Position – Right Back/Striker
DOB – 26/3/85
Apps – 14
Goals – 1
Worldnets – 0
Debut v Southampton July 2014
Nicknames – Mikey, Speedy

Mike joined WIFC at the back end of the 2013/14 season with brother-in-law Ross Connor, and quickly got off the mark at Stevenage in his 2nd game. Since then, he’s been deployed more often at full-back and has given a series of solid displays, quickly becoming a regular and valued member of the squad.

Mike’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentetce
Speedy is a legend. ( so I’ve been told )

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
Blackpool away Sept 2013 – being there for Ross connor bday weekend with the lads, that was a good weekend

Finest ever WFC memory
The double penalty save by Alumina and then the winning goal to get to Wembley.

Worst away trip and why
Not had one yet

WIFC playing highlight
My first goal at Stevenage

Favourite WIFC moment
Ed taking a tumble, but taking 5mins to fall over

All-time favourite Watford player
Tommy Mooney

Red shorts or black ?
Black shorts

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Danny Dyer

Position – Striker
DOB – 1/9/1988
Debut v Southampton – July 2014
Nickname – Rossco

With two goals on his debut, and 12 before Christmas in his first full season, Ross got his short but goal-laden WIFC career off to a flying start after making his debut in 2014. He also became the second WIFCer to have to leave the field to attend to his kids’ toilet issues in a game at Hampton, following in the illustrious footsteps of Ian Grinstead.

Ross’ Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
Tall, dark and devilishly handsome!

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
It was during the 1998 season, but the only fixture I can remember from back then was the play off final win in ’99. A certain Nick Wright springs to mind…

Finest ever WFC memory
Without doubt the Deeney goal v Leicester. I was actually at the theatre with my fiancée when it took place and so never saw it live (I still curse her!). I managed to go the whole day without hearing the score, only to come home and watch it at midnight. I proceeded to turn off the tv when Cassetti gave away the pen and went to bed sulking. I was woken up by my fiancée the next morning who forced me to watch the end of the match. Safe to say I was probably the only Watford fan vigorously celebrating that wonderful goal the day after it happened.

Worst away trip and why
Have only been to a few. But purely because it was my birthday weekend, Blackpool away 13/14. All over them but couldn’t hit a cows arse with a banjo. Tom Ince comes off the bench to grab a late winner for them. Only highlight of the occasion, abusing Barry Ferguson!

WIFC playing highlight
I would have to say playing in my debut. Two goals from centre midfield, not a bad start!

Favourite WIFC moment
Purely because, if I didn’t laugh I would cry. 1 minute left to go against Bury, the game stands at 2-2 and I lay the ball across the goal for Ally Hill to tap into an empty net from less than a yard out, only for him to scuff it into the air for the goalkeeper, who had previously been sprawled on the floor, time to stand up, regain his composure and casually catch it with two hands. Shameful really.

All-time favourite Watford player
Fernando Forestieri

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
Ben Foster, Nigel Gibbs Jay Demerit Gabriel Angella Paul Robinson, Tommy Smith, John Eustace, Almen Abdi, Ashley Young, Troy Deeney, Fernando Forestieri.

Red shorts or black?
Black. Period.

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Kit Harrington.

All the results from 2014/15

Overall Record

Results and Scorers

WIFC battled to a well-earned 2-2 draw against Bury B last weekend, extending the unbeaten run since the start of the season to 3 games for the first time since 2005/06. The home side got off to a dream start when a visting defender put through his own net under pressure from Ally Hill.

Goalmouth action from the draw against Bury B

The visitors levelled through Jamie Sanders, who then doubled the lead before the break as both sides worked hard in warm conditions. After the break, WIFC worked for the equaliser and defended stoutly, getting their rewards when Richard Murphy finished from close range after some great work by Stuart Nicholls. There was still time for the Internet ‘Orns to almost snatch the win, when Ross Connor fed Ally Hill, who was denied at point blank range as the final whistle blew.

