There were those who predicted Watford would finish below City this season and I saw one or two saying they could go down. In the event, Watford are in the Play Off positions and will come here tomorrow fancying their chances of cementing their position as a promotion contender.
It’s worth noting mind that we were in a similar position to Watford’s this time last year and I’d say that, as was the case in 23/24, there isn’t a great deal between the clubs outside the top four or five. Watford owe their lofty position almost entirely to their excellent home record, apart from their spectacular 6-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday, their away record is poor. However, although you’d like to see a second new manager bounce from City following yesterday’s announcement, we’ve slipped back into our bad old ways at home and Watford are one of those teams that we seem to have forgotten how to beat on our own pitch, so I think we may well be kept waiting longer for a first win since Norwich a month ago.
On to the quiz, seven Watford related questions with the answers to be posted on here on Sunday.
60s. Until he chose a soldier’s life late in his career, all of this defender’s domestic football was played at London clubs. Watford was his first club, but, even though they were in the lower leagues at the time, he was no more than a squad player during his five years with them. For someone who spent so much of his career close to home, his next move was a surprise as it involved moving nearly 8,500 miles! After a year or so away, he returned to familiar haunts and it’s possible he could have worn blue and red shirts as part of their home kit for his next club – he was wearing red when I saw him score at both ends of the pitch in a City away game. Having established himself as a second tier regular at his third club, he made the transition to a First Division player at his next one as he played a part in establishing them as genuine top flight material for the first time in their history. Although he was now past thirty, his next move took him to one of the capital’s biggest clubs for a modest £20,000 fee and he again played regularly in their first team until he dropped down the divisions to do his “national service”. He finished with another move abroad – this one involving a journey of five and half thousand miles. Internationally, he packed a lot into his five caps – he didn’t recognise his country’s national anthem on his debut because he’d never heard it before, he scored a goal against Brazil and was sent off for punching a Russian! Who is he?
70s. Born in the north east at a place famous for a march, this midfielder with a distinctive surname started off in that region. Being in a promotion winning team at this club proved to be something of a mixed blessing for him as he lost his place in the team at the higher level and so moved on to Watford where another promotion. soon followed and this time he was able to keep his place for a season or so, before he and the team began to struggle badly and he again had to drop down a division with a move south west to represent the English club that is furthest away from his birthplace. His next move saw him spend five years at a lower league club with a unique second name and then he played for a Lancashire club that was all of a tremor. He also played for a team in Florida and for nom league black and whites but can you name him?
80s. Beg sibling to play full back. (5,4)
90s. Moving on wood could make a Hollywood legend out of this defender!
00s. An England international, this midfielder with a City family connection played for a losing Watford team at Ninian Park during this decade and was playing in the Premier League earlier this year, do you know who he is?
10s. His father was a professional golfer and two minutes at the end of a win over Barnsley was the extent of his Watford senior career during his time with them as a youngster, which captain of a current promotion chasing Championship side does that describe?
20s. Breast beating to the west?
Answers
60s. Terry Mancini began at Watford and then had a spell in South Africa playing for Port Elizabeth City. He returned to London in 1967 and so may have worn what was then called Orient’s blue home kit before they switched to red for the start of the 67/68 campaign. Mancini did so well at Orient that he was signed by QPR in 1971 and was a regular as they gained promotion in his second season with them. Mancini, like Rangers, settled comfortably in the top flight and next moved to Arsenal during what was a transition phase for them. After a season at Aldershot, the extravert Mancini moved to Los Angeles Aztecs where his personality would have been well suited I would have thought to the American game – again though, he had to return to London, as he ended his playing days with a then non league Barnet. Mancini played international football for the Republic of Ireland and managed to score against Brazil in the Maracana in 1974.
70s. Jarrow born Ray Lugg played for Middlesbrough, Watford, Plymouth, Crewe, Bury, Fort Lauderdale and Chorley.
80s. Nigel Gibbs.
90s. Clint East (on) (wood).
00s. Jack Cork (son of former City manager Alan Cork) was in the Watford team beaten 2-1 by City in March 2009 while on loan from Chelsea. Cork featured in three Premier League games for Burnley in 2024 before being released by them in the summer at the end of his contract.
10s.Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien came on as a sub for Watford in a 3-0 win over Barnsley during the 14/15 season.
20s. Jack Grieves.
