It’s not possible to make a list of how many individual games we’ve all played at Worldnet, but here is the roll of honour in terms of the number of tournaments we’ve all attended. Only those Worldnets attended as a player are counted in this list..
WIFC Total – 23
All stats correct as at 20 February 2020
[table “5” not found /]This is the list of every goalscorer since Julian Carrera scored our first ever goal at Arsenal in the club’s first ever match, back in 1997
All totals correct as at 20 October 2020
| Name | Total Goals |
| Rob Sterry | 197 |
| Scott Mathers | 83 |
| Dave Soloway | 78 |
| Richard Murphy | 71 |
| Joel Moody | 71 |
| Jon Parry | 60 |
| Own Goals | 55 |
| Mark O’Connor | 53 |
| Chris Dundon | 52 |
| Stuart Nicholls | 46 |
| Richard Wenham | 43 |
| Ian Lay | 40 |
| Jimmy Davis | 39 |
| Paul Watt | 36 |
| Aidy Spender | 35 |
| Steve Eustice | 34 |
| Charlie Wood | 33 |
| Ally Hill | 32 |
| Martin Owen | 30 |
| Paul Whittenbury | 29 |
| Lee Evans | 29 |
| Ross Connor | 29 |
| Martin Pollard | 25 |
| Andy Cotton | 25 |
| Marc Duffy | 23 |
| Adam Gallichan | 22 |
| Mark Brennan | 21 |
| Chris Dew | 20 |
| Laurence Wells | 18 |
| Warren Flanagan | 18 |
| Simon Neill | 17 |
| Panos Fellas | 16 |
| Ben Kelly | 16 |
| Tommy Twelves | 16 |
| Jamie Parkins | 15 |
| Ben Pegram | 15 |
| Andy Woodard | 15 |
| Andy Myall | 14 |
| Chris Westcott | 14 |
| James Jenkins | 14 |
| Pete Fincham | 13 |
| Richard Walker | 13 |
| Dean Driscoll | 13 |
| Leigh Harrington | 13 |
| Matt Ainsley | 12 |
| Karim Eljanfali | 12 |
| Julian Carrera | 11 |
| Alex Prentice | 11 |
| Mat Ball | 10 |
| Stuart Holdham | 10 |
| Simon Devon | 9 |
| Paul Withey | 9 |
| Matt Wells | 7 |
| Darren Sear | 7 |
| Wob Powell | 7 |
| Russ Rapstone | 7 |
| Tim Down | 6 |
| Dan Butterick | 6 |
| Lamar St Cyr | 6 |
| Andy Sparrow | 6 |
| Rob Cooke | 6 |
| Adam Herd | 6 |
| Tom Lee | 6 |
| Matt Holliman | 5 |
| Paul Karlsen | 5 |
| Ben Bateman | 5 |
| Ben Clarke | 5 |
| Jon Richards | 5 |
| Mike Dempsey | 5 |
| Tom Smithson | 5 |
| Tom Beck | 4 |
| Jeremy Hinds | 4 |
| James Hannaford | 4 |
| Connor Church | 4 |
| Will Rowson | 4 |
| Matt Mesiano | 4 |
| Chris Keppel | 4 |
| Tom Anderson | 4 |
| Alan Silver | 4 |
| Ben Sheldon | 4 |
| Andy Stocks | 3 |
| Maurice Clarke | 3 |
| John Sitkowski | 3 |
| James Collins | 3 |
| Matt Stamp | 3 |
| Mike Viney | 3 |
| Chris Davis | 3 |
| Ryan Roedling | 3 |
| Sammy Janaway | 3 |
| Andy Lewers | 3 |
| Tom Labbett | 3 |
| Matt Hurley | 3 |
| Sam Mazurek | 3 |
| Greg Willerton | 3 |
| Alex Newman | 3 |
| Richard Hockaday | 3 |
| Michael Phillips | 3 |
| Dave Messenger | 2 |
| Phil McBride | 2 |
| Dave Perahia | 2 |
| Paul Labbett | 2 |
| Tony Burton | 2 |
| Rob Stone | 2 |
| Alan Chatfield | 2 |
| Brad Simmons | 2 |
| David Sitkowski | 2 |
| Mark Collins | 2 |
| Jon Neill | 2 |
| Josh Freedman | 2 |
| Steve Arnold | 2 |
| Dave Rodrigues | 2 |
| Craig Harrison | 2 |
| Spencer Field | 2 |
| Sol Tomlinson | 2 |
| James Farnfield | 2 |
| Rob Taylor | 2 |
| Simon Pullen | 2 |
| Rocco Cordara | 2 |
| John Readman | 2 |
| “Porno” | 2 |
| Justin Woolf | 2 |
| John Conway | 2 |
| Harry Hopkins | 2 |
| Ed Sterry | 1 |
| David Morren | 1 |
| John Akers | 1 |
| Jerker Kjellander | 1 |
| Ian Grinstead | 1 |
| Michael De Crescenzo | 1 |
| Richard Messenger | 1 |
| Miles Jacobson | 1 |
| Cleveland Brandy | 1 |
| Fraser Clark | 1 |
| Craig Urquhart | 1 |
| Alex Wee | 1 |
| Nick Grundy | 1 |
| Mark Morren | 1 |
| Frank Smith | 1 |
