John HARROP (1956‐1960) Full‐back

Born Manchester, Lancashire, 25 June 1929 Died Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 18 February 1977 Watford Career Football League: 111 appearances FA Cup: 6 appearances Southern Floodlight Cup: 7 appearances Début: 3‐0 away win v Gillingham, Football League Div 3 (South), 18 Aug 1956 Final game: 1‐2 away defeat v Torquay United, Football League Div 4, 27 Feb 1960 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 51; all competitions 49

Career Path Charlton Athletic (amateur September 1949); Swansea Town (professional August 1952); WATFORD (undisclosed fee July 1956); Hastings United (July 1960); Tunbridge Wells (close season 1961); applied for a permit to play as an amateur for Potten End (September 1969)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1952/53 Swansea Town 1 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 22 1953/54 Swansea Town 9 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 22 1956/57 WATFORD 38 Football League Division 3 (South) – 11th of 24 1957/58 WATFORD 29 Football League Division 3 (South) – 16th of 24 (Relegated) 1958/59 WATFORD 40 Football League Division 4 – 15th of 24 1959/60 WATFORD 4 Football League Division 4 – 4th of 24 (Promoted)

His last six first‐team appearances for Watford all ended in defeat, but by then Jack Harrop had given three seasons of good service at left‐back, although like Steve Harrison (his alphabetical immediate predecessor) he played over a hundred games in that position without scoring. He succeeded Frank Mitchell as cricket coach at Dulwich College in May 1957, and in 1960 was appointed captain of Watford Town CC.

Known as “Jack”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. (Birth index has “John”, but death & probate, also FL card, “Jack”. Said to have been with Man Utd before Charlton, but no FL reg. (Possibly youth‐team?) Watford retained his registration FL registration cs 1961. His application for a permit to play for Potten End was made against medical advice. Vice‐captain of Watford Town CC 1959, and captain 1960. 5 ft 10 ins. 11 st.

John HARTBURN (1949-1951) Winger

Born Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, 20 December 1920 Died Bournemouth, Dorset, 22 January 2001 Watford Career Football League: 66 appearances (19 goals, including 4 penalties) FA Cup: 5 appearances (2 goals) Début: 1-1 away draw v Ipswich Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 3 Sep 1949 Final game: 0-6 away defeat v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 3 Mar 1951 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 43; all competitions 44

Career Path Bishop Auckland (June 1939); Yeovil Town (close season 1946); Queens Park Rangers (March 1947); WATFORD (£1,000 September 1949); Millwall (£2,500 March 1951); Leyton Orient (June 1954); Guildford City (July 1958); Yiewsley (December 1958); Leyton Orient (programme editor, then commercial manager for 4 years); Fulham commercial manager (9 years); WATFORD commercial manager July 1976 until March 1981); Barnet (commercial manager circa 1982, honorary secretary until circa 1987)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1947/48 Queens Park Rangers 31 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 1st of 22 (Promoted) 1948/49 Queens Park Rangers 27 5 Football League Division 2 – 13th of 22 1949/50 WATFORD 34 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 6th of 22 1950/51 WATFORD 32 13 Football League Division 3 (South) – 23rd of 24 1950/51 Millwall 14 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 5th of 24 1951/52 Millwall 42 13 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 24 1952/53 Millwall 25 9 Football League Division 3 (South) – 2nd of 24 1953/54 Millwall 23 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 12th of 24 1954/55 Leyton Orient 39 10 Football League Division 3 (South) – 2nd of 24 1955/56 Leyton Orient 40 20 Football League Division 3 (South) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1956/57 Leyton Orient 14 1 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 22 1957/58 Leyton Orient 19 5 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 22

Despite his north-east origins, he was a footballer very much of the south of England, and a familiar figure on the Division 3 (South) circuit. A small winger with a good scoring record, Johnny Hartburn hit one of the fastest hat-tricks in Football League history in 1954/55 for Leyton Orient: Shrewsbury Town were beaten 5-0 and the treble was timed at 3½ minutes. The following campaign was his most prolific, his 20 League goals helping him to win a Southern Section championship medal for the second time, eight years after the Queens Park Rangers triumph in his first season in the Football League.

Known as “Johnny”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. Widow Lynne died Royal Bournemouth Hospital 25 Jan 2011 (mother of Neil, grandmother of Wendy & Karen). Resigned as Watford commercial manager Mar 1981 and took employment outside the game. Scored a goal for Millwall 19/9/1951 with which he was not credited at the time - see AFS Report 113, page 84. League total for Millwall was therefore 30, not 29. Hat-trick in 3½ mins for Leyton Orient v Shrewsbury, January 1955. Died at home: 60 Glamis Avenue, Northbourne, Bournemouth, BH10 6DP. His widow died 25 Jan 2011. 5 ft 5 ins.

Barry HARTLE (1958‐1960) Inside‐forward

Born Salford, Lancashire, 8 August 1939 Watford Career Football League: 39 appearances (7 goals) FA Cup: 6 appearances (1 goal) Début: 2‐4 away defeat v Shrewsbury Town, Football League Div 4, 13 Dec 1958 Final game: 1‐3 home defeat v Aldershot, Football League Div 4, 2 Apr 1960 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 18; all competitions 23

Career Path Salford Boys’ Club; WATFORD (amateur August 1956, professional August 1956); Sheffield United (“just under £3,000” June 1960); Carlisle United (July 1966); Stockport County (September 1967); Oldham Athletic (June 1970); Southport (free July 1971, released close season 1972); Macclesfield Town (by October 1973)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1958/59 WATFORD 5 1 Football League Division 4 – 15th of 24 1959/60 WATFORD 34 6 Football League Division 4 – 4th of 24 (Promoted) 1960/61 Sheffield United 3 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1961/62 Sheffield United 14 2 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 22 1962/63 Sheffield United 22 5 Football League Division 1 – 10th of 22 1963/64 Sheffield United 10 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1964/65 Sheffield United 39 7 Football League Division 1 – 19th of 22 1965/66 Sheffield United 13 2 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1966/67 Carlisle United 26 1 1 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 22 1967/68 Carlisle United 2 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 22 1967/68 Stockport County 11 1 Football League Division 3 – 13th of 24 1968/69 Stockport County 42 Football League Division 3 – 9th of 24 1969/70 Stockport County 35 Football League Division 3 – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 1970/71 Oldham Athletic 8 1 2 Football League Division 4 – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 1971/72 Southport 37 4 6 Football League Division 4 – 7th of 24

Possessing far more skill than brawn, Barry Hartle was the creative component, at inside‐left, of the Holton‐inspired 1959/60 promotion team. He left at the end of that season to join Sheffield United and remained back in the north of England for the rest of his career – mainly as a left‐winger. He was later a self‐employed taxi‐driver in Stockport, where he became a great‐ grandfather while still in his sixties.

Known as “Barry”. Birth index OK. Driving his own taxi and living in Stockport in 1992 ‐ address 29 Edenhurst Rd, Mile End, Stockport (061‐483 8822). A great‐grandfather and still living in Stockport in August 2008. Ht 5 ft 9 ins. Wt 11 st.

Thomas William HARTLEY (1948) Inside‐forward

Born Gatehead, County Durham, 7 May 1917 Died Chesterfield, Derbyshire, 14 January 1984 Watford Career Football League: 6 appearances (1 goal) Début: 1‐1 home draw v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 31 Jan 1948 Final game: 0‐3 away defeat v Swindon Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 26 Mar 1948 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 5; all competitions 5

Career Path Birtley Boys’ Club; Shipley Villa; Gateshead (amateur February 1936 until close season 1937); Bury (professional May 1938); Chesterfield (May 1939); Doncaster Rovers & Mansfield Town guest player during Second World War; Buxton player‐coach (September 1946); Stockton (September 1947); North Shields (December 1947); Leicester City (December 1947); WATFORD (£4,750 for Hartley, J.W.H.Calvert, T.Eggleston & J.Osborne January 1948 – Hartley left the club close season 1948)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1935/36 Gateshead 3 Football League Division 3 (North) – 14th of 22 1936/37 Gateshead 2 1 Football League Division 3 (North) – 21st of 22 1947/48 WATFORD 6 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22

Simultaneously accompanying Calvert, Cheney, Eggleston and Osborne from Filbert Street, Tom Hartley joined his fifth club in five months, and his Watford début was his first peacetime Football League outing for more than eleven years. His six appearances at inside‐forward brought just a single victory, his goal at Torquay United being the only one of the game.

Known as “Tom”. Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Guested for Doncaster in March 1944. Listed at £1,500 cs 1948 & £500 cs 1949. 5 ft 8¾ ins. 11 st.

Westley Howard HARVEY (1901-1903) Centre-forward / Inside-forward

Born Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, 21 October 1877 Died Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, 1904 Watford Career Southern League: 39 appearances (4 goals) FA Cup: 3 appearances South Eastern League: 1 appearance Début: 1-0 away win v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 7 Sep 1901 Final game: 0-3 away defeat v Northampton Town, Southern League Div 1, 3 Jan 1903 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 29; all competitions 32

Career Path Walsall Town Swifts; Aston Villa (November 1894); Burslem Port Vale (June 1898); Manchester City (“big fee” January 1900); West Bromwich United; Burton United; WATFORD (July 1901 until February 1903); Darlaston; Glentoran (August 1903 until September 1903)

Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1897/98 Aston Villa 11 3 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 16 1898/99 Burslem Port Vale 32 9 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 18 1899/00 Burslem Port Vale 17 10 Football League Division 2 – 11th of 18 1899/00 Manchester City 5 1 Football League Division 1 – 7th of 18 1900/01 Manchester City 2 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 18 1901/02 WATFORD 28 3 Southern League Division 1 – 13th of 16 1902/03 WATFORD 11 1 Southern League Division 1 – 15th of 16 (Relegated)

Making his first-team début in his fourth season at Villa Park, Howard Harvey scored three times in eleven First Division games for the reigning Football League champions. He was suspended twice in three months by Watford, on the second occasion permanently, for “a breach of training regulations”, having served the club at both centre-forward and inside-right. He was only 26 when he died.

Known as “Howard”. Birth (D1877) & death (S1904) indexes OK, probate nothing. Death registered as Howard Westley Harvey. Death reported in early-Sep 1904 in Daily Record, according to Jim Creasy. Suspended by the club Nov 1902, then again sine die Feb 1903, for breach of training regulations. Signed for Glentoran at the same time as Tierney. Appears in FA registrations for Villa for 1895/96 & 1896/97, but not in FL registers for those 2 seasons. 5 ft 7 ins. 11 st 8 lbs.

William HASTINGS (1914-1915) Winger

Born West Hartlepool, County Durham, 1 September1884 Death West Hartlepool, County Durham, 28 November 1941 Watford Career Southern League: 34 appearances (6 goals) FA Cup: 1 appearance Southern Charity Cup: 1 appearance First World War competitions: 24 appearances (1 goal) Début: 2-1 home win v Cardiff City, Southern League Div 1, 2 Sep 1914 Final game in peacetime competitions: 2-1 away win v Brighton & Hove Albion, Southern League Div 1, 24 Apr 1915 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 28; all competitions 30

Career Path Greenbank; West Hartlepool; West Hartlepool Expansion; Brighton & Hove Albion (close season 1909); Birmingham (£100 February 1912); WATFORD (July 1914); Hartlepools United (guest in 1918/19, signed 1919/20); Hartlepool Old Boys

Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1909/10 Brighton & Hove Albion 41 4 Southern League Division 1 – 1st of 22 1910/11 Brighton & Hove Albion 37 6 Southern League Division 1 – 3rd of 20 1911/12 Brighton & Hove Albion 7 1 Southern League Division 1 – 5th of 20 1911/12 Birmingham 14 3 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 20 1912/13 Birmingham 15 2 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 20 1913/14 Birmingham 11 2 Football League Division 2 – 14th of 20 1914/15 WATFORD 34 6 Southern League Division 1 – 1st of 20

A missed penalty in his first Watford appearance was soon forgotten, as the game was won and he went on to play regularly on the wing (at first a few games on the left, but thereafter on the right) as the club proceeded to take the Southern League championship. Five years earlier Bill Hastings had enjoyed a similar triumph with Brighton & Hove Albion, for whom he was also a member of a winning side against Watford in the Southern Charity Cup Final at Stamford Bridge in that same season, and then a few weeks later against Football League champions Aston Villa in the FA Charity Shield. While serving in the Royal Flying Corps he turned out for Watford frequently in 1916/17.

