Position – Goalkeeper
DOB – TBC
Debut v Stevenage – September 2016
Nicknames – Bob
Keeper Kristian joined at the start of the 2016/17 season. One of the matchday Vicarage Roadie team at Watford, Kristian went on to keep a clean sheet in his second start against AFC Wimbledon before his short time with the club came to an end when he moved to Scotland.
Position – Left Midfield
DOB – TBC
Debut v Brentford Hey Jude – Sep 2015
Nicknames – Man Like Lam
Speedy midfielder Lamar was another player recruited from the ticket office staff at Vicarage Road to help boost numbers for an away game and has stuck around ever since. Lamar’s first season saw him earn a man of the match award in the IFA cup tie against Tranmere and he played a key role in the away win at St Johnstone later in the campaign.
Position – Central Defender
DOB – TBC
Debut v Unknown Opponents – 2013
Nicknames – Phil Neville
The younger of the Sitkowski brothers, hence acquiring the unfortunate nickname above, David joined shortly after older brother John and has made himself at home in the WIFC backline since making his debut in 2013. David also appeared in the 2021 South East Cup final win.
Position – Midfield
DOB – TBC
Debut v Barnet – October 2011
Nicknames – None
Soon after a promising debut in a memorable win at Barnet in 2011, Max disappeared to the other side of the world, returning for the odd fleeting appearance.
Position – Centre Midfield
DOB – TBC
Debut v Unknown Opponents – 2013
Nicknames – Bumbalow
Despite his spectacularly unfit appearance, Ally has become a vital cog in the WIFC machine since being introduced to the club by Chris’ Dundon and Dew in 2013. At home playing anywhere in the spine of the team, Ally has a useful goals per game record for someone who possesses very few of the attributes usually associated with strikers, Ally holds a unique WIFC record in being voted best newcomer and player of the year in his debut campaign.
Position – Full Back
DOB – TBC
Apps – 5
Goals – 0
Worldnets – 0
Debut v WBA – April 2016
Nicknames – None, yet
The double whammy of being a Watford fan and ticket office employee made WIFC a natural fit for Andrew, who was recruited for an away trip to West Brom in 2015/16 and joined the full squad the following season. At home on either flank, Andrew has made a solid start to his Internet ‘Orns career.
Position – Striker
DOB – TBC
Debut v Unknown Opponents – 2016
Nicknames – Gally
Adam completes the Sterry family set – he is married to Rob and Ed’s sister, Helen and joined the WIFC action at the start of the 2016/17 season. A former charge of manager Richard Walker at Old Garston Boys, Adam finished as the club’s top scorer in 2019/20.
WIFC will undertake their first journey north of the border for 8 years in the Quarter Finals of the IFA Cup, having been drawn against St Johnstone. The tie, which will take place on Saturday 26th March, is the internet ‘Orns first appearance at this stage since 2011 and manager Richard Walker was delighted with the draw. ‘Travelling for a fixture like this is what the IFA is all about’ said Walker. ‘We’re already making plans and look forward to taking a full team north of the border’
WIFC’s last trip to Scotland saw a marathon journey to Aberdeen for an IFA Cup Quarter Final back in 2008. Goals from veteran trio Martin Owen, Chris Westcott and Martin Pollard weren’t enough to prevent a 3-5 reverse. Halifax were 4-1 winners in WIFC’s last outing at this stage, with Paul Withey scoring the solitary goal.
Availability details will be confirmed via the club’s Facebook group page in due course.
The intrepid WIFC squad line-up before the 2008 IFA cup Quarter Final in Aberdeen
Watford IFC booked their place in the Quarter Finals of the IFA national cup this Saturday with a comprehensive 4-0 win over KaisAyr at Parmiter’s School. The home side, recording their first win of the calendar year in the process, took advantage of some hesitant defending to lead one-nil at the break and then stuck manfully to their game plan to add three further goals in the second half.
