/06 Northampton Town 8 3 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2006/07 Notts County 37 1 15 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 13th of 24 2007/08 Notts County 22 9 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 21st of 24
A journeyman centre-forward who played for 12 Football League clubs in England and one in Scotland, Jason Lee led Watford’s attack in the 1997/98 third-tier championship-winning season. He was never a prolific goalscorer, but his modest total that season was more than that of any of his colleagues, and it included the goals which clinched both promotion (at Bristol City) and the championship (at Fulham). He was one of a number of English players invited in February 2000 to represent the Cayman Islands. Anyone with a British passport was eligible, it was said. He declined, and anyway it subsequently transpired that five years’ registration with the Cayman Islands FA was also necessary ......
Known as “Jason”. Birth index OK. Refused to honour an agreement to live in the Watford area (or rather I think his missus refused) and was sold. Lee himself says Southend paid £250,000, reference books don’t say anything, one report says £150,000.
Richard Anthony LEE (2003-2009) Goalkeeper
Born Oxford, 5 October 1982 Representative Honours England Youth Watford Career Football League & FA Premier League: 91+3 appearances FA Cup: 4 appearances Football League Cup: 12 appearances Début: 0-1 home defeat v Preston North End, Football League Div 1, 4 Mar 2003 Final game: 1-2 away defeat v Leeds United, Football League Cup 2nd Round, 25 Aug 2009 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League/Football League 31; all competitions 29
Career Path Bedgrove Dynamos; WATFORD (trained from age 11, schoolboy November 1996, scholar May 1999, professional March 2001); Blackburn Rovers (loan August 2005 until close season 2006); Brentford (free June 2010, retired close season 2015); Fulham (loan March 2015)
Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2002/03 WATFORD 4 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2004/05 WATFORD 33 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 18th of 24 2006/07 WATFORD 9 1 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2007/08 WATFORD 36 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 6th of 24 2008/09 WATFORD 9 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2010/11 Brentford 22 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 11th of 24 2011/12 Brentford 37 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 9th of 24 2012/13 Brentford 3 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 3rd of 24 2013/14 Brentford 4 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted)
Richard Lee’s first-team career as Watford’s goalkeeper followed a strangely inconsistent pattern, with two seasons of regular action interspersed with long periods out of the side – and a season-long loan to Blackburn Rovers in which he made not a single senior appearance. In October 2008 he achieved the remarkable feat of saving three penalty kicks in two Football League matches in the space of four days (two at Southampton and one at home against Cardiff City), and later for Brentford he saved a shoot-out penalty kick which gave his team victory over a strong Everton side in a Football League Cup tie. He was capped at Under-20 level.
Known as “Richard”. Birth index OK. Blackburn took him on loan for a season, with an option to buy at end of season for £500,000, rising to possible £750,000 via increments based on apps. First U-20 cap December 2002.
William LEES (1904‐1905) Half‐back / Forward (known as Don LEES – but actually William LEE) Born Cronberry, Ayrshire, 25 May 1873 Watford Career Southern League: 6 appearances (2 goals) FA Cup: 1 appearance South Eastern League: 7 appearances (5 goals) Début: 2‐0 away win v Millwall, Southern League Div 1, 3 Sep 1904 Final game: 2‐0 home win v New Brompton, Southern League Div 1, 28 Jan 1905 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 3; all competitions 6
Career Path Cronberry Eglinton; Celtic (September 1892); Lincoln City (July 1893); Celtic (June 1894); Lincoln City (October 1894 until close season 1895); Barnsley St Peter’s (name changed to Barnsley in 1897) (May 1895); Darwen (May 1896); Barnsley (May 1897); WATFORD (May 1904 until February 1905); Barnsley (March 1905); Denaby United (May 1905)
Scottish League & Football League & Southern League Career
Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1892/93 Celtic 1 Scottish League – 1st of 10 1893/94 Lincoln City 28 17 Football League Division 2 – 8th of 15 1894/95 Celtic 3 2 Scottish League Division 1 – 2nd of 10 1894/95 Lincoln City 24 7 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 16 1896/97 Darwen 20 8 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 16 1898/99 Barnsley 31 8 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 18 1899/00 Barnsley 34 7 Football League Division 2 – 16th of 18 1900/01 Barnsley 28 4 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 18 1901/02 Barnsley 32 10 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 18 1902/03 Barnsley 29 8 Football League Division 2 – 8th of 18 1903/04 Barnsley 33 4 Football League Division 2 – 8th of 18 1904/05 WATFORD 6 2 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 18 1904/05 Barnsley 1 Football League Division 2 – 7th of 18
Falling well short of the club’s requirements in the matter of personal conduct, Don Lees (or William Lee, as he actually was) was twice sacked (and once reinstated) for repeated transgressions, mostly booze‐related. His wife even wrote to the committee, offering to come down from Barnsley and live with him and keep him in order. When finally sacking him the club presented him with a single ticket home from Watford Junction to the Yorkshire town, in which he’d earlier been a major figure with the local Football League club, which he captained. He was a versatile half‐back or forward. Such was the endless confusion over his name that the birth of his first child was registered as John George Lee and the second, the following year, as Louisa Mary Lees.
Known as “Don”. I have copy of birth register: William Lee, born 19pm on 25 May 1973 at 316 Cronberry, parish of Auchinleck, Ayrshire, father John Lee, iron miner, mother Eliza, maiden surname Andrew, married 14 Oct 1864 at Saltcoats, Ardrossan. 1891 census: 253 Cronberry – John Lee, ironstone miner, 50, Eliza, 48, William, 17, Theresa, 15, Edward Burns, 25. 1901 census: 2 New Grace Terrace, Barnsley – William Lee, head, 27, colliery labourer above ground, born Scotland; Mary E.Lee, wife, 29, born Lincoln’s Aby [sic], John G., son 4, born Barnsley, Louisa M., daughter, 3, born Barnsley, Andrew Swan, boarder, 23, stone cutter below, born Scotland. No trace of the marriage. The son John George’s birth was registered S1896 as Lee, and Louisa Mary’s D1897 as Lees. Signed for £3 pw. When he joined Watford, the Barnsley press reported that: “A popular favourite, the old player Donald Lees, owing to reasons for which he alone in responsible, has ended his connection with the club after several seasons, and Watford is his new home.” Watford committee minutes record repeated drunkenness. His wife even wrote to the committee, undertaking to come down and live with him and keep him in order. Suspended sine die by the club October 1904, but reinstated by the committee 15/11/1904. Then absent and drunk, then lost his kit and bag, as did Barton, in January 1905. Again suspended sine die and fined £1 for losing his kit February 1905, when the committee instructed Goodall to purchase a rail ticket to take him back to his Barnsley home. This was done. Barnsley FC made an enquiry, and Watford placed a £25 fee on his head, but at the next meeting decided to release him. FA registrations: D. (Denaby Utd May 1905), W. (Coalville Excelsior August 1905), D. (Denaby Utd April 1906 for 1906/07), W. (Coalville Excelsior May 1906 ‐ transferred to Coalville Town April 1907), Coalville Town (May 1907), D. (Monk Bretton Colliery & Inst September 1907), W. (Coalville Town September 1908) & D. (South Kirkby Colliery September 1908).
Walter Joseph LEES (1968‐1976) Centre‐half
Born Glasgow, 2 February 1947 Representative Honours Scotland ‘Junior’ Watford Career Football League: 220+6 appearances (10 goals) FA Cup: 17 appearances (1 goal) Football League Cup: 10 appearances Début: 1‐1 away draw v Bristol Rovers, Football League Div 3, 10 Aug 1968 Final game: 1‐5 away defeat v Lincoln City, Football League Div 4, 26 Mar 1976 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 50; all competitions 60
Career Path St Roch’s (amateur June 1964); Celtic (professional August 1964); St Roch’s (June 1965); Kilsyth Rangers; WATFORD (£500 June 1968); Barnet (free July 1976 until at least February 1978); Hayes (by November 1979)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1968/69 WATFORD 14 3 3 Football League Division 3 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1969/70 WATFORD 28 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 22 1970/71 WATFORD 38 1 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 22 1971/72 WATFORD 24 1 Football League Division 2 – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1972/73 WATFORD 38 Football League Division 3 – 19th of 24 1973/74 WATFORD 42 2 Football League Division 3 – 7th of 24 1974/75 WATFORD 20 3 Football League Division 3 – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1975/76 WATFORD 16 2 1 Football League Division 4 – 8th of 24
This unspectacular but consistent centre‐half played in Watford’s first FA Cup Semi‐final and was the club’s longest‐serving player by the time he was released. Before crossing the border Walter Lees had twice captained the Scotland ‘Junior’ side (equivalent to what in England is ‘non‐League’). He had also completed a five‐year glazing apprenticeship, and he resumed his connections with the trade after settling in Watford.
