2012–13 Watford F.C. season

Watford Football Club is a football club from Watford, Hertfordshire, England. The club played in the 2012–13 Football League Championship for the sixth consecutive season since relegation from the Premier League in 2006–07.[1] The club also competed in the FA Cup and the Football League Cup.

Watford
2012–13 season
ChairmanRaffaele Riva
Head coachGianfranco Zola
StadiumVicarage Road
Championship3rd (77 points)
FA CupThird round
(eliminated by Manchester City)
League CupSecond round
(eliminated by Bradford City)

Despite guiding the club to an 11th-placed finish in 2009–10, the club's 3rd highest points tally for 9 years, manager Sean Dyche was dismissed and replaced by Gianfranco Zola following the club's takeover by Udinese and Granada owner Giampaolo Pozzo. The club captain was central midfielder John Eustace,[2] although due to injury, Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia was captain for the majority of the season. During the summer transfer window, the club sold two key first team players; academy graduate Adrian Mariappa and goalkeeper Scott Loach. To replace them, Watford brought in two experienced players in Manuel Almunia and Fitz Hall. All other incoming transfers were loan players, mainly from Udinese and Granada. Zola later revealed that the club only loaned the players due to the short time scale between the completion of the take over and the transfer deadline day.[3]

Watford had a relatively poor start to the season, losing 7 of their first 13 games, including a heavy 5–1 loss to Derby County F.C. In the subsequent months however, Watford began to win more matches and started to climb the table, rising to hold the 6th position by the end of 2012. Towards the end of the season, Watford were in contention for an automatic promotion spot together with Hull. On a dramatic final day of the regular season, Hull failed to guarantee their automatic promotion by only drawing to league champions Cardiff, however Watford were unable to capitalise against Leeds and finished the season in 3rd place, entering the play-offs. Over two games, Watford beat Leicester City on aggregate in a dramatic semi-final that saw them face Crystal Palace in the play-off final at Wembley where Crystal Palace won and sealed promotion to the Premier League.

Background

Sean Dyche replaced Malky Mackay as Watford manager at the end of the 2010–11 season. Following the departures of Mackay, Danny Graham, Will Buckley and Don Cowie, Watford were tipped for relegation in 2011–12 by some bookmakers and media organisations.[4][5] However, Watford finished the season in 11th place with 64 points;[6] Watford's third highest points tally since the departure of Graham Taylor as manager in 2001.[7] At the end of the season, it was confirmed that Rene Gilmartin, Michael Bryan, Josh Walker, Chez Isaac and Tom James would be released – their contracts expired at the end of the 2011–12 season.[8] Former manager Graham Taylor stepped down as chairman shortly before UEFA Euro 2012, indicating that he felt the timing was right and that he was keen to pursue other interests.[9]

Takeover

In June 2012, Laurence Bassini indicated that he was looking to sell the club. Amid reports that the club's bondholders had called in the debt due to an act of default, Bassini stressed that the decision to sell was his alone, motivated by a wish to spend more time with his family.[10] A company owned by Giampaolo Pozzo and his family completed the takeover of Watford on 29 June 2012.[11] The management structure of the club changed significantly in the following weeks, with Rafaelle Riva appointed chairman. Former West Ham United chief executive Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani took up similar roles with Watford, while ex-West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola replaced Sean Dyche.[12][13] The club also stated an intention to make use of the Pozzo family's scouting network, which identifies players for Udinese in Serie A and Granada in La Liga.[14]

Pre season

Watford did not make any signings prior to the start of their pre-season campaign, but their first two games against local featured triallists Daniel Pudil and Almen Abdi. In both matches – away to Boreham Wood and Wealdstone – Watford changed all eleven players at half time. Both games finished as 1–1 draws.[15][16] The team's first win of pre-season came in a visit to Irish side Cork City,[17] and was followed by an 8–0 win in a match against Barnet at Watford's training ground in London Colney.[18]

