1982–83 Watford F.C. season

During the 1982–83 English football season, Watford F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, after being promoted from the Second Division the previous season. Under Graham Taylor's management, Watford finished second in the First Division – their highest ever league finish.[1] As a result, Watford qualified for European competition for the first time.[2] Luther Blissett finished the season as the division's top scorer, with 27 league goals.[3]

Watford
1982–83 season
ChairmanEngland Elton John
ManagerEngland Graham Taylor
StadiumVicarage Road
First Division2nd
FA CupFifth round
League CupThird round
Football League TrophyQuarter-final
Top goalscorerLeague:
Luther Blissett (27)
All:
Luther Blissett (33)

League table
Main article: 1982–83 Football League § First Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Liverpool (C) 42 24 10 8 87 37 +50 82 Qualification for the European Cup first round
2 Watford 42 22 5 15 74 57 +17 71 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
3 Manchester United 42 19 13 10 56 38 +18 70 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[lower-alpha 1]
4 Tottenham Hotspur 42 20 9 13 65 50 +15 69 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
5 Nottingham Forest 42 20 9 13 62 50 +12 69
Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. Manchester United qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup first round as the 1982–83 FA Cup winners.

Squad
Squad at end of season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK England ENG Steve Sherwood
— GK England ENG Eric Steele
— DF England ENG Ian Bolton
— DF England ENG Paul Franklin
— DF England ENG Richard Jobson
— DF England ENG Charlie Palmer
— DF England ENG Neil Price
— DF England ENG Wilf Rostron
— DF England ENG Steve Sims
— DF England ENG Steve Terry
— DF Wales WAL Kenny Jackett
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF Northern Ireland NIR Pat Rice
— MF England ENG John Barnes
— MF England ENG Nigel Callaghan
— MF England ENG Martin Patching
— MF England ENG Les Taylor
— MF Netherlands NED Jan Lohman
— FW England ENG Luther Blissett
— FW England ENG Jimmy Gilligan
— FW England ENG Ross Jenkins
— FW England ENG David Johnson
— FW Northern Ireland NIR Gerry Armstrong

References
  1. Pickard, Michael (25 June 2010). "Les Taylor recalls 1984 final". Watford Observer. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  2. "Graham Taylor factfile". The Guardian. 29 March 2001. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  3. Ross, James M. (15 July 2011). "English league leading goalscorers". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 8 February 2012.

Further reading
  • Birnie, Lionel (2010). Enjoy the Game – Watford FC, The Story of the Eighties. Peloton Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9567814-0-6.
  • Phillips, Oliver (2001). The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes. Alpine Press Ltd. ISBN 0-9528631-6-2.
  • Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.
  • Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  • Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford Football Club. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0.
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