Known as “Bill”. I have his First World War RFC/RAF service record. Birth (D1884) & death (D1941) indexes OK. Probate: died at home – 30 Tennyson Ave, W Hartlepool, widow Victoria Beatrice. Marriage (1) =Mary Ellen 1909/10; she died Hartlepool J1918. Marriage (2) =Victoria B.Gibbon (Hartlepool J1919), and the birth of one child traced – Beatrice J. (Hartlepool 1925). Guested for Hartlepools 1918/19. Not registered with FL by that club for its first FL season, 1921/22. 1911 census: 31 Poynter Rd, Hove, pro footballer, 26, b West Hartlepool, wife Mary Ellen, married one year, son William, 8 months. 1901 census: with widowed mother Isobel. 1891 census: parents William, merchant seaman, and Isobel. 1939 Register: 26 Kilwick St, West Hartlepool, born 1 Sep 1884, joiner (expanded metalworks), wife Victoria B. 5 ft 6½ ins. 11 st 12 lbs.

Samuel Thomas HATTON (1914) Full‐back

Born Watford Heath, Hertfordshire, 18 May 1892 Died Watford, Hertfordshire, 9 October 1955 Watford Career Southern Charity Cup: 1 appearance First World War competitions: 2 appearances Sole appearance in peacetime competitions: 0‐2 away defeat v Luton Town, Southern Charity Cup 1st Round, 4 Nov 1914

Career Path Callow Land Juniors (by March 1910); St Albans City; WATFORD (Reserves February 1911, amateur close season 1913, professional September 1914); also Hertfordshire (1911)

Sam Hatton’s only senior competitive game under peacetime conditions was actually a few months after the First World War had started, when he stood in for skipper Alex Stewart, who was rested, at left‐back in a Southern Charity Cup tie at Kenilworth Road. He made one further appearance in each of the next two seasons. As an amateur he played in representative matches for the county.

Known as “Sam”. Birth & death indexes and probate all OK. First reserve app 18/2/1911. Played for Herts 8/11/1911. 1918 electoral register: 94 Judge St. Entertained with songs at a club dinner, January 1913, although son (Norman Alfred Hatton ‐ in 1996 at 67 Cuckman’s Drive, St Albans [01727 852626]) had no knowledge of aptitude for singing. I’ve seen will. Died (“after much suffering”) at home ‐ 14 The Harebreaks. Printer’s grinder & polisher.

Harry HAWKINS (1937‐1938) Inside‐forward / Wing‐half

Born Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, 24 November 1915 Died Middlesbrough, Cleveland, 14 March 1992 Watford Career Football League: 5 appearances Division 3 (South) Cup: 4 appearances Début: 0‐0 home draw v Exeter City, Football League Div 3 (South), 11 Sep 1937 Final game: 0‐2 home defeat v Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Football League Div 3 (South), 19 Mar 1938 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 3; all competitions 3

Career Path Yorkshire Schools; South Bank Princess Street; South Bank East End; Middlesbrough (amateur July 1934, professional February 1935); WATFORD (June 1937); Southport (“small fee” July 1938); York City guest player during Second World War; Gateshead (June 1947); Hartlepools United (March 1948); Blyth Spartans (March 1949); Murton Colliery Welfare (1950 until 1951)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1935/36 Middlesbrough 1 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 22 1937/38 WATFORD 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1938/39 Southport 42 14 Football League Division 3 (North) – 4th of 22 1939/40 Southport 3 1 Football League Division 3 (North) – season abandoned 1946/47 Southport 37 16 Football League Division 3 (North) – 21st of 22 1947/48 Gateshead 27 12 Football League Division 3 (North) – 4th of 22 1947/48 Hartlepools United 1 Football League Division 3 (North) – 19th of 22 1948/49 Hartlepools United 29 4 Football League Division 3 (North) – 16th of 22

Fifty goals in 53 North Eastern League appearances were not enough to win him much of a first‐team career at Middlesbrough, for whom he played just once in the First Division. Harry Hawkins represented Watford at both inside‐ forward and wing‐half, and after leaving Vicarage Road, either side of the Second World War played nearly a hundred times in Division 3 (North).

Known as “Harry”. Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Listed at £250 cs 1938, subsequently reduced to £100. 50 goals in 53 apps for Middlesbrough in NE Lge. Pen pic in A Football Who’s Who. 5 ft 9 ins / 5 ft 9½ ins. 10 st 7 lbs/ 11 st.

Norman Scott Carmichael HAYWOOD (1933) Centre-forward

Born Portobello, Midlothian, 7 September 1910 Died Edinburgh, 30 July 1979 Watford Career Football League: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 2-1 home win v Gillingham, Football League Div 3 (South), 9 Sep 1933

Career Path Peebles Rovers (amateur June 1933); WATFORD (professional July 1933 until close season 1934); Clapton Orient trial (July 1934); Berwick Rangers trial (August 1934); Peebles Rovers (September 1934); Leith Amateurs (by January 1935); Queen of the South (December 1935, initially on a month’s trial); Raith Rovers (free May 1937); St Bernard’s guest player during Second World War; Leith Athletic (August 1941); Raith Rovers (1943/44 and April 1945, cancelled February 1946); Peebles Rovers (August 1946)

Football League & Scottish League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1933/34 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1935/36 Queen of the South 16 2 Scottish League Division 1 – 15th of 20 1936/37 Queen of the South 5 Scottish League Division 1 – 18th of 20 1937/38 Raith Rovers 34 47 Scottish League Division 2 – 1st of 18 (Promoted) 1938/39 Raith Rovers 22 10 Scottish League Division 1 – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1939/40 Raith Rovers ? ? Scottish League Division 2 – season abandoned

He came a long way for his one Football League appearance, but back in Scotland enjoyed success as a goalscoring centre- forward. In his first reserve-team game on trial for Queen of the South he hit six in a 12-2 victory over Hibernian, and his remarkable record-breaking return for Raith Rovers in 1937/38 was a major factor in that club’s runaway championship win, eleven points clear of the field. Reference books to this day claim that Norman (‘Norrie’ in Scotland) Haywood scored all eight in a match against Brechin City that season; in fact, his personal tally was four – and the confusion doesn’t end there, for the match reports in the Kirkcaldy local papers incorrectly credited him with six. The correct version – four goals – is from an impeccable source who was present at the match and later became a Raith Rovers director.

Known as “Norman”, but “Norrie” in Scotland. Birth & death indexes OK. Listed initially at £100 by Queen of the South cs 1937, but this subsequently “cancelled by the committee” May 1937. Guested for St Bernard’s Apr 1940. For details of 1943/44 apps, see Soccer History 29, page 24 (Raith Rovers Second Series). Reported as “transferred from Raith Rovers” when he signed for Leith Aug 1941. 8 apps & 2 goals in Scottish North Eastern 1941/42 – see Soccer History 25, page 20. Died in Northern General Hospital, Edinburgh. First month at Queen of the South was as a trialist & he started by scoring 6 a reserve game (12-2 v Hibs). Set Raith’s goalscoring record in his first season there - detailed article in The Footballer, August/September 1994, which gives him 47 league goals, although reference books say 38. A convincingly authoritative history section on the club’s official website includes the details published in The Footballer, and refers to him at Norman, not Norrie. As regards widespread references to his having scored all of Raith’s eight goals v Brechin City on 28 Aug 1937, both the Kirkcaldy newspapers credited him with six, but their match reports are rounded off abruptly with the statement that he was responsible for “two more goals” to complete the scoring, without any description. The Raith Rovers historian John Litster gave me the following definitive account of the facts: “The final two goals were attributed in the two local newspapers to Haywood, but they were in fact scored by Whitelaw. This fact was recorded at the time by Peter Napier, the secretary of the Supporters Club and later a director of the club, who attended the matches and for many years recorded the club's statistics on a match-by-match-basis.” In the 1939/40 Scottish Regional League, East Division, he made five apps each for Raith Rovers and (as a guest) St Bernard’s – see Soccer History 22, pp 19-23. 6 ft. 12 st 8 lbs.

Alon HAZAN (1998-1999) Midfielder

Born Ashdod, Israel, 14 September 1967 Representative Honours Israel Full Watford Career Football League: 15+21 appearances (2 goals) Football League Cup: 1+1 appearances Début: 3-1 home win v Preston North End, Football League Div 2, 17 Jan 1998 Final game: (as sub) 2-0 win v Bolton Wanderers (at Wembley Stadium), Football League Div 1 Play-off Final, 31 May 1999 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 12; all competitions 14

Career Path Ha’poel Petah Tikva (Israel) (1984); Maccabi Haifa (Israel) (1992); Ha’poel Tel-Aviv (Israel) (1996); Ironi Ashdod (Israel) (1997); WATFORD (£200,000 January 1998); Ironi Ashdod (Israel) (free August 1999, general manager by September 2004); Israel youth coach (Under-17s 2008, Under-16s 2011, Under-18s/19s July 2016, caretaker-manager February 2016)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1997/98 WATFORD 7 3 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1998/99 WATFORD 8 18 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 5th of 24 (Promoted)

His time at Vicarage Road coincided with successive Watford promotions, in which he played a useful midfield part without really looking like an international player who finished his career with 72 caps. Alon Hazan wasn’t tested at Premier League level, having chosen to return to Israel after appearing as a substitute in the club’s Play-off triumph at Wembley Stadium. They had reached that final via an excruciatingly tense penalty-kick shoot-out at Birmingham City, in which he scored with the eighth kick to establish a 7-6 lead, leaving goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain to clinch the victory with the most dramatic save in the club’s history. Hazan later studied for a degree in politics while coaching Israel’s Under-16s and Under-17s.

Known as “Alon”. Captained Maccabi Haifa for 2 yrs. Watford contract cancelled when he returned to Israel “for personal reasons”. Ironi Ashdod now just “Ashdod”, I believe. 60-odd caps by January 1998, and 72 in all. Studying for a degree in politics by 2011, as well as coaching Israel U-16s & U-17s. David Mark HEARD (1960) Winger

Born Edmonton, Middlesex, 25 January 1942 Representative Honours England Youth Watford Career Football League Cup: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 2‐5 home defeat v Derby County, Football League Cup 1st Round, 11 Oct 1960

Career Path Arsenal (amateur August 1958 until October 1959); also Middlesex Youth; Canterbury City (amateur); WATFORD (amateur November 1959, professional January 1960); Bexleyheath & Welling (free July 1961); Canterbury City (by 1964/65)

Although capped (once, in May 1959) when playing for Arsenal’s youth team, David Heard drifted into non‐League football briefly as an amateur before turning professional with Watford after two months’ trial. His one senior game was at outside‐ left in the club’s first‐ever Football League Cup tie. Later in life he became proprietor of a horticultural nursery in Aldenham.

Known as “David”. Birth index OK. Played for Middlesex Youth in November 1958. One Youth international cap (May 1959). Owner of Aldenham Heather Nursery from June 1991. 5 ft 8 ins. 10 st 10 lbs. Heidar HELGUSON (2000-2010) Forward

Born Dalvik, Iceland, 22 August 1977 Representative Honours Iceland Youth, Under-21 & Full Watford Career FA Premier League & Football League: 158+45 appearances (66 goals, including 3 penalties) FA Cup: 8+2 appearances (4 goals, including 1 penalty) Football League Cup: 8+7 appearances (5 goals) Début: 2-3 home defeat v Liverpool, FA Premier League, 15 Jan 2000

Final game: 3-0 home win v Reading, Football League Championship, 24 Apr 2010 Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League/Football League 21; all competitions 24

Career Path UMFS Dalvik (Iceland) (1985); Leiftur (Iceland); Throttur (Iceland) (1994); Szczakowianka Jaworzno (Poland) (1997); Lillestrom SK (Norway) (£37,500 October 1998); WATFORD (£1.5 million January 2000); Fulham (£1.1 million June 2005); Bolton Wanderers (July 2007); Queens Park Rangers (loan November 2008, £750,000 February 2009); WATFORD (loan September 2009 & January 2010); Cardiff City (free August 2012 until close season 2013)

FA Premier League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1999/00 WATFORD 14 2 6 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2000/01 WATFORD 23 10 8 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 2001/02 WATFORD 11 23 6 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2002/03 WATFORD 28 2 11 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2003/04 WATFORD 20 2 8 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2004/05 WATFORD 36 3 16 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 18th of 24 2005/06 Fulham 15 12 8 FA Premier League – 12th of 20 2006/07 Fulham 16 14 4 FA Premier League – 16th of 20 2007/08 Bolton Wanderers 3 3 2 FA Premier League – 16th of 20 2008/09 Bolton Wanderers 1 FA Premier League – 13th of 20 2008/09 Queens Park Rangers 15 5 5 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 11th of 24 2009/10 Queens Park Rangers 3 2 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2009/10 WATFORD 26 3 11 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2010/11 Queens Park Rangers 32 2 13 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 2011/12 Queens Park Rangers 13 3 8 FA Premier League – 17th of 20 2012/13 Cardiff City 27 11 8 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 1st of 24 (Promoted)

An iconic figure at Vicarage Road from the moment he scored against Liverpool on his début, Heidar (correctly pronounced ‘Haythar’) Helguson earned his popularity through a fearless, gung-ho approach as leader of the attack, but not by any means without guile and skill, his heading ability being especially good. When he returned to the club on loan five seasons after leaving he again made an immediate impact, this time scoring twice before sustaining an injury which kept him out for several weeks. His long international career encompassed a goal against England while he was a Watford player.