Known as “Walter”. Birth index OK. Captained Scotland Juniors v Ireland & Wales in 1967/68. Served a 5‐year apprenticeship as a glazier before leaving Scotland and worked as a double‐glazing salesman for Bridgewater Glass, Vicarage Rd, Watford, by April 1984. Address in March 1992: 89 Leggatts Wood Ave, Watford – still there in 2009 (01923 240197). Ht 5 ft 10 ins. Wt 11 st 4 lbs.
Kenneth Gordon LESSLIE (1948) Winger
Born West Ham, Essex, 4 January 1923 Died Leigh‐on‐Sea, Essex, 12 December 1991 Watford Career Football League: 7 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 1 appearance (1 goal) Début: 4‐1 home win v Reading, Football League Div 3 (South), 28 Aug 1948 Final game: 1‐2 away defeat v Leytonstone, FA Cup 1st Round, 4 Dec 1948 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 7; all competitions 7
Career Path Ipswich Town (August 1947); WATFORD (July 1948, released close season 1949)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1948/49 WATFORD 7 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 17th of 22
At the end of the 1947/48 season, which he’d spent in the Reserves at Portman Road, Ken Lesslie played for Watford as a trialist in a charity match against Edgware Town. He was taken on for the following season, and although he scored on his first appearance in both League and Cup, his career as the first‐team right‐winger was a brief one.
Known as “Ken”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. Played v Edgware 8 May 1948 as a trialist. Bernard LEWIS (1967‐1970) Winger
Born Aberfan, Glamorgan, 12 March 1945 Representative Honours Wales Under‐23 Watford Career Football League: 41+10 appearances (9 goals) FA Cup: 3 appearances Football League Cup: 3 appearances Début: 7‐1 home win v Grimsby Town, Football League Div 3, 2 Dec 1967 Final game: 0‐1 away defeat v Blackburn Rovers, Football League Div 2, 17 Jan 1970 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 8; all competitions 9
Career Path Treharris Boys Club; Cardiff City (amateur May 1961, professional April 1964); WATFORD (£8,000 November 1967); Southend United (free September 1970); Chelmsford City (free July 1972)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1963/64 Cardiff City 16 1 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 22 1964/65 Cardiff City 31 4 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 22 1965/66 Cardiff City 24 1 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 22 1966/67 Cardiff City 15 1 1 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 22 1967/68 Cardiff City 1 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 22 1967/68 WATFORD 14 1 4 Football League Division 3 – 6th of 24 1968/69 WATFORD 10 6 3 Football League Division 3 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1969/70 WATFORD 17 3 2 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 22 1970/71 Southend United 31 1 Football League Division 4 – 18th of 24 1971/72 Southend United 24 3 5 Football League Division 4 – 2nd of 24 (Promoted)
After making his Watford début in a 7‐1 mauling of Grimsby Town (whose side included Graham Taylor), this winger had frequent bursts of first‐team action without ever establishing himself. His final senior run, the longest he had, lasted nine games. On 8 April 1969 Bernard Lewis scored in a Football League match with his first kick after coming on as a substitute – and did exactly the same thing six months to the day later.
Known as “Bernard”. Birth index OK. 5 ft 8 ins. 11 st 4 lbs.
Daniel James LEWIS (1931‐1939) Full‐back
Born Troedrhiwfuwch, Glamorgan, 21 June 1909 Died Tipton St John, Devon, 7 October 1980 Watford Career Football League: 111 appearances FA Cup: 5 appearances Division 3 (South) Cup: 8 appearances Second World War competitions: 62 appearances Début: 2‐3 away defeat v Thames, Football League Div 3 (South), 16 Feb 1931 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 41; all competitions 47
Career Path New Tredegar; WATFORD (March 1930 until 1944/45)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1930/31 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 18th of 22 1931/32 WATFORD 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1932/33 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1933/34 WATFORD 23 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1934/35 WATFORD 12 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22 1935/36 WATFORD 38 Football League Division 3 (South) – 5th of 22 1936/37 WATFORD 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1937/38 WATFORD 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1938/39 WATFORD 17 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1939/40 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – season abandoned
The first of the substantial influx from south Wales in the 1930s, which included his brother George, Jim Lewis gave long service as a non‐scoring full‐back, but had many long periods out of the first team. He continued to play regularly in wartime fixtures until December 1941, and in 1944/45 took part in the resumption of reserve‐team football, which had been discontinued on the outbreak of war. He became the proprietor of a shoe‐mending business in Durban Road.
Known as “Jim”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. Brother of T.G. Married Miss C. Kerr 6/7/1935. Played for Reserves 1944/45. In Harefield Hospital for an operation April 1956. 5 ft 10 ins. 11 st.
Thomas LEWIS (1920) Winger
Watford Career Southern League: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 3‐0 away win v Brentford, Southern League Div 1, 28 Feb 1920
Career Path WATFORD (amateur until close season 1922); Stalybridge Celtic guest player during First World War
Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1919/20 WATFORD 1 Southern League Division 1 – 2nd of 22
He played outside‐left in a benefit match, and in just that one Southern League fixture, which gave Watford their biggest away win for five years in any match in peacetime or during the Great War. The club was well‐served on the wings at this time, and Lewis didn’t play in the first‐team again, although his Southern League amateur registration was carried forward on entry to the Football League and retained for two seasons.
Jim Creasy says “T.Lewis, a Watford player, guested for Stalybridge Celtic January 1919” – I thought he must mean 1920, but he says he got this from a Manchester‐published Sporting Chronicle of January 1919.)
Thomas George LEWIS (1936‐1946) Full‐back / Centre‐forward
Born Troedrhiwfuwch, Glamorgan, 20 October 1913 Died Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 6 August 1981 Watford Career Football League: 25 appearances (11 goals) FA Cup: 9 appearances (4 goals) Division 3 (South) Cup: 8 appearances (3 goals) Second World War competitions: 129 appearances (102 goals) Début: 1‐2 away defeat v Millwall, Football League Div 3 (South), 26 Sep 1936 Final game in peacetime competitions: 0‐5 away defeat v Birmingham City, FA Cup 4th Round 1st Leg, 26 Jan 1946 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 10; all peacetime competitions 10
Career Path New Tredegar; WATFORD (amateur August 1933, professional December 1933); Chester guest player during Second World War; Southampton (July 1946); Brighton & Hove Albion (£1,100 June 1948); Dartford (August 1949 until at least October 1952, when he was also groundsman)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1936/37 WATFORD 7 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1937/38 WATFORD 5 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1938/39 WATFORD 13 9 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1939/40 WATFORD 1 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – season abandoned 1946/47 Southampton 28 12 Football League Division 2 – 14th of 22 1947/48 Southampton 15 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 22 1948/49 Brighton & Hove Albion 24 8 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22
He followed his brother Jim from The Valleys and, as the statistics show, became a classic example of a player whose best years were lost to the Second World War. Converted from full‐back to centre‐forward, George Lewis scored freely in the wartime competitions, and twice hit eleven goals in a sequence of four games. His versatility extended to the goalkeeping role, which he performed for the Reserves in a 1936 injury crisis and was on the winning side against Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, who were beaten 5‐1. Seventy years later his great‐granddaughter became a more regular goalkeeper – for Watford FC Ladies.
Known as “George”. Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Guested for Chester 1944/45. Married at St Michael’s Church 28/12/1940. Recovering from a chest operation in Harefield Hospital, September 1979. In 1995 granddaughter Donna Lewis at 267 St Agnells Lane, Grovehill, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 6EQ (01442 253153). His great‐granddaughter Rachel kept goal for Watford FC Ladies in 2006/07. 5 ft 10 ins. 11 st.
James Stuart LIDDERDALE (1894) Full‐back
Born Bombay, India, 1860 Died Graffham, Sussex, 25 February 1932 West Herts Career FA Cup: 1 appearance FA Amateur Cup: 3 appearances Début: 2‐3 away defeat v Tottenham Hotspur, FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round, 13 Oct 1894 Final game: 2‐4 away defeat v Maidenhead, FA Amateur Cup 3rd Qualifying Round replay, 8 Dec 1894 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 4
Career Path Sunnyside; WEST HERTS; Hertfordshire
Born in India to a merchant father who was born in St Petersburg, he played in 18 friendly matches in the club’s pre‐Southern League era (in two of which he was partnered at full‐back by his brother) as well as his four cup‐tie appearances. He took up an appointment in Burma in August 1895.
