Former Watford forward Danny Webber has kindly accepted an invitation to address the crowd at half-time during Sunday afternoon’s Sky Bet Championship clash against Blackburn Rovers (August 27, 12noon KO), with all at the club set to pay tribute to the late Jimmy Davis who tragically died 20 years ago this month.
Davis was just 21 years old when he was killed in a car accident on the morning of the Hornets’ opening game of the 2003/04 First Division campaign, having signed on a season-long loan from Manchester United that July.
Webber - who came through the United ranks with Davis and had signed a permanent deal at Vicarage Road in the same window his teammate and close friend has penned his loan terms - shared some of his memories of the duo’s time together in football, ahead of Sunday’s game.
“I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since what happened - put into context that’s almost half my life, which feels a bit strange to say,” he said.
“I’ve been back to The Vic on a few different occasions, and it’s always brought me a smile and a warm feeling. This time it’s going to be a bit different - talking about something very emotional - but it’s a privilege to be able to speak about Jimmy.
“It’ll be emotional for a lot of people in the crowd, who remember what happened, and I think it’s also a good chance for the younger generation to get a glimpse of what Jimmy was like as a person, and what happened.”
“Being here at Watford together - it was as if it was something we’d manufactured ourselves!” added Webber, who scored 21 goals in 80 appearances for the Golden Boys across two loans and a two-year permanent stint in the early to mid-2000s.
“We’d played together from the age of 13 or 14 at Man United, and then to both be offered three-year deals, me to turn it down and come here permanently and then for him to join me on loan, it was really exciting. We’d only played together up to reserve-team level, so we were both itching for the chance to do it professionally.
“Initially I was the only person he knew in the squad, so he’d asked me all about the other lads, about the manager Ray [Lewington] and everything else. I didn’t have to babysit him long though - he was soon in the mix with everybody, and then came the famous initiation song!
“We were away in Finland and I was rooming with him, and I just remember Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio being on constantly in the background. He was busy perfecting his routine and asking me if it was any good, and then when he performed it he started off all serious before his flamboyance kicked in and the whole place erupted. It was fitting that we walked out to that song before our home games after that.
“Jimmy wasn’t at Watford long, but the impact he had on people in that short period of time was testament to him as a character. He definitely left his mark on everybody here.
“The period after his death was very difficult for me personally, but what stood out was the support we all got from everyone around us at Watford. As much as it brings back sad memories when I come back to the club, I’ll never forget the family community I had here, which is really special.”
