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
Chairman Elton John
Manager 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 42 24 10 8 87 37 +50 82 European Cup[lower-alpha 1]
2 Watford 42 22 5 15 74 57 +17 71 UEFA Cup
3 Manchester United 42 19 13 10 56 38 +18 70 Cup Winners' Cup[lower-alpha 2]
4 Tottenham Hotspur 42 20 9 13 65 50 +15 69 UEFA Cup
5 Nottingham Forest 42 20 9 13 62 50 +12 69
Source:
Notes:
  1. Liverpool were also this season's League Cup winners.
  2. 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  ENG Steve Sherwood
— GK  ENG Eric Steele
— DF  ENG Ian Bolton
— DF  ENG Paul Franklin
— DF  ENG Richard Jobson
— DF  ENG Charlie Palmer
— DF  ENG Neil Price
— DF  ENG Wilf Rostron
— DF  ENG Steve Sims
— DF  ENG Steve Terry
— DF  WAL Kenny Jackett
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  NIR Pat Rice
— MF  ENG John Barnes
— MF  ENG Nigel Callaghan
— MF  ENG Martin Patching
— MF  ENG Les Taylor
— MF  NED Jan Lohman
— FW  ENG Luther Blissett
— FW  ENG Jimmy Gilligan
— FW  ENG Ross Jenkins
— FW  ENG David Johnson
— FW  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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