ALSO 18 APPS IN FRIENDLIES PRE‐1896/97. Death index & probate OK. Died at Mount Pleasant, Graffham, Petworth. 1891 census: Jamie [sic – everywhere else James] S., 20, merchant’s clerk, born Bombay, father a retired merchant born St Petersburg. Brother of F.J., who played for the club in friendlies. James Young LINDSAY (1971‐1973) Midfielder
Born Hamilton, Lanarkshire, 12 July 1949 Watford Career Football League: 64+1 appearances (12 goals, including 1 penalty) FA Cup: 1 appearance Football League Cup: 7 appearances (1 goal) Début: 0‐3 away defeat v Fulham, Football League Div 2, 14 Aug 1971 Final game: 1‐0 home win v Chelmsford City, FA Cup 1st Round, 24 Nov 1973 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 19; all competitions 20
Career Path West Ham United (youth team, professional August 1966); WATFORD (£20,000 May 1971); Colchester United (free July 1974); Hereford United (August 1975); Shrewsbury Town (August 1977 until close season 1981)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1968/69 West Ham United 5 1 Football League Division 1 – 8th of 22 1969/70 West Ham United 17 2 Football League Division 1 – 17th of 22 1970/71 West Ham United 14 2 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 22 1971/72 WATFORD 36 2 Football League Division 2 – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1972/73 WATFORD 15 6 Football League Division 3 – 19th of 24 1973/74 WATFORD 13 1 4 Football League Division 3 – 7th of 24 1974/75 Colchester United 45 6 Football League Division 3 – 11th of 24 1975/76 Hereford United 46 2 Football League Division 3 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1976/77 Hereford United 33 4 Football League Division 2 – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1977/78 Shrewsbury Town 35 Football League Division 3 – 11th of 24 1978/79 Shrewsbury Town 27 3 Football League Division 3 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1979/80 Shrewsbury Town 11 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 22 1980/81 Shrewsbury Town 7 3 Football League Division 2 – 14th of 22
His pedigree as a First Division player alongside Moore, Peters and Hurst induced Ken Furphy to lay out a club‐record fee shortly before his own resignation. The club fell into steep decline, as a result of which this creative midfielder soon became a lower‐divisions player. At the end of his first Watford season he was placed on the transfer list with a valuation of £20,000 (the amount he had cost), but actually remained with club until released two years later. Jimmy Lindsay later ran a pub in Shrewsbury, where his Football League career ended.
Known as “Jimmy”. Birth index OK. Running a Shrewsbury pub in November 1985. Phone no in September 1995 ‐ 01743 362112. 5 ft 7½ ins. 12 st / 10 st 2 lbs.
Thomas LINDSAY (1930) Winger
Born Paisley, Renfrewshire, 11 March 1903 Died Leyland, Lancashire, 25 January 1979 Watford Career Football League: 7 appearances FA Cup: 2 appearances (1 goal) Début: 6‐2 home win v Newport County, Football League Div 3 (South), 25 Oct 1930 Final game: 1‐6 away defeat v Crystal Palace, Football League Div 3 (South), 17 Dec 1930 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 7; all competitions 9
Career Path Babcock & Wilcox (1920); Renfrew Juniors (1922/23); Pollok (1923/24); Ardeer Thistle; Kilmarnock (September 1924); Alloa (free June 1926); Reading (free July 1927); Wigan Borough (August 1928); Rochdale (June 1929); WATFORD (free September 1930, initially on trial); New Brighton (free July 1931); Southport (November 1931); Chester (December 1931); Prescot Cables (February 1932); Wrexham (July 1933); Leyland Motors (April 1934)
Scottish League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1924/25 Kilmarnock 22 2 Scottish League Division 1 – 12th of 20 1925/26 Kilmarnock 25 8 Scottish League Division 1 – 9th of 20 1926/27 Alloa ? ? Scottish League Division 2 – 15th of 20 1927/28 Reading 10 3 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 22 1928/29 Wigan Borough 22 4 Football League Division 3 (North) – 4th of 22 1929/30 Rochdale 7 Football League Division 3 (North) – 10th of 22 1930/31 WATFORD 7 Football League Division 3 (South) – 18th of 22 1931/32 New Brighton 7 Football League Division 3 (North) – 20th of 21 1931/32 Southport 2 Football League Division 3 (North) – 7th of 21
He had a run of nine straight games at outside‐left before the ink was dry on his contract, which followed a trial period, but then Bill Pick was signed and replaced him immediately. Jock Lindsay was never selected for the first team again, and was off on one of his frequent moves at the end of the season. His only Watford goal was in a 5‐1 FA Cup 1st Round victory at Walthamstow Avenue.
Known as “Jock”. Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Kilmarnock Sep 1924 was his first SFL registration. Listed at £25 by Alloa cs 1927, but subsequently released. He’s not the player who moved from Liverpool to Bangor City in January 1933. Died at 37 School Lane, Leyland, Preston, PR5 1TU, where daughter Miss Hilda Lindsay still lived in 1993. 5 ft 6¼ ins. 11 st 4 lbs.
William LINDSAY (1903‐1906) Full‐back
Born Stockton‐on‐Tees, County Durham, 10 December 1872 Died Luton, Bedfordshire, 27 February 1933 Watford Career Southern League: 59 appearances FA Cup: 9 appearances South Eastern League: 20 appearances United League: 7 appearances Début: 3‐1 away win v Grays United, Southern League Div 2, 5 Sep 1903 Final game: 10‐1 home win v Grays United, United League, 28 Feb 1906 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 17; all competitions 20
Career Path Stockton St John’s (1½ years); Stockton (4 years); Everton (April 1893); Grimsby Town (May 1894); Newcastle United (February 1898); Luton Town (free May 1900); WATFORD (May 1903); Luton Town (April 1907); Hitchin Town (September 1907)
Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1893/94 Everton 9 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 16 1894/95 Grimsby Town 30 Football League Division 2 – 5th of 16 1895/96 Grimsby Town 29 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 16 1896/97 Grimsby Town 25 1 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 16 1897/98 Grimsby Town 22 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 16 1897/98 Newcastle United 9 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 16 (Promoted) 1898/99 Newcastle United 29 1 Football League Division 1 – 13th of 18 1899/00 Newcastle United 23 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 18 1900/01 Luton Town 20 Southern League Division 1 – 10th of 15 1901/02 Luton Town 23 1 Southern League Division 1 – 7th of 16 1902/03 Luton Town 25 2 Southern League Division 1 – 11th of 16 1903/04 WATFORD 18 Southern League Division 2 – 1st of 11 (Promoted) 1904/05 WATFORD 27 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 18 1905/06 WATFORD 14 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 18
A fast and powerful full‐back who was Newcastle United’s first top‐flight captain and also skippered Grimsby Town, Luton Town and, in 1905/06, Watford. Billy Lindsay nevertheless displayed a casual approach to attendance at training, for which he was twice fined, and also was recorded in the committee minutes in 1905 as having been “spotted at Kempton Park on a Saturday”. His brother Jimmy was a member of the Bury side which defeated Derby County 6‐0 in the 1902/03 FA Cup final.
Known as “Billy”. There were 2 possible birth registrations M1873. Death index OK, probate nothing. Retired after one or two seasons with Hitchin Town. The Luton history says no goals 1901/02, and 26 SL apps 1902/03. Brother of Jimmy (Newcastle, Burnley, Bury ‐ won FA Cup with Bury). Signed for the club for £5 down, £2.10.0 pw in summer and £3.10.0 pw in winter. Winter wage for 1904/05 was £3 pw. Signed for 1905/06 for £10 signing‐on fee, 30/‐ pw in summer and £3 winter. Entry in club minutes sometime between Feb & Oct 1905 says he was spotted at Kempton Park on a Saturday. Was cautioned circa November 1905 for being absent from training, and was subsequently fined £1 for being late for training. Then appeared before the committee with Kelly, and both were fined, but Lindsay’s fine was refunded to him after he’d written to the committee. On joining Hitchin, said in a newspaper interview that he hadn’t kicked a ball for 17 months ‐ can this be right? 5 ft 11 ins. 13 st.
James LINTON (1959‐1963) Goalkeeper
Born Tollcross, Lanarkshire, 2 December 1930 Watford Career Football League: 71 appearances FA Cup: 13 appearances Southern Floodlight Cup: 1 appearance Football League Cup: 3 appearances Début: 0‐0 home draw v Stockport County, Football League Div 4, 22 Aug 1959 Final game: 1‐4 home defeat v Crystal Palace, Football League Div 3, 6 Apr 1963 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 40; all competitions 48
Career Path Beith Juniors; Vale of Clyde (amateur July 1948); Kirkintilloch Rob Roy (amateur); Notts County (professional July 1951); WATFORD (June 1959); Poole Town (free July 1963); Ramsgate Athletic (3 years); Dunstable Town; Hatfield Town; West Herts Wanderers
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1952/53 Notts County 11 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 22 1955/56 Notts County 14 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 22 1956/57 Notts County 25 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 22 1957/58 Notts County 27 Football League Division 2 – 21st of 22 (Relegated) 1958/59 Notts County 37 Football League Division 3 – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1959/60 WATFORD 43 Football League Division 4 – 4th of 24 (Promoted) 1960/61 WATFORD 22 Football League Division 3 – 4th of 24 1962/63 WATFORD 6 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24
He was Watford’s last line of defence when the club won its first Football League promotion in 1959/60, which was in stark contrast to the fortunes of the five Notts County seasons in which Jimmy Linton had just played. He kept goal in all but three of the competitive first‐team games in that eventful Watford campaign, and after losing his first‐team place he stayed on as a part‐time professional, as Dave Underwood’s deputy, before eventually spending several seasons in non‐League football. At the end of his career he turned out with several other former Watford professionals for West Herts Wanderers, who played friendlies and charity games. He stayed in the area permanently and worked as self‐employed carpenter.
