From The Rookery End - A show about Watford FC

As we head towards the start of another season (FTRE’s 15th!) we thought it was time to take stock, to assess and address where our beloved club currently finds itself. We look back at what lead to us being where we appear to be - heading into a challenging season with concerns on and off the pitch. We look at the owners and some of the others at top table and, well, get a few things off our chest...

The 1990s was a decade of tremedous change, both in football and in the real world. And the Watford Treasury have published their 3rd book all about being a Watford fan during the decade. 'The Ninties: The Second Coming' is out now and follows on from their book about the 1950s and 60s - 'The Golden Years and Visions of Blue' - and the story of the 1970s - 'Bonser Out" (all avaible from https://th...

FTRE are BACK, BACK, BACK. As we start season 15 of From The Rookery End, we thought we would look back on all the players and managers who have arrived at Vicarage Road, since 2010/11. It's time for another FTRE Draft. Three teams have to pick 11 players and manager who arrived in the last 14 seasons - but they can only pick one player from each season.  Jason and Kieran, Colin and DCW plus...

After the club annouced that they were trying to raise £17.5m by allowing fans and investors to buy shares in the club, Mike was invited onto Sky Sports News to share his views on the new proposal. Thank you to Sky Sports for allowing us to share this audio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is another special retrospective episode of From the Rookery End.  In these podcasts we take an in depth look back at some of the most pivotal moment in Hornets history, having previously covered the 1997 thrashing of our friends up the M1, the breathless Play Off Semi Final victory at St Andrews in 1999 and of course, our tribute to THAT goal by friend of the podcast, Troy Deeney. Well,...

With the 2023/24 season done and dusted, Jon, Jas, DCW and Mike convened to dish out the season awards…in (very) alternative categories. Awards were dished out in the categories from the 1989 Smash Hits Poll Winners Party (kids ask your parents or head for Google). Expect to hear who scooped Best Group, Best Solo Singer, Best Single, Best Pop Video and Most Horrible thing on Earth, amongst a pleth...

As Watford's home season comes to an end, with a 1-0 home won against Sunderland, the FTRE team had a end of season night out with a curry! You'll hear from Jas, Adam D, Colin, Jordi, Kieran and Jon, discuss the last home game as well as the appointment of Thomas William Cleverley and the impact it will have on our club. COME ON YOU ORNS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zero goals and still no home win, but there is still plenty to discuss on the latest From the Rookery End. Mike, Jon and Jas talk through the stalemate with a largely toothless Tigers, run the rule over the Player of the Season contenders (including a controversial suggestion from Mike) as well as looking at the impact and importance of Junior Hornets events like the one held on Saturday. The visi...

After a draw away at Ipswich in the week and almost grabbing a point away at Southampton, Jon, Jason and Adam discuss their reaction to the performances. And. as the end of season is apprapching faster and faster with each passing day, they look ahead to which players are likely to be pulling on a yellow shirt* in the starting XI come the first game of the 2024-2025 season. This is From The Rooker...

Play Off chasing PNE were the visitors for Tom Cleverley’s latest audition for the permanent Head Coach role at Vicarage Road, and while the game was a surprisingly tame affair, there’s plenty for Mike, Jon and Jas to get stuck into in this, the latest From the Rookery End. The chaps got together on Sunday morning to talk Tom Dele Bashiru continuing to impress, Edo Kayembe and his likeness to a ru...

After two two-two draws, over easter - Jon, Colin and Kieran discuss Tom Cleverley's new look Watford and its 3-5-2. Which players benefited for it, which it did not? How far has Thomas Cleverley got to being named the full time Watford Head Coach? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After heading to St Andrew’s to take in Tom Cleverley’s first game as Watford boss, Adam Drury and Mike joined Jon to talk through the first game of the TC era. Mike and Adam talk about the atmosphere and the stand out performers, while also, now we've gained 48 points and probable safety, cast an eye forward as they try to work out how the rest of the season may look. Watford are back to winning...

Bonser Out! is the latest book from The Watford Treasury and in this episode Jon speakes with four members of the team to find out more about the book and what life like as a Watford fan in the 1970s.  He talks to Geoff Wicken, his brother Olly, Richard White and Colin Payne to talk about the heroes, the ups and downs and exactly who was Bonser and why did everyone want him out? Get a copy of...