The two teams line-up
Having travelled almost 300 miles on the Friday, before then sampling the local night life on arrival, KaisAyr started the game surprisingly well. Their energetic early approach twice testing the Watford backline but without getting shots away. The Internet ‘Orns soon settled down though and opened the scoring as Ally Hill flicked on a cross field box and, though he’ll tell you otherwise, turned to see a defender get the last touch.
Whilst the yellows pressed for a second, going close with a number of set pieces, KaisAyr fired a warning shot (quite literally) off the face of the crossbar. After breaking with pace their forward cut in and was unfortunate to see his fierce strike cannon back and out for safety.
After playing out the remainder of the first half, the home side continued to press early in the second and were soon rewarded. Daniel Butterick, playing at wing back for the day, crossed for Mark O’Connor to bundle home for 2-0, before Ally Hill slammed home for 3-0. Whilst neither goal was particularly pleasing on the eye they took the wind out of the Scottish visitors and effectively sealed the tie.
At this stage it would’ve been all too easy for the Internet ‘Orns to take their foot off the gas, but with the experienced Walker and Clarke at the back (aided magnificently by all those in yellow ahead of them) that wasn’t an issue. A fourth goal was added in stoppage time too as Ally Hill raced clear, rounded the keeper, and finished well for his second of the game. It confirmed Watford IFC’s passage into the quarter finals of the IFA Cup for the first time since 2011.
Huge credit should be given to KaisAyr who epitomise the ethos of the IFA. They travelled in good numbers, just as they did for a memorable quarter final in 2009, and were a pleasure to deal with throughout. We hope to re-pay their visit later in the season.
Team: Walker, J Sitkowski, Clarke, Hill, Pegram, Butterick, Murphy, Nicholls, Wood, Soloway, O’Connor.
Subs: Holdham, Ainsley (both used).
DESPITE a performance rightly described as ‘heroic’ by manager Richard Walker, Watford IFC’s unbeaten run, standing at eight games since the beginning of September, was ended on the Saturday before Christmas with a 4-3 defeat by Millwall.
The Internet ‘Orns took to the iconic Hackney Marshes with a bare eleven in their 650th game in club history, though did welcome back all time leading goalscorer Rob Sterry for his first appearance of the season. The prolific forward, who now resides in Florida, slotted in at left midfield as he looked to add to his impressive 188 goal tally for the club.
Despite Millwall’s recent results, featuring seven goal hauls against the likes of Preston and Gillingham, it was the away side who would open the scoring. Charlie Wood, a regular scorer in his first full season for the club, dispatched a Mark O’Connor through ball for the first. As Millwall pressed for a first half equaliser they were picked off again – Rich Walker’s audacious free kick finding the top corner from a full 25 yards. It was the player manager’s second impressive strike in successive games. The yellows 2-0 lead at the break owed to a tremendous work rate throughout the squad, with all eleven contributing.
Millwall, perhaps unrewarded for their good build up play in the first half, snatched the initiative back shortly after half time. Their first was headed home after Tom Beck had tipped an initial effort on to the bar, and their second was finished well as Watford failed to clear their lines. It was a dominant fifteen minute spell by the hosts and one which prompted Walker to don the gloves and replace Beck in goal.
This change saw an instant return, to the surprise of many, as Beck promptly headed Watford back in front with his first for the club. The makeshift forward connecting with Wood’s long throw to make it 3-2.
Millwall wouldn’t lie down though and, by throwing men forward, grabbed their second equaliser of the match to make it 3-3. This spurred them on to a fourth, and ultimately decisive goal, late in the game. Despite their battling performance Watford allowed a lively forward too much room and he took his chance well, putting Millwall into the lead for the first time. Watford had late chances of their own with both Stu Nicholls and Ben Bateman testing the keeper, but they couldn’t find a way through.
Team: Beck, Ainsley, J.Sitkowski, Bateman, Nicholls, E.Sterry, Butterick, Walker, R.Sterry, Wood, O’Connor.
Goals: Wood, Walker, Beck.