Known as “Jimmy”. Birth index OK. Sometimes credit with a middle initial A., but he told me himself that this is wrong. West Herts Wanderers played friendlies & charity games with the permission of the Herts FA. Is generally stated to have joined Notts in November 1952, but this is quite definitely wrong ‐ he told me a very detailed account of his signing as a pro in July 1951, and the Nottingham Guardian makes it clear that this is correct. There are omissions, discrepancies and contradictions in the FL archives, which have no doubt caused the confusion. Part‐time pro from 1961/62. In 1994 a self‐employed carpenter living at 5 Pickets Close, Bushey Heath (081‐950 3361). Ht 6 ft 1½ ins. Wt 12 st 6 lbs.
Frederick Spencer LISTER (1897‐1899) Winger (later Sir Spencer LISTER, MRCS, LRCP) Born Norwell, Nottinghamshire, 8 April 1876 Died Johannesburg, South Africa, 6 September 1939 West Herts / Watford Career Southern League: 11 appearances (3 goals) FA Cup: 1 appearance Début: 0‐8 away defeat v Dartford, Southern League Div 2, 16 Oct 1897 Final game: 0‐2 home defeat v Wolverton London & North Western Railway, Southern League Div 2 (London Section), 11 Mar 1899 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 9; all competitions 9
Career Path Newark; WEST HERTS (name changed to Watford in 1898) (amateur 1897); St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1897/98 WEST HERTS 10 3 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12 1898/99 WATFORD 1 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12
Before captaining Watford Reserves and Bart’s Hospital, where he studied medicine, this left‐winger had shown his dedication by travelling down from Nottinghamshire to play in a Southern League game at Cassio Road in January 1898. Spencer Lister emigrated to the Transvaal in 1905, became a distinguished figure in medical research in South Africa, and in 1920 was knighted for his pioneering work in the field of bacteriology. He died of a heart attack in the library of the South African Institute for Medical Research, of which he was Director.
Known as “Spencer”. Birth index OK. England/Wales probate nothing. MRCS LRCP, and knighted in 1920 for his pioneering work in the field of bacteriology. I have a copy of his signature ‐ “Spencer Lister”. “Travelled specially from Nottingham” for match v Warmley 15/1/1898. In January 1898 left the area to do a year’s medical studies, following which he hoped to return to London and resume career with West Herts. Was appointed 1899/1900 vice‐captain of the Reserves, but became captain that season ‐ also of Bart’s Hospital. Selected for Middx county trial match circa October 1899. Emigrated to Transvaal in 1905. Address registered with the GMC from 1926 until his death was South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg (of which he was Director). He died of a heart attack in the Institute’s library.
Charles Edward LIVESEY (1962‐1964) Centre‐forward
Born West Ham, Essex, 6 February 1938 Died City of London, 26 February 2005 Watford Career Football League: 64 appearances (26 goals) FA Cup: 6 appearances (1 goal) Football League Cup: 1 appearance (1 goal) Début: 1‐4 away defeat v Barnsley, Football League Div 3, 20 Oct 1962 Final game: 1‐2 away defeat v Luton Town, Football League Div 3, 25 Apr 1964 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 33; all competitions 36
Career Path Custom House; Wolverhampton Wanderers (amateur May 1955, cancelled February 1956); Southampton (March 1956); Chelsea (valued at £15,000 in a part‐exchange deal May 1959); Gillingham (£5,000 August 1961); WATFORD (£6,000 October 1962); Northampton Town (£17,000 August 1964); Brighton & Hove Albion (£7,000 September 1965); Crawley Town (free August 1969 briefly until retirement)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1958/59 Southampton 25 14 Football League Division 3 – 14th of 24 1959/60 Chelsea 25 9 Football League Division 1 – 18th of 22 1960/61 Chelsea 14 8 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1961/62 Gillingham 41 15 Football League Division 4 – 20th of 23 1962/63 Gillingham 6 2 Football League Division 4 – 5th of 24 1962/63 WATFORD 19 3 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24 1963/64 WATFORD 45 23 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 1964/65 Northampton Town 25 3 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1965/66 Northampton Town 3 1 Football League Division 1 – 21st of 22 (Relegated) 1965/66 Brighton & Hove Albion 27 11 Football League Division 3 – 15th of 24 1966/67 Brighton & Hove Albion 38 6 Football League Division 3 – 19th of 24 1967/68 Brighton & Hove Albion 40 7 Football League Division 3 – 10th of 24 1968/69 Brighton & Hove Albion 19 2 4 Football League Division 3 ‐ 12th of 24
An ex‐First Division centre‐forward – he’d partnered the young Jimmy Greaves at Stamford Bridge – whose career was mostly one of under‐achievement. At the age of 20, Charlie Livesey scored four times for Southampton in his fourth Football League appearance and was snapped up by Chelsea at the end of the season. But a return of 17 top‐flight goals in 39 outings was not enough to convince Tommy Docherty of his commitment, and he was offloaded to Fourth Division Gillingham. At Watford, however, he was goaded into fulfilling his potential for one season by incoming manager Bill McGarry, and came close to inspiring the club’s first advance to the Second Division with a campaign of cavalier displays and an individual virtuosity comparable with almost anything ever seen at Vicarage Road.
Known as “Charlie”. Birth & death (Aug 2005) indexes OK. Probate nothing. Southampton exchanged him for Huxford and £12,000. In February 1992 living at 123 Varley Rd, Custom House, E16 (071‐476 0652). Died of asbestosis, having worked with asbestos at the age of seventeen. Died in Bart’s Hospital ‐ home address at time of death was Hutton, Brentwood.
Per-Ola LJUNG (1997) Full-back
Born Almhult, Sweden, 7 November 1967 Watford Career Associate Members Cup: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 0-1 away defeat v Fulham, Associate Members Cup 1st Round, 9 Dec 1997
Career Path Hästveda IF (Sweden); IFK Hässleholm (Sweden); Helsingborgs IF (Sweden) (1988 until 1999); also WATFORD trial (non-contract December 1997, cancelled February 1998); Landskrona BoIS (Sweden) (2000 until 2002); Torns IF (Sweden) manager (2004); Helsingborgs Södra SK (Sweden) manager (2005 until 2006); Helsingborgs IF (Sweden) assistant-manager (2007); Örebro SK (Sweden) manager (2012); GAIS (Sweden) manager (June 2014)
He came to Vicarage Road as a trialist while still contracted to his Swedish club and was registered as a non-contract player. His one appearance in a first-team competition was in a match which Watford undertook with almost a complete reserve- team line-up, and when his Watford registration was cancelled two months later he returned to Sweden and resumed his career with Helsingborgs IF.
19 league apps for Helsingborgs in 1998. Scott James LOACH (2008-2012) Goalkeeper
Born Nottingham, 27 February 1988 Representative Honours England Under-21 Watford Career Football League: 153+1 appearances FA Cup: 5 appearances Football League Cup: 4 appearances Début: 1-0 home win v Bristol Rovers, Football League Cup 1st Round, 12 Aug 2008 Final game: 2-1 home win v Middlesbrough, Football League Championship, 28 Apr 2012 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 129; all competitions 44
Career Path Ipswich Town Academy (aged 8-11); Lincoln City (scholar July 2004, cancelled May 2006); loan spells with Boston United and several non-League clubs, including Grantham Town; WATFORD (professional May 2006 after trial period, for an undisclosed initial fee plus £40,000 after 30 first-team appearances); Leeds United trial (July 2007); Stafford Rangers (loan September 2007); Morecambe (loan January 2008); Bradford City (loan January 2008); Ipswich Town (£200,000 July 2012); Rotherham United (free June 2014); Bury (loan November 2014); Peterborough United (loan January 2015); Yeovil Town (loan March 2015); Notts County (free July 2015); York City (loan March 2017); Hartlepool United (free June 2017)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2007/08 Morecambe 2 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 11th of 24 2007/08 Bradford City 20 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 10th of 24 2008/09 WATFORD 30 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2009/10 WATFORD 46 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2010/11 WATFORD 46 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2011/12 WATFORD 31 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 11th of 24 2012/13 Ipswich Town 22 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2013/14 Ipswich Town 5 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 2014/15 Rotherham United 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 21st of 24 2014/15 Bury 2 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 2014/15 Peterborough United 5 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 9th of 24 2014/15 Yeovil Town 6 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 2015/16 Notts County 14 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 17th of 24 2016/17 Notts County 3 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 16th of 24
Within the space of less than a month early in 2008 Scott Loach saved penalties in his second and fourth Football League appearances – and both saves contributed to odd-goal away victories at Macclesfield, by Morecambe and Bradford City, respectively. The following season he made his Watford first-team début and soon began an unbroken sequence of 129 League appearances, the third-highest in the club’s history. The first League goal he is recorded as having conceded in Watford colours was infamously awarded when the ball crossed the line all right, but quite a long way outside the goal. He went on to win 14 Under-21 caps, and in doing so broke Gary Porter’s club record of appearances at that level of international football.
