Jerry Ladell

Position – On the touchline, failing that in the bar, failing that full back
DOB – 19/08/57
Debut v Barnsley – September 2013
Nicknames – Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Matt’s Dad

Jerry made his debut alongside his son, Matt, as part of a fun bus trip to Barnsley in September 2013. He remembers us losing 3-2, when in fact it was 5-2 and that probably sums up his contributions quite well that day. All joking aside, Jerry has been a regular at the club since and has played a vital part in ensuring that Matt can make games. Jerry regularly runs the line and helped out as referee for our game against Northampton, awarding a final minute penalty against his son for good measure.

Jerry’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
An old git who should know better to be trying to still play football at his age

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
The first I can really remember is Liverpool 1967 3rd Round of the FA Cup – we drew 0-0 (lost the replay 3-1). I watched it from the roof of the Red Lion Garage!

Finest ever WFC memory:
Finishing runners-up to Liverpool in our first season in the old first division.

Worst away trip and why
Easy, Torquay 27 December 1977, won 3-2. I am reminded of the game every time I look in the mirror. I decided to try and head a brick away that was thrown by a Torquay fan, it smashed my nose to bits….

WIFC playing highlight
Injuring myself in the warm up of our first vets game up in Leeds during the summer – only managed 15 minutes play during the whole weekend, and those minutes weren’t very memorable!

Favourite WIFC moment
That’s still to come (I hope), other than that the 20/20 cricket at Headingley with the vets

All-time favourite Watford player
For ages it was Billy Jennings but then along came Heidar Helguson.

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
M.Walker; D.Welbourne; W.Rostron; K.Eddy; I.Bolton; L.Taylor; T.Garbutt; J.Barnes; S.Scullion; H.Helguson & M.Vydra

Red shorts or black?
Red.

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Got to be George Clooney – we have the same chiselled looks!

20 John Sitkowski

Position – Centre Back
Debut v Southampton – June 2013
Nicknames – Gary Neville

John arrived at the club at the back end of the 2012/13 season, making his debut in our final game at home to Southampton. He’s since gone on to be a regular fixture in the side, opening his goalscoring account the following season v AFC Wimbledon when he rounded the keeper and took a few touches to make sure. John capped off a decent debut season by starting in the 2014 London Cup final and finished as runner up in the ‘Best Newcomer’ award.

John’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
Serious and always fashionably late.

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
vs. Bolton in ’99 at Wembley. I can’t remember a lot but the Watford streaker gave me nightmares for weeks.

Finest ever WFC memory:
Play off semi final against Leicester. Pretty obvious choice, but to go from such a low feeling of conceding a penalty to go out of the play offs, to scoring and going to Wembley in a matter of seconds was incredible.

Worst away trip and why
I’ve only ever seen Watford lose once away, and that was the first leg of the play off semi final against Leicester.

WIFC playing highlight
Still yet to score, so I’ll go for starting in the 13/14 season cup final.

Favourite WIFC moment
I really enjoyed Barnsley away during 13/14 season. Fun bus antics and beating them 5-1 in the afternoon.

All-time favourite Watford player
Lloyd Doyley

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
Foster, Doyley, Shittu, Demerit, Mariappa; Young, Abdi, Battochio, Forestieri, Mooney, Deeney.

Red shorts or black?
Black.

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
George Clooney