Position – Centre Back/Centre Midfield
DOB – TBC
Debut v West Ham – Mar 2012
Nicknames – Mozzer, Moz, The King of Rum and Lemsip

Moz was a late starter in WIFC terms and almost certainly became it’s oldest ever debutant when making his bow at West Ham aged 45. Having joined the full squad for 2012/13, Moz’s pre-match warm-ups became the stuff of WIFC legend and his leadership on the pitch was immense, on no occasion more than the London Cup Final in 2013, when Moz was skipper and man of the match as WIFC secured the trophy. Mom finally retired after a stint as player/assistant manager as injuries finally took their toll on the old warhorse.

Moz’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
Space Cowboy, Gangster of Love

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
West Ham away last season. It was cold and we had a scratch team (no offense). I remember West ham trying to kill our keeper, who we borrowed from them. mates eh!? I also remember having a fantastic first 5 minutes. it all went rapidly down hill after that, but since I hadn’t played any kind of 11 a side footie since 2001, i was pretty pleased at the end of it. Could walk for 10 days after though.

Finest ever WFC memory
Getting the arm band at Preston. That was a nice surprise.

Worst away trip and why
Palace, every time. Yet to see us win there. Wimbledon, Charlton, Palace. makes no difference. That place is not kind to me. Went there once on my motorbike. They wouldn’t let me in with the helmet. sent me to the front office to put it in there, but directed me down the road past Tescos. i got into the ground five minutes before half time. Effing Ceees!

WIFC playing highlight
So far its that fact that we have yet to concede when I have played at center back. I have just hexed myself haven’t I? (yes – Ed)

Favourite WIFC moment
The skipper thing, and Stu H’s last minute miss against Stevenage. Classic.

All-time favourite Watford player
Tony Coton

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
Coton, Gibbs, Rostron, McClelland, Terry, Callaghan, Ramage, Hyde, Barnes, Graham, Blissett

Red shorts or black?
Black actually

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Idris Elba

Position – Right Wing
DOB – 1/12/1992
Debut v Coventry – Mar 2012
Nicknames – None yet

Speedy right winger Andy announced himself to WIFC with a bang, setting up a goal with his first touch on his debut as a half-time substitute in a win against Coventry in March 2012. Quiet off the pitch, despite his prolific tweeting, Andy joined the full squad for the start of the 2012/13 season during which he notched his first goal for the club against West Ham. He added another in the Vic Road match, and was a playing sub in the 2012 and 2013 London Cup Finals.

Andy’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence

I’m not the most imaginative of people.

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?

Watford vs my childhood team Newcastle United on 20th November 1999. It was an early birthday present from my parents, as Alan Shearer was my hero when I was growing up, so they took me along to see him play. I remember sitting in The Rookery wearing my Newcastle shirt and celebrating when The Toon scored. It was 1-1 at full time, but unfortunately Shearer didn’t score.

Finest ever WFC memory

The Championship Playoff Final on 21st May 2006, only Lloyd Doyley’s goal comes close to beating that day.

Worst away trip and why

It has to be away to Hull in the 11/12 season. I had to wake up at 4:30am, it was bloody freezing, Watford lost in the last minute and my night out in Hull afterwards was awful, such a dire place to be when you’re pissed off.

WIFC playing highlight

Has to be making an appearance for Watford in the London Cup final against West Ham, having only played three games beforehand.

Favourite WIFC moment

Getting an assist with my first ever touch on my debut.

All-time favourite Watford player

Easy question this – Heidar Helguson

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)

Foster; Doyley, Mariappa, DeMerit, Robinson; Young, Eustace, Mahon, Wooter; Helguson, Graham

Red shorts or black?

Black, red doesn’t suit me.

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

Hmm, tricky one this. Probably Daniel Radcliffe, in the hope that he could introduce me to Emma Watson.

Position – Centre Midfield
DOB – 26/8/1989
Debut v Nottingham Forest – Feb 2011
Nicknames – Stoney, Bale

Rob was introduced to the club by best-mate Jez Hinds in Feb 2011, joining the full squad the following season. Rob started WIFC life at right-back, and showed a very non-right back approach to goalscoring, bucking the trend set by several older team-mates by scoring a long range screamer in a home win against Coventry. Rob’s since moved into central midfield, where he’s become an integral member of the side and former manager Chris Davis’ favourite starred there during 2012/13, winning 3 man of the match awards, playing a full part in the run to winning the IFA London Cup and a second place in Players Player for 2013/14.