Watford's only pre-season game at Vicarage Road was a testimonial match for defender Lloyd Doyley, who started his professional career at the club in 2001. Before the start of the game, Doyley entered the pitch to a guard of honour, and when he was substituted with 15 minutes remaining he was given a standing ovation by supporters. However, a goal from Tottenham's Jermain Defoe gave the visitors a 1–0 victory.[19] Watford finished their pre-season schedule with a 3–0 win at Gillingham, with two goals from Matěj Vydra and one from Piero Mingoia.[20]

17 July 2012 Boreham Wood 1–1 Watford Meadow Park
19:30 Hutton 12' [15] Mingoia 7'
21 July 2012 Wealdstone 1–1 Watford Grosvenor Vale
15:00 Parker 77' [16] Yeates 13' Attendance: 1,335
24 July 2012 Cork City 0–2 Watford Turners Cross
19:45 [17] Garner 16'
Mingoia 87'
Attendance: 1,182
1 August 2012 Watford 8–0 Barnet UCL Sports Ground
15:00 Hogg
Garner
Nosworthy
Abdi
Yeates
Murray
Iwelumo
[18]
5 August 2012 Watford 0–1 Tottenham Hotspur Vicarage Road
15:00 [21] Defoe 55' Attendance: 9,218
7 August 2012 Gillingham 0–3 Watford Priestfield Stadium
19:30 [20] Vydra 12', 15'
Mingoia 29'