In the wake of another defeat and the departure of another Head Coach, Mike, Jas and Jon got together to talk through the latest dispiriting developments. Why now? How will Tom Cleverley fare? What happened to Mike’s coccyx? All these questions and more get the From the Rookery End treatment in this, the latest episode. Let us know what you think. Come on you ‘Orns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

Watford have problems. Big problems, small problems. Immediate problems, long term problems. In the latest From the Rookery End, Mike and Jon are joined by Adam Drury to discuss the latest problem - another listless defeat; this time at The Den. The boys discuss the surrender at Millwall while also looking at the wider malaise that is engulfing Vicarage Road, including the issues facing the owner,...

Watford 1-2 Huddersfield Was it as bad previous home games against Huddersfield? In many ways it was. So as Jon and DCW gather with Opta's Matt Furniss they reflect on many aspects of the home defeat, particularly those two early substitutions. Also, with Matt's help, and his huge bank of data, the boys analyse the home and away form, the depth and use of our squad and if Val has been picking the...

The latest From the Rookery End podcast features two away day diaries, with Colin making the trip to Carrow Road and Mike heading to the New York Stadium (and Millmoor!) to see the Hornets in action. Hear how both journeys and both games went with Colin and Mike checking in before, during and after both fixtures, before Mike rounded up another Watford week upon his return from Yorkshire. Approxima...

Following the publication of Watford’s latest accounts, we reached out to the expert; Keiran Maguire from the Price of Football podcast. Kieran talks us through what the numbers mean, how they stack up against comprable clubs, what it means for the future and crucially, answers the question on all of our lips - should we be worried? There is also a bonus João Pedro update from the Seagulls support...

With an expanding podcast repitoire, and feeback from listeners, on this weekend's, and maybe on a few more, we decided to focus it on our reaction to the match. So here is Jon, Mike, Jason and DCW reacting to Watford's 2-1 defeat at home to Leicester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first of a new type of FTRE podcast, Matt Furniss, Watford fan and Opta stats guru, joins Jon and DCW to take a look at Watford from a different point of view. They discuss how much time Watford have been in a drawing position, how important Wesley Hoedt and Edo Kayembe are to the Hornets as well as Matt's views on Watford's strikers. The plan is for this to be a monthly podcast so send us...

Watford failed to find the back of the net for the second game in a row, after their third fixture in six days ended in a limp defeat at home to Cardiff. Ismael’s men were unable to recover from a sluggish start, with a lack of cutting edge in the final third their undoing once more. Mike, Jas and Jon gathered immediately after the game to run the rule over a disappointing day in WD18. This is Fro...

Mike, Colin, Olly Wicken and Andy (Mike's brother), drove their merry way up to Sheffield for the Hornet's midweek clash against the Owls. Under the dim lights of Hillsborough, on a pitch not fit for the modern age, Watford, and Wednesday, didn't really get started. Join the guys as you get an idea what it is like to sit next to Mike during a Watford match. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

In the wake of the draw with Southampton in the FA Cup 4th Round at Vicarage Road, Jon, Jas and Mike gathered in the shadow of the Hornet Shop to talk through the game. Has Mattie Pollock played himself into an extended stay at Watford? Are we seeing the best of Jamal Lewis? Has Val finally found the formula when it comes to Martins and Asprilla? Is it that hard to tell the difference between Sier...

With multiple reports suggesting Emmanuel Dennis is set to complete a shock return to Vicarage Road, the emergency pod alarm was sounded. Mike and Jon answered the call, and this episode is their take on the potential news. There are concerns on a number of levels, while hope of redemption for a player that continues to be divisive and left WD18 under a cloud also remains. Have a listen and l...

Watford’s decent away from continued with a creditable point at Bristol City, and Colin and DCW were there to see it - they share their thoughts. Mike and Jon are your hosts for this one, with the duo discussing events in Bristol, the transfer window so far and concerning news for Gino in Spain.  There’s never a dull week when it comes to Watford, with this one no exception. We cover it all o...