During the 2004–05 English football season, Watford competed in the Football League Championship.

Season summary The 2004–05 season saw a continuation of the good form of the end of the previous season, with the club well in the upper half of the Championship at the end of September. However, a long run of poor form subsequently saw the club drop steadily towards the relegation zone. Another good cup run further eased the club's financial position, with the team reaching the semi-final of the League Cup, soundly beating Premiership sides Portsmouth and Southampton on the way, before losing narrowly to Liverpool. The club's poor league form, however, came to a head in March, with a run of terrible performances and Lewington was sacked on 22 March. His sacking was controversial, and many fans were unhappy at the loss of a man who had led the club to two cup semi-finals in three seasons, enduring considerable financial hardships.

At the age of 34, Aidy Boothroyd was appointed manager of Watford after serving at Leeds United as a coach; 70-year-old Keith Burkinshaw was recruited as his assistant. Boothroyd's inexperience raised concerns among fans, who worried that he would not be able to keep the side in the Championship. However, Watford secured enough points to ensure survival with two games to go in the season.

Final league table

Results Watford's score comes first

Legend WinDrawLoss

Football League Championship DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 7 August 2004 Preston North EndA1–212,208Devlin 9 August 2004 Queens Park RangersH3–014,737Webber (2), Dyer 14 August 2004 BurnleyH0–112,048 21 August 2004 Leicester CityA1–022,478Webber 28 August 2004 Plymouth ArgyleH3–113,104Ardley, Webber (2) 11 September 2004 Brighton & Hove AlbionH1–114,148Webber 14 September 2004 Cardiff CityA3–010,606Webber (2), Ardley 19 September 2004 MillwallA2–010,865Webber, Helguson 25 September 2004 ReadingH0–113,389 28 September 2004 Wigan AthleticH0–011,361 2 October 2004 Crewe AlexandraA0–36,382 16 October 2004 Derby CountyA2–223,253Helguson (2) 19 October 2004 SunderlandH1–113,198Ardley 23 October 2004 Ipswich TownH2–222,497Helguson, Bouazza 30 October 2004 Nottingham ForestA2–124,473Helguson (2) 2 November 2004 GillinghamA0–07,009 6 November 2004 Derby CountyH2–213,689Helguson, Gunnarsson 13 November 2004 Sheffield UnitedA1–118,454Gunnarsson 20 November 2004 Rotherham UnitedH0–017,780 24 November 2004 Leeds UnitedA2–224,585Dyer (2) 27 November 2004 West Ham UnitedA2–324,541Gunnarsson, Dyer 4 December 2004 Stoke CityH0–112,169 11 December 2004 Wolverhampton WanderersH1–114,605Helguson 18 December 2004 Coventry CityA0–114,493 26 December 2004 ReadingA0–318,757 28 December 2004 Cardiff CityH0–013,409 1 January 2005 MillwallH1–013,158Helguson 3 January 2005 Brighton & Hove AlbionA1–26,335Helguson 15 January 2005 Crewe AlexandraH3–111,223Helguson (2), DeMerit 22 January 2005 Wigan AthleticA2–29,008Dyer, Webber 5 February 2005 GillinghamH2–015,188Ashby (own goal), Eagles 12 February 2005 SunderlandA2–424,948Dyer (2) 22 February 2005 Ipswich TownA2–123,993DeMerit, Dyer 26 February 2005 Wolverhampton WanderersA0–025,060 5 March 2005 Coventry CityH2–313,794Dyer, Webber 8 March 2005 Nottingham ForestH0–212,118 12 March 2005 Queens Park RangersA1–316,638Ardley 15 March 2005 Leicester CityH2–211,084DeMerit, Webber (pen) 19 March 2005 Preston North EndH0–219,649 2 April 2005 BurnleyA1–311,507Blizzard 5 April 2005 Plymouth ArgyleA0–115,333 9 April 2005 Leeds UnitedH1–216,306Helguson 16 April 2005 Rotherham UnitedA1–05,438Helguson 23 April 2005 Sheffield UnitedH0–017,138 30 April 2005 Stoke CityA1–015,229Helguson 8 May 2005 West Ham UnitedH1–219,673Helguson

FA Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR38 January 2005 FulhamH1–114,896Helguson (pen)R3R19 January 2005 FulhamA0–211,306

League Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR124 August 2004 Cambridge UnitedH1–06,558FerrellR221 September 2004 ReadingA3–08,429Cox (pen), Bouazza, Ingimarsson (own goal)R326 October 2004 Sheffield UnitedA0–0 (won 4–2 on pens)7,689R49 November 2004 SouthamptonH5–213,008Dyer, Chambers (2), Helguson, BouazzaR530 November 2004 PortsmouthH3–018,877Helguson (2), DyerSF 1st Leg11 January 2005 LiverpoolA0–135,739SF 2nd Leg25 January 2005 LiverpoolH0–119,797

Players First-team squad Squad at end of season

Dyer was born in Redbridge, England, and represented them at U-21 level, but played a friendly game for Montserrat against Ashford Town in September 2007.

Left club during season

Transfers

In Andy Ferrell – Newcastle United, free Jermaine Darlington – Milton Keynes Dons, free James Chambers – West Bromwich Albion, £250,000

Out Paolo Vernazza – Rotherham United, free Wayne Brown – Colchester United, free Micah HydeHyde was born in Newham, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally and made his international debut for Jamaica in 2001. – Burnley, free Neal Ardley – Cardiff City, free Scott Fitzgerald – Brentford, free Marcus Gayle – Brentford, free

References

Notes