Known as “Heidar” (pronounced “Haydar”, although should be “Haythar”). Name was originally Heidar Sigurjonsson. Capped at U-19 level. Fulham paid £1.1 million which could have risen to a possible £1.3 million – don’t know whether it did. Retired cs 2013 and returned to Iceland. Darius Alexis HENDERSON (2005-2008) Forward

Born Sutton, Surrey, 7 September 1981 Watford Career Football League & FA Premier League: 88+21 appearances (31 goals, including 2 penalties) FA Cup: 5+1 appearances Football League Cup: 3 appearances Début: 1-2 home defeat v Preston North End, Football League Championship, 6 Aug 2005 Final game: 1-4 away defeat v Hull City, Football League Championship Play-off Semi-final 2nd Leg, 14 May 2008 (Lost 1-6 on aggregate) Longest run of consecutive appearances: FA Premier League/Football League 44; all competitions 33

Career Path Leeds United (trained from age 11, schoolboy December 1995, cancelled close season 1997); Reading (trainee July 1998, professional December 1999); Brighton & Hove Albion (loan August 2003); Gillingham (£25,000 January 2004); Swindon Town (loan August 2004); WATFORD (£450,000 August 2005); Sheffield United (£2 million July 2008); Millwall (undisclosed fee June 2011); Nottingham Forest (free January 2013); Leyton Orient (free August 2014); Scunthorpe United (free July 2015); Coventry City (free February 2016); Mansfield Town (free August 2016); Eastleigh (free January 2017, contract cancelled March 2017)

Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1999/00 Reading 2 4 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 10th of 24 2000/01 Reading 4 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 3rd of 24 2001/02 Reading 2 36 7 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2002/03 Reading 3 21 4 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 4th of 24 2003/04 Brighton & Hove Albion 10 2 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 4th of 24 (Promoted) 2003/04 Reading 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 2003/04 Gillingham 4 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 21st of 24 2004/05 Swindon Town 6 5 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 12th of 24 2004/05 Gillingham 27 5 9 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 22nd of 24 (Relegated) 2005/06 WATFORD 29 4 15 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 2006/07 WATFORD 24 11 3 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 2007/08 WATFORD 35 6 13 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 6th of 24 2008/09 Sheffield United 26 7 6 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 2009/10 Sheffield United 28 4 12 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 8th of 24 2010/11 Sheffield United 8 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 2011/12 Millwall 25 6 15 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2012/13 Millwall 16 4 7 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 20th of 24 2012/13 Nottingham Forest 7 4 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 8th of 24 2013/14 Nottingham Forest 9 25 8 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 11th of 24 2014/15 Leyton Orient 16 7 8 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 2015/16 Scunthorpe United 5 8 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 7th of 24 2015/16 Coventry City 5 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 8th of 24 2016/17 Mansfield Town 3 10 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 12th of 24

A strongly-built front-runner whose strike partnership with Marlon King was a significant factor in Watford’s rise to the Premier League in 2006. Darius (the first syllable is stressed) Henderson’s 15 Football League goals in that promotion season included one from the penalty-spot in the Play-off Final against Leeds United. As a Sheffield United player he was sent off at Vicarage Road in 2011, and when next in opposition to Watford (with Millwall) he failed with a penalty kick.

Known as “Darius”, with accent on first syllable. Birth index OK. Sheffield Utd also to pay possible “appearance” increments totalling £500,000. He & Williamson both sent off v Watford 12 Mar 2011. (Are these two the only players sent off when playing both for and against Watford?) In his next game against Watford, Henderson failed with a pen (saved by Loach at Millwall 31/1/2012). Liam Marc HENDERSON (2008-2010) Forward

Born Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, 28 December 1989 Watford Career Football League: 0+18 appearances FA Cup: 0+1 appearance Football League Cup: 0+2 appearances Début: (as sub) 2-1 home win v Darlington, Football League Cup 2nd Round, 26 Aug 2008 Final game: (as sub) 1-0 home win v Plymouth Argyle, Football League Championship, 10 Apr 2010 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 4; all competitions 4

Career Path Redheugh Boys Club; Hartlepool United Academy; West Ham United trial (close season 2006); WATFORD (scholar July 2006, professional July 2008); Wealdstone (loan February 2008); Hartlepool United (loan January 2009); Colchester United (loan September 2010); Aldershot Town (loan January 2011); Rotherham United (loan February 2011); York City (free May 2011); Forest Green Rovers (loan November 2011); Gainsborough Trinity (loan September 2012); Gateshead (loan November 2012, free January 2013); Spennymoor Town (free June 2013); West Auckland Town (August 2013); Newcastle Benfield (loan September 2013); Spennymoor Town (May 2014); Morpeth Town (June 2016)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2008/09 WATFORD 5 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2008/09 Hartlepool United 2 6 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 19th of 24 2009/10 WATFORD 13 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2010/11 Colchester United 8 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 10th of 24 2010/11 Aldershot Town 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 14th of 24 2010/11 Rotherham United 5 6 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 9th of 24

A big striker who scored freely for the Reserves, Liam Henderson was unable to find the net at first-team level, although he was never given a 90-minute opportunity to do so. In fact, nobody else has come anywhere near his record of 21 senior appearances without ever being in a starting eleven.

Known as “Liam”. Birth index OK. Michael Robert HENDERSON (1979‐1982) Full‐back

Born Gosforth, Northumberland, 31 March 1956 Watford Career Football League: 50+1 appearances FA Cup: 4 appearances Football League Cup: 8+1 appearances Football League Trophy: 3 appearances Début: 0‐1 away defeat v Shrewsbury Town, Football League Div 2, 10 Nov 1979 Final game: 2‐1 away win v Rotherham United, Football League Div 2, 30 Jan 1982 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 45; all competitions 55

Career Path Sunderland (schoolboy May 1972, apprentice July 1972, professional April 1974); WATFORD (£120,000 November 1979); Cardiff City (free March 1982); Sheffield United (free August 1982); Chesterfield (January 1985, player‐coach close season 1987, caretaker‐manager October 1988); Matlock Town (September 1989)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1975/76 Sunderland 11 2 1 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 22 (Promoted) 1976/77 Sunderland 8 1 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 22 (Relegated) 1977/78 Sunderland 32 1 Football League Division 2 – 6th of 22 1978/79 Sunderland 30 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 22 1979/80 WATFORD 28 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 20 1980/81 WATFORD 18 1 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 22 1981/82 WATFORD 4 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 22 (Promoted) 1981/82 Cardiff City 11 Football League Division 2 – 20th of 22 (Relegated) 1982/83 Sheffield United 31 1 Football League Division 3 – 11th of 24 1983/84 Sheffield United 21 1 Football League Division 3 – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 1984/85 Sheffield United 13 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 22 1984/85 Chesterfield 18 Football League Division 4 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1985/86 Chesterfield 43 5 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24 1986/87 Chesterfield 45 3 Football League Division 3 – 17th of 24 1987/88 Chesterfield 19 2 Football League Division 3 – 18th of 24 1988/89 Chesterfield 10 1 Football League Division 3 – 22nd of 24 (Relegated)

Ever‐present at right‐back from the time of his signing until the arrival of Pat Rice twelve months later, Mick Henderson made only a handful of first‐team appearances in his remaining fifteen months at Vicarage Road. He had over two hundred more Football League outings after leaving the club, and when his career was over he joined the Sheffield Police.

Known as “Mick”. Birth index OK. Possibly played for Goole Town at end of career. Serving in the Sheffield Police Force by September 1992. 5 ft 9 ins / 5 ft 10 ins. 10 st 12 lbs / 11 st 4½ lbs.

William HENDRY (1898) Defender

Born Newport‐on‐Tay, Fife, 1869 Died Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 4 May 1901 West Herts Career Southern League: 5 appearances Début: 2‐2 away draw v Maidenhead, Southern League Div 2, 19 Mar 1898 Final game: 5‐2 home win v Maidenhead, Southern League Div 2, 25 Apr 1898 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 5; all competitions 5

Career Path Dunblane Thistle; Dundee Wanderers (1885); West Bromwich Albion (May 1888); Kidderminster Harriers (March 1889); Stoke (April 1889); Preston North End (March 1890); Sheffield United (February 1891); Dundee (May 1895); Bury (May 1896); WEST HERTS trial (March 1898); Brighton United (May 1898); Shrewsbury Town (July 1899 until death)

Football League, Scottish League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1888/89 West Bromwich Albion 16 4 Football League – 6th of 12 1888/89 Stoke 2 Football League – 12th of 12 1889/90 Stoke 14 1 Football League – 12th of 12 (Relegated) 1889/90 Preston North End 1 Football League – 1st of 12 1890/91 Preston North End 14 Football League – 2nd of 12 1892/93 Sheffield United 21 2 Football League Division 2 – 2nd of 12 (Promoted) 1893/94 Sheffield United 29 1 Football League Division 1 – 10th of 16 1894/95 Sheffield United 20 1 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 16 1895/96 Dundee 16 2 Scottish League Division 1 – 5th of 10 1896/97 Bury 8 1 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 16 1897/98 WEST HERTS 5 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12 1898/99 Brighton United 20 Southern League Division 1 – 10th of 13

An immensely influential centre‐half and captain in the early history of Sheffield United – the great wing‐half ‘Nudger’ Needham acknowledged how much he learned from him – Billy Hendry left Bramall Lane following an injury which at the time was feared had ended his career. He spent his brief Cassio Road stint as a full‐back before joining the newly‐formed Brighton United, and only three years later died of heart disease, at the end of his second season with Shrewsbury Town.

Known as “Billy”. Birth untraced. Death index (no middle name, “Harold” appears as middle name in football books), probate nothing. Death index says aged 31, Shrewsbury Chronicle says 32. Captained Dundee. See Brighton & Hove Albion book. Died of heart disease at Marine Terrace, Shrewsbury, and had been playing for Shrewsbury for two seasons. No trace of him in the 1891 or 1901 census (and I’ve looked at all the Marine Terrace, Shrewsbury, entries in 1901). The Sportsman quoted as calling him “one of the best players ever to have crossed the border”.

