1982–83 Watford F.C. season

During the 1982–83 English football season, Watford F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, after being promoted from the Second Division the previous season. Under Graham Taylor's management, Watford finished second in the First Division their highest ever league finish.[1] As a result, Watford qualified for European competition for the first time.[2] Luther Blissett finished the season as the division's top scorer, with 27 league goals.[3]

Watford
1982–83 season
ChairmanEngland Elton John
ManagerEngland Graham Taylor
StadiumVicarage Road
First Division2nd
FA CupFifth round
League CupThird round
Football League TrophyQuarter-final
Top goalscorerLeague:
Luther Blissett (27)

All:
Luther Blissett (33)

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Liverpool (C) 42 24 10 8 87 37 +50 82 Qualification for the European Cup first round
2 Watford 42 22 5 15 74 57 +17 71 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
3 Manchester United 42 19 13 10 56 38 +18 70 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[lower-alpha 1]
4 Tottenham Hotspur 42 20 9 13 65 50 +15 69 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
5 Nottingham Forest 42 20 9 13 62 50 +12 69
Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. Manchester United qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup first round as the 1982–83 FA Cup winners.

Squad

Squad at end of season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK England ENG Steve Sherwood
GK England ENG Eric Steele
DF England ENG Ian Bolton
DF England ENG Paul Franklin
DF England ENG Richard Jobson
DF England ENG Charlie Palmer
DF England ENG Neil Price
DF England ENG Wilf Rostron
DF England ENG Steve Sims
DF England ENG Steve Terry
DF Wales WAL Kenny Jackett
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF Northern Ireland NIR Pat Rice
MF England ENG John Barnes
MF England ENG Nigel Callaghan
MF England ENG Martin Patching
MF England ENG Les Taylor
MF Netherlands NED Jan Lohman
FW England ENG Luther Blissett
FW England ENG Jimmy Gilligan
FW England ENG Ross Jenkins
FW England ENG David Johnson
FW Northern Ireland NIR Gerry Armstrong

References

  1. Pickard, Michael (25 June 2010). "Les Taylor recalls 1984 final". Watford Observer. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  2. "Graham Taylor factfile". The Guardian. 29 March 2001. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  3. Ross, James M. (15 July 2011). "English league leading goalscorers". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 8 February 2012.

Further reading

  • Birnie, Lionel (2010). Enjoy the Game – Watford FC, The Story of the Eighties. Peloton Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9567814-0-6.
  • Phillips, Oliver (2001). The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes. Alpine Press Ltd. ISBN 0-9528631-6-2.
  • Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.
  • Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  • Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford Football Club. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0.
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