Duncan Welbourne - 1940-2019

Discussion in 'The Hornets' Nest - Watford Chat' started by Burnsy, Jan 14, 2019.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Burnsy

    Burnsy First Team

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2012
    Messages:
    20,791
    Likes Received:
    23,067
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Very sadly passed away this morning, at 78.

    RIP.
     
    Burnsy, Jan 14, 2019
    #1
    steve harrow, dynamo380, Smudger and 1 other person like this.
  2. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2014
    Messages:
    18,810
    Likes Received:
    8,622
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Oh sad news.
    RIP.
     
    I Blame Pozzo, Jan 14, 2019
    #2
  3. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2014
    Messages:
    16,471
    Likes Received:
    5,235
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Watford
    Before my time but a name often referred to by older fans.
     
    Otter, Jan 14, 2019
    #3
  4. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2014
    Messages:
    34,929
    Likes Received:
    20,599
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    over here
    Are you calling Burnsy old ??
    RIP Duncan.
     
    The undeniable truth, Jan 14, 2019
    #4
    Burnsy likes this.
  5. onion8837

    onion8837 Reservist

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2015
    Messages:
    3,063
    Likes Received:
    3,297
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Was playing in my first ever Watford game. RIP.
     
    onion8837, Jan 14, 2019
    #5
    cyaninternetdog and Smudger like this.
  6. neverforgetboxingday

    neverforgetboxingday Academy Graduate

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2007
    Messages:
    136
    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    28
    ‘Chopper Welbourne’ Legend. RIP
     
    neverforgetboxingday, Jan 14, 2019
    #6
    Smudger and Sahorn like this.
  7. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    Joined:
    May 14, 2017
    Messages:
    8,915
    Likes Received:
    8,309
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I really thought he was indestructible. Sad news.
     
    WillisWasTheWorst, Jan 14, 2019
    #7
    Smudger and Forzainglese like this.
  8. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2007
    Messages:
    33,127
    Likes Received:
    20,674
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Toronto, Barcelona, Watford
    hornetboy1, Jan 14, 2019
    #8
    Smudger likes this.
  9. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2012
    Messages:
    18,676
    Likes Received:
    8,125
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Berkshire.
    Like many on here, before my time but that is a serious amount of appearances and quite rightly a legend
    RIP
     
    Knight GT, Jan 14, 2019
    #9
    Smudger likes this.
  10. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2007
    Messages:
    13,697
    Likes Received:
    4,472
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    leighton buzzard
    I recall interviewing him for the legends site. I spoke to his grandson who was happy to tee the interview up but said he wanted to be in on the call as well, as his granddad was struggling with dementia. The interview was fine and his grandson seemed pleased with how well his granddad had recalled memories from so many years ago without any issue. He was a lovely bloke who looked back on his career with fondness. Sad to hear the news.
     
    leighton buzzard horn, Jan 14, 2019
    #10
    CaveManHornet, steve harrow, Calabrone and 14 others like this.
  11. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2008
    Messages:
    8,675
    Likes Received:
    3,676
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Bray
    Very sorry to hear that, Duncan was playing when I first started supporting the Hornets, signed for us on the 22nd November 1963 the day Kennedy was shot! R.I.P. Sir you are a WFC legend!
     
    Teide1, Jan 14, 2019
    #11
    Smudger likes this.
  12. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2007
    Messages:
    33,127
    Likes Received:
    20,674
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Toronto, Barcelona, Watford
    Yes....everyone remembers what they were doing, the day Duncan Welbourne signed for Watford.
     
    hornetboy1, Jan 14, 2019
    #12
    RookeryDad and Sahorn like this.
  13. Bunny Larkin

    Bunny Larkin Academy Graduate

    Joined:
    May 22, 2017
    Messages:
    183
    Likes Received:
    197
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Berkhamsted
    I started watching Watford in 1963 and remember Duncan Welbourne very well. Under Furphy he was a member of the legendary three Ws - Walker, Welbourne and Williams. He was certainly a tough tackler - Watford fans used to rely on him to "sort out" any stroppy opposition player. If he were playing today he'd probably get sent off every other game.
     