Liburd Algernon HENRY (1989-1990) Forward

Born Roseau, Dominica, 29 August 1967 Watford Career Football League: 8+2 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 3 appearances Football League Cup: 1 appearance Full Members Cup: 1 appearance Début: 2-1 home win v Leicester City, Football League Div 2, 22 Apr 1989 Final game: 1-2 home defeat v Sheffield United, FA Cup 4th Round replay, 30 Jan 1990 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 6; all competitions 9

Career Path Essex Schools; Colchester United (non-contract April 1986); Rainham Town; Millwall Reserves; Leytonstone/Ilford; WATFORD (£20,000 November 1987); Halifax Town (loan September 1988); Maidstone United (£40,000 June 1990 until June 1992); Gillingham (June 1992); Peterborough United (free August 1994); Woking (free August 1995); Dagenham & Redbridge (September 1995); Welling United (October 1995); Bromley (by April 1996); Erith & Belvedere; Collier Row & Romford (by September 1996); Bishops Stortford (by October 1996); Erith & Belvedere (March 1997); Dover Athletic (September 1997); Bromley (1999); Clapton (by close season 2000); Tooting & Mitcham United (2000)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1988/89 Halifax Town 1 4 Football League Division 4 – 21st of 24 1988/89 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 24 1989/90 WATFORD 7 2 1 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 24 1990/91 Maidstone United 25 5 2 Football League Division 4 – 19th of 24 1991/92 Maidstone United 36 1 7 Football League Division 4 – 18th of 22 (Resigned from the League) 1992/93 Gillingham 25 3 1 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 21st of 22 1993/94 Gillingham 12 2 1 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 16th of 22 1994/95 Peterborough United 22 10 7 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 15th of 24

A forward who had early links with Football League clubs but didn’t win a contract until he reached Watford. His few first- team games encompassed four competitions and his only goal was one of seven against Bradford City. Liburd Henry was among the players who departed the ill-fated Maidstone United with wages still owed to them, but he continued his League career with Gillingham and Peterborough United.

Known as “Liburd”. Watford would have paid another £5,000 had he made 20 first-team apps, and another £5,000 had he been capped. Maidstone registration terminated June 1992 when he & his colleagues had not been paid and gave the club 14 days’ notice. Reported to have signed for Boreham Wood Jan 1997, but he seems not to have played for them. James HERNON (1954-1956) Inside-forward

Born Cleland, Lanarkshire, 6 December 1924 Died Hastings, Sussex, 7 March 2009 Watford Career Football League: 43 appearances (10 goals) FA Cup: 2 appearances (1 goal) Southern Floodlight Cup: 1 appearance Début: 1-2 away defeat v Queens Park Rangers, Football League Div 3 (South), 21 Aug 1954 Final game: 0-2 home defeat v Ipswich Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 17 Mar 1956 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 10; all competitions 13

Career Path Clydesdale Juniors; Mossvale Strollers; Leicester City (April 1942); Partick Thistle guest player during Second World War; Bolton Wanderers (£14,750 September 1948); Grimsby Town (£2,500 August 1951); WATFORD (“4-figure fee” July 1954); Hastings United (player/reserve-team coach July 1956); Canterbury City

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1946/47 Leicester City 1 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 22 1947/48 Leicester City 30 7 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 22 1948/49 Bolton Wanderers 17 1 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 22 1949/50 Bolton Wanderers 22 1 Football League Division 1 – 16th of 22 1950/51 Bolton Wanderers 4 Football League Division 1 – 8th of 22 1951/52 Grimsby Town 43 16 Football League Division 3 (North) – 2nd of 24 1952/53 Grimsby Town 34 5 Football League Division 3 (North) – 5th of 24 1953/54 Grimsby Town 14 2 Football League Division 3 (North) – 17th of 24 1954/55 WATFORD 16 4 Football League Division 3 (South) – 7th of 24 1955/56 WATFORD 27 6 Football League Division 3 (South) – 21st of 24

A slightly-built, creative inside forward who had been the subject of what was, in 1948, a big-money transfer to First Division Bolton Wanderers – in fact two years earlier the fee would have been the highest-ever. Although by no means robust, Jimmy Hernon later adapted to the rigours of the Third Division sufficiently well to accumulate a total of 33 goals in his 134 League appearances for Grimsby Town (under Bill Shankly) and Watford.

Known as “Jimmy”. Birth index OK. Listed by Watford at £1,000 cs 1956. No SFA registration 1940/41 or 1941/42 - and the registers do not include Clydesdale Juniors or Mossvale Strollers. Made his Lge début after demob. Lightweight, brilliant ball control. One of ten children, five of whom played pro football, according to his grandson (or granddaughter) Jo Henson, of 84 West Street, Harrietsham, Maidstone, ME17 1HU, who notified the club of his death by e-mail – [email protected]. 5 ft 8½ ins / 5 ft 7 ins. 9 st 9 lbs / 10 st 5 lbs.

Andrew HESSENTHALER (1991-1996) Midfielder

Born Gravesend, Kent, 17 August 1965 Representive Honours England Non-League Watford Career Football League: 195 appearances (12 goals) FA Cup: 5 appearances (2 goals) Football League Cup: 13 appearances (1 goal) Full Members Cup: 1 appearance Anglo-Italian Cup: 3 appearances Début: 0-1 away defeat v Blackburn Rovers, Football League Div 2, 17 Sep 1991 Final game: 0-1 home defeat v Leicester City, Football League Div 1, 5 May 1996 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 57; all competitions 65

Career Path Kent Schools; Dartford youth team; Corinthian (1984 until 1986); also Charlton Athletic Reserves (March 1984 until 1985); Dartford (October 1986); Redbridge Forest (July 1990); WATFORD (£65,000 September 1991, plus a subsequent £20,000 increment based on appearances and £30,000 as a result of the subsequent “sell-on” profit); Gillingham (£235,000 August 1996, joint player-coach close season 1999, player-manager June 2000, resigned as manager November 2004); Hull City (loan January 2005); Barnet (free January 2006); Dover Athletic player-manager (free May 2007); Gillingham manager (May 2010, director of football May 2012); Soccer Elite Football Academy coach (2013); Gillingham (assistant-manager July 2014, caretaker-manager January 2015); Leyton Orient (assistant manager June 2015, caretaker manager January 2016, manager June 2016 until September 2016); Eastleigh (assistant manager April 2017, manager December 2017)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1991/92 WATFORD 35 2 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 24 1992/93 WATFORD 45 3 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 1993/94 WATFORD 42 5 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 19th of 24 1994/95 WATFORD 43 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 7th of 24 1995/96 WATFORD 30 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1996/97 Gillingham 38 2 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 11th of 24 1997/98 Gillingham 42 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 8th of 24 1998/99 Gillingham 39 3 9 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 4th of 24 1999/00 Gillingham 44 1 6 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 2000/01 Gillingham 19 4 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2001/02 Gillingham 10 7 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 12th of 24 2002/03 Gillingham 32 1 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 11th of 24 2003/04 Gillingham 27 9 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 21st of 24 2004/05 Gillingham 14 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 22nd of 24 (Relegated) 2004/05 Hull City 6 4 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2005/06 Gillingham 14 2 1 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 14th of 24 2005/06 Barnet 16 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 18th of 24 2006/07 Barnet 19 5 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 14th of 24

Formerly well-known to assistant-manager Peter Taylor in senior non-League circles, Andy Hessenthaler joined Watford as a short, muscular midfield player with prodigious reserves of energy and stamina – he had “good legs”, as Steve Perryman never tired of saying. To these qualities he added others as he took advantage of his belated chance of a full-time career and an automatic first-team place. To have run up a total of 554 Football League appearances after making the first of them at the age of 26 was astonishing. He was 41 when his League career ended, but he continued to play for another three years in a highly successful stint as player-manager of Dover Athletic. He then returned for a second spell as manager of Gillingham, where his commitment in a long career as a player had earned him iconic status.

Known as “Andy”. Birth index OK. The £30,000 sell-on profit was paid to Dagenham & Redbridge, the two separate clubs having merged in 1992. He and Steve Butler were Gillingham joint player-coaches. Some references say born Dartford, but he says he was born in his parents’ home in Gravesend, where they still lived in 1991. Great-great-grandfather was German. Fee paid by Gillingham was a record for that club. John Arthur HETHERINGTON (1938) Winger

Born Rotherham, Yorkshire, 7 August 1906 Died Rotherham, Yorkshire, April 1977 Watford Career Football League: 8 appearances (1 goal) Début: 2-3 away defeat v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 26 Feb 1938 Final game: 0-0 home draw v Torquay United, Football League Div 3 (South), 1 Oct 1938 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 3; all competitions 2

Career Path Dalton United; Shirebrook (November 1925); Mexborough (March 1926); Gainsborough Trinity (May 1926); Denaby United (June 1927); Mansfield Town (January 1928); Dalton & Eastwoods (permit to play as an amateur granted September 1928); Wolverhampton Wanderers (February 1929); Preston North End (“substantial fee” January 1935); Swindon Town (£550 June 1936); WATFORD (“about £500” February 1938 until close season 1939)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1928/29 Wolverhampton Wanderers 13 Football League Division 2 – 17th of 22 1929/30 Wolverhampton Wanderers 22 7 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 22 1930/31 Wolverhampton Wanderers 15 4 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 22 1931/32 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Football League Division 2 – 1st of 22 (Promoted) 1932/33 Wolverhampton Wanderers 14 6 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 22 1933/34 Wolverhampton Wanderers 14 4 Football League Division 1 – 15th of 22 1934/35 Wolverhampton Wanderers 15 3 Football League Division 1 – 17th of 22 1934/35 Preston North End 9 1 Football League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1935/36 Preston North End 6 2 Football League Division 1 – 7th of 22 1936/37 Swindon Town 42 11 Football League Division 3 (South) – 13th of 22 1937/38 Swindon Town 23 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 8th of 22 1937/38 WATFORD 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22 1938/39 WATFORD 5 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 4th of 22

A late-season signing who it was hoped would be the answer to a left-wing weakness, he was injured in his third game and thereafter never held a regular first-team place. Fast and tricky, Arthur Hetherington had scored 27 times in 110 top-flight appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Preston North End. He left Vicarage Road in 1939, but the club retained his registration for four more years, with his name on the transfer list at £500.

Known as “Arthur”. Wolves programme 28 Oct 2000 refers to him as “Jack”, but I’m not convinced that this is reliable. Birth index is OK – M1907, but local registrar has confirmed that 7 Aug 1906 is correct. Death index OK – probate nothing. Listed at £500 cs 1939, cs 1940, cs 1941 & cs 1942. 5 ft 10 ins / 5 ft 11 ins. 11 st. Peter HETHERSTON (1987‐1988) Forward

Born Bellshill, Lanarkshire, 6 November 1964 Watford Career Football League: 2+3 appearances FA Cup: 1 appearance Football League Cup: 1+1 appearances (2 goals) Full Members Cup: 1 appearance Début: (as sub) 3‐0 away win v Darlington, Football League Cup 2nd Round 1st Leg, 22 Sep 1987 Final game: 2‐5 away defeat v Ipswich Town, Full Members Cup 3rd Round, 25 Jan 1988 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 2; all competitions 3

Career Path Bargeddie United; Falkirk (December 1984); WATFORD (£63,000 July 1987); Sheffield United (£50,000 February 1988 in a transaction also involving P.A.O.Agana & M.Kuhl); Falkirk (July 1988); Raith Rovers (£20,000 close season 1991); Aberdeen (“over £200,000’” June 1994); Airdrieonians (March 1996); Partick Thistle player/assistant‐manager (close season 1997 until May 1998); Raith Rovers (assistant‐manager June 1999, manager December 1999); Albion Rovers manager (May 2002 until December 2003)

Scottish League, Scottish Premier League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1984/85 Falkirk 9 3 2 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 3rd of 14 1985/86 Falkirk 15 8 3 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1986/87 Falkirk 33 3 3 Scottish Premier League – 10th of 12 1987/88 WATFORD 2 3 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 21 (Relegated) 1987/88 Sheffield United 12 Football League Division 2 – 21st of 23 (Relegated) 1988/89 Falkirk 26 5 3 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 2nd of 14 1989/90 Falkirk 14 9 2 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 4th of 14 1990/91 Falkirk 22 4 4 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 1st of 14 (Promoted) 1991/92 Raith Rovers 31 1 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 5th of 12 1992/93 Raith Rovers 44 4 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 1st of 12 (Promoted) 1993/94 Raith Rovers 34 5 Scottish Premier League – 11th of 12 (Relegated) 1994/95 Aberdeen 15 9 Scottish Premier League – 9th of 10 1995/96 Aberdeen 9 2 Scottish Premier League – 3rd of 10 1995/96 Airdrieonians 7 1 4 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 8th of 10 1996/97 Airdrieonians 5 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 2nd of 10 1997/98 Partick Thistle 5 1 Scottish League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 10 (Relegated)

His brief flurry in English football involved two clubs and a total of only twelve months’ service. It was the same manager, Dave Bassett, who signed him on both occasions. A right‐sided attacking player, Peter Hetherston scored twice in his first 90‐ minute appearance for Watford, an 8‐0 Football League Cup win against Darlington. He earned a winner’s medal in the Scottish equivalent of that competition in 1995/96, playing in the Final for Aberdeen as a substitute. He resigned as manager of Albion Rovers while awaiting a disciplinary hearing in connection with “sexist” remarks about a female linesman, and subsequently became a publican. His younger brother Brian was a Scotland Under‐21 international who died at the age of 29.