Championship

18 August 2012 1 Crystal Palace 2−3 Watford Selhurst Park
15:00 Garvan 13' (pen.), 29' [22] Taylor 22'
Abdi 88'
Vydra 90'
Attendance: 17,109
21 August 2012 2 Watford 0−1 Ipswich Town Vicarage Road
19:45 [23] Chopra Attendance: 12,422
25 August 2012 3 Watford 2−0 Birmingham City Vicarage Road
17:20 Abdi 4' (pen.)
Vydra 17'
[24] Attendance: 11,022
1 September 2012 4 Derby County 5−1 Watford Pride Park
15:00 Keogh 16'
Hendrick 36'
Sammon 43'
Hughes 52'
Ward 67'
71' Vydra Attendance: 20,608
15 September 2012 5 Bolton Wanderers 2−1 Watford Reebok Stadium
15:00 Mills 3'
Davies 42'
58' Doyley Attendance: 16,608
18 September 2012 6 Watford 0−1 Brighton & Hove Albion Vicarage Road
19:45 Report Mackail-Smith 50' (pen.) Attendance: 11,894
22 September 2012 7 Watford 2−2 Bristol City Vicarage Road
15:00 Wilson 59' (o.g.)
Vydra 72'
Report 63' Elliott
83' Davies
Attendance: 11,886
29 September 2012 8 Huddersfield Town 2−3 Watford John Smith's Stadium
15:00 Norwood 25'
Lee 84'
Forestieri 68'
Hall 83'
Deeney 87' (pen.)
Attendance: 14,564
2 October 2012 9 Charlton Athletic 1−2 Watford The Valley
19:45 Fuller 35' Report Hoban 29'
Abdi 70'
Attendance: 15,585
6 October 2012 10 Watford 1−2 Middlesbrough Vicarage Road
15:00 Deeney 1' Report Emnes 30'
McDonald 77'
Attendance: 12,006
20 October 2012 11 Watford 1−0 Peterborough United Vicarage Road
15:00 Vydra 90' (pen.) Report Attendance: 15,950
23 October 2012 12 Cardiff City 2−1 Watford Cardiff City Stadium
19:45 Whittingham 71' (pen.)
Gunnarsson 90+1'
Report Hoban 28' Attendance: 20,077
27 October 2012 13 Blackburn Rovers 1−0 Watford Ewood Park
15:00 Rhodes 90+2' Report Attendance: 13,233
3 November 2012 14 Watford 2−1 Leicester City Vicarage Road
15:00 Abdi 14'
Forestieri 68'
Report Nugent 71' Attendance: 12,954
6 November 2012 15 Watford 0−0 Millwall Vicarage Road
19:45 Report Attendance: 11,293
10 November 2012 16 Leeds United 1−6 Watford Elland Road
15:00 Tonge 80' (pen.) Report Vydra 27', 82'
Abdi 62'
Yeates 75'
Murray 90+4'
Deeney 90+8'
Attendance: 19,104
17 November 2012 17 Watford 2−1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Vicarage Road
15:00 Chalobah 35'
Deeney 68'
Report Sako 54' Attendance: 13,588
24 November 2012 18 Blackpool 2−2 Watford Bloomfield Road
15:00 Phillips 52'
Osbourne 90'
Report Anya 4'
Deeney 21'
Attendance: 13,076
27 November 2012 19 Sheffield Wednesday 1−4 Watford Hillsborough
19:45 Antonio 3' Report Forestieri 18'
Geijo 67'
Deeney 75'
Yeates 83'
Attendance: 18,922
1 December 2012 20 Watford 4−1 Barnsley Vicarage Road
15:00 Deeney 10', 66'
Yeates 59'
Vydra 83' (pen.)
Report Tudgay 90+4' Attendance: 11,335
8 December 2012 21 Watford 1−2 Hull City Vicarage Road
15:00 Deeney 90+2' Report Meyler 41'
Brady 73'
Attendance: 12,156
15 December 2012 22 Burnley 1−1 Watford Turf Moor
15:00 Austin 28' (pen.) Report Chalobah 11' Attendance: 14,896
22 December 2012 23 Watford 2−0 Nottingham Forest Vicarage Road
15:00 Yydra 15', 40' Report Attendance: 15,143
26 December 2012 Bristol City P−P Watford Ashton Gate Stadium
15:00 Postponed due to waterlogged pitch
29 December 2012 24 Brighton & Hove Albion 1−3 Watford Amex Stadium
15:00 López 65' (pen.) Report Deeney 54'
Vydra 68', 69'
Attendance: 26,727
1 January 2013 25 Watford 3−4 Charlton Athletic Vicarage Road
13:00 Pudil 11'
Abdi 53' (pen.)
Geijo 68'
Report Hoban 34' (o.g.)
Kermorgant 37', 70'
Jackson 78'
Attendance: 14,221
Referee: T. Kettle
12 January 2013 26 Middlesbrough 1−2 Watford Riverside Stadium
15:00 McDonald 90' Report Vydra 45', 83' Attendance: 17,499
19 January 2013 27 Watford 4−0 Huddersfield Town Vicarage Road
15:00 Deeney 45' (pen.)
Vydra 57', 74'
Battocchio 86'
Report Attendance: 12,522
Referee: S. Duncan
26 January 2013 28 Nottingham Forest 0−3 Watford City Ground
15:00 Report Vydra 20', 72'
Deeney 34'
Attendance: 20,732
29 January 2013 29 Bristol City 2−0 Watford Ashton Gate Stadium
19:45 Cunningham 43'
Anderson 65'
Report Attendance: 13,586
2 February 2013 30 Watford 2−1 Bolton Wanderers Vicarage Road
15:00 Vydra 36'
Abdi 70'
Report Sordell 32' (pen.) Attendance: 13,223
8 February 2013 31 Watford 2−2 Crystal Palace Vicarage Road
19:45 Abdi 6'
Chalobah 14'
Report Ramage 66'
Phillips 70'
Attendance: 15,079
16 February 2013 32 Birmingham City 0−4 Watford St Andrew's
15:00 Report Deeney 38', 62'
Anya 43'
Abdi 89'
Attendance: 18,933
19 February 2013 33 Ipswich Town 0−2 Watford Portman Road
19:45 Report Anya 18'
Chalobah 72'
Attendance: 16,821
23 February 2013 34 Watford 2−1 Derby County Vicarage Road
15:00 Vydra 35'
Ekstrand 68'
Report Ward 73' (pen.) Attendance: 14,425
1 March 2013 35 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1−1 Watford Molineux
19:45 Sako 90+3' Report Abdi 41' Attendance: 18,571
5 March 2013 36 Watford 2−1 Sheffield Wednesday Vicarage Road
19:45 Forestieri 53', 63' Report Antonio 19' Attendance: 12,727
9 March 2013 37 Watford 1−2 Blackpool Vicarage Road
15:00 Battocchio 27' Report Ince 76'
MacKenzie 88'
Attendance: 13,857
16 March 2013 38 Barnsley 1−0 Watford Oakwell
15:00 Hassell 35' Report Attendance: 9,076
29 March 2013 39 Watford 3−3 Burnley Vicarage Road
15:00 Deeney 6'
Forestieri 29', 72'
Report Austin 1', 24' (pen.)
Vokes 90'
Attendance: 15,435
1 April 2013 40 Hull City 0−1 Watford KC Stadium
19:45 Report Deeney 41' Attendance: 20,043
6 April 2013 41 Watford 0−0 Cardiff City Vicarage Road
15:00 Report Attendance: 15,550
13 April 2013 42 Peterborough United 3−2 Watford London Road
15:00 Swanson 20'
Gayle 61'
Tomlin 67'
Report Yeates 85'
Forestieri 90'
Attendance: 10,848
16 April 2013 43 Millwall 1−0 Watford The Den
19:45 Batt 83' Report Attendance: 9,366
20 April 2013 44 Watford 4−0 Blackburn Rovers Vicarage Road
15:00 Deeney 52', 61'
Abdi 67'
Briggs 75'
Report Attendance: 13,775
26 April 2013 45 Leicester City 1−2 Watford King Power
19:45 Kane 61' Report Deeney 41'
Chalobah 43'
Attendance: 25,091
4 May 2013 46 Watford 1−2 Leeds United Vicarage Road
12:45 Abdi 45' Report Poleon 42'
McCormack 90'
Attendance: 16,968

