1999 Wembley Play off Final Reunion

Discussion in 'The Golden Years' started by We hate 48, Dec 13, 2018.

  1. We hate 48

    We hate 48 Reservist

    Not quite 20 years but there was a dinner held last night at Shendish Manor with the majority of the players who represented the club that season attending.

    They had 7 different players up on stage at various times throughout the night recounting their experiences during that run in and then the 2 leg semi final and of course the final. They were "questioned" by a combination of Richard Walker and Jon Marks. Adam Leventhal was in attendance but as a fan along with another 329 of us on 33 tables crammed into the room.

    Rita Taylor was there which was fitting as so much of what was said related to him. Mr Pink Shirt-Ciaran Cosgrave also spoke.

    Organised by the club-mainly Richard Johnson-and sponsored by Bugler Group-it as a really good evening with lots of funny stories and anecdotes. Those who stood out for me were

    Darren Bazeley (who last game was that Wembley match) -became asst coach for the New Zealand national team and now with Colorado Rapids in MLS

    Alon Hazan. Spoke so movingly about GT and also that for someone not speaking good english to be roomed with Peter Kennedy meant he didn't get to understand much more english. Also didnt understand who was "gaffer" when asked to go see him

    Nigel Gibbs-so professional and a loyal servant

    Micah Hyde-again spoke so movingly about the atmosphere at the club and the team spirit-i think he was overcome with emotion at one point such was the memories of that time and the sadness of no GT

    Michel Ngonge-who son played in the champions league on Tuesday

    Gifon-Noel-Williams scored 10 in 19 but a terrible tackle by a sunderland player ended his season and career effectively as we all recall

    Robert Page. All remarked how good he was as a captain for someone aged only 24

    Ronny Rosenthal. Told the story about moving on from Liverpool and Spurs to come to us in the lower reaches of football -largely because of GT. He asked for a bonus for promotion-fair enough said GT but even he was taken aback when RR said it was not for getting out of the third tier but out of the second into the Premier. He got his money

    All the usual suspects were there like Tommy Mooney, Alan Smart and Paul Robinson plus Nicky Wright, Steve Palmer and Alec Chambo" and Peter Kennedy

    All the players stayed around in the bar afterwards to talk to fans and have pictures taken. We had ours with Tommy Mooney

    You left feeling there was indeed something unique about those two years of successive promotions not just for us fans lucky enough to experience it but also left a mark on all those players that still resonates today. Largely down to one man sadly no longer with us
     
  2. Relegation Certs

    Relegation Certs Squad Player

    Saw a photo of that. Allan Smart has aged like fine wine: an absolute dish.

    His goal was one of my all time favourites. I'll never forget the feeling of absolute elation but at the same time a zen line calm that came over me when that goal went in. We'd fcking done it.

    Our absolute dominance of bolton that day was nothing short of sensational. Their team was decent.

    Nothing now compares to the feelings back then, but I suppose I'm older and a bigger **** these days.
     
  3. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    GT also showed a "zen line calm" when the final whistle went (1:51:15)
    As explained before on another thread, it was also the best ever final as I appear in the video at 1.52.30 bottom right hand corner.

     
  4. Hornet4ever

    Hornet4ever WFC Forums Last Man Standing Winner 2018/2019

    Nice write up @We hate 48

    Always thought Nick Wright's goal must have been in the top 10 to have ever graced the Wembley pitch...& then topped off by Smart's pinpoint laser for the 2nd. Could do with a bit of that now.

    Not too bad for 250k each. Couldn't buy a toenail off Pereyra for that these days.
     
  5. Stevohorn

    Stevohorn Watching Grass Grow

    This came up on our official site.

    Anyone want to try name them?

    181212-20-Years-Ago-Dinner-3316.jpg
     
  6. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Yeah, it's the Watford squad from the 1999 play-off final.
     