Known as “Peter”. Birth index OK. A publican by February 2009. Younger brother Brian was a Scotland Under‐21 international who died 4 Mar 2006, aged 29.

Joseph Thomas HEWETT (1927-1931) Goalkeeper

Born Coventry, Warwickshire, 2 November 1902 Died Anglesey, Gwynedd, 1 September 1986 Watford Career Football League: 104 appearances FA Cup: 6 appearances Début: 2-4 away defeat v Millwall, Football League Div 3 (South), 5 Nov 1927 Final game: 1-0 away win v Norwich City, Football League Div 3 (South), 2 May 1931 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 34; all competitions 34

Career Path Coventry Sundries; WATFORD (September 1927 after trial period); Coventry City (free August 1931, released close season 1932)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1927/28 WATFORD 28 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1928/29 WATFORD 40 Football League Division 3 (South) – 8th of 22 1929/30 WATFORD 24 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1930/31 WATFORD 12 Football League Division 3 (South) – 18th of 22 1931/32 Coventry City 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 12th of 22

Spotted while keeping goal for a Coventry works team, Joe Hewett was invited to Vicarage Road for a trial period, as a result of which he was given an engagement. He took his chance well when Bill Yates was injured, and accumulated over a hundred Football League appearances, in which respect he was the only one of a sequence of 15 Watford goalkeepers to do so. (Confusion has existed over [a] his surname often having been spelt as ‘Hewitt’, and [b] assumptions in the past that he was a brother of Edgar Hewitt of Torquay United - his descendants affirm that this is not the case.)

Known as “Joe”. Birth & death indexes OK. Surname spelt ‘Hewitt’ in birth registration, 1911 census, and various football sources. Information received in June 2013 from great-nephew James Smith and grandson Robin Beardsley. Listed at £300 cs 1931, but then freed in June. Vic O’Brien said he lived in Bedworth during the war. 6 ft. 11 st 6 lbs / 10 st 10 lbs.

Joseph Coote HIBBERT (1891-1892) Forward

Born Huyton, Lancashire, 18 August 1871 Died Bovey Tracey, Devon, 15 June 1943 Watford Rovers Career Herts County Cup: 2 appearances Début: 6-0 home win v Watford St Mary’s, Herts County Cup Semi-final, 28 Feb 1891 Final game: 8-0 home win v Watford St Mary’s, Herts County Cup 1st Round, 6 Feb 1892 Longest run of consecutive appearances: 1

His family moved down to Watford when he was young, but he later returned to the north-west and became Medical Officer of Health for Warrington. In addition to the two resounding local-derby victories in consecutive seasons in the Herts County Cup, he played in only seven first-team friendlies.

Birth (S1871) & death indexes and probate all OK. Died in the Cottage Hospital, Bovey Tracey (home address Blenheim House, Bovey Tracey). Initial always “H.” (obviously incorrect) in Watford Advertiser. Living with family at 21 Woodford Road, Watford, in 1881 & 1891 (“medical student”) censuses. 1911 census: Medical Officer of Health for Warrington, living in Grappenhall, Cheshire. 1939 Register: Joseph C.Hibbert, b 18 Aug 1871, medical practitioner (retired), 12 Cliff Park Avenue, Paignton. Albert William HICKLIN (1947-1948) Wing-half

Born Dudley, Worcestershire, 20 September 1924 Died Bilston, West Midlands, 13 May 2007 Watford Career Football League: 21 appearances (5 goals, including 1 penalty) FA Cup: 2 appearances Début: 4-1 home win v Swansea Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 3 Sep 1947 Final game: 1-1 away draw v Aldershot, Football League Div 3 (South) 7 Feb 1948 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 12; all competitions 12

Career Path Birmingham (March 1945); WATFORD (June 1947, released close season 1948); West Bromwich Albion (a month’s trial June 1948, playing for Reserves by April 1949); Kidderminster Harriers; Bilston; Dudley

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1947/48 WATFORD 21 5 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22

He was serving in RAF Coastal Command when transferred to Watford, and performed what was very possibly a unique feat of scoring from wing-half in each of his first three Football League appearances. After three wins and a draw from his first four games, Bill Hicklin was sharply brought down to earth in his fifth, seven goals being conceded at Northampton Town. Although as a Birmingham player he didn’t have any League outings in peacetime, there were eleven Football League (North) appearances in 1944/45.

Known as “Bill”. Birth & death (May 2007) indexes OK. Probate – nothing. For many years played cricket for Dudley in the Birmingham Lge. After leaving full-time football he worked as a turner in a Tipton foundry.

Herbert Wilson HIGGINS (1902-1910) Goalkeeper

Born Leeds, Yorkshire, 26 March 1877 Died Abergrave, Brecknockshire, 3 February 1952 Watford Career Southern League: 45 appearances FA Cup: 2 appearances South Eastern League: 18 appearances United League: 3 appearances Début: 0-11 away defeat v Southampton, Southern League Div 1, 13 Dec 1902 Final game: 0-2 home defeat v Millwall, Southern League Div 1, 28 Mar 1910 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 33; all competitions 50

Career Path Oulton St John’s; WATFORD (amateur May 1903, professional May 1903 until close season 1908 and July 1909 until close season 1910)

Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1902/03 WATFORD 18 Southern League Division 1 – 15th of 16 (Relegated) 1903/04 WATFORD 20 Southern League Division 2 – 1st of 11 (Promoted) 1905/06 WATFORD 1 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 18 1909/10 WATFORD 6 Southern League Division 1 – 19th of 22

Bert Higgins was a goalkeeper who survived the calamitous experience of conceding eleven goals on his first-team début, and later another cruel fate when he scored from open play when up in support of his forwards during another Southern League fixture, only for the game to be abandoned. He was the owner of a thriving cycle business in Rickmansworth, and later in business as a Watford High Street bootmaker, became a Watford town councillor, and also served as President and Chairman of the Supporters Club.

Known as “Bert”. Birth (J1877) & death indexes and probate all OK. Signed pro for £2 pw all the year round. Signed for 1904/05 for £1.15.0 pw in winter. Signed for 1905/06 for 30/- pw. Application for reinstatement as an amateur granted by FA in May 1909, but he rejoined the Watford staff two months later. Conceded 11 on SL début. As goalkeeper, scored in open play in abandoned SL game, 23/1/1904. West Herts Post 6/5/1904 stated that the club was losing Higgins, and that “the matter rests entirely with John Goodall”. Had built up a thriving cycle/motor business in Rickmansworth by August 1904. A 1906 trade directory lists him as a cycle dealer in High St, Rickmansworth - the business became “Higgins & Garstin - Cycle Engineers” by 1909/10. Entries disappear in 1912/13, but Higgins still listed as a resident in the High St. By 1919/20 in business as a bootmaker at 200 High St, Watford, and in his will describes himself as a boot factor at that address. 1918 electoral register lists him at 164 High St, but “abode, 200 High St”. Became a member of Watford Town Council in November 1925, and in 1939 was on the Guardians Committee. As “Councillor H.W. Higgins” was Supporters Club president & chairman from 1926 to 1931, when he resigned. Played for MCC v West Herts 26/6/1903 - probably filling in when MCC turned up one short, as he was never a member or candidate, and made no other appearance for the club.

Sidney William HIGH (1948-1949) Winger

Born Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, 30 September 1922 Died Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, 27 September 2015 Watford Career Football League: 7 appearances (3 goals) Début: 1-1 away draw v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 20 Nov 1948 Final game: 0-4 away defeat v Notts County, Football League Div 3 (South), 26 Feb 1949 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 5; all competitions 5

Career Path Abbey United; Luton Town (October 1946); WATFORD (August 1948); King’s Lynn (free close season 1949); Cambridge United (briefly); Aldershot (a month’s trial August 1951 before retirement through persistent injuries)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1948/49 WATFORD 7 3 Football League Division 3 (South) – 17th of 22

A right-winger who scored all of Watford’s three goals in his first two League appearances for the club, Sid High nevertheless made no lasting impact. His début was in a 1-1 draw at Northampton, and he had to wait eight weeks for another outing, this occasion resulting in a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace. His two seasons with Luton Town had been spent in the Reserves.

Known as “Sid”. Birth index OK.

Daniel Ronald Louis HILL (1996) Midfielder

Born Enfield, London, 1 October 1974 Representative Honours England Youth & Under‐21 Watford Career Football League: 1 appearance Sole appearance: 0‐4 away defeat v Crystal Palace, Football League Div 1, 17 Feb 1996

Career Path Tottenham Hotspur (schoolboy November 1988, trainee August 1991, professional September 1992); Birmingham City (loan November 1995); WATFORD (loan February 1996); Cardiff City (loan February 1998); Oxford United (free June 1998); Cardiff City (free November 1998); Dagenham & Redbridge (free August 2001); Hornchurch (free October 2004, released November 2004); Heybridge Swifts (June 2005); Leyton (August 2006, cancelled September 2006)

FA Premier League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1992/93 Tottenham Hotspur 2 2 FA Premier League – 8th of 22 1993/94 Tottenham Hotspur 1 2 FA Premier League – 15th of 22 1994/95 Tottenham Hotspur 1 2 FA Premier League ‐ 7th of 22 1995/96 Birmingham City 5 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 15th of 24 1995/96 WATFORD 1 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1997/98 Cardiff City 7 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 21st of 24 1998/99 Oxford United 1 8 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1998/99 Cardiff City 14 12 2 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 3rd of 24 (Promoted) 1999/00 Cardiff City 12 11 1 Football League Division 2 (3rd tier) – 21st of 24 (Relegated) 2000/01 Cardiff City 7 2 1 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted)

As a developing midfielder with a good pedigree, he had an undistinguished spell with Watford. His only game was a trouncing at Crystal Palace which was Glenn Roeder’s swansong as manager. Danny Hill was unwanted by the incoming regime and spent the remainder of his loan period back with his regular employers, rather than playing for Watford Reserves, leaving the club to honour the terms of the month’s loan and pay his wages accordingly.

Known as “Danny”. Birth index OK. Released from Hornchurch contract Nov 2004 when the club’s backers went bust. Early in his career some reference books wrongly credited him with England Schools caps instead of Youth. He left Watford after one game, following Roeder’s sacking, but the club had to honour the terms of the month’s loan and pay his wages accordingly. Address late‐1990s: 15 Church St, Rochester (0411 912612).

John Sime HILL (1897‐1900) Winger

Born Kirkcaldy, Fife, 18 March 1871 Representative Honours Scotland ‘Junior’ West Herts / Watford Career Southern League: 65 appearances (25 goals, including 1 penalty) FA Cup: 10 appearances (1 goal) Bucks & Contiguous Counties League: 18 appearances (11 goals) Début: 2‐2 home draw v Royal Artillery (Portsmouth), Southern League Div 2, 23 Oct 1897 Final game: 10‐0 home win v Leighton Cee Springs, FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round, 3 Nov 1900 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 63; all competitions 90

Career Path Leith Rangers; Leith Athletic; Middlesbrough Ironopolis (1892); Leicester Fosse (close season 1893); Glossop North End (July 1895); WEST HERTS (name changed to Watford in 1898) (October 1897 until close season 1901); reinstated amateur by August 1902; WATFORD director (June 1909, resigned 1914)

Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1894/95 Leicester Fosse 21 3 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 16 1897/98 WEST HERTS 20 7 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12 1898/99 WATFORD 22 11 Southern League Division 2 – 3rd of 12 1899/00 WATFORD 21 6 Southern League Division 2 – 1st of 11 (Promoted) 1900/01 WATFORD 2 1 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 15

Among the very best of the early professionals, Johnny Hill played mainly on the left wing, and he shares with Arthur Grimsdell the distinction of having served the club as both player and director. Furthermore, he also owned the Watford High Street newsagent/tobacconist business which subsequently became Grimsdell’s. Although originally just ‘John’, he later added his mother’s maiden name (Sime) as a second forename.

