Talk:Hertfordshire Rangers F.C.

History

I have created a stub article on Hertfordshire Rangers F.C. who appear to be one of the fore-runners of Watford F.C., but I am a bit confused about their history. Unfortunately the Watford F.C. article says little about the very early history. My searches on the web have come up with several very different versions.

Here it says "Formed around 1865, Rangers featured in the FA Cup between 1875 and 1881. In 1898 they merged with Watford St Peters to form the modern Watford FC.", which was the basis for my initial article.

Here, however, it says "In December 1870, the Watford Observer carried a report on Hertfordshire Rangers - the forerunners of Watford Rovers. Watford Rovers was formed by a group of lads in 1881 who had been given permission by the Earl of Essex to kick a football around in Cassiobury Park. In 1882, home games began in Vicarage Meadow and a year later, the club's name was changed to West Herts. In 1898, a rival club, Watford St Mary's, was absorbed by West Herts and the name 'Watford' was formally adopted."

Version 3 says "The club takes the year of its formation as 1881 when Watford Rovers was formed. This club amalgamated in 1890 with West Hertfordshire Rangers, believed to have been formed in 1865. In 1896, the club joined the Southern League Second Division, turning professional the following year. For a period the town boasted two professional clubs but it quickly became clear that this was not sustainable and in 1898, West Herts Rangers and Watford St Mary’s FC merged to form Watford FC."

Finally, we have "They were formed in 1881 as Watford Rovers. They later merged with Hertfordshire Rangers and Watford St Mary’s to become Watford FC."

Unfortunately, the history section of the club's own website is "under construction" so is of no help at all at present. Can you clarify the position and perhaps include a brief summary of the early history in the Watford article, and correct any errors in the Herts Rangers page. Cheers. --Daemonic Kangaroo (talk) 13:03, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

Hi, DM. Sorry for not replying sooner, have been fairly busy of late. The second link you gave me gives the correct tale - the first link is entirely inaccurate and the third and fourth mix up Hertfordshire Rangers and West Herts, two different entities. I have added what there is in my Watford history book to the article. Cheers, HornetMike (talk) 03:15, 14 March 2008 (UTC)