The winners of Watford FC’s End of Season Awards were revealed ahead of the Hornets’ final outing of the 2022/23 Sky Bet Championship campaign at home to Stoke City on Bank Holiday Monday (May 8).
The trophies handed out included Young Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Supporter of the Season and Women’s Player of the Season, with Graham Taylor’s grandson and Hornets’ season ticket holder Jake Colley presenting the prize for the Men’s Player of the Season.
Graham Taylor Men’s Player of the Season: João Pedro
Presented by Jake Colley
João Pedro is the 2022/23 Graham Taylor Player of the Season, as voted for by Watford supporters.
The Brazilian forward has enjoyed a prolific season for the Hornets, notching 11 goals during 35 appearances in yellow.
Having joined the club back in January 2020 from Fluminense, the 21-year-old has gone from strength to strength, becoming a mainstay in the Watford side.
He hit the ground running at the start of the season with a decisive goal in the 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at Vicarage Road, before scoring against Queens Park Rangers in August as well.
João Pedro would go on to enjoy an impressive run of scoring during the autumn months as he coverted a memorable strike against Luton Town during the 4-0 victory back in October, adding to his tally with a header against Wigan Athletic the following game.
Crucial braces against Reading and Huddersfield Town would follow before succumbing to injury during December.
The forward came back and enjoyed an impressive spell of form during 2023, including goals against Coventry City, Bristol City and eventual league winners Burnley.
Alongside wearing the captain’s armband on multiple occasions, João Pedro won Player of the Month three times during the season, as well as Goal of the Month in December.
Following the announcement of his departure to Brighton & Hove Albion, João Pedro bid farewell to the Watford faithful prior to the final match of the campaign against Stoke City.
Swedish wideman Ken Sema finished second behind João Pedro in the Player of the Season fan vote, with midfielder Hamza Choudhury third.
Men’s Young Player of the Season: James Morris
Presented by Tom Cleverley
Highly-rated full-back James Morris is this year’s Watford FC Young Player of the Season.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed an extended run in the first-team this campaign after making his debut for the Hornets against Leicester City in the Emirates FA Cup during the 2021/22 season.
Nominated for the award by the Academy leadership team of Richard Johnson and Jimmy Gilligan, Morris made 14 appearances in all competitions in 2022/23, including his league debut against Swansea City back in October.
Morris would earn his first clean sheet for the Hornets against Norwich City during his first start in a vital 1-0 victory at Carrow Road.
And the left-back has topped off an impressive campaign with a new three-year contract.
Women’s Player of the Season: Megan Chandler
Presented by Damon Lathrope
This year’s Women’s Player of the Season is defender Megan Chandler.
Known for her tough-tackling and impressive one-versus-one defending, the central defender has made more appearances than any other player this term, deputising as captain whenever Helen Ward has been absent from the starting XI.
In only her second season as a central defender, former midfielder Chandler has been a huge part of the success the Golden Girls have enjoyed.
With her defensive efforts a huge part of her game, Chandler has also contributed in attack scoring twice this season, including a vital opener against title rivals Oxford United last month.
A leader and influential personality on and off the pitch, Chandler captained the Golden Girls to a 3-0 victory over Billericay Town on Sunday (May 7), securing the National League Southern Premier Division title.
Now a promotion play-off match against Northern Premier League winners Nottingham Forest awaits Chandler and the Golden Girls.
Goal of the Season: Ismaïla Sarr (West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Watford)
Senegalese winger Ismaïla Sarr’s halfway line strike against West Bromwich Albion was crowned as this campaign’s Goal of the Season.
The 25-year-old, who has notched 10 goals and six assists for the Hornets this term, scored the impressive goal back in August.
After picking up the ball in his own half at the Hawthorns, the Senegalese star spotted goalkeeper David Button off his line and unleashed an outrageous shot that flew into the back of the net.
With the goal coming on the third anniversary of his move to the Golden Boys, Sarr ran off in celebration cueing pandemonium in the Watford away end.
Supporter of the Season: Geoff Wicken
Presented by Tommy Mooney
Earning the award for his work leading the ‘Vicarage Road 100 Years’ project group for the past year and beyond, Wicken has been an integral part of the celebration for the important milestone.
Wicken also wrote the book ‘100 Years at Vicarage Road’, which took an in-depth look at the glorious history found within The Vic, focusing on photos, player stories and supporter memories from a century of stadium evolution.