Known as “Johnny”. I have copy of birth registration. Middle name “Sime” (mother’s maiden name) in marriage registration and 1911 census. In birth registration and elsewhere he’s just John – but mother’s maiden name was Sime. Marriage: John Sime Hill = Mary Agnes Pickersgill, Watford 24 Oct 1898. Wife born Coxwold 1871, mother’s maiden name Hutton. Photo & pen pic in Watford Observer 5/11/1898. Didn’t re‐sign for 1900/01 until October. By August 1902 had a newsagent & tobacconist business at 158 High St, between Crown Passage and The One Crown ‐ the business was later owned by Arthur Grimsdell. Scottish Junior cap 14/2/1891, scoring in a 1‐1 draw in Belfast ‐ match report in The Juniors ‐ 100 Years. FA Cup quarter‐finalist with non‐League Middlesbrough Ironopolis 1891/92. 1871 census: Ann Philp, head of household, Alice Hill, sister, John Hill nephew. 1881 census: 17E Cromwell St, Leith, William Hill, 43, Alice Hill, 45, Alexander, 23, James, 19, Alice, 15, William, 12, John, 10 (all these children were born Kirkcaldy). 1901 census: 158 High St, Watford, 29, newsagent, b Scotland. 1911 census: John Sime Hill, 40, newsagent, 158 High St, Watford, b Pathhead, Fife, wife Mary Agnes, married 12 years. Born Mill St, Abbotshall, Kirkcaldy. (In 1911 he says born Pathhead – this and Abbotshall are both parishes in Kirkcaldy.) Returned to “the north” at some time after resigning as a director. The only person listed in the 1918 electoral register as resident at 158 High St is a man named Fulford.

M.HILL (1897) Centre‐forward

West Herts Career Southern League: 1 appearance Herts Senior Cup: 1 appearance Début: 2‐0 home win v Royal Engineers Training Battalion (Chatham), Southern League Div 2, 6 Feb 1897 Final game: 3‐2 win v Apsley (at Berkhamsted), Herts Senior Cup Semi‐final, 13 Feb 1897 Longest run of consecutive appearances: all competitions 2

Career Path WEST HERTS (1896/97)

Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1896/97 WEST HERTS 1 Southern League Division 2 – 9th of 13

He had only a brief connection with the club as a player, but did appear in the senior team at centre‐half in three successive games, including a friendly. For the first of them he was brought in to replace George Davenport, who was “still feeling the effects” of the previous week’s game.

Made three first‐team apps in February 1897, the first of which being when he was brought in to replace Davenport, who was still feeling the effects of the match v Old St Stephens a week earlier. Also played a few reserve‐team games around this time. None of the Watford papers give any further information about him.

Richard Wilfred HILL (1987) Midfielder

Born Hinckley, Leicestershire, 20 September 1963 Watford Career Football League: 2+2 appearances Début: (as sub) 0-1 away defeat v Nottingham Forest, Football League Div 1, 19 Aug 1987 Final game: 0-1 home defeat v Norwich City, Football League Div 1, 5 Sep 1987 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 4; all competitions 4

Career Path Leicester City (schoolboy November 1977, professional November 1981); Grankulla (Finland); Christchurch United (New Zealand); Nuneaton Borough (1983); Northampton Town (£25,000 for Hill and one other June 1985); WATFORD (loan May 1987, £258,000 July 1987, of which 15% went to Nuneaton Borough in accordance with a “sell-on” clause); Oxford United (£260,000 September 1987 until April 1991); Kettering Town (free close season 1991,cancelled by mutual consent September 1992); Reading community officer (late-1992/93 until close season 1994); Worcester City (close season 1993); Racing Club Warwick; Witney Town player-coach (February 1994); Nuneaton Borough (player, October 1994); Hinckley Athletic (August 1995); Reading youth-team coach (November 1995); Wycombe Wanderers assistant-manager (October 1996 until February 1998); Shepshed Dynamo (March 1998); Stevenage Borough manager (January 1999 until March 2000); Gillingham (assistant- manager July 2000 until April 2003); Northampton Town (assistant-manager April 2003, acting-manager September 2003); Tranmere Rovers assistant-manager (November 2003); Queens Park Rangers (assistant-manager by February 2007 until July 2007); Didcot Town assistant-manager; technical advisor to Ethiopian national team (June 2010); Didcot Town assistant- manager (November 2010); Witney United manager (January 2011); FC Kairat (Kazakhstan) manager (June 2011); Eastleigh manager (September 2012 until September 2015); Whitehawk manager (September 2016); Aston Villa coaching staff (November 2016); Eastleigh (director of football February 2017, manager May 2017, direct of football December 2017)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1985/86 Northampton Town 41 17 Football League Division 4 – 8th of 24 1986/87 Northampton Town 45 29 Football League Division 4 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1987/88 WATFORD 2 2 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 21 (Relegated) 1987/88 Oxford United 15 9 3 Football League Division 1 – 21st of 21 (Relegated) 1988/89 Oxford United 33 6 10 Football League Division 2 – 17th of 24

Given a second chance to make a Football League career after failing to break into Leicester City’s first team, Richard Hill scored prolifically from midfield (32 League & cup goals) when Northampton Town won the Fourth Division championship. Watford paid record money for a player at that level (beating the previous record, for George Reilly’s transfer, also from Northampton, to Cambridge United), but the change of manager at Vicarage Road led to his departure within weeks. He made his last Football League appearance at the age of 25, his career as a full-time player having been ended by injury. He was dismissed as assistant-manager by Queens Park Rangers for his part in a brawl in a reserve-team friendly v China’s Olympic team.

Known as “Richard”. Birth index OK. The player who moved with him to Northampton was Trevor Morley Career ended at Oxford United as a result of injury sustained pre-season 1989. Scored twice on his début for Shepshed Dynamo. Made redundant by Gillingham. Signed on loan in order to join club tour to China, it having been agreed in March that he would be transferred to Watford in July. Loan period began the day after Graham Taylor joined Villa. Had he stayed at Watford, the club would have paid a further £20,000 after 40 first-team apps, and £20,000 more if he played for England. Selected for PFA Div 4 “team” 1987. After leaving Reading post he set up his own business in Leicestershire.

William Ralph HILLS (1927-1929) Winger

Born Ely, Cambridgeshire, 16 December 1904 Died Walney, Lancashire, 3 April 1970 Watford Career Football League: 30 appearances (3 goals) FA Cup: 1 appearance Début: 3-1 home win v Coventry City, Football League Div 3 (South), 27 Aug 1927 Final game: 1-1 home draw v Northampton Town, Football League Div 3 (South), 4 May 1929 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 28; all competitions 29

Career Path Northumberland Schools; St Peter’s Albion, Newcastle; Bishop Auckland (1924); Middlesbrough (amateur January 1925, cancelled May 1925); Huddersfield Town (amateur 1925, professional February 1927); WATFORD (free May 1927); Southport (free June 1929); Barrow (June 1932); Crewe Alexandra (July 1933 until close season 1936)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1927/28 WATFORD 28 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 15th of 22 1928/29 WATFORD 2 1 Football League Division 3 (South) – 8th of 22 1929/30 Southport 41 9 Football League Division 3 (North) – 9th of 22 1930/31 Southport 33 8 Football League Division 3 (North) – 5th of 22 1931/32 Southport 34 9 Football League Division 3 (North) – 7th of 21 1932/33 Barrow 28 7 Football League Division 3 (North) – 9th of 22 1933/34 Crewe Alexandra 16 2 Football League Division 3 (North) – 14th of 22 1934/35 Crewe Alexandra 1 2 Football League Division 3 (North) – 13th of 22

Ever-present at outside-right, before being injured, for two thirds of his first season at Vicarage Road, he reappeared fourteen months later for the last two fixtures of 1928/29, but was then released. He proceeded to make over a hundred Football League appearances for Southport, where he was appointed captain. His first professional engagement was with Huddersfield Town, for whose reserve-team he scored ten goals in 17 Central League appearances in 1926/27, but this was the club’s golden era (successive First Division finishes of 1,1,1,2,2) and he didn’t break into the first team. Although born in East Anglia, Ralph Hills was a product of north-east schools football, at which level he represented Northumberland.

Known as “Ralph”. Birth & death index and probate all OK. Made 3 appearances for Northumberland Schools. 5 ft 8½ ins. 10 st / 10 st 8 lbs.

James Lyons HINDMARSH (1907-1908) Centre-forward

Born Whitburn, County Durham, 19 April 1885 Died Luton, Bedfordshire, 16 March 1959 Watford Career Southern League: 10 appearances (4 goals) Début: 0-5 away defeat v Tottenham Hotspur, Southern League Div 1, 14 Dec 1907 Final game: 2-1 home win v Luton Town, Southern League Div 1, 17 Apr 1908 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 6; all competitions 6

Career Path Whitburn Colliery; Sunderland (March 1905); Fulham (£20 May 1906); WATFORD (December 1907); Plymouth Argyle (May 1908); Stockport County (£100 May 1910, of which £25 was paid to Fulham); Manchester City (November 1912); Newport County (player/reserve-team-coach September 1919, first-team coach 1920, manager May 1922 to May 1935)

Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1905/06 Sunderland 1 Football League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1906/07 Fulham 1 Southern League Division 1 – 1st of 20 1907/08 WATFORD 10 4 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 20 1908/09 Plymouth Argyle 15 5 Southern League Division 1 – 10th of 21 1909/10 Plymouth Argyle 40 16 Southern League Division 1 – 11th of 22 1910/11 Stockport County 25 1 Football League Division 2 – 17th of 20 1911/12 Stockport County 35 1 Football League Division 2 – 16th of 20 1912/13 Stockport County 9 Football League Division 2 – 19th of 20 1913/14 Manchester City 24 1 Football League Division 1 – 13th of 20 1914/15 Manchester City 4 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 20 1919/20 Newport County 10 Southern League Division 1 – 18th of 22

Signed as Jack Foster’s mid-season replacement at centre-forward, Jimmy Hindmarsh was not a success, but his subsequent career included top-flight experience with Manchester City. As a Plymouth Argyle player he gave evidence in a murder case, an Argyle colleague, Teddie McIntyre, having hit the club trainer, who died a few days later, in a dispute over a game of cards on a train while returning from a match. McIntyre was acquitted. Hindmarsh later became a major figure in the history of Newport County, where during his 13 years as manager the club was voted out of the Football League and back in again.

Known as “Jimmy”. Birth (J1885) & death indexes and probate all OK. 1939 Register: 7a Napier Rd, Luton, b 19 Apr 1885, bricklayer, married, but resident in a house full of working men. On 30/3/1909 gave evidence in a murder case. Former Plymouth player Teddie McIntyre hit the club trainer, Nicholas Arthur Wallis (who died a few days later), in a dispute over a games of cards on a train whilst returning from a match. McIntyre was acquitted. The Joint Leagues Board reduced the asking price for his move to Stockport to £25 to Fulham and £75 to Plymouth. (Why? Why didn’t Watford get anything?) 5 ft 10 ins. 12 st.

Alfred HITCH (1906-1908) Centre-half

Born Walsall, Staffordshire, 14 July 1876 Died Uxbridge, Middlesex, 1962

Watford Career Southern League: 69 appearances (2 goals, including 1 penalty) FA Cup: 3 appearances South Eastern League: 1 appearance United League: 7 appearances (1 goal) Début: 0-2 away defeat v Brentford, Southern League Div 1, 1 Sep 1906

Final game: 2-3 home defeat v West Ham United, Southern League Div 1, 28 Mar 1908 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 69; all competitions 24

Career Path Walsall Unity; Brownhills Albion; Walsall Wood Athletic (close season 1897);Walsall (October 1897); Wellington Town (January 1898); Thames Ironworks (September 1898); Grays United (December 1898); Queens Park Rangers (May 1899); Nottingham Forest (May 1901); Queens Park Rangers (May 1902); WATFORD (May 1906 until close season 1908)

Football League & Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1897/98 Walsall 2 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 16 1898/99 Thames Ironworks 3 Southern League Division 2 – 1st of 12 (Promoted) 1899/00 Queens Park Rangers 21 1 Southern League Division 1 – 8th of 15 1900/01 Queens Park Rangers 28 4 Southern League Division 1 – 8th of 15 1901/02 Nottingham Forest 13 2 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 18 1902/03 Queens Park Rangers 26 3 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 16 1903/04 Queens Park Rangers 30 1 Southern League Division 1 – 5th of 18 1904/05 Queens Park Rangers 31 9 Southern League Division 1 – 7th of 18 1905/06 Queens Park Rangers 31 1 Southern League Division 1 – 13th of 18 1906/07 WATFORD 38 1 Southern League Division 1 – 9th of 20 1907/08 WATFORD 31 1 Southern League Division 1 – 14th of 20

Centre-half Alf Hitch, who excelled in the air, was given the club captaincy late in the 1906/07 season and kept it in the following campaign, and he also captained Queens Park Rangers in his second spell there. He was good enough to have played for South v North in a England trial match on 25 February 1901. Soon after scoring in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in his first home match for Watford he opened a tobacconist shop in St Albans Road. He was a guest at Vicarage Road for the club’s match against Northampton Town on 20 October 1956, shortly after his 80th birthday.