| Tom Davison | 1 |
| Stuart Sperinck | 1 |
| Vince Machin | 1 |
| Luke Barratt | 1 |
| Andrew Taylor | 1 |
| Liam McGarry | 1 |
| Micky Eales | 1 |
| Dan Moss | 1 |
| Sam Copeland | 1 |
| Ciaran Bateman | 1 |
| Derek Payne | 1 |
| Sam Elvery | 1 |
| Keith Scofield | 1 |
| Leigham Stone | 1 |
| Paul Norgate | 1 |
| Dave New Zealand | 1 |
| Simon Pryor | 1 |
| Bill Rider | 1 |
| Jordi Connor | 1 |
| Leo Crocker | 1 |
| Luke Hand | 1 |
| Richard Everitt | 1 |
| Richie Duncan | 1 |
| Dave Kos | 1 |
| Darren Lambe | 1 |
| Roy | 1 |
| Jay Lohan | 1 |
| Will Da Costa | 1 |
| David Walter | 1 |
| Sam Walller | 1 |
The current holder of the No Goals Mantle for outfield full squad member with most appearances without scoring is Matt Ladell, with 29 appearances so far.
The all-time No Goals mantle record is held by Matt Wells, who made over 130 appearances before his first goal.
Team Manager
Aidy Spender
Pete Fincham
Lee Evans
Ian Lay Unknown – 2002
Julian Carrera 2002-03
Ian Grinstead 2003-04
Dave Messenger 2004-05
Scott Mathers & Paul Watt 2005-08
Mat Ball 2008-2011
Chris Davis 2011-2014
Richard Walker 2014-
A Team at Worldnet (where different to above)
Miles Jacobson 1998
Mike Scofield 2002
Tony Buckoke 2005
Rob Sterry 2010
Maurice Clarke 2016
B Team
Jamie Parkins 2002
Ian Grinstead 2003
Julian Carrera 2004
Simon Devon 2005, 2007-09
Pete Fincham 2006
Veterans
Steve Eustice 2010
Pete Fincham 2011-
Fixtures
Pete Fincham
Ian Lay Unknown-2002
Rob Sterry & Simon Neill 2002-04
Paul Karlsen 2004-06
Dave Messenger 2006-2009
Matt Wells 2009-2012
Phil McBride 2012-14
Tom Beck 2014-16
Dave Messenger 2016-17
Charlie Wood 2017-
Formed 1997
PSLNet League Runners Up 1998
IFA Team of the Year Winners 1998, 2005, 2008, 2012
M’Duck Cup Winners 2001
IFA Cup Runners Up 2002
Furry Cup Runners Up 2005, 2006
WorldNet Runners Up 2008, 2021
Stevenage Tournament Winners 2010
London/South East Cup Runners Up 2012, 2014
Amsterdam Vets Tournament Winners 2013
London/South East Cup Winners 2013, 2021
MKDSA Changing Places Challenge Cup Winners 2017
IFA Cup Winners 2021
Best IFA League Finish – 4th – 2001/02
Best Worldnet – Runners-Up 2008 & 2021
Best IFA Cup – Winners 2021
Most Apps – 331 – Richard Murphy – 2003-
Most Goals – 197 – Rob Sterry – 2000-
Most Apps in a Season – 38 – Richard Murphy – 2005/06
Most Goals in a Season – 39 – Rob Sterry – 2002/03
Most Goals in a game – 7 – Rob Sterry v Dulwich Hamlet – Feb 2008
Longest scoring streak (consecutive games) – 6 – Alex Prentice – Oct 11 to Nov 2 2011
Most Team Goals in a Season – 118 – 2007/08
Fewest Goals conceded in a season – 42 – 2013/14
Most Team Clean Sheets in a Season – 12 – 2004/05 & 2003/04
Most Consecutive Wins – 7 – Oct 13 2018 to 23 Feb 2019
Biggest Win – 15-2 v Dulwich Hamlet – Nov 2009
Heaviest Defeat – 0-9 v Forest – June 2008
Biggest Margin of Victory – 13 v Dulwich Hamlet- Feb 2008 & Nov 2009
Biggest Margin of Defeat – 9 v Forest – June 2008
Here are a few frequently asked questions about WIFC that are not covered elsewhere – please read and drop Rich or Charlie a message if there is something we need to add, or if you have any comments.
Q. How much are subs and when should they be paid ?
Subs are currently set at £5 per game and MUST be paid before kick-off to whoever has been noiminated ito collect. Failure to pay may result in not being selected to play. There will be an additional £1 added if subs are paid late for any reason.
Q. Is there an annual signing-on fee ?
