Watford F.C.

Watford Football Club is an English Football League team located in Watford, Hertfordshire. The team was formerly owned by Elton John, who is now honourary life president. Best known of the club's past managers is former England manager Graham Taylor, under whom the team rose from the Fourth Division to the old First Division (now the Premiership). In 1984 Watford reached the FA Cup final (they have also lost 3 semi-finals, most recently in 2003), and finished second in that Division the year before, but began a slow decline after that. Graham Taylor left the club in 1987, and they were relegated to the Second Division (now the Football League Championship) at the end of the 1987-1988 season. They remained there for eight seasons, during which time the Second Division became the First Division, and in 1996 they were again relegated to the Second Division.

Adrian Boothroyd

34-year-old Adrian Boothroyd was appointed manager after serving at Leeds United as a coach, and 70-year-old Keith Burkinshaw was recruited as his assistant. Boothroyd is aiming high for next season after securing the club's Championship status. Concerns persist, however, about the finances available to him for team-building, with the sales of Heiðar Helguson (to Fulham for £1.3m) and Danny Webber (to Sheffield United for £500k) leaving the club with only one recognised striker. The sacking of the legendary Nigel Gibbs as coach after more than twenty years of loyal service has provoked further concern.

Related Topics:
Leeds United - Keith Burkinshaw - Championship - Fulham - Sheffield United

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Recently, the club signed Darius Henderson for £450,000 from Gillingham, Marlon King (on a six-month loan) from Nottingham Forest, former Leeds United defender Clark Carlisle and midfielder Matthew Spring, and the veteran striker Les Ferdinand in a coaching/ playing role.

Related Topics:
Gillingham - Nottingham Forest - Leeds United - Les Ferdinand

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Although Watford lost its opening match, Boothroyd's first full season at the club has subsequently seen strong performances from the team to take them into the top three of the Championship.

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