Known as “Alf”. Birth (S1876) & death (J1962) indexes OK, probate nothing. Captain of QPR by November 1905. Opened a tobacconist’s shop at 73 St Albans Road 29/9/1906 - next door to “Clem Childs the hairdresser’s” and “a few yards to the left as one comes up Station Road”. 1939 Register: Born 14 Jul 1876. Wife May E. Running a newsagent/stationer business at, and living at, 321 Goldhawk Rd, Hammersmith. Was a guest at Watford’s match 20/10/1956, having “recently celebrated his 80th birthday”. 5 ft 8 ins. 11 st 3 lbs.

Thomas Michael HOBAN (2011- ) Centre-half

Born Walthamstow, London, 24 January 1994 Representative Honours Republic of Ireland Youth, Under-21 & Under-23 Watford Career (to end of 2016/17 season) Football League: 44+10 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 1 appearance Football League Cup: 2 appearances Début: (as sub) 1-3 away defeat v Preston North End, Football League Championship, 7 May 2011 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 18; all competitions 18

Career Path Arsenal Academy (until age 14); WATFORD (scholar June 2010, professional July 2011); Wealdstone (loan February 2012); Blackburn Rovers (loan August 2016)

Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2010/11 WATFORD 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2012/13 WATFORD 19 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 2013/14 WATFORD 5 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2014/15 WATFORD 20 7 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2016/17 Blackburn Rovers 15 1 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 22nd of 24 (Relegated)

The tall Tommie Hoban made his first-team début while still a scholar, with 70 minutes as a substitute in the final fixture of 2010/11, and was awarded a full professional contract shortly afterwards. His next first-team action was two seasons later, when he had a long run at the centre of defence in which he showed impressive maturity before injury intervened.

Known as “Tommie”. Birth index OK. Lge début as a scholar. Capped at U-19 level. Sydney George HOBBS (1894-1897) Forward

Born Tottenham, Middlesex, 29 September 1876 Died Leeds, Yorkshire, 20 May 1959 West Herts Career Southern League: 18 appearances (8 goals) FA Cup: 3 appearances (1 goal) FA Amateur Cup: 7 appearances (6 goals) Début: 2-3 away defeat v Tottenham Hotspur, FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round, 13 Oct 1894 Final game: 0-5 away defeat v Freemantle, Southern League Div 2, 10 Apr 1897 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 5; all competitions 7

Career Path Tottenham Hotspur; Woodville (1892/93); Crouch End (by 1895/96); WEST HERTS (early-1894 until September 1897); also Clapton (briefly November 1895)

Southern League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1895/96 Clapton 1 Southern League Division 1 – 8th of 10 1896/97 WEST HERTS 18 8 Southern League Division 2 – 9th of 13

As a teenager he was a member of the Woodville team which won the Essex Senior Cup. First associated with the town of Watford as a pupil at the London Orphan School, he was the club’s main goalscorer for two seasons before its entry to the Southern League. After sustaining a serious knee injury in a 5-0 defeat at Freemantle in April 1897 he was appointed captain for the following season, but broke down in the opening fixture, a friendly, and didn’t play again. He continued to participate in other sports, however, as a cricketer for West Herts CC, and winning a golf tournament at Bushey Hall in October 1912.

Birth & death indexes OK. Probate OK, but first name spelt “Sydney” (joint executor was daughter Frances Barbara Watson, who was born Marylebone J1912 mother’s maiden name Morris.) Married Sarah Morris, Marylebone S1903. Died St James Hospital, Leeds (home address 23 Alwoodley Lane, Leeds), 20 May 1959, aged 84. His 1 SL app for Clapton was v Millwall 30 Nov 1895. It was agreed in July 1897 that he be invited to accept the captaincy, but at the next meeting the position was offered to Reuben Blyth, who declined. It was thereupon decided to offer it to Sid King, but then at the next meeting the committee reverted to their original choice of Hobbs. He was injured in the first game of the season, 4/9/1897, and never played again, Robins taking over as captain. (An item in the Observer in May 1911 stated that a knee injury sustained at Freemantle - presumably 10/4/1897 - had ended his football career). Attended the London Orphan School, Watford (one of the boys selected in January 1886 to fill vacancies) and was a judge at the school’s sports day in 1912. 1891 census: living with widowed mother (“living on own means”) at 5 Tottenham Terrace, junior clerk, aged 14 1901 census: Sydney G.Hobbs, 24, superintendent newspaper worker, b Tottenham, living with widowed mother Sarah Ann, 64, at 31 South Villas, Camden Sq. 1911 census: 58 Loudoun Rd, NW – Sidney George Hobbs, 34, newsagent’s manager, born Tottenham, wife Sarah, 36, born Westbury, Salop, married 7 years, 3 children, all living. Won Essex Senior Cup with Woodville. Playing for West Herts CC May 1905. Married Sarah Morris, Marylebone S1903. Won a golf tournament at Bushey Hall, October 1912. Francis HODDINOTT (1919-1921) Centre-forward

Born Brecon, Brecknockshire, 26 November 1894 Died Southend, Essex, 1980 Representative Honours Wales Full Watford Career Southern League & Football League: 52 appearances (29 goals, including 6 penalties) FA Cup: 2 appearances (3 goals) Début: 2-1 away win v Northampton Town, Southern League Div 1, 1 Sep 1919 Final game: 4-2 home win v Grimsby Town, Football League Div 3, 7 May 1921 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League/Football League 24; all competitions 26

Career Path Brecon Sports Club; Aberdare Athletic (1913); WATFORD (July 1919); Chelsea (£3,500 June 1921); Crystal Palace (May 1923); Rhyl (July 1926); New Brighton (May 1927); Carreras United coach (August 1928); Newark Town (August 1928, player- manager close season 1929); Grantham player-manager (close season 1930); Ilkeston United (February 1932); application for permit to play for Chelmsford as an amateur refused November 1932; Chelmsford trainer (by September 1933)

Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1912/13 Aberdare Athletic ? ? Southern League Division 2 – 9th of 13 1913/14 Aberdare Athletic ? ? Southern League Division 2 – 15th of 16 (Left the Southern League) 1919/20 WATFORD 13 7 Southern League Division 1 -2nd of 22 1920/21 WATFORD 39 22 Football League Division 3 – 6th of 22 1921/22 Chelsea 23 3 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1922/23 Chelsea 8 1 Football League Division 1 – 19th of 22 1923/24 Crystal Palace 32 13 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 22 1924/25 Crystal Palace 34 5 Football League Division 2 – 21st of 22 (Relegated) 1925/26 Crystal Palace 13 2 Football League Division 3 (South) – 13th of 22 1927/28 New Brighton 23 6 Football League Division 3 (North) – 10th of 22

After serving in the First World War in the South Wales Borderers, Frank Hoddinott, who was also known as Tommy, continued his football career as a centre-forward whose goalscoring in Watford’s first Football League season brought him the club’s first Full international honour and a club-record fee from Chelsea, but the goals dried up almost completely at Stamford Bridge. He boxed professionally during his football career, and after finishing his association with the game as Chelmsford’s trainer he took to plying pleasure boats at Southend, where he settled.

Known as “Frank” (also “Tommy”). Birth & death indexes OK, probate nothing. Death registered as “Francis Thomas Hoddinott” – at Aberdare he was known as “Tommy” (see below). Great War service with the South Wales Borderers. Carreras United was a London club. Scored 8 for Reserves in a friendly v Watford & District Lge 28/2/1920 (11-0). In August 1933 living at Tylers Avenue, Southend, and working as a boatman. Still plying pleasure boats there in February 1938, having given up the game “about four years ago”. Also a pro boxer who fought at Blackfriars Ring when with Chelsea. Pen pic & photo in A Football Who’s Who. 5 ft 10 ins / 5 ft 8 ins. Nearly 12 st / 10 st 8 lbs.

"Congratulations, Hoddinott We're pleased indeed to read That in the match against Scotland The Welsh front line you'll lead You well deserve the honour And the old club's proud today She feels you'll do her credit When at Aberdare you'll play An athlete of the best always And a tiptop sport all round You showed it when a youngster On the good old Sports Club ground The boys' best wishes, Tommy In your footballing career A right good 'screw' and heaps of goals And your cap for many a year"

(By "Watchman" and mentioned in the Brecon & Radnor Express of 25/12/1958, marking 50 years of Brecon Sports Club.)

Stephen Brian HODGE (1995) Midfielder

Born Nottingham, 25 October 1962 Representative Honours England Under-21, ‘B’ & Full Watford Career Football League: 2 appearances Début: 3-0 home win v Tranmere Rovers, Football League Div 1, 16 Dec 1995 Final game: 0-0 away draw v Oldham Athletic, Football League Div 1, 23 Dec 1995 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 2; all competitions 2

Career Path Nottingham Forest (schoolboy October 1977, apprentice July 1979, professional October 1980); Aston Villa (£450,000 August 1985); Tottenham Hotspur (£650,000 December 1986); Nottingham Forest (£550,000 August 1988); Leeds United (£900,000 July 1991); Derby County (loan August 1994); Queens Park Rangers (£300,000 October 1994); WATFORD (monthly contract December 1995); Hong Kong football; Walsall (non-contract December 1996, cancelled February 1997); Leyton Orient (non- contract briefly August 1997); Notts County Academy coach (by January 2005); Blackstone (player mid-2004/05); Chesterfield coaching assistant (by February 2007); Nottingham Forest Under-14 coach; Notts County (development squad manager close season 2013, briefly caretaker-manager October 2013); Wolverhampton Wanderers temporary coaching assistant (July 2014)

Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1981/82 Nottingham Forest 1 Football League Division 1 – 12th of 22 1982/83 Nottingham Forest 38 1 8 Football League Division 1 – 5th of 22 1983/84 Nottingham Forest 39 10 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 22 1984/85 Nottingham Forest 42 12 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1985/86 Nottingham Forest 2 Football League Division 1 – 8th of 22 1985/86 Aston Villa 36 8 Football League Division 1 – 16th of 22 1986/87 Aston Villa 17 4 Football League Division 1 – 22nd of 22 (Relegated) 1986/87 Tottenham Hotspur 19 4 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 22 1987/88 Tottenham Hotspur 25 1 3 Football League Division 1 – 13th of 21 1988/89 Nottingham Forest 33 1 7 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 20 1989/90 Nottingham Forest 34 10 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 20 1990/91 Nottingham Forest 12 2 3 Football League Division 1 – 8th of 20 1991/92 Leeds United 12 11 7 Football League Division 1 – 1st of 22 1992/93 Leeds United 9 14 2 FA Premier League – 17th of 22 1993/94 Leeds United 7 1 1 FA Premier League – 5th of 22 1994/95 Derby County 10 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 1994/95 Queens Park Rangers 15 FA Premier League – 8th of 22 1995/96 WATFORD 2 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 1997/98 Leyton Orient 1 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 11th of 24

Twenty-four Full caps bear testimony to his midfield talent in a career which included three Wembley victories with Nottingham Forest in two seasons – two in the Football League Cup and one in the Full Members Cup. Steve Hodge had previously been a beaten FA Cup finalist with Tottenham Hotspur after scoring twice in the semi-final against Watford, with which club he was briefly involved very late in his career. In 1983/84 he’d been a member of the England side, as had Nigel Callaghan, which won the UEFA Under-21 tourament.