Not as such – the £25 fee for playing at Worldnet and £5 matchday subs are set at the level they are to ensure the club has a float to pay for things like matchballs, kit, pitch/referee fees and website hosting as we go along. All full squad members are also expected to fully support any additional fund-raising exercises we undertake.
Q. What happens if I owe WIFC money ?
We will periodically issue a list of monies outstanding for each player. If the amount becomes too large, we will discuss each player’s outstanding amount with them and arrange payment over a period of time. In extreme cases we reserve the right not to select players that owe money to the club so please be aware. If you’re in any doubt about how much you may or may not owe, please drop Chris an Email.
Q. Is Injury insurance provided by WIFC ?
In a word, No. Because the IFA is not linked to, and is not recognised by the FA, insurance companies will not touch us as a club. The IFA is not willing to persue becoming officially recognised as this would mean members of the IFA committee having to take on the responsibility of adhering to the numerous rules and regulations of the FA. We would also then also have the issue of paying league fees for all the administration that would result from this.
All this means it is the responsibility of each player to ensure they are adequately covered against a nasty injury. As the IFA gets a little more serious each year we encourage everyone to, at the very least, look into the costs. The IFA is not like Sunday League and is not run as such. You play for WIFC at your own risk and each of us needs to consider the implications of a bad injury.
Q. What is the difference between a full squad player and an associated player ?
The full squad system allows those running the club to have a bit of control on how many active players we have. We know that some people would prefer not to have the hassle of being expected to reply to availability threads, and we don’t want the hassle of chasing those people down every week.
Basically, anybody who has a squad number is considered to be a full squad player. Being a full squad player means that you understand that whether you’re going to be available much or not is irrelevant but you are happy to commit to replying to all availability threads that go up on here, continuing to play in the IFA spirit and generally being an active player for the team.
Most importantly, this DOES NOT mean that anyone who is an associated player is not welcome to play – far from it. Any associated player, be they new to the club, retired, semi-retired or just unable to commit to playing regularly is more than welcome to make themselves available for any WIFC match or event. As said above, we just need to know who our fully active players are.
Q. How do I stay, or become a full squad player ?
Going forward, full squad players will need only appear in one game during a season or at Worldnet to retain full squad status. If we don’t hear from you on a regular basis, or you finish a season without an appearance, don’t be surprised if we ask you to give up your squad number. Any vacated squad numbers will be offered to everyone else.
For newer players, once you make your WIFC debut, you will be offered a squad number if you wish to join the full squad. Returning players who previously had a squad number and lost it for whatever reason will also be able to claim a squad number if re-joining for regular football.
