Watford F.C. Player of the Season
Watford Football Club are an English football club, from Watford, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1881 as Watford Rovers, the club has competed in the Football League since 1920, with the exceptions of 1999–2000 and 2006–07, when it competed in the Premier League. First introduced by the Watford Observer in the 1972–73 season, the Watford F.C. Player of the Season award is voted for annually by supporters of the club.[2] It recognises the best overall performance by an individual player through the season. Each year the winner is presented with the Watford Observer Trophy at the club's end-of-season awards dinner.[3]
Goalkeeper Andy Rankin won the initial award in the 1972–73 season, ahead of Colin Franks and Duncan Welbourne. In 1974–75 Andrew Rankin won the award for the second time, becoming the first of eight players to do so as of 2010.[2][4] Another goalkeeper, Tony Coton, is the only player to have received the title for a third time. Coton is one of four players to have won the award in consecutive seasons, the others being Wilf Rostron in 1982–83 and 1983–84, Tommy Smith in 2007–08 and 2008–09 and most recently Troy Deeney in 2013-14 and 2014-15. Eight winners of the award have represented their country at full international level, of whom only John McClelland went on to become Watford's Player of the Season for a second time.[4]
Towards the end of each season, fans vote directly for the Player of the Season. Historically this has been conducted by post, but in recent years it has taken place on the Watford Observer's website. This system was earmarked for change to a match-by-match rating system in 2009,[5][6] but in March 2010 the Observer decided to revert to the traditional method of voting.[7]
Winners
- † Inducted into the Watford Hall of Fame
- ‡ Played first team football for Watford in the 2011–12 season.
- Statistics correct at end of 2014–15 season.
Statistics
Position[b] | Number of winners[h] |
---|---|
Goalkeeper | 11 |
Defender | 12 |
Midfielder | 7 |
Forward | 10 |
Country | Number of winners[h] |
---|---|
England | 18 |
Iceland | 1 |
Jamaica | 3 |
Northern Ireland | 2 |
Wales | 2 |
Footnotes
- ^ The official "Level" of competition in the structure of the English league system.
- ^ a b For a full description of positions see association football positions.
- ^ a b "Apps" is short for appearances, and refers to competitive first team appearances for Watford. Goals refers to competitive first team goals scored for Watford.
- ^ Where a player represented his country at multiple levels, only the highest level is given.
- ^ a b Not to be confused with Ross Jenkins (footballer born 1990), who won the Watford Young Player of the Season award in 2008–09.[10]
- ^ Gibbs spent his entire playing career at Watford.[21]
- ^ Palmer is listed as a defender as he played most games this season as a central defender. He has played in every position for the club.[26]
- ^ a b Multiple winners are counted multiple times.
References
- General
- Players of the Season sourced to: "Former Watford Players of the Season". Watford Football Club. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
- Pre-1998 player information sourced to: Jones, Trefor (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
- Post-1998 player information sourced to: "Watford: Squad stats". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
- Further information sourced in an individual player's notes section as necessary.
- Further reading
- Phillips, Oliver (2001). The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes. Alpine Press Ltd. p. 230. ISBN 0-9528631-6-2.
- Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford Football Club. pp. 181–182, 271–272. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0.
- Specific
- ^ a b "Mariappa wins Player of the Season award". Watford Observer. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
- ^ a b Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford football club. pp. 271–272. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0.
- ^ "Hornets star first player to retain trophy for 22 years". Watford Observer. Newsquest. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ a b "Former Watford Players of the Season". Watford F.C. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
- ^ "Still time to vote for your Player of the Season". Watford Observer. Newsquest. 9 April 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ "Supporters to pick their own Watford FC's player of the season". Watford Observer. Newsquest. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ "One week left to vote for Watford's Player of the Season". Watford Observer. Newsquest. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
- ^ "Newcastle move for Watford hot shot Graham in their hunt for strike power". Mail Online. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ "On This Day: 20 February". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ "Player of the Season". Watford F.C. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". Watford F.C. 10 June 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ a b "Foster Voted Player of the Season". Watford F.C. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ a b Roberto Mamrud. "Appearances for Northern Ireland National team". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "H's Treble at Prestige Night". Watford F.C. 6 May 2005. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ a b c Barrie Courtney. "England - International Results B-Team - Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ a b c d "The Main Mahon". Watford F.C. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ "Glyn Hodges Reserve Team Manager". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ "David James". The Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Roll of Honour". Watford F.C. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ "David James: All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ^ "Nigel Gibbs: All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ "Furlong Adds Experience". Barnet F.C. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ "Paul Furlong:All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ^ "England - U-21 International Results 1986-1995 - Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "Marlon Wins Player of the Year". Watford F.C. 2 May 2006. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ Tongue, Steve (31 October 2000). "Palmer the all-rounder ready for United test". The Independent. London: Independent News & Media. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ Luis Fernando Passo Alpuin. "Appearances for Wales National Team". RSSSF. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ "Robert Page: All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ^ "Player Profile:Marcus Gayle". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ "Gavin Mahon: All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ^ "Félagsmaður" (in Icelandic). Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ). Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ "Heidar Helguson: All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
- ^ "National Team- Profile". Jamaica Football Federation. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
- ^ "Marlon King: All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ^ "Ben Foster:All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ^ "Ben Foster". The Football Association. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Tommy Smith: All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
- ^ a b Richard Williams (1 September 2000). "Joe Cole fires young England". guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
- ^ "Player of the Season". Watford F.C. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ "Tom Cleverley". The Football Association. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ "Player of the season". Watford Football Club. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ "Danny Graham: All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
- ^ Matthews, Anthony (30 April 2011). "Danny Graham is Player of the Season". Watford Observer. Newsquest. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
- ^ "Adrian Mariappa". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
- ^ "Hornets duo help Jamaica to victory". Watford Observer. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.