From The Rookery End (watford Fc)

In our second awayday companion podcast we have a very special chat with Olly Wicken - creator of Hornet Heaven podcast - about his latest writing in The Watford Treasury. It's all about The Smiths, the family not the band. Olly sat down with Tommy, Jack and their parents to discuss their relationship with Watford and how it formed their relationships with each other.There is also a game you can play along with. This week "Match of the Man" ... it's very easy to play but almost impossible to win.There is no Best XI team but you can start preparing for the next awayday podcast where we will be picking a team of World Cup Hornets. There will be scoring involved but the only rule you'll get for now is that you can only have one player per nation. Here's the list:Allan Nielson - DENAllan Nyom - CAMAndre Carrillo - PERUAshley Young - ENGBen Foster - ENGBen Iroha - NIGCamilo Zuniga - COLCarlos Sanchez - COLDanny Rose - ENGDavid James - ENGEssaïd Belkale - ALGERGerry Armstrong - NIIsmaila Sarr - SENJay Demerit - USA

Championship football is back and so is From the Rookery End! After a break, we were raring to go as Watford lined up against Hull. And then the game kicked off…If Hornets fans were hoping for a scintilating performance to raise the temperature on a bitterly cold afternoon, it quickly became apparent that it wasn’t going to happen, as Slaven Bilic’ men recorded their second 0-0 in a row.Jas and Mike got together at the final whistle to discuss the game, which featured a concerning injury to Hamza Choudhury, leaving Watford’s threadbare midfield even more depleted.The boys discuss how Jeremy Ngakia, Joesph Hungbo and Tom Dele Bashiru did after being handed rare starts, while Mike also speaks to Canadian football expert about the signing of exciting midfield prospect Ismael Kone.It was cold. It was frustrating. But it’s good to be back. This is From the Rookery End. Come on you ‘Orns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the break for the World Cup upon on us, Mike, Jon and Colin made the trip along the M4 to Bristol, to see how the Hornets got on against the Robins…And the answer to that was… not great! While the day was a fun one, the game was anything but, with a team shorn of Pedro and Sarr struggling to make an impact against a side woefully out of form.The game seemed destined for stalemate from early on, and a forgettable performance was made worse by a serious injury to Dan Gosling. Everyone at FTRE wishes Dan, a hugely important part of the Watford squad and their recent good form, all the best for a full recovery.You can hear how the day played out, with our chats before and after the game, as we bring you this, the latest edition of From the Rookery End. Come on you ‘Orns! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first of what we hope will be a semi-regular series of awayday companion podcasts, created to accompany you as you traverse the country supporting the mighty golden boys!The idea is that we give you something to think about and discuss as you make your way to see the ‘Orns in action and in this podcast, released in time for the trip to Ashton Gate, we’re in search of the best ever Watford XI containing players whose first or surname begin with A!We also look back at the midweek win against Reading, while also looking ahead to the challenge that Bristol City will pose from Robins fan (and wrestling promoter!) Sean Thorne.It’s a packed FTRE so we hope you enjoy it - wherever and whenever you listen. We look forward to hearing your A XI’s!Come on you ‘Orns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a frustrated Mike, Jas and DCW that hunkered down outside Vicarage Road to discuss a disappointing, but not too disheartening defeat to Coventry City.The Hornets were unable to make it four wins on the bounce, with a second half strike enough to give the visitors the points, despite a positive and impressive start to the game for Watford. The lads discuss what it was that went wrong, what could have been done differently - or whether it was simply one of those days for our heroes in yellow.There's also a look at Slaven Bilic and what his impact has been on he club since arriving, along with a look back at some of the Watford games that have been played in memorably bad weather conditions. There is all this and more in your latest episode of From the Rookery End. Come on you 'Orns! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the 4-0 thrashing of Luton, Watford headed up to the North East to take on Wigan - the gang discuss how they boys got on at the nicked a late 1-0 win.Jon, Jordi and Mike also disucss the Top 5 most important players for the Hornets and the runoured new shareholder and the impact they could have on life in WD18.Two wins in a row, 4 to go until the Wotrld Cup Break. Things are alright at the moment!COME ON YOU ORNS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watford played their firends from up the M1 and were terrible hosts... they thrashed them 4-0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh we needed that. Watford's Saturday night match against the canaries of Norfolk was much needed and felt like a grand step away from the recent doldrums of life as a Watford fan.Jon, Mike and Jordi convened out the Hornet Shop to discuss the individual performances and how Saturday night ended up being a great night out for Hornets.Plus, after putting an XI of "player that we were excited about but they let us down" on our Taylor Trek, we considered the players you thought we missed out.Watford started the game 17th and ended 10th... What a crazy league we play in. COME ON YOU ORNS!