The Hornets

Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets. Founded in 1881 as Watford Rovers, the club entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade later. After finishing the 1914–15 season as Southern League champions under the management of Harry Kent, Watford joined The Football League in 1920. The club played at several grounds in its early history, before moving to a permanent location at Vicarage Road in 1922, where it remains to this day. Watford spent most of the following half century in the lower divisions of The Football League, changing colours and crest on multiple occasions.

2012/13 Kits:

Watford Fanzone

Zola departs after 10 days
On the 7th of July, Zola joined Watford to become part of the Italian force that has been growing ever since the takeover of Italian Businessman Raffaele Riva as Chairman. It seemed Zola's appointment was relatively well received by fans, and it seemed Watford's 6th consecutive season in the second tier of English football may be a little more positive than the previous five, so it obviously came as a great surprise when Zola's resignation was made public last night.

It is believed that Zola was nearly appointed as manager of Norwich before he joined Watford, but narrowly missed out on the job. Since his resignation, rumors of him going to Norwich have been rekindled, but Zola himself refuses to comment.



Riva announced the manager's reign had come to an end at a press conference, where media were shocked by the premature resignation, though it did not quite match the shortest managerial record of Leroy Rosenior, who lasted 10 minutes at Torquay United.

"We are already in advanced talks with a new manager." Riva told the journalists after the shocking revelation. "We could have a new head-coach within the next few days."

Watford Fanzone

Ventek takes Hornets' helm
Belgian ex-pro Footballer Lukas Ventek joined Watford Chairman Rafaele Riva today to announce the details of his appointment as head-coach at the club following it's initial declaration. It came as quite a surprise to most, as the 32 year old had, until now, not made a venture in to management, only completing his coaching training recently, which he has worked on for the past two years.

Here is a fact file on Ventek's footballing career:

Ventek began his footballing years as a full-back in the youth ranks of R.S.C. Anderlecht in 1990, where he spent his entire U18 career. At the age of 17, he made two appearances for the club in cup-fixtures. By then, he had developed in to more of a right midfielder, the position he would be most efficient at for the rest of his career. Before his 18th birthday, he earned 2 caps in the Belgian U18 side.
In 1998, he was bought by dutch outfit FC Volendam for a sum of £150k the season following their relegation from the Eredivise. He was a regular first team performer, staying with them for three seasons and assisting in earning them a 5th place finish, before his contract expired. In his time there, he had accumulated 9 U21 apps. It was his second season at Volendam when he earned the number 11 shirt, the shirt he would wear for most of his career.

Still young at 21, Ventek joined A.C.R. Messina to join the first team in their first Serie B season following promotion. There, he assisted the team to solidify their presence in the league, becoming one of the key players very quickly. In the 2003-04 season, he was given the captains armband. He instantly made an impact as captain, leading his team to promotion to Serie A.

In his 6 months in Serie A, he helped Messina steer clear of relegation, but was purchased for £800,000 for Borussia Mönchengladbach in January of 2005, where he remained a rotation option until his final season, when Mönchengladbach were relegated to the second Bundesliga, when he began to implement himself in the first team. He was out for the last 5 months of his Mönchengladbach career after badly damaging his knee.

In 2007, he was released as a free agent before being picked up by former club Anderlecht. There, he remained for the rest of his career until the age of 30, where he re-aggravated his knee injury and was forced to retire. He began to train in coaching at the club until he finally left in 2011, searching for work in Britain.

"It is a very proud day for me." Ventek told the media. "I always wanted to play in England, but I never made it. I am very exited to be managing such a reputable team, and I hope to build on what previous coaches have left behind."

When asked on his targets, he responded quite vaguely. "Well, obviously, promotion is always a target for Championship sides, but we'll see what happens after that. Cup-wise, I don't know, the league is more important, but that doesn't mean to say I am ruling out going for silverware." As for his style of play, he was equally enigmatic. "It really depends on the match. I hope to surprise some. Some days we will attack, others we will defend, others, we will do a little bit of both. Wait and see."