Rob’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
A better looking version of Gareth Bale without the quality.

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
It was an end to end 0-0 draw at home to Charlton I think in the mid 90’s. The last memory of this game was sat freezing in the Family stand eating those Fireblast sweets you used to be able to get from the shop at the bottom of the stairs.

Finest ever WFC memory
Play Off 1st leg away at Palace

Worst away trip and why
Ipswich away because I was sat next to Wellsy for 90 minutes and the first half was horrendous

WIFC playing highlight
Scoring my first goal for the club against Coventry.

Favourite WIFC moment
Playing at the Vic.

All-time favourite Watford player
Heidar Helguson

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
Foster, Doyley, Page, Demerit, Robinson, Smith, Mahon, Hyde, Young, Helguson, Graham

Red shorts or black?
Red

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Paul Rudd

Position – Goalkeeper
DOB – 5/9/1984
Debut v Brentford Hey Jude – Nov 2011
Nicknames – None as yet

Having struggled to fill the goalkeepers berth for years, Tom helped bring the total in the squad to four when he joined the WIFC goalkeeper union in 2011. After a debut at Brentford, Tom went on to show improvements over the course of his first season, culminating in a man of the match display in a win against Ipswich. Tom showed a fabulous attitude to sharing goalkeeping duties with the rest of the union, and also notched his first goal for the club while playing up front against Millwall in 2015/16. Tom also had a credible stint as fixtures guru between 2014-16 and bade farewell with a memorable goal against Hampton in his last match before moving to Germany.

Tom’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
A work in progress.

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
vs. Forest in ’94. Watford got beat 2-1 and Colin Cooper scored an own goal. I went with a former Watford keeper, who is an old family friend, and we parked down by the old printers on Whippendell Road. I remember queuing up for the Vicarage Road end in the cold and listening to all the football chat. I’ve seen us lose to many average teams at home since.

Finest ever WFC memory:
Has to be Wembley in 1999. Everything about it was perfect. Great goals at key moments and almost 40,000 Watford fans there. Favourite game, favourite goal and arguably my favourite Watford shirt too.

Worst away trip and why
Wimbledon away in the Premier League. Freezing cold, supporters coach took ages and Watford got smashed 5-0 with Hartson scoring and celebrating in front of us. A visit to Selhurst Park has never been that pleasant.

WIFC playing highlight
Beating Ipswich at home in 2012, easily my best game in a WIFC shirt and I made a clutch save just before half time to take us in 1-0 up. Disappointed to lose a clean sheet with only minutes to go.

Favourite WIFC moment
Playing at Vicarage Road is always pretty special.

All-time favourite Watford player
Heidar Helguson

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
Ben Foster, Aidy Mariappa, Jay DeMerit, Robert Page, Paul Robinson, Tommy Smith, Allan Nielsen, John Eustace, Ashley Young, Heidar Helguson, Tommy Mooney

Red shorts or black?
Black. The red shorts make us look like a McDonald’s clown.

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Zach Gilford. Played Matt Saracen in Friday Night Lights.

Position – Right Back/Centre Back
DOB – 17/3/1984
Debut v Brentford Hey Jude – Nov 2011
Nicknames – Dwillis

Dan is probably better known in Watford supporting circles as one half of the duo of brothers who once ran the Watford Legends website, on which a variety of former Hornets heores of differing quality are interviewed about their careers. Since joining the club in Autumn 2011 Dan impressed with some sturdy displays at right back and centre half, so much so that he was voted best newcomer in his debut season.

Dan’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence;

Thoroughly good looking, generous to a fault, outrageously good in bed and very modest.

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?

Wolves at home in ’94. GT was manager of Wolves, game delayed due to Wolves coaches being held up on the M1. Colin Foster put us one up, Wolves equalised late on but then Richard Johnson cracked in an 88^th minute thunderbolt and I was hooked…I’m yet to experience any feeling that rivals the feeling of a last minute winner.

Finest ever WFC memory:

Fulham away in ’98. A barnstorming season, promotion was in the bag but we had seemingly blown the title – and then we went to Fulham and Bristol City bottled it at Preston. Campione, campione…

Worst away trip and why:

Wimbledon away in our first trip to the Premiership. If you were there then you’ll know why, if you weren’t then I really don’t want to talk about it.

