If you are anything like me then the name of Watford conjures up The Gap, Elton John, Graham Taylor and well, not much else. At the time of Watford’s founding, there was even less to the town itself. On a map dated 1870 there are just ten roads but thanks to the arrival of the railway, Watford grew and commuting became popular. By 1881 the population reached 10,000, more than enough people to make a football club a viable proposition and in 1881 Watford Rovers was established. In 1890 Watford Rovers became a part of West Herts Football Club, and in 1898 West Herts and their rivals Watford St Mary’s were unable to survive as separate club’s so they merged and changed the name to Watford Football Club, playing at Cassio Road.
1922 saw a move to their present home at Vicarage Road and with them went the Union Stand, which was transported and rebuilt at Vicarage Road giving the new place a familiar feel to it. The old stand has of course long gone and the Rous Stand is where the old Union Stand stood, Sandstood, sounds like an airport, but I digress yet again. Today, it is known as the Graham Taylor Stand. The ground holds 22,000 fans. Many thanks, are due to Richard Walker for his help with the badge, which is a simple design dominated by the club’s colours. (PIC 1) The head of what is supposed to be a hart dominates the badge, and is a representation of the county of Hertfordshire in which Watford lies. Richard tells me it is more commonly known as a moose, and a dopey looking one at that. A hart is a majestic looking beast (PIC2) as opposed to a moose. (PIC 3) I suggested that Richard petition the County Council to have the name of the county changed to Moosefordshire to clear up any confusion, but I have not heard any announcement as yet, so I went and did it myself, and if you don’t believe me then check this out: https://youtu.be/HpXM4t5VkGY
On top of the badge is the club’s name in what I am told is Meta typeface, Richard was thorough with his information. Watford’s nickname “The Hornets” came about when in the season of 1959/60 the club changed its strip from blue and white to yellow and black and an earlier badge reflects the nickname. (PIC 4) The London Wasps Rugby Club took the name Wasps, and Brentford have the Bees so it was either the Ripe Bananas or the Hornets. Ok, I was joking about the bananas, but the rest is true. Watford seems to have derived its name from the Anglo-Saxon word Waet, as in wet or watery. This conforms to the area being a marshland back in the day, and a ford is a place where the water is shallow enough to cross by foot. Watford’s local rivals are Luton Town, and if you wish to find out more on “The Hornets” then buzz off to www.watfordfc.com
