2004–05 Watford F.C. season


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

Football League Championship

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R38 January 2005FulhamH1-114,896Helguson
R3R19 January 2005FulhamA0-211,306

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R124 August 2004Cambridge UnitedH1-06,558Ferrell
R221 September 2004ReadingA3-08,429Cox, Bouazza, Ingimarsson
R326 October 2004Sheffield UnitedA0-0 7,689
R49 November 2004SouthamptonH5-213,008Dyer, Chambers, Helguson, Bouazza
R530 November 2004PortsmouthH3-018,877Helguson, Dyer
SF 1st Leg11 January 2005LiverpoolA0-135,739
SF 2nd Leg25 January 2005LiverpoolH0-119,797

Players

First-team squad

Left club during season

Transfers

In