Watford are well-known for having an abundance of players on loan, 11 players currently borrowed from another team in the Hornet's first team. This was a subject the press thought should be brought to Ventek's attention alongside any purchases/departures that would be happening in the Window. "If you remove the Loanees, we have a very small squad, I realize that. I think a good plan would be to buy players every year, and loan players. The more players we have bought over the years, the less players we will need to make up with loans. I plan to buy one-or-two players this window that will make it in to the team on a regular basis, and a few more who are more for the future."

After some more unremarkable questions, the press conference ended and Ventek headed to Watford F.C. Training ground to meet his squad for the first time.

Watford Fanzone

Ventek makes Staff swap
After mutually terminating several contracts of Backroom-staff, Lukas Ventek has enlisted a new group to strengthen the club. The first of the group was Tosh Farell, ex-Everton coach who has since developed himself as a scout. The man partly responsible for the development of players like Wayne Rooney and Victor Anichibe will be working as Chief Scout for the Hornets for further notice. Experiences David Hamilton followed him to join the new scout team, along side ex-Newcastle and Aston Villa scout, Paul Montgomery.

The most notable staff addition, however, is Steve Kember, who has been appointed Assistant-Manager to Ventek. Kember has been dedicated to Crystal Palace for most of his career, and Watford will be his first club outside of Palace in his non-player Career.

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The Coaching team saw three new additions in ex-Manchester United coach, Arthur Albiston, ex-Manchester City coast, Al Stewart and ex-Manchester United and Newcastle United player, Andrew Cole. Les Parry, ex-Tranmere Coach, also was enlisted to work in Physiotherapy.

Skipper on his way out
Hornets captain John Eustace agreed terms with Wolverhampton Wanderers last night and is rumored to have passed the medical. The 32 year old has been with Watford since 2008, and since has built a reputation for himself at Vicarage Road. The sum is believed to be around the £700k mark. Fitz Hall has been confirmed as new Captain.

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"I, and everyone at Watford wish John all the best at Wolves." Lukas Ventek told public shortly after his departure became common knowledge. "He has served this club well, but it was his time to move on, now."

Masilela arrives in England
Fullback Tsepo Masilela has arrived in Watford to finalize his contract with the Horns after a prolonged transfer battle with Kaizer Chiefs, who eventually agreed on a reported £800k sum for the 36-capped South African

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Masilela was caught by press at Heathrow, where he happily answered questions. "I am really looking forward to the challenge of English football. I've watched it, and I believe it's the best in the world. I'm glad to be a part of it."

Watford Fanzone

Ventek splashes cash on Hughes
Watford have confirmed the signing of Will Hughes, who departed Derby last night to undertake a medical. Hughes was costly, his transfer price disclosed to be 4.1 million, plus two of Watford's players in exchange.



The two players departing Watford as part of the deal are Ross Jenkins and Stephen McGinn, both relatively young, but neither comparable to the 17 year old who enters in exchange. The duo have not made much of an impact at Watford, despite Jenkins being at the club for 6 years and McGinn, 3.

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"I am extremely exited for Will's future here." Ventek told press. "Some people say I overspent on him, I assure you, tell me that in a a couple of years time, you will look like a fool."

Pantsil in, Loan out
John Pantsil, perhaps best known for his stints at Fulham and West Ham, joined Watford on a free last night. The Ghanaian full-back has a monumental 81 caps for his country, giving him quite a reputation both within England, and outside of it.

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Ventek explained his choice to the Media. "Pantsil is a fantastic player, and I'm sure he'll make a big impact here. I doubt he will make regular first team appearances due to his diminishing fatigue, but when he does play, I think he will play well."

While the last signing of the window enters, 5 players leave on loan; Carl Dickinson to Cheltenham, Connor Smith to AFC Wimbledon, Adam Tumwa to Luton, Adam Thompson to Gillingham and, most notably, Fernando Forestieri to Genoa. "As we've signed Will Hughes, I felt we have too many good players in one position. As we have attacking midfielders on loan, once Fernando returns, he will be first team."

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