Elton John’s association with Watford FC

Sir Elton John has a deep affection for the football club that he has supported since he was a little boy. He has supported them as a fan from the stands - as well as being a key stakeholder in recent years. 

Elton John’s association with Watford FC
Elton John FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium. 19/05/1984 - Everton V Watford.
(Photo by Bob Thomas Sports photography via Getty Images) 
danielmoroney
By Daniel Moroney

Reginald Kenneth Dwight, to which he was known at birth, but now most famously known as Elton John, is a famous icon within the music industry. Apart from his legacy in the world of music, he is also held high in the thoughts of many Watford supporters as he was fundamental to Watford's history and success, to whom many people believe the club would not be in the same position without Elton's involvement with the club.

Watford were massively helped by the pop star's finance and Graham Taylor's management skills - which led the pair to take the club from the fourth division to the top-flight in the years up to 1987.

The Rocketman was a boyhood Watford fan born in Pinner. Elton attended Watford matches as young as five years old. During this time, Watford wore a dark blue strip instead of their distinguishable yellow and black strip.

While Elton was a teenager and was honing his craft as a pianist in pubs around England, Watford won two promotions within a decade to earn a brief stint in the second division. In 1973, Elton became the new Watford president - but after his second year serving as president, the Hornets were relegated back to the fourth division.

  • Elton John's meteoric rise

In 1976, Elton John left his role as president and climbed up the ranks to be named the new Watford Football Club Chairman. By this point, the Rocketman had released ten studio albums and his hit singles 'Tiny Dancer' and 'Rocketman'. In 1977, he decided to appoint a then 32-year-old in Graham Taylor.

Within five seasons, the recognizable duo, Graham and Elton, had led the Hornets to three promotions, which warranted Watford's first appearance in the top flight of the English game.

Even though many people anticipated that Taylor's team would go back down after being just promoted to the Premiership, they astonished the League and challenged Liverpool for the League title in 1983, but ultimately fell short and finished in second place.

Following four seasons as a mid-table club playing in the top flight, Taylor left to manage Aston Villa. The following season after Graham's departure, Watford were relegated from the top flight. Elton decided to sell the club to Jack Petchey in 1990, so he could focus on his personal life. 

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  • Elton John's second takeover

By the mid-90s, life as a Watford fan was pretty dull after Watford had been relegated to the third division. Elton decided to buy the club back, and he re-hired Graham Taylor as manager - who was then managing England - where he failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup and received a lot of backlash from the press.

This gave Taylor more motivation to return to Vicarage Road and restore his reputation quickly. The duo's partnership again paid dividends as the club got two promotions, which led Watford back to playing in the Premier League in 1999.

Taylor retired in 2001 and sadly passed away on the 12th of January 2017, and Elton resigned as chairman the following year.

Although the second spell was brief - it was exactly what Watford needed.

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  • The Sir Elton John Stand

In December 2014, Watford decided to name a new stand after the club icon at Vicarage Road, calling it the Sir Elton John Stand. Elton described it as "one of the greatest days of my life"

He said: "I never thought I would have a stand named after me. I never thought I would sit in the stand!"

Also in your experience when visiting Watford's home ground, you may see a young picture of Elton on the side of his stand, done by Murwalls art.

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  • Elton's recent comments about Watford

Elton said: “Yes, we had a horrendous year last year, but we’ve got to put that behind us. We’ve got to back the new coach, we’ve got to back the team and they’ve got to play with a lot more f***ing passion than they did last year.

"I first came to Vicarage Road when I was six years old, in 1953, and it was a pitiful sight. And when I became chairman, it was still a pitiful sight, but now we have a beautiful stadium, and I’m so proud of what I see.

“You have no idea how much this club is embedded in my soul. I love this club so much, it is a part of my life. It’s been a huge part of my life. I love you, Watford Football Club. I love you so, so much. I wish you love, happiness and health."

  • Elton's future working with Watford

Elton John has said in his recent concert, held at Vicarage Roadthat he has spoken to chief executive Scott Duxbury about becoming more involved with the club from next year after his Farewell Yellow Brick Tour ends.

He said: "Once I'm done touring, I want to get my hands dirty, get back involved with the club - we've got a great team, a great manager, and I'm so hopeful for the future.

The Rocketman is 75 years old and remains a lifelong president at Vicarage Road. It is not clear to what extent how involved he wants to become, but all we can do is wait and see, and I am sure the Watford fans would welcome support from Elton, who will always be remembered fondly by the people in Watford.