Dave Messenger

Postion – Right Back
DOB – 26/12/1972
Debut v Arsenal – Mar 2001
Nicknames – Dolly, Spacehopper

Genunie club legend Dave joined the fun relatively late in 2001 and went on to play in the IFA Cup Final and Gibbsy game in 2002. Dave also captained the B team at Worldnet 2002 & 03 and went on to become instrumental in running the club. In recognition of 4 years of organising fixtures, during which he won three consecutive Clubman of the year awards, and the club won the coveted ‘IFA Team of the Year” twice, Dave was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2008 and added a 5th Clubman award in 2013/14.

Dave’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
A much better footballer in my head.

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
April 1979 – Plymouth at home. It was a 2-2 draw and I remember the old man telling me to clap and cheer when Graham Taylor went to sit on the bench. Keith Mercer scored the first goal and I begged to go back the next week.

Finest ever WFC memory
Lots to choose from in childhood as Dad dragged us up and down the country watching Watford in the old first division. But the ultimate stand-out was Liverpool away in 1999. To go to Anfield, having grown up in the era when Liverpool dominated and see Watford stand toe-to-toe and win was brilliant.

Worst away trip and why
Hull, 2008, the league game not the play-off. The day the Hoofroyd era reached it’s nadir. Everyone who saw that one will carry the scars to their grave. Dan Shittu up front, worst funbus ever and the incessant, pouring rain.

WIFC playing highlight
From a team perspective, the 2002 IFA Cup Semi-Final v St Mirren in Leeds. We had our backs to the wall and were hanging on to a 2-1 lead. In those days, each team reffed a half and the opposition did the second half that day. We played at least 15 mins of injury time, repelling everything they threw at us until their ref could no longer swing it. On a personal level, captaining the B Team at WorldNET later that summer, and again in 2003 were highlights.

Favourite WIFC moment
So, so many to choose from, but how could I select anything other than the Dentists Ball at the infamous Village Hotel and the moment I ‘ruined 5 years’ of some silly female dentists life with some outrageous backwards dancing..

All-time favourite Watford player
Tony Coton.

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
Tony Coton, Nigel Gibbs, Wilf Rostron, Steve Sims, Malky Mackay, Nicky Wright, Kenny Jackett, Craig Ramage, Glyn Hodges, Paul Furlong, Heidar Helguson.

Red shorts or black?
Black. Always.

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Jack Black, apparently..

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