Elton John is considered to be one of the greatest musicians to have ever come from the United Kingdom. With great hits such as Rocketman and Tiny Dancer, he is one of music’s global icons. However, the musician has had one true love since he was a little kid. Watford Football club. From fans in the terraces to club owners to having a stand named after him. This is how one of pop’s biggest icon’s became fully associated with Watford FC.
Elton John started attending Watford games when he was five years old, when Watford didn’t even play in yellow and were dressed in blue instead and the hornets were actually referred to as the potters.
However, it was in 1974 when the two really became affiliated with each other as Elton became vice president of the club. He had just started to become big and put on a concert at Vicarage Road with Rod Stewart where 30,000 people attended which gave the club much needed funds to help them survive.
Elton John purchased the club in 1976 when Watford were at the bottom of the entire football league, (league 2), and appointed Graham Taylor as manager, who rejected a move to West Bromwich Albion who were in the first division to work with the music icon. A historic relationship was born.
Watford under Taylor became unstoppable. Rising up the football leagues with players such as John Barnes and Ross Jenkins in the squad, the club went up from 92nd (bottom of league 2) to 1st in the space of 5 years.
In 1982 Watford finished second in the first division and therefore qualified for the UEFA cup for the next season. They were able to advance to the third round but lost to Sparta Prague.
In the same season they were able to reach the FA Cup final but lost to Everton who were one of the best teams in Europe at the time. Elton John was seen crying before kick off as the magnitude of his achievements with his boyhood club became a reality.
Elton would sell the club in 1990 but was still associated with the club as he continued to be president. However, in 1997 he brought the club back and re-appointed Graham Taylor again believing he can do it “all over again.”
Watford saw the same success in the second run as Watford secured back to back promotions again back to the premiership via the playoffs after beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0.
Elton stepped down as chairman in 2002 as he said: “I want Watford to be led by a chairman who will be able to devote more time to the club as I have.”
He remained at the club as an honorary life long president and has continued to support the team ever since.
Elton played two more concerts in 2005 and 2010 which were able to fund more vital funds for the club when they were in financial deprivation. He was able to raise over 1 million pounds for each concert. The funds contributed to signing club legend Troy Deeney.
His dedication for the club was rewarded with the naming of the East Stand to the Sir Elton John Stand in 2014.
Elton said it was “one of the greatest days of my life.
“What can I say? It’s in my heart, in my soul, you can’t get rid of it. My passion for this club has never died and I am so proud of this club.”
Elton John earned the right to have a stand named after him, he and Graham Taylor made Watford into the club that it has become today, it may not have won any of the major domestic trophies but they took it from a club that nearly ceased to exist to one that has featured in the top division multiple times. Elton is Watford till he dies and that is clear to see.