1982–83 Watford F.C. season

During the 1982–83 English football season, Watford F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, after being promoted from the Second Division the previous season. Under Graham Taylor's management, Watford finished second in the First Division – their highest ever league finish.^[1] As a result, Watford qualified for European competition for the first time.^[2] Luther Blissett finished the season as the division's top scorer, with 27 league goals.^[3]

Watford

1982–83 season
Chairman	Elton John
Manager	Graham Taylor
Stadium	Vicarage Road
First Division	2nd
FA Cup	Fifth round
League Cup	Third round
Football League Trophy	Quarter-final
Top goalscorer	League: Luther Blissett (27) All: Luther Blissett (33)
← 1981–82 1983–84 →

League table

Main article: 1982–83 Football League § First Division

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Liverpool (C)	42	24	10	8	87	37	+50	82	Qualification for the European Cup first round
2	Watford	42	22	5	15	74	57	+17	71	Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
3	Manchester United	42	19	13	10	56	38	+18	70	Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round^[a]
4	Tottenham Hotspur	42	20	9	13	65	50	+15	69	Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
5	Nottingham Forest	42	20	9	13	62	50	+12	69

Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:

1. Manchester United qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup first round as the 1982–83 FA Cup winners.

Squad

Squad at end of season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK   ENG Steve Sherwood — GK   ENG Eric Steele — DF   ENG Ian Bolton — DF   ENG Paul Franklin — DF   ENG Richard Jobson — DF   ENG Charlie Palmer — DF   ENG Neil Price — DF   ENG Wilf Rostron — DF   ENG Steve Sims — DF   ENG Steve Terry — DF   WAL Kenny Jackett

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF   NIR Pat Rice — MF   ENG John Barnes — MF   ENG Nigel Callaghan — MF   ENG Martin Patching — MF   ENG Les Taylor — MF   NED Jan Lohman — FW   ENG Luther Blissett — FW   ENG Jimmy Gilligan — FW   ENG Ross Jenkins — FW   ENG David Johnson — FW   NIR Gerry Armstrong

References

1. Pickard, Michael (25 June 2010). "Les Taylor recalls 1984 final". Watford Observer. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
2. "Graham Taylor factfile". The Guardian. 29 March 2001. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
3. Ross, James M. (15 July 2011). "English league leading goalscorers". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 8 February 2012.

Further reading

• Birnie, Lionel (2010). Enjoy the Game – Watford FC, The Story of the Eighties. Peloton Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9567814-0-6.
• Phillips, Oliver (2001). The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes. Alpine Press Ltd. ISBN 0-9528631-6-2.
• Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.
• Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
• Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford Football Club. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0.