Championship play-offs

9 May 2013 Semi-Final 1st Leg Leicester City 1−0 Watford King Power Stadium
19:45 Schlupp Yellow card 30'
Morgan Yellow card 38'
Knockaert Yellow card 45+2'
Keane Yellow card 58'
Nugent 82'
Report Anya Yellow card 6'
Pudil Yellow card 74'
Hall Yellow card 90+4'
Attendance: 29,560
12 May 2013 Semi-Final 2nd Leg Watford 3−1 Leicester City Vicarage Road
12:30 Vydra 15', 65'
Cassetti Yellow card 69'
Deeney 90+7' Yellow card 90+10'
Report Nugent 19'
Wood Yellow card 30'
Knockaert soccer ball with red X 90+7'
Attendance: 16,142
27 May 2013 Final Crystal Palace 1−0 (a.e.t.) Watford Wembley Stadium
15:00 Mile Jedinak Yellow card 28'
O'Keefe Yellow card 60'
Joel Ward Yellow card 80'
Moxey Yellow card 104'
Phillips 105+1' (pen.)
Report Ekstrand Yellow card 10'
Abdi Yellow card 60'
Cassetti Yellow card 105'
Attendance: 82,025

Football League Cup

The Football League Championship season started later than usual, due to the Olympic Games being held in London. Thus, Watford's first competitive game was in the League Cup, at home to League Two side Wycombe Wanderers. The game saw few chances, and was goalless after 90 minutes. Substitute Chris Iwelumo scored the winner for Watford in extra time, assisted by debutant Matěj Vydra.[25] In the next round, Watford again hosted League Two opposition in the form of eventual cup runners up Bradford City. After a goalless first half, Ikechi Anya put Watford into the lead in the 71st minute, on his first start for the club. However, Bradford scored two late goals to win the match 2–1. Both of Bradford's goals were scored shortly after direct free kicks.[26]

11 August 2012 Round 1 Watford 1–0 (a.e.t.) Wycombe Wanderers Vicarage Road
15:00 Iwelumo 110' [25] Attendance: 5,343
28 August 2012 Round 2 Watford 1–2 Bradford City Vicarage Road
19:45 Anya 71' [26] Reid 84'
Thompson 90'
Attendance: 5,568

FA Cup

Premier League and Championship clubs enter the FA Cup at the third-round stage, where they are joined by the 20 winners from the second round for a total of 64 teams. The draw took place on 2 December 2012. Watford were drawn away to 2011 winners and eventual finalists Manchester City where Manchester City won thanks to goals from Tevez, Barry and Lopes.