Known as “Scott”. Birth index OK (J1988). Frank William LOCK (1955‐1957) Full‐back
Born Whitechapel, London, 12 March 1922 Died Colchester, Essex, 17 March 1985 Watford Career Football League: 42 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 2 appearances Southern Floodlight Cup: 1 appearance Début: 4‐2 home win v Millwall, Football League Div 3 (South), 20 Aug 1955 Final game: 0‐4 away defeat v Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Football League Div 3 (South), 3 May 1957 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 23; all competitions 26
Career Path Finchley; Charlton Athletic (December 1945); Liverpool (£20,000 for Lock & one other player December 1953); WATFORD (June 1955, released close season 1957); Cambridge United (July 1957); Clacton Town (by 1959/60)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1946/47 Charlton Athletic 8 Football League Division 1 – 19th of 22 1947/48 Charlton Athletic 39 Football League Division 1 – 13th of 22 1948/49 Charlton Athletic 40 1 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1949/50 Charlton Athletic 25 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 22 1950/51 Charlton Athletic 42 Football League Division 1 – 17th of 22 1951/52 Charlton Athletic 41 2 Football League Division 1 – 10th of 22 1952/53 Charlton Athletic 22 4 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 22 1953/54 Charlton Athletic 5 1 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1953/54 Liverpool 18 Football League Division 1 – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1954/55 Liverpool 23 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 22 1955/56 WATFORD 34 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 24 1956/57 WATFORD 8 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 24
His long service at The Valley incorporated more than two hundred First Division outings, and he also went on the 1951 FA tour to Australia, as well as playing in other representative matches for FA XIs against the RAF and the Army, and for London against Berlin. Frank Lock suffered relegation with Liverpool before dropping down a further division a year later by returning south to join Watford. The one promotion of his career was as captain of the Clacton Town team which reached the Premier Division of the Southern League in 1960.
Known as “Frank”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. The other player transferred with him to Liverpool was Evans. He was released by Watford “with consideration”, according to FL archives. Played for FA XI v Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground 26/5/1951 (see AFS “British & Irish Special & Intermediate Internationals” booklet). Played for FA XI v RAF 29/10/1947 and v Army 26/11/1947, 3/11/1948 & 8/11/1950. Played for London v Berlin 21/11/1951. Lived at Clacton‐on‐Sea at time of death. Captained the Clacton team which won the Southern Lge 1st (not Premier) Div 1959/60. Team photo in the Southern League history. 5 ft 8½ ins. 12 st 12 lbs.
Arthur LOCKETT (1908-1912) Full-back
Born Madeley Heath, Staffordshire, 11 March 1877 Died Tooting, London, 5 March 1959 Representative Honours England Full Football League Watford Career Southern League: 141 appearances (1 goal, a penalty) FA Cup: 13 appearances Southern Charity Cup: 5 appearances Début: 1-0 home win v Swindon Town, Southern League Div 1, 2 Sep 1908 Final game: 3-6 away defeat v Reading, Southern League Div 1, 27 Apr 1912 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 40; all competitions 46
Career Path Alsagers Bank Friendly (1893 until January 1896); Audley (November 1896); Cross Heath (October 1898); Audley (October 1898); Crewe Alexandra (July 1899); Stoke (May 1900); Aston Villa (£400 April 1903); Preston North End (April 1905); WATFORD (August 1908 – released close season 1912); Mardy (October 1912, player-manager April 1913)
Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1900/01 Stoke 16 Football League Division 1 – 16th of 18 1901/02 Stoke 27 5 Football League Division 1 – 16th of 18 1902/03 Stoke 22 2 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 18 1902/03 Aston Villa 1 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 18 1903/04 Aston Villa 27 2 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 18 1904/05 Aston Villa 13 3 Football League Division 1 – 4th of 18 1905/06 Preston North End 32 4 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 20 1906/07 Preston North End 23 1 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1907/08 Preston North End 9 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 20 1908/09 WATFORD 37 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 21 1909/10 WATFORD 37 Southern League Division 1 – 19th of 22 1910/11 WATFORD 38 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1911/12 WATFORD 29 1 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 20 1912/13 Mardy ? ? Southern League Division 2 – 11th of 13 1913/14 Mardy ? ? Southern League Division 2 – 13th of 16
He was so highly esteemed by the Cassio Road following that his release after four seasons prompted a petition urging the Board’s reconsideration, but the decision stood and he rejoined John Goodall at Mardy, where he subsequently succeeded him as manager. At this time, incidentally, he remained on the transfer list of Preston North End, who still held his Football League registration four years after he’d left Deepdale. Arthur Lockett made his name as a winger and was awarded his one England cap as such, but came to Watford as a full-back.
Known as “Arthur”. Birth & death (M1959) indexes OK (except that the death was recorded wrongly as Arthur W. Lockett (one of his sons was Arthur William Lockett). 1881 & 1891 Censuses: Alsagers Bank, Audley, father a coalminer. 1939 Register: living in Kensington with his wife Bertha, who died Wandsworth reg dist J1967. Alsagers Bank Friendly folded in January 1896. There were FA registrations for Nov 1896 & Oct 1897 for Audley, and Oct 1898 for Cross Heath, and Dec 1898 back to Audley, the FA archives stating that this was a transfer from Cross Heath – but the Alsagers Bank programme editor assured me that he was playing for Audley in Oct & Nov 1898, so I have assumed that there was some error or delay over the last Audley registration. Chosen for Southern Lge v Irish Lge 30/9/1911 - he missed Watford’s game on this day, but did not play in the inter-league game. He succeeded Goodall as manager of Mardy. Made a claim for 7/6d against Simpson, Lock & Vince at Watford County Court, September 1910 - case adjourned to 22/9/1910, when he was awarded judgement with costs. 5 ft 8 ins. 11 st 4 lbs. Johaanas Hermanus Petrus LOHMAN (1981-1986) Midfielder
Born Dussen, Netherlands, 18 February 1959 Representative Honours Netherlands Youth & Under-21 Watford Career Football League: 51+12 appearances (6 goals) FA Cup: 9+2 appearances (3 goals) Football League Cup: 2+1 appearances Football League Trophy: 2+1 appearances (1 goal) UEFA Cup: 1 appearance Début: 2-2 home draw v Charlton Athletic, Football League Div 2, 5 Dec 1981 Final game: 1-1 home draw v Bury, FA Cup 5th Round, 5 Mar 1986 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 32; all competitions 24
Career Path Sporting Lokeren (Belgium); Vlaardingen (Netherlands) (loan); NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands) (2 loan periods, including 1 whole season); WATFORD (£25,000 September 1981 after a trial period, plus a subsequent £10,000 based on first-team appearances); Germinal Ekeren (Belgium) (free June 1986); SSV (Netherlands) (close season 1988); R Cappallen (Belgium) (August 1990 until retirement close season 1991)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1981/82 WATFORD 26 2 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1982/83 WATFORD 13 6 1 Football League Division 1 – 2nd of 22 1983/84 WATFORD 7 2 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1984/85 WATFORD 5 2 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1985/86 WATFORD 4 1 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22
After being capped nine times at Under-21 level, Jan Lohman became the first foreigner to be signed by Watford from an overseas club, having first come to Vicarage Road as a trialist. Soon after scoring on his Football League début he did the same thing in his first FA Cup outing (Watford 1, Manchester United 0) and stayed for five seasons as hard-tackling midfielder. Before returning to Belgium he suffered badly from injury problems, and it was a knee injury that eventually caused his retirement from the game.
Known as “Jan” (= “Yan”). 9 Under-21 caps. Set up his own business on retirement. In December 1999 working as a social-club steward in Roosendaal, Netherlands. 5 ft 10 ins. 11 st 7½ lbs.
Clive Ian LOMAS (1966) Defender
Born Ealing, Middlesex, 18 January 1947 Watford Career Football League: 6+1 appearances Début: (as sub) 1‐1 away draw v Queens Park Rangers, Football League Div 3, 15 Feb 1966 Final game: 0‐2 away defeat v Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Football League Div 3, 9 Apr 1966 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 6; all competitions 6
Career Path WATFORD (apprentice April 1963, professional January 1965, released close season 1967); Hastings United (March 1968)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1965/66 WATFORD 6 1 Football League Division 3 – 12th of 24
After breaking through into the first team with a substitute appearance, Clive Lomas had a short run as Brian Garvey’s centre‐ defensive partner at the age of 19. A record of only four goals conceded in those six games might have been expected to earn him further opportunities, but in fact he thereafter spent more than a year out of the reckoning before being released.
Known as “Clive”. Birth index OK. William LOVETT (1895) Forward
Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 10 April 1873 West Herts Career FA Cup: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 0-1 home defeat v Old St Stephen’s, FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, 2 Nov 1895
Career Path Watford Church Institute; Melrose; Watford St Mary’s; WEST HERTS
‘Duke’ Lovett played in only three first-team games for West Herts, including two friendlies, and in the first of the three he scored one of six goals against Old Harrovians, a week before his FA Cup appearance against Old St Stephen’s.
