Norwich City History Against......Watford

All Competitions

Norwich City 38 wins   Watford 26 wins   29 draws

Norwich goals 168   Watford goals 125

Football League

Norwich City 35 wins   Watford 26 wins   29 draws

Norwich goals 161   Watford goals 125

All league games at Norwich

Norwich City 25 wins   Watford 10 wins   10 draws

Norwich goals 99   Watford goals 53

All league games at Watford

Norwich City 10 wins   Watford 16 wins   19 draws

Norwich goals 62   Watford goals 72

Cup Football

Norwich City 3 wins   Watford 0 wins   0 draws

Norwich goals 7   Watford goals 0

Formed much earlier than Norwich City, in 1881, and originally known as Watford Rovers, Watford were playing in the FA Cup as far back as 1886-87. They became known as West Hertfordshire and when merged with Watford St. Mary's changed their name to Watford FC. They have played at Vicarage Road since 1922.

Having been in the same Southern League division from 1905 to 1920, both clubs joined the Football League at the same time, competing in Division 3 in 1920-21. The first game took place on 26th March 1921, a 1-1 draw at The Nest, followed by a 2-1 win for the Hornets a week later in the return game. It was not until the sixth match of the series that Norwich got their first win, 2-0 at home on 2nd April 1923 with both goals from James Mills.

Watford were to continue in Division 3 South until 1969 apart from two seasons in Division 4 (they were put into that division when it first started in 1958-59). Therefore, apart from the years when Norwich graduated to Division 2 (1933 to 1939) the sides met every season through to the early sixties. From the seventies onwards however, both clubs experienced promotions and relegations but still managed to meet quite often, hence this is the 45th year in which they have been at the same level.

In 1971-72 Norwich City finished as Division Two champions, ending the season with a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road thanks to a David Stringer goal which secured top spot. Watford meanwhile finished bottom of the table and were relegated, and spent the rest of the decade back in Divisions 3 and 4 before a remarkable transformation under Graham Taylor saw them win through to the top flight in five quick years. Promotion came in 1981-82 alongside Luton Town and the Canaries. Remarkably they finished 2nd in Division 1 in 1982-83, gained qualification to the UEFA Cup, and in 1984 reached the FA Cup Final, losing 2-0 to Everton.

They remained with the elite until 1988, but since then have largely been a second tier club apart from two seasons in Division 2 in the nineties and two single seasons in the Premier League 1999-00 and 2006-07, when they finished bottom on both occasions.

Norwich have scored four goals or more against Watford on no less than 11 occasions, the biggest scoreline being 6-1 in the 1984 Division 1 game at Carrow Road. John Devine and Greg Downs scored, and so did John Deehan - four times ! Watford's best wins are 4-1, in 1946 and 2001.

City's last win at Vicarage Road was on the 24th of April 2004 by two goals to one, as strikes from Damien Francis and Leon McKenzie secured promotion to the Premier League. The first clash in the 2010-11 Championship season came in the very first fixture of the campaign, when the Hornets visited Carrow Road and took away the three points with a 3-2 win in front of the Sky TV cameras. The Canaries goals on the night came from Andrew Crofts and Michael Nelson. The return at Watford took place in April with City chasing automatic promotion to the top level and ended in a 2-2 draw with goals from loanee Sam Vokes and Simeon Jackson.

Despite the long history, only twice have the clubs been drawn together in cup competitions, in the 1950 FA Cup which City won 2-0, and the 1990-91 League Cup where they won again, 5-0 over two legs.

Former Canaries with Watford connections include Mike Walker, Ron Saunders and Tim Sherwood, and they are currently managed by Norwich City favourite, Malky Mackay.

To see what part Watford have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility in the sidebar. 

Most recent games
12 Apr 2011  (Championship)  Watford 2 Norwich City 2  

6 Aug 2010   (Championship)  Norwich City 2 Watford 3

13 Apr 2009  (Championship)  Norwich City 2 Watford 0

10 Dec 2008  (Championship)  Watford 2 Norwich City 1

4 Mar 2008   (Championship)  Watford 1 Norwich City 1

6 Nov 2007   (Championship)  Norwich City 1 Watford 3 

pictured : Mike Walker, former Norwich manager who played in goal in 137 league games for Watford between 1968 and 1973.