5 January 2013 Round 3 Manchester City 3–0 Watford Etihad Stadium
15:00 Tevez 25'
Barry 44'
Lopes 90+1'
Report Attendance: 46,821

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Cardiff City (C, P) 46 25 12 9 72 45 +27 87 Promotion to the Premier League
2 Hull City (P) 46 24 7 15 61 52 +9 79
3 Watford 46 23 8 15 85 58 +27 77 Qualification for Championship play-offs
4 Brighton & Hove Albion 46 19 18 9 69 43 +26 75
5 Crystal Palace (P, O) 46 19 15 12 73 62 +11 72
Updated to match(es) played on 4 May 2013. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

Summary

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAAHHAAHHAAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHHAHAHAAHAH
ResultWLWLLLDWWLWLLWDWWDWWLDWWLWWWLWDWWWDWLLDWDLLWWL
Position41351217202018111413151615161210118667666664443332222333333333
Updated to match(es) played on 4 May 2013. Source: BBC Sport
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Players

Statistics

Statistics correct as of game played 27 May 2013.[27][28]

2012–13 Watford player details[lower-alpha 2]
No. Pos Name P G P G P G P G P G Age Joined club Yth Notes
Championship FA Cup League Cup Play-offs Total Discipline
1GKManuel Almunia 39000103043030362012No
2DFLee Hodson 1+10001+10002+2000212009Yes
3DFCarl Dickinson 2+200020004+2010262011No
4MFJohn Eustace 2+301010004+3020332008No
5DFMartin Taylor 310020005110332010No
5DFNeuton 7+100+1000007+2030232012No
6DFFitz Hall 19+2100000+1019+3150322012No
7MFMark Yeates 18+11400100019+11440282011No
8MFJonathan Hogg 31+7000202+1035+8040242011No
9FWTroy Deeney 33+71910002136+72081242010No
10FWChris Iwelumo 4+30000+11004+4100342011No
11MFCraig Forsyth 1+10001+10002+2000242011No
12DFLloyd Doyley 28+6110103033+6120302001Yes
13FWSteve Leo Beleck 0+500010001+5010202012No
14MFRoss Jenkins 000010001000222008Yes
15MFStephen McGinn 000000000000242010No
16MFSean Murray 8+71000+10008+8100192010Yes
17DFDale Bennett 000000000000232008Yes
17DFMatthew Briggs 5+2100001+106+3120222013No
18DFDaniel Pudil 35+2110002038+21111272012No
19MFPrince Buaben 0+100000000+1000252011No
20FWMatěj Vydra 27+1420101+103232+152220212012No
21MFIkechi Anya 18+7300113022+7410252012No
22MFAlmen Abdi 36+212001+103040+31260262012No
23MFPiero Mingoia 000000000000212010Yes
24FWMatthew Whichelow 000000000000212010Yes
25FWJoe Garner 200010003000252011No
26MFBritt Assombalonga 000000000000202011Yes
27FWGavin Massey 000000000000202010Yes
27DFMarco Cassetti 36+2010003040+20121352012No
28FWConnor Smith 2+500000002+5010202011Yes
29DFAdam Thompson 0+400010001+4000202010Yes
30GKJonathan Bond 7+101010009+1000202010Yes
31DFTommie Hoban 19200000019200192011Yes
32DFAaron Tumwa 000000000000192012Yes
33DFNyron Nosworthy 18+1010100020+1020322011No
34GKJack Bonham 0+100000000+1000192010Yes
35MFStephan Hamilton-Forbes 000000000000192012Yes
36FWAlexandre Geijo 7+11200001+108+12200312012No
37MFGeoffrey Mujangi Bia 0+300+1010001+4010232012No
38MFCristian Battocchio 15+720+10001+1016+9200212012No
39DFNathaniel Chalobah 34+4510003038+4541182012No
40DFJoel Ekstrand 29+3110003033+3190242012No
41FWFernando Forestieri 19+9810000+3020+12851232012No-
42DFJean-Alain Fanchone 100000001000242012No

Transfers

Unless a country is specified, all clubs play in the English football league system.

