All at Watford FC were saddened to learn of the passing of former player Colin Bateman.
Born in 1930 in Hemel Hempstead, Colin was the youngest of nine children. Starting his senior career with Hemel Hempstead Town, football had to be put on hold when he was called up for National Service in the early 1950s. Having been deployed to Malaya with the Army, he was scouted on his return by Watford manager Len Goulden and went on to make 56 appearances from 1953-58 for the first-team – who then wore blue and white – as well as many more for the reserves.
A tough-tackling full-back, Colin and his older brother Ernest – a centre-half who turned out for Watford 25 times from 1955-57 – were the last siblings to play together for Watford in the league for more than three decades, and they later retired together at Sittingbourne.
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After leaving Watford as a player, Colin remained an avid fan and would attend as many games as possible. During one of his many trips to Vicarage Road, while attending an England A v B pre-season game, one of the squads ended up a right-back short due to an injury in the warm-up. Word got out that Colin was in the stands and he was asked to step in. Despite often commenting on the honour of wearing the Three Lions, he did also complain his performance would have been better but for him only having had beans on toast for lunch!
Colin had extremely fond memories of watching the Hornets; one of his more recent highlights being a 1-0 win against Sunderland in 2017 when he met one of his favourite players, Luther Blissett.
Sadly, Ernest passed away in 2018 and Colin, along with other family members, was kindly invited to attend the Huddersfield game by the club. A convincing 3-0 win was enjoyed, a match which proved to be his last visit to Vicarage Road. With his health deteriorating, Colin was unable to travel as much as he would have liked.
A Watford supporter through and through, he was over the moon when he received a phone call from Tom Cleverley, who was checking in to see how he and his wife were coping during lockdown.
Colin sadly passed away on November 18 last year at the age of 92. His funeral was held on December 20; his coffin adorned with his replica shirt and flowers in the club colours he so adored. He is survived by his loving wife Shirley and family. You couldn’t wish to meet a more genuine, generous man, with such a great sense of humour.
He will be sorely missed.
