One hundred years ago today – August 28, 1920 – Watford’s first match in the Football League took place. The club made a good start to league life that day, beating Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road.
Previously Watford had played in the Southern League, having joined in 1897 when still named West Herts. Then, in 1920, the Football League expanded from two divisions to four, with regional third divisions. The Southern League was co-opted wholesale into what would become known as Division 3 South.
The gates had to be closed at Loftus Road that day. There were 21,000 fans inside to watch the local rivals battle it out, with Watford in their black and white striped shirts of that era and QPR in green and white hoops.
The very first goalscorer for Watford in the Football League was Peter Ronald, who later spent 20 years as the reserve team’s trainer. Local favourite Charlie White scored the second goal that day.
The club's first Football League home game came a week later, and QPR gained some revenge with a 2-0 win. That match took place before a record crowd of over 10,000 at Watford's Cassio Road ground – which is still the home of West Herts Sports Club today. But Cassio Road was inadequate for Watford’s Football League requirements, and two years later the club made the move to Vicarage Road.
So, August 2022 will mark 100 years of Watford playing at Vicarage Road. A range of celebrations are planned to mark the centenary of the stadium – watch this space for an announcement very soon!
Main Picture:
Top Row: Skilly Williams.
Middle Row: Joe Webster (Trainer), Wilf Carter, Frank Horsman, George Toone, Fred Gregory, Fred Wilkinson.
Bottom Row: Ernie Wallington, Frank Smith, Frank Hoddinott, Charlie White and Tom Waterall.
Ralph Thorpe, the Chairman, is at the back, between Fred Gregory and Fred Wilkinson.