In

The transfer window opened on 1 July,[29] but Watford did not make any signings in the early part of pre-season, amid reports that the club was under a transfer embargo due to an administrative error.[30] The club confirmed seven signings at the end of July, five of which were season-long loans from other clubs owned by the Pozzo family. The permanent transfers were goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and centre back Fitz Hall, following the departures of Scott Loach and Adrian Mariappa in their respective positions.[31]

Date Player From Fee
30 July 2012Manuel AlmuniaArsenalFree[31]
30 July 2012Fitz HallQueens Park RangersFree[31]
14 January 2013Fernando ForestieriUdineseUnknown[32]

Out

A young man wearing a yellow top and black shorts, standing on a grass field. On his forearm, he is wearing an armband; the word "Captain" is visible.
Adrian Mariappa joined Reading before the start of the season.[33]

At the end of the 2011–12 season, the club announced that five players would be released at the end of their contracts.[34] The summer transfer window opened on 1 July, and two high-profile departures followed during pre-season. 2011–12 Player of the Season Adrian Mariappa joined newly promoted Premier League side Reading on 17 July.[33] Two days later, Scott Loach – the team's most-used goalkeeper from the previous season – transferred to Ipswich Town, the club he supported as a child.[35] The club's final sale of the summer was Martin Taylor to Sheffield Wednesday. Taylor extended his contract shortly before Sean Dyche's departure from the club, and captained the team during his final two games under Gianfranco Zola, but was allowed to leave on the final day of the transfer window.[36]

Date Player To Fee
3 May 2012Rene GilmartinPlymouth ArgyleFree (end of contract)[34]
3 May 2012Michael BryanFree agentFree (end of contract)[34]
3 May 2012Tom JamesNuneaton Borough[37]Free (end of contract)[34]
3 May 2012Chez IsaacBorehamwoodFree (end of contract)[34]
3 May 2012Josh WalkerScunthorpe UnitedFree (end of contract)[34]
17 July 2012Adrian MariappaReadingUndisclosed[33]
19 July 2012Scott LoachIpswich TownUndisclosed[35]
31 July 2012David MirfinScunthorpe United [lower-alpha 3]Mutual termination
21 August 2012Gavin MasseyColchester UnitedFree[39]
31 August 2012Martin TaylorSheffield WednesdayUndisclosed[40]
8 January 2013Joe GarnerPreston North EndMutual termination[41]
24 January 2013Dale BennettForest Green RoversUndisclosed[42]
4 February 2013Matthew WhichelowFree agentMutual termination[43]

In

Watford signed 14 players on season-long loans in the summer transfer window. 12 players joined from clubs also owned by the Pozzo family; 10 from Udinese and 2 from Granada. Watford also signed Nathaniel Chalobah and Geoffrey Mujangi Bia from Chelsea and Standard Liège respectively. Jean-Alain Fanchone returned to Udinese in January, while Fernando Forestieri also signed a permanent contract with Watford that month. The club added a 15th loan player in March, with Matthew Briggs joining from Fulham until the end of the season.

Start Player Parent club End
30 July 2012Almen AbdiUdinese (Italy)Season-long loan[31]
30 July 2012Ikechi AnyaGranada (Spain)Season-long loan[31]
30 July 2012Steve Leo BeleckUdinese (Italy)Season-long loan[31]
30 July 2012Daniel PudilGranada (Spain)Season-long loan[31]
30 July 2012Matěj VydraUdinese (Italy)Season-long loan[31]
9 August 2012Alexandre GeijoUdinese (Italy)Season-long loan[44]
23 August 2012Marco CassettiUdinese (Italy)Season-long loan[45]
24 August 2012Geoffrey Mujangi BiaStandard Liège (Belgium)Season-long loan[46]
31 August 2012Cristian BattocchioUdinese (Italy)Season-long loan[47]
31 August 2012Nathaniel ChalobahChelseaSeason-long loan[48]
31 August 2012Joel EkstrandUdinese (Italy)Season-long loan[47]
31 August 2012Jean-Alain FanchoneUdinese (Italy)15 January 2013[47][49]
31 August 2012Fernando ForestieriUdinese (Italy)Season-long loan[47]
31 August 2012NeutonUdinese (Italy)Season-long loan[47]
1 March 2013Matthew BriggsFulhamEnd of season[50]