If there are any questions/comments about this post, please contact Rich by Email.
WIFC are always happy to hear from anyone who might like to join us. New players, especially those under the age of 25, are the future for a club like ours.
If you are, or you know anyone that is interested in playing for WIFC, please remember the following –
– Potential new players must be a Watford fan and have a regular internet connection AND email account at work or home.
– We prefer to have players that come to WFC games both home and away and will commit to playing as regularly as possible, though there is obviously some leeway on this.
– Finally, they must come and play in one WIFC fixture so we can make sure they ‘get’ what the club is here for.
Ability is no barrier to playing for WIFC – While we’d like to find a Sean Murray or Aidy Mariappa, we’re equally happy with a David Mirfin or a Liam Henderson. If you are, or know anyone who is a potential new player for the club, please drop us an Email to watfordifc at gmail.com, or send us a message via twitter (@watford_ifc) and we’ll get in touch. Once all of the above criteria have been met, new players will be given access to our closed facebook group and will be added to our e-mail list.
What are you waiting for ? Give us a shout..
NB The only time the criteria above do not apply is during those situations when we’re short of numbers and need players to make up an XI.
The WIFC ethos is closely linked to that of the IFA in which we play. The aim of the IFA is to build bridges between groups of fans of different clubs by playing a friendly game of football.
Though we do compete in a league and its associated cup competitions, and everyone wants to win while wearing the yellow shirt, the focus is on a friendly game of football. For WIFC this means there should be no handbags with the opposition, disputing decisions with referees or linesmen and no back-chat to, arguing with or abusing opponents, team-mates or match officials. If a decision goes against us, the captain will have a word with the referee where appropriate and if you foul an opponent you are expected to pick them up if needed, or shake their hand.
WIFC has won team of the year on numerous occasions because teams in the IFA believe we are some of the best blokes to play against in terms of our approach to the game and the banter we provide. We have done this while consistently finishing high in the league and doing well in the cups and Worldnet. By following this ethos we will maintain that reputation. So please bear in mind your responsibilities to our good name, whenever you represent our club.
The PSLNet league was a forerunner to the IFA League as we know it today, and in the 97/98 season WIFC finished runners-up. Aidy Spender and Simon Devon show off their medals, which were presented on the pitch at Vicarage Road.
The M’Duck Cup, won in pouring rain in Leicester, back in 2001. The day was probably just as memorable for Wenham’s cracked ribs and lack of a jacket leading to a bout of pneumonia. Wenham himself had scored the 2 goals against Lincoln that eventually secured the trophy.
Having beaten Hearts and St Mirren in memorable fashion along the way, WIFC met their old rivals from QPR in the IFA Cup Final in 2002. Unfortunately, and despite a man of the match showing from Dave Perahia, QPR ran out 3-0 winners on the day. Here is the runners-up medal.
The shield below was presented to WIFC on the occasion of the first match against Inter Milan, which took place at Yeading FC in September 2002. The IFA had asked for teams to entertain the Italian visitors and this match was the first of a triple header for Inter. A return visit took place in May 2005.
WIFC have always been a leading light in the IFA, and this has led to the club winning the coveted team of the year award on four occasions, in 1999, 2005, 2008 & 2012. Voted by all other member clubs, the team of the year award is awarded to the team deemed to be the best team to play against in terms of sportsmanship and playing in the spirit intended by the IFA. On winning the shield for the third time in 2008, the club were allowed to keep the shield pictured below, and re-name the award after one of it’s own. As such, the IFA team of the year now wins the Peter Fincham Shield.
On the back of the team of the year award for the 3rd time, WIFC had their best ever Worldnet in 2008, finishing runners-up to Preston. A picture of the runners-up medal is below. This one belongs to Mat Ball.
In May 2010, WIFC won their first silverware since 2001 when the club won the Stevenage Tournament. 4 wins from 5 games secured top spot in this mini-league style tournament, in which Paul Whittenbury was named player of the day, as voted by the referees. Defeat in the opening game against the hosts got the day off to bad start, but 4 goals from Jimmy Davis, 3 from Chris Dew and one apiece for Mark Brennan and Alex Prentice accounted for Cambridge, West Ham, AFC Wimbledon and Welling to win the trophy.
