WATFORD FC are pleased to announce the appointment of Chief Executive Mark Ashton to the board of directors.

The move was made on the recommendation of Chairman Graham Simpson and supported by his fellow board members as recognition for the progress the club has made on and off the pitch under Ashton's leadership.

Simpson said: "Following on from the successful six-month financial results released to the City recently, I am delighted that Mark has accepted a seat on the board of Watford Football Club.

"This is well-deserved and I personally felt I wanted to show my appreciation to Mark for all the superb work that he has done since joining the club in July 2004 and also for the crucial work he has carried out on the stadium redevelopment -  which has already started and will hopefully see Watford playing in a fantastic stadium by 2010.

"In addition to this, steps taken over the last two years have enabled the club to move significantly forward and laid the foundations for continued progress to be made.

"My role as Chairman of Watford FC is to appoint the right people and to empower them to deliver the vision that the board and I so passionately share."

Mark Ashton said: "I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to join the board and I'd like thank my fellow directors for allowing me to do so.

"Equally, I would like to thank all the staff of the company, without whom the success we've achieved would not have been possible."