WIFC make their eagerly awaited return to the open-age WorldNET tournament, with their first trip to the IFA’s blue riband event since 2012 this weekend. While the Vets team has flown the Internet ‘Orns flag at the Big Tam Vets tournament in the interim years, returning to the main draw has been on the club’s agenda for the last two years. With the tournament having moved to Preston, a new experience awaits the 16 man squad.

In a shot that echoes through the years, WIFC regroup between matches at WorldNET 2012.

The draw has placed WIFC in a tough group for their return, with previous WorldNET winners Halifax and RC Lens joined by this season’s London Cup winners Stevenage and a competitive Manchester United side. With the first group match kicking off at 12, all eyes will be on WIFC as they attempt to improve on a round of 16 outing in their last trip to the main WorldNET.

Equally as important as the football itself, WIFC have always maintained a healthy tradition of enjoying a good night out after the Saturday group games. Some memorable moments down the years are sure to be added to during the trip.

You can follow the team’s progress by following @watford_ifc on twitter.

WIFC’s fulll record from 19 years of WOrldNET participation is below;

YEAR A TEAM
1997 Round of 16
1998 Round of 32
1999 Round of 32
2000 Plate Semi Finals
2001 Round of 32
2002 Round of 16
2003 Quarter Finals
2004 Round of 16
2005 Round of 32
2006 Round of 16
2007 Round of 16
2008 Runners-Up
2009 Round of 32
2010 Round of 32
2011 Quarter Finals
2012 Round of 16
2013-15 Did not enter

YEAR B TEAM
2002 Plate Round of 32
2003 Plate Round of 32
2004 Plate Round of 32
2005 Plate Round of 16
2006 Plate Round of 32
2007 Round of 32
2008 Round of 32
2009 Round of 32

YEAR VETS
2010 Round of 16
2011 Quarter Finals
2012 Round of 16
2013 Qualifying Round
2014 Quarter Finals
2015 Round of 16