ALSO 2 APPS & 1 GOAL IN FRIENDLIES PRE-1896/97. Birth index OK (J1873). Baptized Watford 14 May 1873. Still alive in 1962, but death not traced. “Aged 22” in April 1895. 1891 census: 17, engine cleaner on railway, born Watford, father ag lab. Alfred Moore LOW (1889-1891) Defender
Born Kensington, London, 11 June 1871 Died Bedford, 10 June 1946 West Herts Career FA Cup: 1 appearance Herts County Cup: 1 appearances (1 goal) Hennessey Cup: 1 appearance Début: 3-2 home win v Uxbridge Caxtonians, Hennessey Cup 2nd Round, 28 Dec 1889 Final game: 1-2 away defeat v London Caledonians, FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, 24 Oct 1891 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 1
Career Path Aldenham Grammar School; WATFORD ROVERS
The club’s connection with Aldenham School, which Low attended, was a close one in the late-19th century, and he made a handful of first-team appearance from his début in the FA Cup at the age of 18. There were three friendly matches, as well as one cup appearance in each of three competitions, before he went up to Cambridge. He later became Principal of Queen’s Royal College, Trinidad. His younger brother, Robert Allan Low, was a Cambridge blue in 1893/94 and also played for the club in a couple of friendlies.
ALSO 3 APPS IN FRIENDLIES PRE-1896/97. Birth (S1871) & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Cambridge Univ Alumni: d 10 Jun 1946, formerly of Epsom & Trinidad, assistant master Queen’s Royal College, Trinidad, 1897-1914, second master 1914-1920, principal 1920-1927. Returned from Trinidad in 1938. 1939 Register: 11 Jun 1871, 29 Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, divorced, Trinidad Civil Service, retired. (I had him noted as a Cambridge blue 1893/94, but Camb Univ Alumni doesn’t say this – it does say his brother, R.A., who played for the club in friendlies, won a football blue that season.) In Aldenham under-14 XI by November 1884. Biographical details in Aldenham School registers.
Anthony Roy LOW (1967‐1968) Forward
Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 8 July 1944 Representative Honours England Schools Watford Career Football League: 25+1 appearances (4 goals) Début: 2‐1 home win v Walsall, Football League Div 3, 18 Feb 1967 Final game: (as sub) 3‐0 away win v Oldham Athletic, Football League Div 3, 12 Oct 1968 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 6; all competitions 6
Career Path Leggatts Way School; Tottenham Hotspur (amateur August 1959, professional July 1961); WATFORD (free March 1967 after a month’s trial, released close season 1969); Bedford Town (August 1970)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1964/65 Tottenham Hotspur 6 1 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 22 1965/66 Tottenham Hotspur 1 Football League Division 1 – 8th of 22 1966/67 Tottenham Hotspur 1 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 22 1966/67 WATFORD 11 2 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 1967/68 WATFORD 8 1 Football League Division 3 – 6th of 24 1968/69 WATFORD 6 1 1 Football League Division 3 – 1st of 24 (Promoted)
He first achieved prominence locally through international recognition while at Leggatts Way School, but didn’t join his home‐town club until eight seasons later, as a makeweight in the deal which took Dennis Bond to White Hart Lane. After occasional appearances in Watford’s first‐team forward line, and a five‐goal scoring spree against Charlton Athletic for the Reserves in a 10‐0 Mid‐Week League outing, Roy Low spent a year out of the game on account of a leg injury dating back to his Tottenham Hotspur days, before joining Bedford Town.
Known as “Roy”. Birth index OK. Was reported to have been valued at £7,000 in the part‐exchange deal which took Dennis Bond to Tottenham, but Ken Furphy confirmed in March 1991 that Low had simply been a makeweight, with no financial valuation. He retired on being released by Watford owing to a leg injury dating back to his Tottenham days – Furphy had known about this when he signed him. Low had a season out of the game before signing for Bedford. Scored 5 for Reserves in 10‐0 win v Charlton 2/1/1968 (Mid‐Week Lge). In May 1969 had a bedding and carpeting business in St Albans Rd. Later went into the building trade, and in October 2008 was living in Kensington.
Henry Pratt LOWE (1929‐1935) Inside‐forward
Born Kettle, Fife, 24 February 1907 Died Calne, Wiltshire, October 1988 Watford Career Football League: 120 appearances (41 goals, including 1 penalty) FA Cup: 10 appearances (6 goals) Division 3 (South) Cup: 7 appearances Second World War competitions: 4 appearances Début: 2‐1 home win v Southend United, Football League Div 3 (South), 21 Dec 1929 Final game in peacetime competitions: 1‐2 away defeat v Swindon Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 27 Apr 1935 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 44; all competitions 52
Career Path St Andrews United (August 1928); WATFORD (free March 1929); Queens Park Rangers (part‐exchange for E.Goodier June 1935 until 1942/43); Aldershot, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Millwall, Raith Rovers & Tunbridge Wells Rangers guest player during Second World War); Chelsea scout; Guildford City manager (July 1945); Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic manager (May 1947 until February 1950); Yeovil Town manager (1951 until March 1953); WATFORD scouting staff (March 1954); Cheshunt manager (September 1955)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1929/30 WATFORD 18 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1930/31 WATFORD 10 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 18th of 22 1931/32 WATFORD 42 17 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1932/33 WATFORD 27 9 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 22 1933/34 WATFORD 11 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1934/35 WATFORD 12 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22 1935/36 Queens Park Rangers 35 15 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1936/37 Queens Park Rangers 41 17 Football League Division 3 (South) – 9th of 22 1937/38 Queens Park Rangers 41 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 3rd of 22 1938/39 Queens Park Rangers 42 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22 1939/40 Queens Park Rangers 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – season abandoned
A successful recruit from ‘Junior’ (ie non‐League) football in the east of Scotland, Harry Lowe spent over six years on the Watford staff as a direct inside‐forward with a powerful long‐range shot. On his wedding day he scored a goal, but also failed with a penalty kick, in a 4‐1 victory over Swindon Town. When he eventually left the club, Queens Park Rangers got infinitely the better of the deal which brought Ted Goodier to Vicarage Road.
Known as “Harry”. Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Born Kettle Bridge, Kettle – no middle name, but father was Henry Pratt Lowe (and signed himself such), mother Joan. Marriage (indexed as ‘Henry P.Lowe’) to Ivy May Constance Horne in Watford 7/5/1932, and scored but also failed with a penalty kick in Watford’s Lge game on the same day. Guested for Tunbridge Wells Rangers Dec 1939. Joined Watford scouting staff in Mar 1954, having returned to live in the town. Guested for Raith Rovers 1942/43 (1 app) – see Soccer History 27, page 25. 5 ft 7 ins / 5 ft 8½ ins. 11 st.
Nathan Peter LOWNDES (1996-1998) Forward
Born Salford, Greater Manchester, 2 June 1977 Watford Career Football League: 1+6 appearances FA Cup: 1+1 appearances Football League Cup: 0+1 appearance Associate Members Cup: 1 appearance Début: (as sub) 0-2 home defeat v Plymouth Argyle, Football League Div 2, 27 Aug 1996 Final game: (as sub) 1-1 home draw v Southend United, Football League Div 2, 14 Mar 1998 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 3; all competitions 4
Career Path Manchester United school of excellence; Leeds United (trainee, professional April 1995); WATFORD (£10,000 October 1995, plus a subsequent £10,000 following first-team début, and an eventual 30% of Watford’s “sell-on” profit); St Johnstone (£50,000 August 1998); Livingston (free July 2001); Rotherham United (loan March 2002); Plymouth Argyle (free July 2002); Port Vale (free November 2004); Chester City (free July 2007, cancelled September 2008); Scone Thistle (May 2012)
Football League & Scottish Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1996/97 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 13th of 24 1997/98 WATFORD 1 3 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1998/99 St Johnstone 12 17 2 Scottish Premier League – 3rd of 10 1999/00 St Johnstone 16 9 10 Scottish Premier League – 5th of 10 2000/01 St Johnstone 2 8 2 Scottish Premier League – 10th of 12 2001/02 Livingston 7 14 3 Scottish Premier League – 3rd of 12 2001/02 Rotherham United 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 21st of 24 2002/03 Plymouth Argyle 6 10 2 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 8th of 24 2003/04 Plymouth Argyle 18 15 8 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 2004/05 Plymouth Argyle 1 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 17th of 24 2004/05 Port Vale 7 5 1 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 18th of 24 2005/06 Port Vale 30 5 5 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 13th of 24 2006/07 Port Vale 1 11 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 12th of 24 2007/08 Chester City 8 4 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 22nd of 24
At the time of a Vicarage Road injury crisis, five Leeds United reserve-team players were drafted in to play for Watford Reserves. One of them was Nathan Lowndes, who signed for the club soon afterwards. A sprightly forward, he was given a little bit of first-team action, but after nearly three years on the staff was sold to St Johnstone, where his senior career got going in a more meaningful way. Five years later he helped Plymouth Argyle to win the third-tier championship. In May 2012, when serving in Tayside Police, he came out of retirement to play for Scone Thistle.