    Bunny Larkin, Jan 14, 2019
    #13
    Smudger likes this.
  14. Leighton Buzzer

    Leighton Buzzer Reservist

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2015
    Messages:
    1,591
    Likes Received:
    831
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Leighton Buzzard
    Was one of my all time Watford favourites.
    Remember him getting the better of "Chopper" Harris in a crunching tackle in the FA Cup semi final at White Hart Lane.
    Genuinely sad at his passing.
    RIP. Duncan.
     
    Leighton Buzzer, Jan 14, 2019
    #14
    Smudger likes this.
  15. Leighton Buzzer

    Leighton Buzzer Reservist

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2015
    Messages:
    1,591
    Likes Received:
    831
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Leighton Buzzard
    Yes, and as I have mentioned in my above post.
    One of them being Chelsea's Ron Harris.
     
    Leighton Buzzer, Jan 14, 2019
    #15
  16. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2008
    Messages:
    8,675
    Likes Received:
    3,676
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Bray
    You have forgotten another member of the W club from the time who also has a huge legacy, that is Tom Walley!
     
    Teide1, Jan 14, 2019
    #16
    wfcmoog and Sahorn like this.
  17. zztop

    zztop Eurovision Winner 2015

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2009
    Messages:
    30,337
    Likes Received:
    6,261
    Trophy Points:
    113
    He stayed at my house in West Watford for a few weeks (well my mum and dads) just temporarily until he got somewhere more permament. Really nice bloke. I was only a little lad but I remember being sad when he moved out.

    For someone that put 100% into everything it was amazing he played so many league matches non stop (280).

    RIP Duncan.
     
    zztop, Jan 14, 2019
    #17
    Smudger likes this.
  18. Bunny Larkin

    Bunny Larkin Academy Graduate

    Joined:
    May 22, 2017
    Messages:
    183
    Likes Received:
    197
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Berkhamsted
    Yes, but they formed the last line of our defence, ie goalkeeper snd full backs, and were therefore a "unit".
     
    Bunny Larkin, Jan 14, 2019
    #18
  19. Since63

    Since63 Squad Player

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2006
    Messages:
    7,340
    Likes Received:
    4,313
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northampton
    Stewart Scullion always said he never had to worry about defenders ‘targeting’ him, as after the first iffy tackle, DW would inflict more than adequate ‘admonishment’ & that most oppo players were not too keen after that.
     
    Since63, Jan 14, 2019
    #19
    Sahorn, Smudger and Maninblack like this.
  20. Maninblack

    Maninblack Reservist

    Joined:
    May 18, 2013
    Messages:
    1,901
    Likes Received:
    2,174
    Trophy Points:
    113
    He played in the first ever Watford match I saw as a young boy. I knew of his tough reputation even then! 280 consecutive matches?! Wow! When was the last time that happened in today's game? Not since the 70s maybe?

    RIP
     
    Maninblack, Jan 14, 2019
    #20
    WillisWasTheWorst, Ghost of Barry Endean, Smudger and 1 other person like this.
  21. Forzainglese

    Forzainglese Reservist

    Joined:
    May 22, 2017
    Messages:
    3,589
    Likes Received:
    2,693
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Shocked and saddened. I think the shock is because you remember them as fit young men and haven't seen them grow old.
    He was actually a good player, not just a hatchet-man; although that was of course at third division level.
    He eventually became manager at Southport, who were still a league club, but a small, struggling one. He had to carry out every duty, such as sweeping the terraces, washing the kit, that sort of thing, because there was so little money.
     
    Forzainglese, Jan 14, 2019
    #21
    Smudger likes this.
  22. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator

    Staff Member
    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2006
    Messages:
    58,090
    Likes Received:
    6,954
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Harpenden
    Sure he will be remembered fondly on Saturday with a minutes silence/applause.

    RIP and condolences to his family.
     
    wfc4ever, Jan 14, 2019
    #22
    Forzainglese, Sahorn, Ghost of Barry Endean and 1 other person like this.
  23. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2008
    Messages:
    8,675
    Likes Received:
    3,676
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Bray
    Yes I remember at the time they traveled by train to a London match and had sandwiches on the train for their pre-match meal!
     
