Plucked out of non-league football, Jay DeMerit caught the eye of then manager Ray Lewington in 2004 in a pre-season match against Northwood, earning a trial and subsequently a professional contract with the Hornets.
Scoring a thumping header in the biggest game of his club career barely two years after having to backpack to England to achieve his footballing dream, former club captain DeMerit won the hearts of Watford supporters through his brave, committed defending and infectious charisma during a six-year stay at the club.
From the United States to Vicarage Road via non-league Northwood, the American’s astonishing rise from the ninth tier of English football to the pinnacle in two years demonstrated the determination and drive that brought him to Watford in the first place.
“Oh, Jay DeMerit! Jay Jay Jay from the USA!” was a familiar tune at Watford matches home and away from 2005 to 2010 and for good reason. DeMerit was almost a permanent fixture in the starting XI and his impact on teammates and supporters alike cannot be understated.
The start of his career was unconventional to say the least. Impressing Lewington during that pre-season friendly between the Hornets and Northwood, DeMerit earned a trial and later a one-year contract at Vicarage Road.
The centre-half immediately established himself in 2004/05 under Lewington as a dependable defender and likeable character amongst teammates and fans. Although not known for his abilities in front of goal, his effort against Crewe, where he managed to keep control of a ball bouncing awkwardly before firing confidently into the bottom corner, showed he had the potential to pop up on the scoresheet from time to time.
If a match could epitomise the heart and spirit of DeMerit, it would be the 2005/06 play-off final against Leeds. Watford were the underdogs, not that it seemed to faze them. DeMerit, in the thick of the action in the 18-yard box, made a darting run free of his marker before powering home to open the scoring. It was the first of three Hornets goals that afternoon, sealing a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2000.
DeMerit was awarded Man of the Match, not just for his contribution in attack, but for his crucial clean sheet and complete shutout of the Leeds attack for the full 90 minutes.
DeMerit made his Premier League debut in August 2006, away to Everton. He scored his first and only Premier League goal at home to Blackburn Rovers in January 2007, glancing a header past Brad Friedel to secure the Golden Boys’ second win of the Premier League season.
Despite a difficult campaign which ultimately ended in relegation, DeMerit continued to leave everything on the pitch and fight for the club week in, week out.
There were reasons to be positive too. Watford managed to reach the FA Cup semi-final largely thanks to three consecutive clean sheets, with DeMerit at the heart of the defence.
DeMerit’s defensive solidity prevented several goal-scoring opportunities throughout the campaign, including a memorable (and completely deliberate) back-heel flick over his own crossbar against Tottenham.
Demonstrating leadership qualities with and without the captain’s armband, DeMerit stayed at Watford after relegation and continued a formidable partnership with Danny Shittu in defence.
Following his departure from Vicarage Road in 2010, DeMerit represented the US Men’s National Team at the World Cup in South Africa, topping a group containing England, Slovakia and Algeria. From there, he became captain for Vancouver Whitecaps’ inaugural season in Major League Soccer, before retirement in 2014.
Although DeMerit still lives across the pond, he continues to frequent Vicarage Road throughout the football season when able, and remains a firm favourite amongst the Watford faithful.
Appearances (goals):
Football League: 168+19 (9)
FA Cup: 13+0 (1)
Football League Cup: 12+1 (0)
Total: 193+20 (10)
Profile written December 2021.
'Join date' refers to first-team debut for former players.