More goalmouth action

The new season continues at the weekend, as WIFC travel to Gillingham before moving onto Charlton for the Watford game.

WIFC made it two wins out of two for the season so far, following up last week’s 4-2 win against Stevengae with a 5-1 win against a spirited Northampton side at the Met Police. Having gone behind early last week, the home side were indebted to ‘keeper Tom Beck for a fine save in the first minute, and it was WIFC who took an early lead when Richard Wenham headed Rob Stone’s wayward shot in at the far post.

Moz Clarke, Rob Sterry, Ally Hill and Richard Wenham prepare to attack a corner

Following a scrappy period of play where chances were at a premium, apart from a gilt-edged chance which went begging for Dave Soloway, manager Richard Walker shuffled his pack and sub Rob Sterry doubled the lead on 35 mins, when he converted a pin-point first time cross from brother Ed, who nicely made amends for a comedy fall when he lost his footing in the previious attack.

Sterry, R slots home the second WIFC goal

WIFC improved after the break and got early rewards when Ally Hill’s blocked shot fell nicely for Joel Moody to finish tidily. Ross Connor soon added a 4th when he acrobatically tunrned home a Soloway cross. At the other end, Northmapton got some rewards for a hard-working display when they converted a penalty, but man of the match Connor added his second and WIFC’s fifth to complete the scoring/

Ross Connor capped a man of the match display with WIFC’s 5th goal

WIFC’s season continues at a pace, with Bury B visting next weekend and first away game of the season at Gillingham the following week before the big boys take on Charlton.

WIFC begin their 18th full season of IFA action this weekend, with a home London Cup/League fixture against Hertfordshire neighbours Stevenage. Keith Bell’s side provided the opposition in the last game of the 2013/14 season, and new WIFC boss Richard Walker will be hoping his side can emulate the 3-1 win.

The game will count for league points and is the first of two group games in the London Cup. Finalists in all 3 years since the cup’s inception, and winners against Stevenage themselves in 2013, WIFC have also been drawn with the only other team to feature in the final, two times winners West Ham.

The game this weekend also sees the first visit to Watford for the Stevenage team, as all previous fixtures have either been played in the North Herts town or on neutral venues. To check out the full playing record against Stevenage, and other IFA opponents, click on the link below.

WIFC complete playing record

For updates from the game, follow @watford_ifc on twitter.

All the results from 2013/14..

Overall record

Results

Appearances

Goalscorers

WIFC closed off their IFA league season with a hard-working 3-1 win at Stevenage this weekend. It was the first league win WIFC have recorded against their Hertfordshire neighbours, the only other win coming in last season’s London Cup Final.

Richard Murphy beats a Stevenage player, watched by old-timer Paul Watt.

The Internet ‘Orns raced out of the blocks, and centre-half turned striker for the day Ally Hill bundled in his 9th goal of the season from close range after good work from Paul Watt after just 5 minutes. With some good lively forward play, WIFC continued to create chances with Ross Connor and Stuart Holdham both going close to double the lead. Stevenage always threatened at the other end though, and got an equaliser through an unfortunate Ben Morrison own goal. WIFC restored their lead shortly before the break when a through ball from player-manager Richard Walker was finished well by leading scorer Jimmy Davis.

After the break, the lead was extended when Mike De-Crescenzo slotted home his first goal for the club, while Davis could and should have extended the lead and Ross Connor hit the bar. Chances came at the other end too, but a mixture of good saves from Tom Beck, resolute defending from the whole team combined with WIFC’s better finishing led to a deserved third win on the bounce to close the campaign.

Team. 4-4-2, R to L. Tom Beck; Ed Sterry, Ben Morrison, Moz Clarke, Paul Watt; Ross Connor, Stuart Holdham, John Sitkowski, Richard Murphy; Mike De Crescenzo, Ally Hill. Subs Matt Ainsley, Matt Wells, Richard Walker, Jimmy Davis, Dave Messenger