    Teide1, Jan 14, 2019
    #23
  24. folkestone orn

    folkestone orn Squad Player

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    Messages:
    9,824
    Likes Received:
    4,158
    Trophy Points:
    113
    RIP. Well before my time, but get the impression he was a legend.
     
    folkestone orn, Jan 14, 2019
    #24
    Smudger likes this.
  25. Moose

    Moose First Team Captain

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2006
    Messages:
    43,439
    Likes Received:
    14,019
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    In the thick of it
    Watford legend if ever there was one. RIP and thanks Duncan.
     
    Moose, Jan 14, 2019
    #25
    Smudger likes this.
  26. Hussar

    Hussar Academy Graduate

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2014
    Messages:
    328
    Likes Received:
    66
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Watford
    I am sure a special welcome arranged for Duncan in Hornet Heaven.
     
    Hussar, Jan 14, 2019
    #26
    Sahorn, Bloke, Ghost of Barry Endean and 1 other person like this.
  27. We hate 48

    We hate 48 Reservist

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2008
    Messages:
    2,891
    Likes Received:
    1,155
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Like many of the posters i saw him play when i first started going in 1967- to have that record of consecutive appearances and to play over 400 times for our club does fully warrant the legend status.

    To join Watford in 64 and then 5 years later play a large part in the promotion followed by the cup run the following season must have been rewarding for him.

    Beating Liverpool in the QF and then playing Chelsea (with that infamous "coming together" with Ron Harris) followed by Man U in the losing semi finalists play off at Highbury would have been as much a highlight for him as it was for many of us

    RIP Duncan

    I appreciate there may well be a some form of memorial on Saturday for the late Capt Tom Sawyer (as its 10 years since he was killed in Afghanistan) and I hope the family would not mind including some reference/acknowledgement to Duncan as they are fans of that era as well.
     
    We hate 48, Jan 14, 2019
    #27
  28. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach

    Staff Member
    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    Messages:
    22,945
    Likes Received:
    8,548
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    ISS
    Sad news indeed especially having to suffer the cruelty of dementia. I am sure as the Pozzo's have always done that this club legend will be remembered appropriately this weekend.

    [​IMG]

    Third Division Champions 1968/69. Duncan is in the front row third from the right.

    [​IMG]​
     
    Smudger, Jan 14, 2019
    #28
    Forzainglese, Sahorn and I Blame Pozzo like this.
  29. Ghost of Barry Endean

    Ghost of Barry Endean First Team

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2010
    Messages:
    22,565
    Likes Received:
    8,823
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Me too.
     
    Ghost of Barry Endean, Jan 14, 2019
    #29
  30. Bloke

    Bloke Reservist

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    1,446
    Likes Received:
    224
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Watford
    Legend is an overused word these days, but this man epitomised that word. True legend, RIP Sir
     
    Bloke, Jan 14, 2019
    #30
  31. RookeryDad

    RookeryDad Squad Player

    Joined:
    May 25, 2016
    Messages:
    11,987
    Likes Received:
    4,965
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Mine too.
     
    RookeryDad, Jan 14, 2019
    #31
    F-18 likes this.
  32. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    Joined:
    May 14, 2017
    Messages:
    8,915
    Likes Received:
    8,309
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    We signed other Ws too: Walley, Wigg, Woods, Woodfield. It seemed like some kind of obsession.
     
    WillisWasTheWorst, Jan 14, 2019
    #32
  33. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2014
    Messages:
    18,810
    Likes Received:
    8,622
    Trophy Points:
    113
    My brother trained me to recite "Walker,Welbourne,Williams,Eddy,Lees,Walley etc".
    If I hear anyone named 'Walker' I always think 'Welbourne'.
    Great picture by the way!
     
    I Blame Pozzo, Jan 14, 2019
    #33
    wfcmoog and RookeryDad like this.
  34. Sahorn

    Sahorn Reservist

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2011
    Messages:
    4,226
    Likes Received:
    2,301
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Plymouth
    Happy days that promotion season and cup
    Happy days watching that team.
    Chopper Welbourne you could always rely on him.
    Thankyou Duncan.
    Legend.
    RIP
     
    Sahorn, Jan 14, 2019
    #34
    Smudger likes this.
  35. Bring Back Standing

    Bring Back Standing Reservist

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2018
    Messages:
    1,273
    Likes Received:
    666
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    A bit before my time, but I believe there were two Williams' in defence during the 65/66 season - Johnny and Alan.
     
    Bring Back Standing, Jan 14, 2019
    #35
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page