1914–15 Watford F.C. season
Encyclopedia
Watford Football Club are an association football team from the county of Hertfordshire
, England. The 1914–15 season was their nineteenth season of league football, since joining the Southern League
as West Hertfordshire for the 1896–97 season. Watford
finished the season as champions of the Southern League First Division, winning 22 and drawing 8 of their 38 league matches. In other competitions, Watford were eliminated from the FA Cup
in the sixth qualifying round by Rochdale
, and from the Southern Charity Cup by fellow Southern League team Luton Town. The club's manager was Harry Kent, and its top scorer George Edmonds, with 17 goals from 35 appearances. Other notable players included Skilly Williams
, who began what would be a 13-year period as the club's first choice goalkeeper, and Fred Gregory, whose goal against Gillingham
sealed the title for Watford. Gregory and Williams were also the only two men to play in all 40 of Watford's games.
As a result of the suspension of league football due to the First World War, Watford were the reigning champions for the next five years, until they were beaten to the 1919–20 title on goal average by Portsmouth
.
in 1910, Harry Kent made two final competitive appearances in December 1913, before retiring completely as a player. Watford lost both matches, and off the pitch Kent had an equally difficult season. Watford finished in 18th position in the Southern League
First Division, and only managed to avoid relegation on the final day of the season with a 2–0 win over QPR
. Despite a 10–0 thrashing of Bournemouth
in their opening FA Cup
match, they were defeated by Gillingham
in the following round. Furthermore, financial difficulties forced Kent to offload several key players at the end of the season. Top scorer Thomas Ashbridge
and full back Harry Pantling were sold to Sheffield United for £500 each, while first choice goalkeeper Joe Webster transferred to West Ham United for £300. Other former first team regulars to leave the club before the start of 1914–15 included David Donald, Billy Dryden and Tommy Mitchell.
They continued their strong start to the season with a run of 6 wins and 3 defeats from the opening 9 fixtures, including a 3–0 home win against 1913–14 champions Swindon Town. However, the following two fixtures yielded consecutive league defeats to Reading
and Southampton
, and Watford's remaining 8 games of 1914 provided only two further wins.
The new year brought a dramatic change in fortunes for Watford's season. Watford won 10 and drew 2 of their first 12 games of 1915, with George Edmonds, Peter Ronald
and injured Charlie White's
replacement Arthur Green all scoring freely. A win and a defeat against Luton Town, a 2–0 defeat to West Ham United and a heavy 6–0 loss at Swindon enabled Reading and Cardiff to close in on Watford's points tally and goal average. But Watford secured the title in their penultimate match, with Fred Gregory scoring the decisive goal in a 3–2 win at Gillingham
.
ceased trading before the start of the 1919–20 season.
P: Games played
W: Games won
D: Games drawn
L: Games lost
F: Goals for
A: Goals against
GA: Goal average
Pts: Points
P: Games played
G: Goals scored
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, England. The 1914–15 season was their nineteenth season of league football, since joining the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
as West Hertfordshire for the 1896–97 season. Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
finished the season as champions of the Southern League First Division, winning 22 and drawing 8 of their 38 league matches. In other competitions, Watford were eliminated from the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in the sixth qualifying round by Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, and from the Southern Charity Cup by fellow Southern League team Luton Town. The club's manager was Harry Kent, and its top scorer George Edmonds, with 17 goals from 35 appearances. Other notable players included Skilly Williams
Skilly Williams
Reginald George "Skilly" Williams was an English association football player. Born in Watford, he played primarily as a striker during his amateur career, but later switched to become a goalkeeper...
, who began what would be a 13-year period as the club's first choice goalkeeper, and Fred Gregory, whose goal against Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
sealed the title for Watford. Gregory and Williams were also the only two men to play in all 40 of Watford's games.
As a result of the suspension of league football due to the First World War, Watford were the reigning champions for the next five years, until they were beaten to the 1919–20 title on goal average by Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
.
Background
Although he had managed Watford since the departure of John GoodallJohn Goodall
John Goodall was a footballer who rose to fame as a centre-forward for England and for Preston North End at the time of the development of the Football League, and also became Watford's first manager in 1903...
in 1910, Harry Kent made two final competitive appearances in December 1913, before retiring completely as a player. Watford lost both matches, and off the pitch Kent had an equally difficult season. Watford finished in 18th position in the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
First Division, and only managed to avoid relegation on the final day of the season with a 2–0 win over QPR
QPR
QPR usually refers to Queens Park Rangers F.C., an English football club.QPR may also refer to:*Queen + Paul Rodgers, a 2004-2009 musical supergroup*Queen's Park Rangers , a football club playing in the Grenada League...
. Despite a 10–0 thrashing of Bournemouth
Bournemouth F.C.
Bournemouth Football Club is an English football team currently playing in the Wessex League Premier Division. Their nickname is "The Poppies", and they are often known as Bournemouth Poppies to avoid confusion with the Football League club A.F.C. Bournemouth...
in their opening FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
match, they were defeated by Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
in the following round. Furthermore, financial difficulties forced Kent to offload several key players at the end of the season. Top scorer Thomas Ashbridge
Thomas Ashbridge
Thomas Edwin Ashbridge was an English association footballer. He played as an inside forward for Wallsend Boys Club, Watford and Sheffield United. During his sole season at Watford, he finished as the club's top scorer with 14 goals in all competitions. This tally included 5 goals in a 10–0...
and full back Harry Pantling were sold to Sheffield United for £500 each, while first choice goalkeeper Joe Webster transferred to West Ham United for £300. Other former first team regulars to leave the club before the start of 1914–15 included David Donald, Billy Dryden and Tommy Mitchell.
