Watford Close On The Unwanted Double By Hugh Larkin "Aidy Boothroyd will more likely be talking about winning the FA Cup and finishing 17th in the Premiership" Watford’s are lying ten points away from safety in the Premiership, so relegation must be a probability. Because they have progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals as well, it raises the possibility that the Hornets could become just the fifth side to reach the Final and be relegated. It’s not a list that the team from Hertfordshire would like to be part of and their ultra-positive manager Aidy Boothroyd will more likely be talking about winning the FA Cup and finishing 17th in the Premiership. This feat- if that’s what it can be called- hasn’t been done since 1983. That year it was Brighton who went all the way, knocking out Liverpool at Anfield on the way. The result was especially sweet for midfielder Jimmy Case who had won two European Cups with the Reds and his manager Jimmy Melia, an ex-Anfield man too. The balding Melia was sharply dressed and never short of a word- his white shoes were a particular fashion statement- and exactly the sort of character that the FA Cup used to throw up most seasons. By the time the Final came round the Seagulls were beyond hope in the League. Brighton were able to take Manchester United to a replay after fashioning a 2-2 draw. In fact, they should have won it. Scottish striker Gordon Smith had a great chance late on but shot at keeper Gary Bailey. United restored order with a 4-0 thumping in the replay. The other sides to have been in this position are Chelsea (1915), Manchester City (1926) and Leicester City (1969). All four shared one thing in common- not only were they relegated, they all lost the Final as well. Chelsea actually managed to get themselves reinstated to the top flight after a four year hiatus due to World War One, so they never actually went into the lower division. They were hammered 3-0 in their Final by Sheffield United. Given Manchester City’s record over the years for black comedy, it’s almost inevitable to see their name in this list. They went down to a single goal in the 1926 showpiece to Lancashire rivals Bolton. In the League they were demoted by one point despite scoring 89 times. For Leicester City their defeat in 1969- another 1-0, this time to Manchester City- was only part of their dreadful luck when it comes to FA Cup Finals. They are the only side to have appeared in 4 Finals and lost every one. Like Man City, they also went down by a point. This is a roll call that Watford won’t want to be added to. The draw probably cuts down the chance that they will get to Wembley, as they have not avoided the Big Two left in. However, it is still possible that Middlesbrough could dislodge Manchester United in their quarter-Final replay. Watford are still the long odds outsider of the 6 teams left in the competition but of course on the only other occasion that the Hornets have been to a Cup Final (1984) they also beat Plymouth Argyle. The omens say they could yet have the opportunity to become the first relegated side to lift the trophy.
Gordon Smith must still see goal shrink in front of him in his dreams/nightmares. Must be the worst and most expensive miss ever.
Would a trip to Wembley be consolation for getting relegated? I know winning the FA cup would certainly be ;D but I think a lot of people would be happy.
I’m relatively content as it is, even if we don’t get to the final. The Semi’s is a great achievement, and although I thought it was our destiny to stay up, I knew it was always going to be an up-hill struggle. I look at it this way, out of the teams who will go down with us, none have got to the semi’s and none had expected a relegation battle, let alone actual relegation.
If we are looking at senquences, could I also add that last time we beat Wet Spam in the cup was the same cup run that we beat Manure so there must be some hope this time (although we didn't get as far that year as we have this year - I think we were knocked out by leicester in the 5th round).
of course a trip to wembley will be brilliant and deffinately not expected at the begining of the season so thats a bonus even a day out for the semi is a bonus after a poor season really,all i expected from this season was to visit a few nice grounds that would be full, a good bit of banter from travelling watford fans maybe one or two shock results £40 million and slip back down to the championship with our heads held high. now all i want is 27 points second from bottom finish qpr ,luton and leeds down and a trip to wembley.
well to be fair it has looked inevitable that we would get relegated so a nice trip to wembley would cheer us up, with a possible place in europe as well :-D
europe? why all the fuss about europe and not winning the fa cup? wi would much rather focus on winning ht fa cup than europe. cos we arent likely to win the uefa cup.
Erm call me picky but didn't Middlesborough get to the final and get relegated in the same season a few years ago? I remember half their players crying after losing to Chelsea or something. It was about 97 or 98 I think.
i would love to win the fa cup as having our names forever engraved onto the world's most famous and best cup competition would be amazing and something that could never be taken away from us (and would stop the chant 'you've never won fudge all') but a trip to europe to watch watford on their european tour would be unbelievable
