1982–83 Watford F.C. season

During the 1982–83 English football season, Watford F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, after being promoted from the Second Division the previous season. Under Graham Taylor's management, Watford finished second in the First Division – their highest ever league finish.[1] As a result, Watford qualified for European competition for the first time.[2] Luther Blissett finished the season as the division's top scorer, with 27 league goals.[3]

Watford
1982–83 season
ChairmanEngland Elton John
ManagerEngland Graham Taylor
StadiumVicarage Road
First Division2nd
FA CupFifth round
League CupThird round
Football League TrophyQuarter-final
Top goalscorerLeague:
Luther Blissett (27)

All:
Luther Blissett (33)

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Liverpool (C) 42 24 10 8 87 37 +50 82 Qualification for the European Cup first round
2 Watford 42 22 5 15 74 57 +17 71 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
3 Manchester United 42 19 13 10 56 38 +18 70 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[a]
4 Tottenham Hotspur 42 20 9 13 65 50 +15 69 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
5 Nottingham Forest 42 20 9 13 62 50 +12 69
Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ Manchester United qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup first round as the 1982–83 FA Cup winners.

Squad

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Squad at end of season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK   ENG Steve Sherwood
GK   ENG Eric Steele
DF   ENG Ian Bolton
DF   ENG Paul Franklin
DF   ENG Richard Jobson
DF   ENG Charlie Palmer
DF   ENG Neil Price
DF   ENG Wilf Rostron
DF   ENG Steve Sims
DF   ENG Steve Terry
DF   WAL Kenny Jackett
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF   NIR Pat Rice
MF   ENG John Barnes
MF   ENG Nigel Callaghan
MF   ENG Martin Patching
MF   ENG Les Taylor
MF   NED Jan Lohman
FW   ENG Luther Blissett
FW   ENG Jimmy Gilligan
FW   ENG Ross Jenkins
FW   ENG David Johnson
FW   NIR Gerry Armstrong

References

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  1. ^ Pickard, Michael (25 June 2010). "Les Taylor recalls 1984 final". Watford Observer. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Graham Taylor factfile". The Guardian. 29 March 2001. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  3. ^ Ross, James M. (15 July 2011). "English league leading goalscorers". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 8 February 2012.

Further reading

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  • Birnie, Lionel (2010). Enjoy the Game – Watford FC, The Story of the Eighties. Peloton Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9567814-0-6.
  • Phillips, Oliver (2001). The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes. Alpine Press Ltd. ISBN 0-9528631-6-2.
  • Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.
  • Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  • Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford Football Club. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0.