Watford Football Club, based in Hertfordshire, was founded in 1881 as Watford Rovers. Initially made up of amateur players, the club merged with Watford St Mary’s in 1898 to become Watford FC. The team joined the Southern League in 1896, and after early successes—including a Southern League championship in 1915—they entered the Football League Third Division in 1920 and became founder members of the Third Division South a year later.

Watford moved to Vicarage Road in 1922, which remains their home ground. The club’s most notable era came under manager Graham Taylor between 1977 and 1987, when Watford advanced from the fourth tier to finish second in the top division and reached the 1984 FA Cup final. Watford have also enjoyed spells in the Premier League, most recently from 2015 to 2020 and again in the 2021–22 season. The club has a longstanding rivalry with Luton Town.