Out

Start Player To Level End
17 August 2012 Britt Assombalonga Southend United League Two 17 September 2012[51]
30 August 2012 Adam Thompson Wycombe Wanderers League Two 30 September 2012[52]
31 August 2012 Dale Bennett A.F.C. Wimbledon League Two 30 September 2012[53]
17 September 2012 Matthew Whichelow Accrington Stanley League Two 18 December 2012[54]
17 September 2012 Piero Mingoia Accrington Stanley League Two 17 October 2012[54]
18 September 2012 Joe Garner Carlisle United League One 20 November 2012[55]
21 September 2012 Ross Jenkins Plymouth Argyle League Two 21 September 2012[56]
19 October 2012 Craig Forsyth Bradford City League Two 22 December 2012[57]
22 October 2012 Carl Dickinson Portsmouth League One 19 November 2012[58]
3 November 2012 Stephan Hamilton-Forbes Havant & Waterlooville Conference South 1 December 2012[59]
17 November 2012 Aaron Tumwa Wealdstone Isthmian League 22 December 2012[60]
17 November 2012 Matt Bevans Chesham United Southern Football League 17 December 2012[60]
22 November 2012 Dale Bennett Yeovil Town League One 22 November 2012[61]
23 November 2012 Chris Iwelumo Notts County League One 4 January 2013[62]
4 January 2013 Adam Thompson Barnet League Two 14 January 2013[63]
4 January 2013 Steve Leo Beleck Stevenage League One End of Season[64]
4 January 2013 Stephen McGinn Shrewsbury Town League One 27 April 2013[65]
31 January 2013 Chris Iwelumo Oldham Athletic League One End of Season[66]
31 January 2013 Piero Mingoia Boreham Wood Conference South End of Season[67]

Reserves and academy

Watford's academy intake in 2012–13 consisted of 21 scholars:

In addition, defender Matt Bevans had his scholarship from the previous year extended by a number of months after an injury kept him out for most of the previous season.[68] In July 2011, Mensah signed a contract that saw him turn professional on his 17th birthday, later signing an extended contract in January 2013.[69][70] In June 2013 O'Nien signed a one-year professional deal with the club, while Connolly, Wilmore, Eaton and English were released. Westlake was offered an extension to his scholarship of six months after missing a large period of the season through injury.[71]

Notes

  1. For players who came through the club's youth system the date used refers to when they signed a professional contract, unless they appeared in a first-team match-day squad prior to that, in which case that date is used.
  2. All players who have been issued a 2012–13 squad number are listed
  3. Mirfin was released by Watford on a mutual termination, but immediately joined Scunthorpe United.[38]

    References

    1. Bevan, Chris (21 April 2007). "Watford 1–1 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
    2. "Watford's John Eustace a terrific captain – Dyche". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
    3. Smith, Frank (29 July 2013). "Gianfranco Zola feels his Watford side are in better shape than at this point last season after early summer signings Watford Observer. p. 62.
    4. Newman, Paul (6 August 2011). "Ruthless pursuit of Premier cash begins". The Independent. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
    5. Smith, Frank (20 April 2012). "Taylor in contract talks". Watford Observer. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
    6. Brown, Tony. "Watford 2011–2012: Home". Statto.com. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
    7. Smith, Frank (27 April 2012). "Dyche proud and disappointed at points haul". Watford Observer. p. 62.
    8. Smith, Frank (3 May 2012). "Watford confirm release of quintet". Watford Observer. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
    9. Matthews, Anthony (30 May 2012). "Taylor stands down at Hornets". Watford Observer. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
    10. Smith, Frank (17 June 2012). "Bassini: I'm looking to sell Watford". Watford Observer. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
    11. "Udinese's Pozzo family complete Watford takeover". BBC Sport. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
    12. Smith, Frank (5 July 2012). "Riva is Watford's new chairman". Watford Observer. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
    13. "Watford confirm Zola as their new manager". talkSPORT. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
    14. Muro, Giuseppe (11 July 2012). "Watford are not a feeder club for Italians, says Gianfranco Zola". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
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