Southern League
Despite Britain's declaration of war in August 1914, the Southern League continued as normal for the 1914–15 season. Watford started their campaign on 2 September with a 2–1 win against Cardiff F.C.Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
They continued their strong start to the season with a run of 6 wins and 3 defeats from the opening 9 fixtures, including a 3–0 home win against 1913–14 champions Swindon Town. However, the following two fixtures yielded consecutive league defeats to Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
and Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, and Watford's remaining 8 games of 1914 provided only two further wins.
The new year brought a dramatic change in fortunes for Watford's season. Watford won 10 and drew 2 of their first 12 games of 1915, with George Edmonds, Peter Ronald
Peter Ronald
-External links:**...
and injured Charlie White's
Charlie White (association footballer)
Charles William White was an English association footballer who played as an inside forward for Watford.Born in Chesham, White played for Chesham Generals and Chesham Town, and represented the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire county football teams. White joined Watford as a professional in 1909...
replacement Arthur Green all scoring freely. A win and a defeat against Luton Town, a 2–0 defeat to West Ham United and a heavy 6–0 loss at Swindon enabled Reading and Cardiff to close in on Watford's points tally and goal average. But Watford secured the title in their penultimate match, with Fred Gregory scoring the decisive goal in a 3–2 win at Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
.
Results
LegendFinal standings
Two points were awarded for a win, one point for draws, and none for defeats. Due to the war, no clubs were relegated at the end of the season, although Croydon CommonCroydon Common F.C.
Croydon Common Football Club were an amateur and then professional football club based in Croydon.-History:The team formed in 1897 as an amateur church team competing in local leagues. They turned professional in 1907, joining the Second Division of the Southern League...
ceased trading before the start of the 1919–20 season.
P: Games played
W: Games won
D: Games drawn
L: Games lost
F: Goals for
A: Goals against
GA: Goal average
Pts: Points
| 1 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
38 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 68 | 46 | 52 | |
| 2 | Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
38 | 21 | 7 | 10 | 68 | 43 | 49 | |
| 3 | Cardiff City Cardiff city Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium... |
38 | 22 | 4 | 12 | 72 | 38 | 48 | |
| 4 | West Ham United | 38 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 58 | 47 | 45 | |
| 5 | Northampton Town | 38 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 56 | 51 | 43 | |
| 6 | Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... |
38 | 19 | 5 | 14 | 78 | 74 | 43 | |
| 7 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
38 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 54 | 42 | 42 | |
| 8 | Millwall London Millwall F.C. Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the... |
38 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 50 | 51 | 42 | |
| 9 | Swindon Town | 38 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 77 | 59 | 41 | |
| 10 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 38 | 16 | 7 | 15 | 46 | 47 | 39 | |
| 11 | Exeter City | 38 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 50 | 41 | 38 | |
| 12 | QPR QPR QPR usually refers to Queens Park Rangers F.C., an English football club.QPR may also refer to:*Queen + Paul Rodgers, a 2004-2009 musical supergroup*Queen's Park Rangers , a football club playing in the Grenada League... |
38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 55 | 56 | 38 | |
| 13 | Norwich City | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 53 | 56 | 36 | |
| 14 | Luton Town | 38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | 61 | 73 | 34 | |
| 15 | Crystal Palace London Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | 47 | 61 | 34 | |
| 16 | Bristol Rovers | 38 | 14 | 3 | 21 | 53 | 75 | 31 | |
| 17 | Plymouth Argyle | 38 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 51 | 61 | 30 | |
| 18 | Southend United | 38 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 44 | 64 | 28 | |
| 19 | Croydon Common Croydon Common F.C. Croydon Common Football Club were an amateur and then professional football club based in Croydon.-History:The team formed in 1897 as an amateur church team competing in local leagues. They turned professional in 1907, joining the Second Division of the Southern League... |
38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 47 | 63 | 27 | |
| 20 | Gillingham Gillingham F.C. Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium... |
38 | 6 | 8 | 24 | 43 | 83 | 20 |
Statistics
KeyP: Games played
G: Goals scored
| Name | Position | P | G | P | G | P | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | Cups | Total | |||||
| Centre half | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Full back | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 0 | |
| Centre forward | 35 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 17 | |
| Inside forward Inside forward In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes... |
23 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 8 | |
| Full back / Wing half Wing half In association football, the position of wing half or wing half back) was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries... |
38 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 2 | |
| Wing half Wing half In association football, the position of wing half or wing half back) was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries... |
32 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 3 | |
| Full back | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Outside forward Outside forward Outside forward is a position in association football which refers to a footballer who plays as an advanced forward on the right or left wing - as an outside right or outside left. Typically as part of a 2-3-5 formation or one of its variants... |
34 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 36 | 6 | |
| Full back | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Centre half | 32 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 3 | |
| Outside forward Outside forward Outside forward is a position in association football which refers to a footballer who plays as an advanced forward on the right or left wing - as an outside right or outside left. Typically as part of a 2-3-5 formation or one of its variants... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Centre forward | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | ||
| Wing half Wing half In association football, the position of wing half or wing half back) was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries... |
0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| Inside forward Inside forward In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes... |
35 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 9 | |
| Full back | 37 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| Outside forward Outside forward Outside forward is a position in association football which refers to a footballer who plays as an advanced forward on the right or left wing - as an outside right or outside left. Typically as part of a 2-3-5 formation or one of its variants... |
33 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 10 | |
| Inside forward Inside forward In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes... |
19 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 4 | |
| Goalkeeper | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |