Watford F.C. Player Of The Season
Goalkeeper Andy Rankin won the initial award in the 1972–73 season, ahead of Colin Franks and Duncan Welbourne. In the 1974–75 season, Rankin won the award for the second time, becoming the first of ten players to do so as of 2016. Another goalkeeper, Tony Coton, is the only player to have received the title for a third time. Coton is one of four players to have won the award in consecutive seasons, the others being Wilf Rostron in 1982–83 and 1983–84, Tommy Smith in 2007–08 and 2008–09, and most recently, Troy Deeney in 2013–14 and 2014–15. Eight winners of the award have represented their country at full international level, of whom only John McClelland went on to become Watford's Player of the Season for a second time.
Towards the end of each season, fans vote directly for the Player of the Season. Historically this has been conducted by post, but in recent years it has taken place on the Watford Observer's website. This system was earmarked for change to a match-by-match rating system in 2009, but in March 2010, the Observer decided to revert to the traditional method of voting.
Winners
- † Inducted into the Watford Hall of Fame
- Statistics correct at end of 2018–19 season.
![A young man wearing a white top, black shorts, white socks and white boots, standing on a grass field.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Tom_Cleverley_2015.jpg/150px-Tom_Cleverley_2015.jpg)
![A young man wearing a black and white top. The logo on his top is coloured red, black and yellow, and reads "WATFORD"](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Troy_Deeney.jpg/150px-Troy_Deeney.jpg)
Statistics
Position | Number of winners |
---|---|
Goalkeeper | 12 |
Defender | 13 |
Midfielder | 10 |
Forward | 12 |
Country | Number of winners |
---|---|
![]() |
18 |
![]() |
3 |
![]() |
2 |
![]() |
2 |
![]() |
2 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
Footnotes
- ^ The official "Level" of competition in the structure of the English league system.
- ^ For a full description of positions see association football positions.
- ^ "Apps" is short for appearances, and refers to competitive first team appearances for Watford. Goals refers to competitive first team goals scored for Watford.
- ^ Where a player represented his country at multiple levels, only the highest level is given.
- ^ Not to be confused with Ross Jenkins (footballer, born 1990), who won the Watford Young Player of the Season award in 2008–09.
- ^ Gibbs spent his entire playing career at Watford.
- ^ Palmer is listed as a defender as he played most games this season as a central defender. He has played in every position for the club.
- ^ Multiple winners are counted multiple times.