Known as “Steve”. Birth index OK. Retired shortly after his Leyton Orient spell. Radio work for Talksport while a Notts County Academy coach. Played with Callaghan in the UEFA Under-21 tournament-winning team of 1983/84. Never played below top tier before joining Watford. Injured in second game for Watford - Roeder was sacked before he regained fitness, he was not required by Taylor and his engagement was not renewed. Address in late-1990s: 15 Landercroft Lane, Sutton Bonnington, Loughborough (01509 673849). Worked as a BBC Radio summarizer by 2004/05.

Glyn Peter HODGES (1987-1990) Midfielder

Born Streatham, London, 30 April 1963 Representative Honours Wales Youth, Under-21, ‘B’ & Full Watford Career Football League: 82+4 appearances (15 goals, including 3 penalties) FA Cup: 8 appearances (1 goal) Football League Cup: 5 appearances (2 goals) Full Members Cup: 2+1 appearance (1 goal) Début: 0-1 away defeat v Coventry City, Football League Div 1, 3 Oct 1987 Final game: 3-1 home win v Hull City, Football League Div 2, 5 May 1990 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 17; all competitions 15

Career Path Wimbledon (schoolboy February 1979, apprentice July 1979, professional February 1981); Kuopio KPT (Finland) (loan close season 1981); Newcastle United (£300,000 July 1987); WATFORD (£320,000 September 1987); Crystal Palace (£410,000 June 1990); Sheffield United (loan January 1991, £400,000 April 1991); Derby County (free February 1996); Sin Tao (also known as Goldon) (Hong Kong) (free August 1996); Hull City (free August 1997); Nottingham Forest (free February 1998); Scarborough (non-contract January 1999); Barnsley (reserve-team coach by close season 2000, briefly acting-manager October 2001, caretaker-manager October 2002, left the club close season 2002); Wales Under-21 manager (March 2004 until October 2004); Blackburn Rovers reserve-team manager (by February 2005); Manchester City reserve-team manager (August 2008 until December 2009); Leeds United coaching staff; Fulham first-team coach (October 2010); Queens Park Rangers head of coaching (July 2012); Stoke City Under-21 coach (June 2013)

Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1980/81 Wimbledon 27 3 5 Football League Division 4 – 4th of 24 (Promoted) 1981/82 Wimbledon 32 2 2 Football League Division 3 – 21st of 24 (Relegated) 1982/83 Wimbledon 31 6 9 Football League Division 4 – 1st of 24 (Promoted) 1983/84 Wimbledon 39 3 15 Football League Division 3 – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1984/85 Wimbledon 21 1 3 Football League Division 2 – 12th of 22 1985/86 Wimbledon 18 12 6 Football League Division 2 – 3rd of 22 (Promoted) 1986/87 Wimbledon 32 5 9 Football League Division 1 – 6th of 22 1987/88 Newcastle United 7 Football League Division 1 – 8th of 21 1987/88 WATFORD 22 2 3 Football League Division 1 – 20th of 21 (Relegated) 1988/89 WATFORD 25 2 5 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 24 1989/90 WATFORD 35 7 Football League Division 2 – 15th of 24 1990/91 Crystal Palace 5 2 Football League Division 1 – 3rd of 20 1990/91 Sheffield United 12 4 Football League Division 1 – 13th of 20 1991/92 Sheffield United 22 4 2 Football League Division 1 – 9th of 22 1992/93 Sheffield United 28 3 4 FA Premier League – 14th of 22 1993/94 Sheffield United 19 12 2 FA Premier League – 20th of 22 (Relegated) 1994/95 Sheffield United 20 5 4 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 8th of 24 1995/96 Sheffield United 15 7 3 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 9th of 24 1995/96 Derby County 1 8 Football League Division 1 (2nd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 1997/98 Hull City 13 5 4 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 22nd of 24 1998/99 Nottingham Forest 3 2 FA Premier League – 20th of 20 (Relegated) 1998/99 Scarborough 1 Football League Division 3 (4th tier) – 24th of 24 (Relegated)

There weren’t many good things about the Dave Bassett era, but the signing of Glyn Hodges was the best of them. Although lacking John Barnes’s pace and athleticism, and sometimes criticized for his temperament and commitment, Hodges brought to the left side of Watford’s attack a level of skill and vision equal to that of his illustrious predecessor. A magnificent striker of the ball with his left foot, he went from Fourth Division to First with Wimbledon, where his career began as a registered schoolboy. Hodges is the only player in the history of English football to have played for four clubs in the top tier under the same manager (Dave Bassett). He won 18 Full caps, seven of them during his time at Vicarage Road.

Known as “Glyn”. Birth index OK. Selected for PFA Div 3 “team” 1982/83. Played for Sheff Utd in a veterans (over-35s?) competition, July 2000.

Lee James Stephen HODSON (2009-2012) Full-back

Born Watford, Hertfordshire, 2 October 1991 Representative Honours Northern Ireland Youth, Under-21 & Full Watford Career Football League: 76+7 appearances (1 goal) FA Cup: 3 appearances Football League Cup: 4+1 appearances Début: (as sub) 3-1 home win v Derby County, Football League Championship, 3 May 2009 Final game: 1-2 home defeat v Bradford City, Football League Cup 2nd Round, 28 Aug 2012 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 22; all competitions 24

Career Path Luton Town Centre of Excellence (until aged 14); Borehamwood 2000; district schools; WATFORD (Academy, scholar July 2008, professional November 2008); Brentford (loan November 2012); Milton Keynes Dons (free July 2013); Kilmarnock (loan February 2016); Rangers (undisclosed fee June 2016)

Football League & Scottish Premiership Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2008/09 WATFORD 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 13th of 24 2009/10 WATFORD 29 2 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2010/11 WATFORD 26 3 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 14th of 24 2011/12 WATFORD 20 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 11th of 24 2012/13 WATFORD 1 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 2012/13 Brentford 8 6 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 3rd of 24 2013/14 Milton Keynes Dons 23 1 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 10th of 24 2014/15 Milton Keynes Dons 12 2 1 Football League Division 1 (3rd tier) – 2nd of 24 (Promoted) 2015/16 Milton Keynes Dons 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 23rd of 24 (Relegated) 2015/16 Kilmarnock 15 Scottish Premiership – 11th of 12 2016/17 Rangers 10 1 1 Scottish Premiership – 3rd of 12

Short in stature and with a low centre of balance, this busy, resourceful right-back made his Football League début at 17 and was a Full international soon after his 19th birthday. A close-range header would not have seemed likely as the source of his first senior goal, but that’s how it came, in a 2-2 draw at Leeds United. Although a local boy, Lee Hodson owes his elegibility for Northern Ireland to his Belfast-born maternal grandmother. He was only the second Watford-born player, after Kenny Jackett, to have won a Full cap when on the Vicarage Road staff.

Known as “Lee”. Birth index OK. Reference books say born Borehamwood – wrong. He was born in Watford General Hospital. Qualified for Northern Ireland through paternal grandmother (born Belfast), who moved to England as a child. Under -19 caps 2008/09. Cornelius HOGAN (1901) Centre‐half

Born Malta, 1878 Died Preston, Lancashire, 14 March 1909 Watford Career Southern League: 2 appearances Début: 1‐0 away win v Queens Park Rangers, Southern League Div 1, 7 Sep 1901 Final game: 0‐2 home defeat v Reading, Southern League Div 1, 14 Sep 1901 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Southern League 2; all competitions 2

Career Path Aston Villa (November 1897); Millwall (May 1898); New Brighton Tower (May 1899); WATFORD (June 1901); Burnley (November 1901); Fulham (June 1903); Swindon Town (November 1903); St Helen’s Recreation (July 1904); Nelson (November 1905); Rossendale United (January 1906)

Southern League & Football League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 1898/99 Millwall 1 Southern League Division 1 – 3rd of 13 1899/00 New Brighton Tower 17 1 Football League Division 2 – 10th of 18 1900/01 New Brighton Tower 1 Football League Division 2 – 4th of 18 1901/02 WATFORD 2 Southern League Division 1 – 13th of 16 1901/02 Burnley 23 10 Football League Division 2 – 9th of 18 1902/03 Burnley 20 7 Football League Division 2 – 18th of 18 1903/04 Fulham 2 1 Southern League Division 1 – 11th of 18 1903/04 Swindon Town 13 5 Southern League Division 1 – 10th of 18

The son of an army serjeant, and born when his father was serving overseas, he himself enlisted in the Royal Munster Fusiliers as a boy soldier and was bought out of the service by Aston Villa in February 1898, three months after they’d registered him as a player. He began his Watford spell by playing at centre‐half in the first two Southern League games of the 1901/02 season, but not only didn’t appear in the first team again but was very soon scoring Football League Division 2 goals at a good rate for Burnley. He was only 30 when he died.

Death index OK, probate nothing. “18” in 1898, “22” in August 1901, “14 y 9 m” on enlistment, “12” in 1891 census. Aston Villa bought him out of the army 4 Feb 1898. Playing for Burnley, was sent off 11 Oct 1902 for tripping. A Hogan was playing for Nelson in January 1903 ‐ doesn’t seem likely to be him, although he was out of the Burnley side throughout that month. Enlisted in Royal Munster Fusiliers on 7/4/1892 (height 4’11½”) ‐ at Preston, where the family lived: father – Cornelius (he’s probably the Preston death S1908, aged 68); mother ‐ Bridget; brother ‐ William; sisters ‐ Agnes & Charlotte. Address ‐ 3rd Bn North Lancs Regt, Preston. 1881 census ‐ the family living at 30 Lowcock St, Broughton, Salford, including ‘Cornelius, aged 2, b Malta’. A private throughout his army service. Informant of his death was brother‐in‐law Alfred Charles Leggett, who married Agnes Hogan at Preston, J/F/M 1905. 1891 census: Fulwood Barracks, Lancs ‐ father Cornelius (serjeant in North Lancs Regt) born Tipperary; mother Bridget born India (British subject) (incorrect – the 1881 census says born East Indies, which was the first overseas posting of her husband, who never served in India); Cornelius, aged 12, born Malta (British subject); Charlotte, aged 11, born Halifax, Nova Scotia (British subject); Agnes, aged 15, born Malta (British subject). Both sisters’ births have been verified in the regimental overseas‐birth indexes, but not that of Cornelius. And there’s no trace in the baptismal register of the Garrison Church, Malta, but of course the probable reason for this is that the Hogans were Catholics – his sister Agnes was born in Malta and is listed in the overseas birth index, but not in the Garrison Church baptismal register. 5 ft 11 ins. 12 st 11 lbs.

Jonathan Lee HOGG (2011-2013) Midfielder

Born Middlesbrough, Cleveland, 6 December 1988 Watford Career Football League: 73+8 appearances FA Cup: 1 appearance Football League Cup: 2 appearances Début: 2-2 home draw v Birmingham City, Football League Championship, 28 Aug 2011 Final game: 0-1 defeat v Crystal Palace (at Wembley Stadium), Football League Championship Play-off Final, 27 May 2013 Longest run of consecutive appearances: Football League 26; all competitions 28

Career Path Middlesbrough (trained as a schoolboy); Aston Villa (scholar October 2005, professional July 2008); Darlington (loan November 2009); Portsmouth (loan January 2011); WATFORD (loan August 2011, £300,000 August 2011); Huddersfield Town (£400,000 plus possible add-on increments July 2013)

Football League & FA Premier League Career Apps Subs Goals League Status and Final Position 2009/10 Darlington 5 1 Football League Division 2 (4th tier) – 24th of 24 (Relegated) 2010/11 Aston Villa 5 FA Premier League – 9th of 20 2010/11 Portsmouth 19 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2011/12 WATFORD 40 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 11th of 24 2012/13 WATFORD 33 8 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 3rd of 24 2013/14 Huddersfield Town 34 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 17th of 24 2014/15 Huddersfield Town 23 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 16th of 24 2015/16 Huddersfield Town 19 3 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 19th of 24 2016/17 Huddersfield Town 36 4 1 Football League Championship (2nd tier) – 5th of 24 (Promoted)

A holding midfielder who did so well in the role early in his Watford career that he briefly kept the club’s captain on the substitutes’ bench. Although John Eustace was soon brought back into the team, Jonathan Hogg retained his place and continued to prove a consistently influential performer. He played with Andi Weimann in the Aston Villa side which won the FA Premier Reserve League (South Section) in 2009/10.

Known as “Jonathan”. Birth index OK.