May 2013 saw Pete Fincham lead a WIFC veterans side to success in Europe, with a tournament win at the Amsterdam Veterans 6-a-side tournament. Rob Sterry was on target in a 1-0 final win against Kingstonian, while keeper Darren Sear won the tournament’s Golden Glove award.
A week after Amsterdam, WIFC made it 2 trophies in a week when they defeated Stevenage in the London Cup Final. Having lost on penalties to West Ham the year before, WIFC were determined to go one better, and goals from Rob Sterry and Stuart Nicholls secured a 2-1 win.
The IFA London Cup 2013
Tom Beck shows off his London Cup winners medal
2017 saw WIFC compete in the MKDSA Changing Places Challenge Cup at Stadium MK. An excellent team effort across the 5 games of the tournament was enough to secure the silverware pictured below.
Created in 2003 by then manager Julian Carrera, the WIFC Hall of Fame exists to honour those who’ve made a significant contribution to the club during their time. Each year at the awards evening, the current management team will select another person to enter the Hall of Fame.
The first entrants were Lee Evans and Simon Devon in 2003, and they were joined by Pete Fincham, leading appearance maker Julian Carrera and Martin Owen in 2004. To celebrate the on-line Hall of Fame’s creation in 2004, two more WIFC legends were selected to join, the club’s founder Aidy Spender and former manager Ian Lay.
In 2005, legendary goalkeeper Dave Perahia was inducted, and he was followed by the youngest entrant thus far, club record scorer Rob Sterry, in 2006. The following year saw Daz Sear and Simon Neill added to the hall of fame, while original squad members Jon Parry and Paul Labbett were honoured at the 2007 Testimonial Dinner.
In 2008, Dave Messenger and Scott Mathers were added for their outstanding contributions to arguably the club’s most successful period and in 2009, current fixtures supremo Matt Wells was honoured. Following a break in 2010, the Hall of Fame welcomed former joint manager Paul Watt to it’s ranks in 2011.
Full profiles of all of the Hall of Famers will be added to this site in the coming weeks.
Position – Centre Half/Centre Mid/Centre Forward
DOB – 23/3/1983
Debut v Queen of the Thistle – Jul 2003
Nickname – The Enforcer, Dunners
WIFC’s very own Big Chris first appeared at Worldnet 2003 following his appearance at the “Buy Back the Vic” match, where he was unfortunate enough to meet Sterry and Mathers. Chris started out in defence, but has since played up front and central midfield, where he earned a boot in the face, a broken nose and a couple of hours in Rotherham General during the first funbus trip. This sort of bravery also accounts for him leading the WIFC troops to the now legendary Cage nightclub for the first time, during Worldnet 2006. Fiercely committed, Chris regularly captained the team and was selected to represent England in the IFA Internationale match at Worldnet 2011, getting onto the scoresheet in the process.
Chris’ Q and A
Describe yourself in a sentence
Big shot Hollywood film director and definitely NOT a centre half with that goal scoring record.
What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
I was a fairly late starter at WFC games – I think it was Watford 5 Charlton 2 – can’t remember the year but pretty sure it was a Ramage masterclass.
Finest ever WFC memory
Luton 0 Watford 4 – that one I do remember – 97
Worst away trip and why
Fulham 5 Watford 0 – utterly bobbins.
WIFC playing highlight
Captaining the team in the IFA London Cup and Worldnet.
Favourite WIFC moment
Simon Devon v Daz Sear – 400m flat race on the athletic track in Stockholm. A truly epic race with drama right to the line – can’t even remember who won I laughed so much. All this off the back of Wenham’s 500th (or was it 5000th) career goal as well.
All-time favourite Watford player
Fernando Forestieri
All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
(4-2-4) Miller, Doyley, Galli, Foster, Kennedy; Ramage, Mahon; Helguson, Mooney, Forestieri, Wilkinson.
Red shorts or black?
RED
Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Russel Crowe – intelligent and handsome gentle giant – prone to the occasional decent of red mist when rubbed up the wrong way.