The epitome of a one-club man, Kenny Jackett grew up a stone’s throw away from Vicarage Road, joining Watford at the age of 14. From his parents’ house, he was raised in the silhouette of The Vic’s floodlights with aspirations of wearing yellow for his club – like his father before him, Frank Jackett.
His dreams would become reality, making his debut aged 18 against Sunderland at the end of the 1979/80 league campaign. But Jackett would make his name the following season, cementing his place in Graham Taylor’s famous Watford side of the 1980s.
He would play a key role in the promotion to the First Division from the left side of either the defence or midfield, capable of exploiting the opposition using his cultured and composed approach on the ball.
Following his elevation to the top-flight, Jackett played 41 times and scored four goals as the Hornets finished second in the league in the 1982/83 campaign, in what is still heralded as one of the finest achievements in Watford’s history.
In total, Jackett would make 428 appearances for the Hornets, including starting the 1984 FA Cup final against Everton, and five matches in the UEFA Cup.
Jackett would remain loyal until a knee injury cruelly brought his footballing career to a close, with the-then 28-year-old finishing eighth in the all-time appearance list for Watford in all competitions.
Alongside a successful career with the Golden Boys, Jackett earned a record 31 caps for the Welsh national side – only England’s John Barnes could equal that international statistic while an active member of the Watford squad.
Following his retirement, Jackett remained in the coaching set-up at Watford and would eventually become manager of his boyhood club in 1996, after GT had returned as general manager.
After stabilising the club during the 1996/97 season, Jackett returned to a coaching role and, with GT taking on the managerial reins once again, he helped guide the Hornets to two consecutive promotions – including one to the Premier League.
Appearances (goals):
Football League: 330+7 (25)
FA Cup: 38+1 (5)
Football League Cup: 34+1 (4)
Football League Trophy: 7
UEFA Cup: 5
Full Members Cup: 5
Total: 419+9 (34)
Profile written March 2022.
'Join date' refers to first-team debut for former players.