WIFC playing highlight.

Scoring at the Rookery end at Vicarage Road at the end of last season. No further details of the goal are required. (It was an Oggy – Editor’s Note)

Favourite WIFC moment.

The initiation songs at Worldnet.

All-time favourite Watford player.

Tommy Mooney, closely followed by Helguson.

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)

Miller, Doyley, Foster, Millen, Robbo, Young, Springy, Jonno, Adam Johnson, Mooney, Helguson.

Red shorts or black?

Black, no question.

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

Perry Digweed.

Results and stats from the 2012/13 season so far…

Overall Record

Results and Scorers

Appearances

Goals

Man of the Match Cows

Position – Centre Midfield
DOB – 22/11/1981
Debut v Stevenage – Sep 2012
Nicknames – JJ

Midfielder James joined WIFC after responding to an ad on Twitter. Having been sidelined with a long term injury before his arrival, joining WIFC represents a comeback for James, and his all-action displays in central midfield have made a real impact. Having scored on his debut for the club, James went onto earn two man of the match awards in his first season, though an injury sustained paying some silly summer sport meant he missed out on London Cup glory to cap it off.

James’ Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
A bit of the Benjamin Button about me, I look young but feel oh so very old.

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it? Honestly can’t remember, I’d guess it was around 1987, perhaps sooner

Finest ever WFC memory
Play off semi at palace followed by the final at Cardiff. Also Wembley ’99.

Worst away trip and why
Probably Chelsea 5-0. Grim FA Cup day out. 3 down in first 15

WIFC playing highlight
Scoring on debut at Stevenage

Favourite WIFC moment
That impressive Wenham save v MK Dons!

All-time favourite Watford player
Nordin Wooter

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
James; Gibbs, Foster, Holdsworth, Kennedy; Wooter, Hessenthaler, Dyer; Furlong, Blissett, Mooney.

Red shorts or black?
Red

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

Position – Right Back
DOB – 5/8/1995
Debut v Stevenage – Sep 2012
Nicknames – None yet

Brad joined in September 2012 after seeing details about the club on the WFC forums website. Depressingly for his older team-mates, Brad was not even 2 years old when WIFC were formed, but some fearless displays at both full back spots belied his young years, and he also starred in the London Cup win in 2013, laying on Stu Nicholls’ winner with a storming run and cross.

Brad’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
Young, and even younger looking

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it?
Do not remember the opposition, but do remember asking ‘what colour are Watford’?

Finest ever WFC memory
Deeney’s goal against Leicester in the play off semi-final 2nd leg, never expected something like that to happen to Watford, and I always wanted to be part of a pitch invasion.

Worst away trip and why
Losing 4-0 at Carrow Road in 2002, we were so bad that Norwich fans cheered our every pass.

WIFC playing highlight
Running with the ball from left back position to their box and assisting the winning goal in the London Cup Final against Stevenage.

Favourite WIFC moment
Playing at Vicarage Road; amazing experience.

All-time favourite Watford player
Lloyd Doyley

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
Ben Foster, Marco Cassetti, Jay DeMerit, Danny Shittu, Lloyd Doyley, Chris Eagles, Allan Nielsen, John Eustace, Ashley Young, Tommy Smith, Fernando Forestieri

Red shorts or black?
Red

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Zac Efron

WIFC produced a strong second-half comeback in Saturday’s Herts derby clash with Badgers FC in Stevenage, but fell agonisingly short of a deserved draw. Having gone two down during a first half were little went right for the Internet ‘Orns, a defensive re-organsation and a more committed showing after the break almost earned a share of the spoils.

Man of the Match Ben Pegram spins away from the attentions of the Stevenage midfield

In difficult defensive conditions, with a high sun and swirling wind, WIFC struggled to compete in the early exchanges and were caught out by long balls to the quick home forwards, and it was no surprise when goals from Jonny Wedge and Paul Sapsed gave Stevenage the lead. WIFC stuck to their task though, and got reward when winger Andy Lewers, playing as a makeshift striker, won an aerial challenge with the home keeper following a Rob Stone cross, and Andy Myall was on hand to take advantage to tap in his first of the season.

Andy Lewers prepares to challenge for Rob Stone’s cross

With WIFC back in the game, some poor defending left Callum McKenchie with a simple chance to restore the home team’s two goal advantage, but the half ended with the visitors in the ascendancy for the first time, and Ben Pegram’s drive from the edge of the box brought a fine save from the home keeper just before the whistle.

