Watford’s fixture with Hull City on Saturday (April 20) marked our Junior Hornets Matchday, and to celebrate our young supporters took on a number of crucial roles around Vicarage Road.
The youngsters were involved in tasks in several different areas of the matchday operation and could be spotted all around the ground in their yellow t-shirts, from on the pitch to the press box, and even on the stadium PA.
Two Junior Hornets got close to the action to help produce content, with club photographer Jack, 14, sitting pitchside to capture images, including this one:
Zak, 14, also had a camera in hand pitchside, but was instead filming the game in his role of club videographer.
The content he shot was used on the club's social media, with the below video made up primarily of footage shot by him.
There were two Junior Hornet additions to the press list for the clash with the Tigers, with Oliver, 15, joining Jon Marks and Tommy Smith on co-commentary for the Hive Live coverage of the fixture.
Carmelo, 15, the club reporter, also joined some of the Watford media staff throughout the day, producing a match report during the 90 minutes of action.
He then came together with the Junior Hornet videographer after the game to film and conduct a post-match interview with Scottish international Ryan Porteous.
You might have also heard a new voice over the PA on Saturday. Matthew, 14, was on hand with the mic before kick-off to read out the line-ups and other announcements in the build-up to 3pm.
The ground staff were given a helping hand by Rocky, 13, and Chloe, 15, whilst Riley, 12, and Olivia, 11, made up the kit team that assisted the kit staff throughout the day as well as the evening before, laying out kit in the home changing room.
Some youngsters also acted as flag bearers, with Fabian, 15, Oliver, 13, and George, 13, carrying the Junior Hornets flags.
Martin Radanov, 11, recently became the 5,000th person to sign up to the Junior Hornets and was therefore given the honour of carrying the match ball onto the pitch ahead of kick-off.
Moreover, prior to the game, the Family Zone at Cornerstone Church was open, with face painting on offer both there and inside the Family Stand, whilst a special Junior Hornets prize wheel and photo booth were located outside The Hornets Shop.
Junior Hornets Patron Ann Swanson was also interviewed pre-match and spoke of her great pride at seeing all the young supporters experiencing a day they will never forget.
Not Yet A Junior Hornet?
Fans aged between 0 and 15 are eligible to join the Junior Hornets for free.
A number of events have been held for the group this season, including the Junior Hornets Fun Day at the club’s training ground in August, where attendees met the squad amid the reveal of this season’s third kit.
Junior Hornets Away Days have been held for the trips to Leeds United, Leicester City and Birmingham City, with the latter two including visits to trampoline parks before the game.
Other events have included the Junior Hornets Christmas Party, shop signings with players and coaching sessions with the club’s staff.
Find out more about the Junior Hornets by visiting juniorhornets.watfordfc.com.
