Former Players restructuring unlikely before the summer (From Watford Observer)

Watford Former Players Association restructuring unlikely to be concluded before the summer

7:00am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

The restructuring of Watford's Former Players Association is unlikely to be concluded until the summer.

Ex-Hornets defender Neil Price created the FPA with Graham Taylor in 2009, on a voluntary basis, before subsequently being hired by Watford in a sales position, when he then incorporated the two roles.

But Price was made redundant last summer and the former defender and club were at loggerheads initially over who controlled the organisation.

The two parties have been in talks in recent months and a six-man steering group is expected to be created, which will include Price, other former players and key personnel from the club.

It will be a voluntary committee aimed at setting up a constitution and benevolent fund for the club's former players, both of which Price had been trying to set up before his departure.

Watford say they want to ensure all the ex-players feel welcome and hope the organisation will benefit the former players and supporters.

The Hornets' head of supporter communications and sales, Richard Walker, said: "Progress is slower than we had hoped but the intention is to resolve any outstanding items for discussion, and have a fully-fledged organisation created, in the summer."

Price added: "We are progressing forward and understand that we have a basic agreement with the club. We are looking forward to it becoming a fully-fledged organisation in the summer ready for the new season, when Watford will hopefully be in the Premier League."