| Seven things you probably do not know about the | | | | succeeding in the third! |
| Premiership's youngest manager, the dynamic but | | | | 5. Told after the Hornets 2-1 away win against bitter |
| likeable Aidy Boothroyd of Watford. | | | | local rivals Luton that he could walk into any bar in |
| 1. Rejected by lower league clubs Wycombe and | | | | Watford that evening and not have to put his hand in |
| Oxford as being too young and inexperienced, Aidy | | | | his pocket, he replied with his broad Yorkshire accent |
| was eventually given his chance by | | | | and keen sense of humour, "I come from Bradford lad, |
| relegation-threatened Watford in the Championship in | | | | I don't buy drinks"! |
| April 2005. | | | | 6. Failures as players often succeed as managers. |
| 2. Saved them from relegation with a late run of | | | | Aidy had to retire from playing at the tender age of 26 |
| victories, then surprised the whole footballing world by | | | | with a bad leg injury after an undistinguished career. |
| claiming that he would take little Watford, from the | | | | Now he is optimistic, almost to the point of arrogance. |
| forgotten backwaters of Hertfordshire, to the | | | | "We were the bookies favourites for relegation last |
| Premiership within three years. | | | | season, and we won promotion. We will be the |
| 3. Always a supreme optimist, and very confident in his | | | | bookies favourites for the drop again this season, but |
| own abilities, even Aidy must have been surprised to | | | | we will not be relegated, I guarantee it", he claims. Who |
| take the Hornets to the top flight of English soccer in | | | | would bet against this confident, aggressive young |
| his first full season of management. | | | | man being the next England manager? |
| Magnificent victories over supposed bigger clubs and | | | | 7. He will take Watford to further heights yet, but he is |
| bookies favourites such as Sheffield United, Crystal | | | | ambitious. Even Watford fans who were slow to be |
| Palace and Leeds United (in the play-off final) took | | | | convinced when "Aidy Who" was appointed, now |
| Watford to the promised land during an exciting finale | | | | admit he is an icon, a local god. They are convinced he |
| to the season. Even the Sky TV cameras were | | | | will follow in the footsteps of another Watford great, |
| forced to cover these matches for live transmission | | | | Graham Taylor, and eventually take over the England |
| such was Aidy's staggering progress with his Golden | | | | hot seat. Taylor could not keep Watford in the |
| Boys. | | | | Premiership for longer than their one solitary year to |
| 4. Aidy wrote on the back of a cigarette paper when | | | | date, back in 1999. Boothroyd will keep the Hornets up, |
| finally appointed by Watford, "Championship Manager; | | | | however, for he has guaranteed it! The cigarette pack |
| Premiership Manager; International Manager" in true | | | | stated "International Manager", so if England dither, |
| Ricky Tomlinson style! To have fulfilled the first two in | | | | there are always opportunites in the UK or Europe. |
| his first fourteen months of professional management | | | | Steve MacClaren, you have been warned! |
| is utterly amazing. Who would now bet against him | | | | |