  7. Stevohorn

    Stevohorn Watching Grass Grow

    Is it? I didnt recognise em :)
     
  8. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Back row left to right, Not sure, not sure, Baseley, Mooney, Wright, Chamberlain, Palmer, Hazon, Hyde, Noel- Williams, Ngonge, Johnson

    Front row! , Gibbs, Smart, Robinson, Page, Kennedy, Rosenthal
     
  9. davisp2

    davisp2 Reservist

    It was an amazing day. Probably the least talented group of players to ever get promoted to the premier league, which makes it a great achievement
     
  10. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Is that Chris Day on the left at the back ? Not sure of the guy next to him. Rocket Ronnie is the only other one I didn't get - he looks so different !

    Such a shame about Gifton. That injury killed what would have been a great career. He'd received an England U21 call up on the day of the injury.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2018
  11. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Yes I think first one with the glasses Chris Day, just leaves one to go!
     
  12. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    Bobby Charlton bottom right.
     
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  13. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Could the missing name at the back be Stuart Slater ?? Really not sure.
     
  14. Stevohorn

    Stevohorn Watching Grass Grow

    According to his Wiki page Chris Day is 6ft 3in. He looks about 6ft 8in in that pic!


    But who is the mystery man next to him?
     
  15. Hornet4ever

    Hornet4ever WFC Forums Last Man Standing Winner 2018/2019

    Wow think Peter Kennedy has changed the most. Meanwhile Ngonge has morphed into Seal.
     
  16. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Is the 2nd from the left in the back Guomundsson he is just about the only player from that season it could be unless it's one of the coaching team?
     
  17. Stevohorn

    Stevohorn Watching Grass Grow

    Think you're right Teide.

    This from 5 years ago.. https://fotbolti.net/fullStory.php?id=144729 Looks like him.
     
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  18. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Stevohorn likes this.
  19. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    Well done you two. I would never have got him as don't remember him at all
     
  20. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Scored 2 goals on his debut, apart from that he didn't do much at all!
     
  21. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    I don’t remember that either!!
     
  22. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Port Vale wasn't it?
     
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  23. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Do you remember who you are, if not ask Matron she will tell you, haha!
     
  24. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    My memory of the 90's is terrible probably in part do with it was a pretty poor decade for Watford, certainly up to 97 and then it picked up somewhat! Just seen this chap played 22 games for us!
     
  25. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Don't remember him at all, other than the fact he scored twice ! Mental block. Confused him with Melvang and Gudmundsson.
     
  26. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    It's funny some players are so underwhelming you completely forget about them, a bit like Steve Cherry and Dean Yates who remembers those two!
     
  27. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    I remember them in name but probably wouldn't recognise them now. That said there will be a number of players from the last few years that will be difficult to remember in 20 years time.
     
  28. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    I only remember Yates as he scored against Bristol City i think ?? Other than that he was permanetly injured. Would have fitted in well this era.
     
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  29. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Matt Jackson although more recent is another one, falls in the why did we buy him, what did he do for us catagory!
     
  30. Stevohorn

    Stevohorn Watching Grass Grow

    From 47.15 onwards.. Gudmundsson's greatest hour.

     
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  31. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    I believe GT rated Yates highly, but it was the injury he got with us that effectively ended his career early. I remember seeing him looking forlorn in the car park outside Wembley before the play-off in '99.
     
  32. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    He was injury prone before he joined us and that was really the only reason we were able to get him at the time, from Derby was it ?
     
  33. folkestone orn

    folkestone orn Squad Player

    Would any of them get in the current 25 man squad? Kennedy, Robbo maybe?
     
  34. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    I don't think any of them had the technical ability required now to be playing in the premier league, if so they probably wouldn't have been playing for us in those days which was primarily a division one team with a few additions, the season (our first in the P.L.) showed us up to be not good enough!
     
  35. folkestone orn

    folkestone orn Squad Player

    True, but we competed well that season despite some important players being injured.
     

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