Known as “Nathan”. Birth index OK. Became a Leeds Utd trainee some time between cs 1993 & May 1994, but registration not included in monthly FA lists. Had there been any, Watford would have received 30% of any St Johnstone “sell-on” profit.
Dominic James Robert LUDDEN (1994-1997) Full-back
Born Basildon, Essex, 30 March 1974 Representative Honours England Schools Under-18 Watford Career Football League: 28+5 appearances FA Cup: 2+1 appearances Football League Cup: 3 appearances Associate Members Cup: 2 appearances Début: 1-1 home draw v Middlesbrough, Football League Div 1, 3 Sep 1994 Final game: (as sub) 1-2 away defeat v Peterborough United, Football League Div 2, 4 Mar 1997 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 13; all competitions 16
Career Path Billericay Town; Leyton Orient (schoolboy July 1991, professional July 1992); WATFORD (£60,000 August 1994); Preston North End (free July 1998); Halifax Town (free June 2001); Leigh RMI (August 2002)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1992/93 Leyton Orient 21 3 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 7th of 24 1993/94 Leyton Orient 29 5 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 18th of 24 1994/95 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 7th of 24 1995/96 WATFORD 9 3 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1996/97 WATFORD 18 2 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 13th of 24 1998/99 Preston North End 28 6 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 5th of 24 1999/00 Preston North End 3 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 2000/01 Preston North End 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 4th of 24 2001/02 Halifax Town 2 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 24th of 24 (Relegated)
Unusual in having joined Orient on schoolboy forms when as old as 17 (when most potential professionals would be taken on as trainees), Dominic Ludden was continuing his academic studies and was rewarded with selection as captain of the national Under-18 side by the English Schools FA. Originally a midfield player who scored his only Football League goal eleven minutes into his début, he came to Watford as a left-back. Soon after leaving the game he obtained a business-studies degree and secured an executive position with AXA Insurance.
Known as “Dominic”. Birth index OK. Captain of England Schools Under-18s in 1992. Scored v Huddersfield after 11 minutes of his FL début. Address cs 1998: 225 Perry St, Billericay, CM12 0NZ. Obtained a business-studies degree and by 2006 held an executive position with AXA Insurance.
Raymond LUGG (1969‐1972) Midfielder
Born Jarrow, County Durham, 18 July 1948 Watford Career Football League: 51+8 appearances (3 goals, including 1 penalty) FA Cup: 5 appearances (2 goals) Football League Cup: 3 appearances (1 goal) Début: 0‐0 home draw v Swindon Town, Football League Div 2, 15 Nov 1969 Final game: (as sub) 0‐1 away defeat v Orient, Football League Div 2, 22 Apr 1972 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 21; all competitions 26
Career Path Primrose; Middlesbrough (amateur June 1965, professional July 1965); WATFORD (£8,000 November 1969); Plymouth Argyle (£3,500 July 1972); Crewe Alexandra (July 1973); Fort Lauderdale Strikers (USA) (loan April 1977 until August 1977); Bury (£17,500 July 1978, released close season 1980); Chorley; Plantation Eagles (USA) coaching staff (by September 2003)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1966/67 Middlesbrough 4 1 1 Football League Division 3 – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1967/68 Middlesbrough 5 1 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 22 1968/69 Middlesbrough 21 2 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 22 1969/70 Middlesbrough 4 1 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 22 1969/70 WATFORD 22 3 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 22 1970/71 WATFORD 15 3 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 22 1971/72 WATFORD 14 5 Football League Division 2 – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1972/73 Plymouth Argyle 22 2 1 Football League Division 3 – 8th of 24 1973/74 Crewe Alexandra 40 3 Football League Division 4 – 21st of 24 1974/75 Crewe Alexandra 34 1 Football League Division 4 – 18th of 24 1975/76 Crewe Alexandra 42 Football League Division 4 – 16th of 24 1976/77 Crewe Alexandra 40 6 Football League Division 4 – 12th of 24 1977/78 Crewe Alexandra 27 1 1 Football League Division 4 – 15th of 24 1978/79 Bury 45 2 Football League Division 3 – 19th of 24 1979/80 Bury 23 3 Football League Division 3 – 21st of 24 (Relegated)
Outstanding in midfield when Watford beat Liverpool to reach their first FA Cup Semi‐final – he even got an individual mention in a national newspaper’s leader column – he was unable to sustain that level of performance as the club’s fortunes plummeted, with only one victory in the remaining 13 fixtures. Although transfer‐listed at £8,000 at the end of the 1971/72 season, Ray Lugg’s move to Plymouth Argyle fetched less than half that amount. Later Crewe Alexandra must have been pleased with their sale after he’d given them five years’ service in the lower half of Division 4.
Known as “Ray”. Birth index OK. Plantation Eagles was a youth set‐up in Florida. Mentioned in Daily Express leader column after the defeat of Liverpool. 5 ft 9 ins. 10 st 10 lbs. Dodi LUKEBAKIO (2018- ) Winger (Full name Dodi LUKEBAKIA NGANDOLI) Born Asse, Belgium, 24 September 1997 Representative honours Democratic Republic of the Congo Full Belgium Under-21 Watford Career FA Premier League: Début: 0-2 away defeat v West Ham United, FA Premier League, 10 Feb 2018 Final game:
Career Path Anderlecht (Belgium) (youth academy, professional 2015); Toulouse (France) (loan August 2016); Sporting Charleroi (Belgium) (loan July 2017); WATFORD (€1.5 million January 2018)
FA Premier League career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position
George LUNN (1947) Centre-half
Born Bolton-on-Dearne, Yorkshire, 28 June 1915 Died Birmingham, West Midlands, December 1999 Watford Career Football League: 5 appearances FA Cup: 2 appearances Second World War competitions: 1 appearance Début in peacetime competitions: 0-2 away defeat v Walsall, Football League Div 3 (South), 8 Nov 1947 Final game: 1-5 away defeat v Queens Park Rangers, Football League Div 3 (South), 27 Dec 1947 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 5; all competitions 7
Career Path Frickley Colliery; Aston Villa (May 1938); Chester, Clapton Orient, Doncaster Rovers, Fulham, Northampton Town, Rochdale, Southport, Stockport County, Wrexham & WATFORD guest player during Second World War; Birmingham City (September 1946); an Irish club (briefly early-1947/48); WATFORD (October 1947, released close season 1948); Halifax Town (a month’s trial August 1950); Bedford Town; Rugby Town (September 1951)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1947/48 WATFORD 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22
A tall centre-half whose association with Football League clubs spanned more than twelve years, but whose only peacetime appearances in the competition were that handful for Watford. George Lunn’s first-team run ended with 1-0 and 5-1 Christmas defeats by Queens Park Rangers on consecutive days. He’d made a single guest appearance for the club nearly seven years earlier, and also turned out during the war for nine other clubs.
Birth & death (Jan 2000) indexes OK, probate nothing. Guested for Watford 1940/41. Halifax Daily Courier & Halifax Weekly Courier useless. 6 ft.
Thomas John LYNCH (1937) Goalkeeper
Born Sirhowy, Monmouthshire, 31 August 1907 Died Bangor, Gwynedd, 1976 Watford Career Football League: 2 appearances Début: 1‐2 away defeat v Gillingham, Football League Div 3 (South), 2 Jan 1937 Final game: 5‐3 home win v Aldershot, Football League Div 3 (South), 9 Jan 1937 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 2; all competitions 2
Career Path Rhymney; Rochdale (amateur July 1929, professional August 1929); Colwyn Bay United (July 1931); Barnsley (June 1932); Barrow (July 1933); Yeovil & Petters United (July 1934); Brentford (May 1935); WATFORD (undisclosed fee January 1937); Guildford City (free close season 1937); Bangor City (August 1938)
Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1929/30 Rochdale 31 Football League Division 3 (North) – 10th of 22 1930/31 Rochdale 27 Football League Division 3 (North) – 21st of 22 1932/33 Barnsley 19 Football League Division 3 (North) – 8th of 22 1933/34 Barrow 4 Football League Division 3 (North) – 8th of 22 1936/37 WATFORD 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22
Purchased hurriedly to meet a goalkeeping crisis, the two long‐serving Scotsmen on the books being injured, this tall Welshman was rushed into his first Football League experience for three years, but was soon back out of the metaphorical limelight. He was no stranger to the real stuff, however, being a professional tenor known as “the singing goalkeeper” whose venues included the Chiswick Empire and who sang with a well‐known London night‐club orchestra.
Birth & death (S1976) indexes OK, probate nothing. Listed at £150 by Rochdale cs 1931. A tenor who had sung at the Chiswick Empire ‐ said to have been known familiarly as “the singing goalkeeper”. Vic O’Brien told me he sang with a well‐known London night‐club orchestra. 6 ft‐plus. 11 st 7 lbs.
