Watford Legends

Ross Jenkins is one of the four players who symbolises Watford’s rise through the divisions. He was the only one who had played for the first team when they were 92nd (bottom of the Fourth Division) under Mike Keen, and 1st (top of the First Division) six years later. He was the final Watford player I interviewed for Enjoy the Game.

The players who made a career after graduating from Tom Walley’s school of hard work cannot speak highly enough of him. As we sat and talked about football, I could see that he could be terrifying and inspiring in equal measure. It was a scattergun conversation, his north Wales accent has barely faded, and I opted to let him just talk so I could see what gems he came out with.

For the next interview it was off to Alderley Edge, to meet Steve Harrison at a little tea shop. Steve joined Watford in 1978 as a player and then later Graham Taylor offered him a role working with the club’s juniors. When Taylor left to join Aston Villa, ‘Harry’ went with him, returning to replace Dave Bassett as manager six months later. Steve was great company and spoke at length with the humour and enthusiasm I’d hoped for.