11 league goals in his first season for us too when he was on loan, a third of all the league goals he's scored in his career. Was such a different player then. For overall contribution to Watford over both spells he gets a solid B+, a model pro, always tried his best with some great moments.
Supposedly Fergie sucked out all the flair out of him, I guess the competition for places in attacking roles would have been too fierce for him, but he's had a fine career
POTS if I remember correctly (I usually don't). Very different player then, have always wondered why he ended up as the solid type as he was really attacking and exciting in that loan spell. Never met him, always seemed like a really nice chap but I won't be sad if(when) he doesn't get another playing contract with us. Gets slagged off a lot on here but not many will have such tales of playing for big clubs (before us) and England to tell their grandchildren as he will, another where nobody could question his commitment, good luck to him.
Always remember his last minute winner against Arsenal, watching in a pub here surrounded by Arsenal fans. Glorious. Great pro, and always gave his all, even when his all wasn't enough, and now injuries have taken their toll. Would be a good addition to the youth coaching setup I'd imagine.
Definitely could learn a thing or two from Tom. Decent fella and model pro. It's just unfortunate that injuries and age catching up. If he stays he'd be excellent for the youth set-up.
Officially retiring from football, although the club are hinting at his return in a coaching capacity. https://twitter.com/WatfordFC/status/1675119747917021185?t=cZJI2r8NVVxz2Sbsls6_lQ&s=19
Official: Cleverley has retired from football, but Watford will be announcing some exciting news regarding him shortly.
Congratulations on a decent career Tom - it’s a shame the injuries got the better of you, but you’ve always been a loyal servant to the club.
Sad it's ended like this, probably stayed 2 years too long in the end, but he's served us well over 2 spells, wouldn't mind him staying in a coaching capacity
Scott Duxbury on Tom Cleverley “I can’t speak highly enough about Tom as a person, a player and our captain. Tom is the type of professional all clubs would be delighted to have in their team.” From Tom
Could say his most productive time here was when first on loan under Malky I think scoring goals to help us stay up .
It's a shame that some have allowed the last couple of years to cloud their judgement on Cleverley's overall contribution to the club. Could see his body breaking down over time, but can never doubt his commitment, and workrate. Will be a valuable contributor in whatever role he ends up taking here.
Class player, class guy. I really hope he stays involved with us as I’m sure many younger players can learn lots from him. Appropriate that practically his last playing contribution for us was scoring the winner against the eventual runaway champions back in August. He injured himself earning us those three points and was barely seen again. A player of the season when he came here on loan to a very experienced member of our midfield during those happy times in the PL and now seemingly about to be a member of our off-field team. Thank you Tom. By the way as an aside, with Cathcart and now Cleverley leaving, is Sarr now our longest serving player? And if as expected he leaves too, who then?
It was Jurgen Eilitim but we've just sold him too. I think it must be Bachmann. Scratch that, it's Kabs! 2016 with Bachmann signing in 2017.
"I have the privelege of calling this club home. To captain this club has been an honour and the staff, players and fans will forever be in my heart". Yet some on here who somehow think they know different will continuously proclaim we're completely toxic and players should avoid the club.
Thanks Dom. My mistake then, as Sarr was 2019 It’s been a momentous couple of days eh. With Cleverley and Cathcart and to a lesser degree Gaspar (and maybe Gosling too) we are losing a lot of footballing years and experience. Younger and exciting fresher legs will no doubt be signed to replace them and that’s right, but it’s a lot of experience to lose from the club inside 48 hours.
Imagine Elitim hadn’t left and we’d then have the dubious and probably unique honour of our longest-serving player never having actually played for us!
Thank you Tom for your Stellar service to many clubs. You will be mainly remembered for England and your time at Man Utd by most PL fans, but to us you were a hornet and a loyal one. It takes courage to lead this squad of misfits these days but you did it well and showed you still had fight in you, getting that slabhead Maguire sent off two seasons back was a treat, your winner against Arsenal, that special goal vs Palarse and the way you composed yourself away from the club. I agree with the above that maybe you stayed a little too long past your peak, but you were a loyal player to whichever club you went to. Good luck earning those coaching badges, and don't be a stranger at the Vic.
Called it! Has been a great servant to the football club and its good news he is staying on as an academy coach (awaiting confirmation). Thanks for the memories Tom.
Here is the club website article if you cant read the tw@tter post as they have recently started making you have to log in/ join to see stuff and if you are like me and dont do tw@tter. https://www.watfordfc.com/news/official-cleverley-retirement-confirmed
A bit of a shame as it's been frustrating for him over last couple of seasons (and for us!) with those injuries. Despite some relentlessly negative comments about his abilities more recently, it's worth remembering some of his skills. I still recall our thumping 2-4 win at the City Ground against Forest in Aug 2009 after he had been signed on loan a matter of hours earlier and obliged with a goal. Best of luck Tom!
I'm sure he'll make a first class coach. He's really matured well as a person through the years. All the very best in whatever you choose to do Tom.