Frank LYON (1902-1903) Full-back
Born Crewe, Cheshire, 23 September 1879 Died Crewe, Cheshire, 1917 Watford Career Southern League: 14 appearances Début: 5-3 home win v Swindon Town, Southern League Div 1, 8 Nov 1902 Final game: 1-3 home defeat v Southampton, Southern League Div 1, 28 Mar 1903 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 5; all competitions 5
Career Path Stockport County; Crewe Alexandra (amateur by April 1900); Cheshire; Stoke (amateur August 1900 and August 1902); WATFORD (amateur August 1902); Queens Park Rangers (amateur May 1903, professional September 1905); Chelsea (March 1907); Crewe Alexandra (May 1908)
Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1902/03 WATFORD 14 Southern League Division 1 – 15th of 16 (Relegated) 1903/04 Queens Park Rangers 2 Southern League Division 1 – 5th of 18 1904/05 Queens Park Rangers 16 Southern League Division 1 – 7th of 18 1905/06 Queens Park Rangers 12 Southern League Division 1 – 13th of 18 1906/07 Queens Park Rangers 25 Southern League Division 1 – 18th of 20 1907/08 Chelsea 6 Football League Division 1 – 13th of 20
Although playing for professional clubs, Frank Lyon retained his amateur status until his third season with Queens Park Rangers. He was a full-back who established a reputation for his exceptional pace – and indeed was a prize-winning professional sprinter – and at Watford was extravagantly (and mistakenly) dubbed by a local scribe “the most brilliant player who has ever worn the club’s colours”. Nevertheless, he did play for the Amateurs of the South v Professionals of the South in an international trial match in January 1905. When his career was over he returned to his home town and lived with his parents in Gresty Road, where he had played some of his early football for Crewe Alexandra, and was running his own tobacconist shop. He was only 37 when he died.
Known as “Frank”. Birth & death indexes OK. Probate nothing. 1911 census: living with parents at 18 Gresty Rd, Crewe – age 31, single, tobacconist (shopkeeper – employer, own account), born Crewe. Application via Cheshire FA for reinstatement as an amateur refused by FA, May 1909. An F. Lyon was registered by Ilford with the FA as an am in July 1905 and went on tour to Copenhagen with that club, but it can’t be him (or can it?). Toured Netherlands with Chelsea. Professional sprinter who won the Highgate Harriers 100yds championship for the Lincoln Challenge Cup in about 1902 or 1903, and altogether by 1905 “has won about £150 in prizes”. In 1900 Cheshire Cup Final at Winsford, scored with a shot “from near own penalty area”. Moved to Watford “when business took him there”. Exceptional pace - tried on the wing by QPR in January 1906. Described by Watford Observer in May 1903 as “the most brilliant player who has ever worn the club colours”. 5 ft 8 ins. 11 st 3 lbs.
Herbert LYON (1901-1902) Inside-forward / Centre-forward
Born Masborough, Rotherham, Yorkshire, 18 May 1875 Died Tredegar, Monmouthshire, 29 April 1927 Watford Career Southern League: 30 appearances (12 goals) FA Cup: 2 appearances (2 goals, including 1 penalty) Début: 1-0 away win v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 7 Sep 1901 Final game: 1-1 away draw v Northampton Town, Southern League Div 1, 19 Apr 1902 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 30; all competitions 32
Career Path Overseal Town (September 1895); Gresley Rovers (May 1896); Leicester Fosse (£50 January 1899); Nelson (June 1900); WATFORD (June 1901); Reading (May 1902); West Ham United (close season 1903); Brighton & Hove Albion (May 1904); Swindon Town (May 1905); Carlisle United (May 1906); Swindon Town (close season 1907); Blackpool (£35 to Leicester Fosse for his Football League registration May 1908 until close season 1909); Walsall; Tredegar
Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1898/99 Leicester Fosse 7 2 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 18 1899/00 Leicester Fosse 7 2 Football League Division 2 – 5th of 18 1901/02 WATFORD 30 12 Southern League Division 1 – 13th of 16 1902/03 Reading 27 12 Southern League Division 1 – 2nd of 16 1903/04 West Ham United 29 4 Southern League Division 1 – 12th of 18 1904/05 Brighton & Hove Albion 29 5 Southern League Division 1 – 11th of 18 1905/06 Swindon Town 32 5 Southern League Division 1 – 15th of 18 1907/08 Swindon Town 14 1 Southern League Division 1 – 5th of 20 1908/09 Blackpool 8 2 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 20
A peripatetic footballer of some versatility, Bertie Lyon was ever-present at either inside-right or centre-forward throughout his one Cassio Road season, but could also play in the half-back line and on one occasion turned out in goal for Leicester City in a goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers. Although registered at birth as just ‘Herbert’ Lyon, he claimed at one point to have the forenames Herbert Ernest Saxon Bertie Cordey, which seems likely to have been largely the fruit of an imaginative sense of humour, (eg Cordey Lyon/Coeur de Lion?) – although his father’s middle name actually was Saxon.
Known as “Bertie”. Birth index OK. Married Edith Shaw in Oct 1899. He claimed at one point to have forenames Herbert Ernest Saxon Bertie Cordey - this seems likely to have been the fruit of an imaginative sense of humour, possibly his own, although on birth certificate his father is named as John Saxon Lyon, and the father’s own birth & marriage are registered likewise – Manchester J1841 & Barnsley S1865. (At the Spring Assizes, Leeds, on 22 March 1896, John Saxon Lyon was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.) 40 goals for Carlisle 1906/07, when they won the Lancs Combination Div 2. Transfer-listed by Blackpool cs 1909 and didn’t re-sign for 1909/10. At time of Blackpool signing his previous clubs were said to have included Burslem, but this possibly an error. Versatile player who was primarily an inside-forward, but selected as goalkeeper for Leicester v Bolton, March 1900, after 3 reserve apps in goal. 1901 census - Herbert Lyons, 23, hotel waiter living in Nelson, born Masborough, Yorks (Masborough is an area of Rotherham). Unable to trace him in 1891 and 1881 censuses, unless he’s the Herbert Lyon, 15, coalminer, Ashby Village, Leics, in 1891. 1911 census: there’s a 35-year-old Herbert Lyon living in Driffield, but born Osgodby (of which there are three, none of which is near Rotherham), and no trace of a likely Herbert Lyons. 5 ft 8½ ins. 11 st 12 lbs. Desmond LYTTLE (1999-2000) Full-back
Born Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, 24 September 1971 Watford Career FA Premier League: 11 appearances Football League Cup: 1 appearance Début: 2-3 home defeat v Wimbledon, FA Premier League, 7 Aug 1999 Final game: 2-3 away defeat v Bradford City, FA Premier League, 22 Jan 2000 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League 7; all competitions 8
Career Path Leicester City (schoolboy December 1987, trainee August 1988, professional January 1990, cancelled October 1990); Burton Albion (loan September 1990); Worcester City (August 1991); Swansea City (£12,500 July 1992); Nottingham Forest (£375,000 July 1993); Port Vale (loan November 1998); WATFORD (free July 1999); West Bromwich Albion (loan March 2000, free June 2000, released close season 2003); Telford United trial (August 2003); Stourport Swifts (October 2003); Northampton Town (non-contract 2003, contract November 2003, cancelled June 2004); Forest Green Rovers (September 2004); Worcester City (July 2005); Tamworth (free July 2007, player/caretaker-manager October 2010, manager until April 2011); Hucknall Town manager (October 2011 until May 2012); York City first-team coach (May 2012 until March 2013); Thomas Telford School head coach (September 2013)
Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1992/93 Swansea City 48 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 5th of 24 1993/94 Nottingham Forest 37 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1994/95 Nottingham Forest 38 FA Premier League – 3rd of 22 1995/96 Nottingham Forest 32 1 1 FA Premier League – 9th of 20 1996/97 Nottingham Forest 30 2 1 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1997/98 Nottingham Forest 35 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1998/99 Nottingham Forest 5 5 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1998/99 Port Vale 7 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 21st of 24 1999/00 WATFORD 11 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1999/00 West Bromwich Albion 8 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 21st of 24 2000/01 West Bromwich Albion 40 2 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 6th of 24 2001/02 West Bromwich Albion 13 10 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2002/03 West Bromwich Albion 2 2 FA Premier League – 19th of 20 (Relegated) 2003/04 Northampton Town 23 4 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 6th of 24
Signed as the man to take on the Premier League as the departed Darren Bazeley’s replacement at right-back, the experienced Des Lyttle was soon discarded, having fallen short of the manager’s requirements in certain aspects of his game. Three times he was involved in automatic promotion to the Premier League – twice with Nottingham Forest early in his career, and with West Bromwich Albion two years after his Vicarage Road season. He was still with those clubs, however, on each of the three subsequent occasions when they were relegated.
Known as “Des”. Birth index OK. Rollin’s books have changed birth date from 24th to 26th, but this looks like an error.