Andy Myall, scorer of WIFC’s first goal

Manager Chris Davis shuffled the pack at half-time, moving Moz Clarke and Jamie Parkins into the centre of defence and pulling Pegram into a deeper midfield role. Davis also gave debuts to wingers James Jenkins and Brad Simmons. The moves almost paid instant dividends when good interplay between Jenkins, Pegram and Stuart Nicholls presented a great chance for the hard-working Lewers, who shot wide when well placed to score. Lewers had the ball in the net minutes later, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside, then Richard Murphy hit the side-netting from a tight angle as WIFC took the game to the home team.

With the greater defensive stability provided by Parkins and Clarke keeping Stevenage to long range efforts, WIFC stayed on top and got their reward when Pegram, instrumental in much of the good second half work, rapped a post with a low drive. When Stevenage failed to clear their lines from the shot, the ball fell to Jenkins, who capped a productive 45 minutes with a measured finish for a debut goal.

WIFC continued to push for the equaliser their stirring comeback deserved, with further chances failing to Jenkins and Aidy Spender, back on as a striker. But the best chance fell to Stu Holdham, who would surely have scored had he connected with a bouncing ball inside the six yard box in the closing minutes.

“The team showed real battling spirit after a difficult first 20 minutes” said manager Davis after the game. “It was always going to be hard without a recognised striker but we created enough chances to have deserved more from the game. It was good to see the two new lads look dangerous down either flank, and credit to the established lads for keeping us in it right to the end” added Davis.

WIFC return to London Cup action next weekend. Beaten finalists in last year’s competition, the team travels to Leyton Orient for their opening group game, with an early kick-off enabling the squad to get back to Watford in good time for the big boys home game with Middlesbrough.

Team. 4-4-1-1. Jeremy Hinds; Dave Messenger, Aidy Spender, Stu Nicholls, Phil McBride; Rob Stone, Maurice Clarke, Stu Holdham, Andy Myall; Ben Pegram; Andy Lewers. Subs Jamie Parkins, Matt Ainsley, Richard Murphy, James Jenkins, Brad Simmons.

WIFC make the short journey to the north of Hertfordshire to face Stevenage this Saturday, in one of two county-derbies available in the IFA. This will be WIFC’s 5th visit to the Badgers, as the Stevenage fans team are known, and the Internet ‘Orns are yet to record a win. In fact, Stevenage are one of only a few IFA teams that WIFC have never beaten. Despite this, the club did win it’s last silverware at the Stevenage tournament, which was held in 2010.

The Stevenage tournament trophy, won in 2010

Manager Chris Davis, back in the saddle after illness prevented him making the Preston season opener, has a strong squad to select from with 20 players making themselves available for the trip. “As it’s early in the season, and we’ve had such a good turn-out for an away fixture, it seems harsh to leave anyone out” said Davis. “Though it will mean a few managerial headaches in making sure all players get a minimum of 45 minutes, it also gives me a chance to try a few different things out and we have a pair of debutants to blood in Brad Simmons and James Jenkins”

Back to rally the troops this weekend, WIFC manager Chris Davis

Meetings with the Badgers stretch back to 2009 and have always been high scoring affairs. The first fixture in the series ended in a 7-7 draw, with former joint manager Scott Mathers scoring 4, to add to strikes from Jimmy Davis, Chris Dundon and Mat Ball. The only one of the 6 fixtures to be played in Watford followed later that season, with the Badgers taking the spoils in a 5-4 win despite 2 more for Davis and a Paul Whittenbury brace. The last meeting saw WIFC come back from three goals down to grab a late draw in a pre-Worldnet friendly. Alex Prentice started the ball rolling, with late strikes from Stuart Nicholls and Steve Eustice forcing the draw.

Scott Mathers, WIFC’s leading scorer in all fixtures v Stevenage, pictured with the man of the match cow after the season opener in Preston two weeks ago.

Full Record – WIFC v Stevenage

All-time scorers v Stevenage

4 – Scott Mathers
3 – Jimmy Davis
2 – Paul Whittenbury, Adam Herd
1 – Chris Dundon, Mat Ball, Laurence Wells, Alex Prentice, Stuart Nicholls, Steve Eustice