Remember it well. Other than Deeney Leicester. As you will see from my Avitar I still don't think I've seen a much better or a more meaningful set of goals in a match than those of Nicky Wright & Allan Smith in the 99 play off final that day, both perfectly taken miracle goals to get us in the PL for the first time. I'm sure NW's goal has got to be in the top 10 ever scored at Wembley, yet I have never heard it mentioned since in the wider press. To think GT picked up Smart for £100k & Wright for £150K from Carlisle, typical GT good business from the lower leagues & that player investment he made paid off dividends for the club. Pity it was all wasted the following season.
The best thing about that day was that I went to Wembley fully expecting us to lose and tried to just enjoy the day out. I'm not ashamed to say when Wright scored I went mental and then when Smart made it certain I actually cried because having supported Watford through the 90s it was beyond my expectations that we would get to Wembley and actually win. It took days and weeks afterwards to process that we'd done it and were going up to the Prem. The level of achievement can't be overstated, given the budget and where we'd come from. There's a reason why there's only one true God in Herts.
A wonderful day from start to finish. A special goal from Wright then that breakaway goal from Smart to allay any fears of a late equaliser Shame we don't have Kennedy in this modern day of wing backs, what a great delivery of a cross he had a scored a few goals too. A player everything Amrabat is not. Wasn't this also the last game at the old Wembley?
No, I think there was a thought in advance that it might be but in the end it carried on for 99/00 and into the following season for England v Germany.
I can remember most of the day! What a goal and nice to know we can win at Wembley,despite the Palarse experiences!
That bolton team was very decent too. Allan smart's goal is the best I've ever felt at a match, including the deeney affair. Just utter joy and relief. We'd ***ing done it.
Plus there were three other Euro qualifiers at the old Wembley after our play off final.. and also 3 England friendlies. That added to the play offs in 2000 means there were 10 more games to come there after us. We were however the last side to be promoted to the Premier League at the Millennium stadium.
Brilliant day from starting in Rickmansworth High st at 11.00, to winning promotion, getting off the tube at Watford Met and hearing the noise from the high st and the celebrations that followed. The singing of "Are you watching Luton Town" just before half time was one of the best moments of my supporting life.
This was my second game as a hornet !! Not from the area and my family aren't into football or villa fans (same thing?) and I watched the PO semi 2nd leg supported them from there but turkey fell in love when I visited the vic for the first time. 18 years - wow lots of ups and downs but wouldn't change it for the world
Loved it - very rarely bet but persuaded to go into a bookies and I put money on 2-0 so great day all round. Can't remember how much but think I won 150. Was not so good when my parents decided to pop round my flat later that evening and I was comatosed on the couch
Yep - a fortunate 1-2 at Bolton where they were the better team; and 2-1 at the Vic during our amazing unbeaten run that took us into the play-offs. Mooney had a penalty saved but got his goal in the second half with a great header from a Bazeley cross. Mooney then scored in every game for the remainder of the season apart from the last one against Grimsby (kennedy scored in a 1-o win). ** Edit ** was 2-0 at the Vic!
Eighteen years, where does the time go? Neil Cox on the line there not quite getting to Nicky Wright's overhead shot, in some alternate universe he heads it clear. Result seemed to be never in doubt to me, same for the game in Cardiff against Leeds.
One of the great Watford days. I remember it so vividly. I too remember going into crazy celebrations when Smarty scored mainly through relief and disbelief. Ive only ever been surpassed it with my celebrations with the glorious 3rd goal at the Millennium and Troy's v Leicester. Nicky Ws goal is still a thing of beauty 18 years on. God bless you GT.
Coxy did a brilliant overhead kick to clear off the line in his WFC career but thank god not in this game
Cracking day, for the first half an hour Bolton were on top, Chamberlain made a few very good saves in that period. If I remember correctly the second half was mostly a non event for both sides until the break away for Smart's goal. Also as Wembley is near it meant that celebrations could be taken back to Watford shortly after. Whereas in 2006 I went by coach and didn't return to Watford until 11:30.
Without a doubt the most emotionally charged day of my life thus far. Watching Nick Wright try an overhead, a faint realisation of "holy ****, that looks on target", a rising tide of hope and desperation to see the net ripple, sudden realisation that it's ******* going in...an explosion of sheer euphoria, surrounded by people I didn't know and all of them hugging each other in disbelief. That's the stuff you remember. It's like it happened yesterday.
Was very drunk for this. To answer the palace fans yes i cried at Wembley when Smart scored the second. Great day. Great team effort.
I remember that, been trying to find some footage of it. Cleared it over the ball if i recall correctly
I have a shameful confession to make about that day. On the way home, between the station and my flat, I came across a ***on fan (surprising, as I lived in Highbury at the time). I knew because he was wearing a football shirt, presumably in some misguided attempt to poke fun at us while watching the match on TV. I had nothing identifying me as WFC, though I was carrying a match programme. I walked past him and said nothing. I have regretted it ever since. I then sank an entire bottle of brandy.
Here. From around 3 mins 30 secs in.. PS Avoid start if you want to void hearing Simpson pleading for everyone to become season ticket holders
Amazing day.. Great video and thanks for the fond memories. I think playing dirty Leeds off the park in 2006 was just as good. I was biting my hair as Marlon King took the penalty that sealed it.
One of the very best days as a Watford fan. Back to back promotions on a shoestring after years of mediocrity and pain. That Watford squad is my favourite ever. Bags of players who played 200+ games for us, and some real solid characters who smashed above their weight
