Many have been associated with the yellow of Watford, but few are bestowed with the honour of being inducted into the club’s hall of fame.

That is exactly the privilege which was given to former player and coach Tom Walley, though, as the 73-year-old was handed the keys to Hornet immortality at the club’s end of season awards.

While he made an impact on the pitch as a veteran of over 200 appearances across two spells with Watford, it was as a youth team coach where Walley truly inspired.

He played a pivotal role in the development of a host of Watford icons who were at Wembley to pay tribute to their former coach.

“It’s a privilege for me to be here tonight to see Tom inducted into the hall of fame and he was a massive influence on my career,” former Hornets skipper Nigel Gibbs told the club website.

“I don’t think I have met such a passionate and enthusiastic person for football in my career.

“When you talk about legends and people being inducted into the hall of fame, Tom Walley has got to be up there when you think about the players he has brought through.

“He is a worthy, worthy winner and I am very happy for him to be in the hall of fame.”

Walley’s influence on a number of players who climbed through the ranks at Watford is undoubted and he was in charge of the side which won the FA Youth Cup in 1982.

Many of the players who spoke during the awards evening shared stories of the supportive role Walley played not only in their careers, but also life outside football.

Kenney Jackett would go on to have a successful playing, coaching and management career and described Walley as a parental figure.

“He is a fantastic character and I have known him since I was a young boy,” Jackett said. “Outside of my parents he has been the biggest influence on my life.

“I have known him as a player, a coach and as a manager. He is a very good person, good man-manager and, during his time at Watford, a very good coach as well.”