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the second defeat in 4 days, Lionel Birnie joins the podcast to discuss the performance away at Blackpool, which led to a 3-1 defeat against the Tangerines.And, without the burden of the results on their mind, Jon and Mike discuss the state of our relationship wiith club owner, Gino Pozzo. Where did it turn sour - the merry go round of the Head Cocahes, his transfers vision and execuation or his lack of communication and how little we know about him and this thinking?It's another From The Rookery End where we try our best to keep a level head when being a Watford fan seems to be very naff.COME ON YOU ORNS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watford once again struggled to live up to their billing as a heavyweight Championship contender, coming unstuck against Swansea in a game that lasted a marathon 110 minutes.Of that 110 minutes precious few of them were memorable from a Watford perspective, so it was a tired and dispirited Jon, Colin, Jason and Mike that gathered when the final whistle finally came, running the rule over the latest Vicarage Road false start.The boys also touch on the slightly happier goings on that took place at Stoke City last Sunday - a game that already feels an age ago - with celebrity Stoke fan Nick Hancock sharing his views on what life can be like lingering in the Championship…It’s been naother rough one at The Vic, but we haven’t been counted out just yet, and we’re with you through it all. This is From the Rookery End. Come on you ‘Orns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekends podcast is with you a bit early, and looks back on Jon and Mike’s day on the Taylor Trek, which saw them walk 18 miles, starting and ending at Vicarage Road, to raise money for the Watford CSE Trust.During the walk, the boys were joined by Dave Messenger, who was instrumental in helping Jon and Mike settle on a former Watford XI, with each player having to have arrived with at least an element of excitement, only to go on to have a disappointing Hornets career.After a difficult week, this is a podcast palette cleanser. Enjoy, and Come on You ‘Orns! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a familiar story, but I’m it’s not the next chapter Watford fans seemed to want. Following the news of Rob Edwards’ surprise sacking, Jon, Jas and Mike gathered to record their thoughts on yet another tumultuous day at Vicarage Road.Is the decision justifiable? What does it mean for the future? What does it say about the owner? Will all be forgiven if Slaven Bilić guides the Hornets back to the top flight? What should we, as fans, be feeling and doing? We discuss all this and more on the latest in an all too long line of emergency podcasts on this, the brand new From the Rookery End.Come on you ‘Orns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 PROBLEMS PERSIST It was another frustrating afternoon for Watford fans, with the Hornets conceding a late goal to Sunderland to end up drawing their fifth match of a stuttering Championship campaign.Jon, Colin, Mike and DCW were on hand at the final whistle to discuss a whole host of Watford related issues, ending up focussing on the three G’s - the Game, Giaretta and Gino…Game: After a reasonble start, with Davis leading the line well, where did it go wrong? Were the changes the catalyst for the collapse? Giaretta: What does his departure mean for Watford and is it a positive?Gino: Does the buck stop at the top? If so, can he turn it round?As always, there’s plenty to discuss and we give it our best shot. This is From the Rookery End. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Watford went down 2-0 away at Blackburn the boys take the occasion to help each other get over things. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After another away draw, this one against Rotherham, Jon and Mike are joined by Stu Hutchinson to chat about the game and the recently closed transfer window. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the evening Watford celebrated 100 years at Vicarage Road the team gave us a special moment with a last minute winner. Jon, Jason, Mike and DCW discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike, Jason and Jordi convene after Watford's 3-2 loss to QPR to pick the bones out of the match and assess what is not quite working for Rob Edwards' side on the pitch at the moment, and there's discussion of the many off pitch issues too as the squad continues to exist in a state of flux ahead of the window shutting next week.There's also a chat with Adam Leventhal for the latest on the status of Joao Pedro and Ismalia Sarr, plus we hear from Xisco Munoz after Adam caught up with him exclusively for The Athletic last week.AND with the 100 years of Vicarage Road celebrations about to kick into full gear on Tuesday at the match v Middlesbrough, we hear from Geoff Wicken about the new book he has written to celebrate this landmark date in Watford's history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An eventful week in the world of Watford was ended with another point on the road and another clean sheet, although the game at Deepdale was arguably less interesting than off-field developments…Mike and Jon got together shortly after the final whistle to discuss the Preston stalemate, with praise for a clutch of Hornets, and persisting question marks over others.In discussing the squad situation, the boys try to get their heads round the situation with transfers; attempting to find a bit of balance during what feels like a tumultuous time.This is life as a Watford fan. It’s never dull. This is From the Rookery End. Come on you ‘Orns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Watford’s season four games old, Mike and Jon are joined by author, journalist and Hornets fan Lionel Birnie to take a look at the latest away performance, alongside a wider look at the state of Watford’s squad.Lionel reports back from a wet and rather sorry looking St Andrew’s, where Ray Manaj secured a deserved point for Rob Edwards’ men, before turning his attentions to the currwnt situation at WD18, with the help of a few decorating analogies on the way…It’s a slightly unsettling time to be a Watford fan, with the transfer window ajar and letting in a troubling draught, so kick back and relax as we try to make sense of it all.There’s never a dull moment. Let’s enjoy it as best we can. Come on you ‘Orns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Watford fans head back to St Andrews for an early season, Championship fixture, we thought we'd replay a documentary we made during the lockdown season about Watford's Play Off Semi Final win against Birmingham City, in 1999.We asked a bunch of Watford fans to share their memories of being a Watford fan before, during and after the historic penalty shoot out. It fascinating and wonderful to look back on the time and how fans got tickets and followed the game from a far.A huge thank you to Matt Rowson, Pete Fincham, Frances Lynn, Steve and Nick Catley for their contributions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.