Elton John quits Watford FC role (From Watford Observer)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting WO to 80360, or email us
Elton John quits Watford FC role
7:13pm Wednesday 5th November 2008 in
Sir Elton John has dramatically resigned as Life President of Watford FC tonight.
The two-times Hornets chairman made the announcement on his website and it continues an increasingly turbulent week for the Hornets, following the departure of Aidy Boothroyd as manager and the calling of an emergency general meeting next month where the club's three-man board will face a vote of no confidence and demands for their immediate resignation.
The statement reads : "Elton John has decided to resign as Life President of Watford Football Club. In a letter to Watford chairman Graham Simpson, Elton affirmed that he would always be a fan of Watford.
“Elton wishes the team every success for the future. However, in the light of developments over the past few months, he feels he cannot remain in any formal position within the club.”
Although the full reasons for the rock star's decision are not yet known, it is likely that Boothroyd's departure may have triggered it following last month's outspoken statement in which he raised his fears for the future of the club.
Comments(65)
VoR
says...
7:17pm Wed 5 Nov 08
After the Goldrush
says...
7:27pm Wed 5 Nov 08
So Sad...
Why Can't We Talk It Over
VoR
says...
7:30pm Wed 5 Nov 08
Goodbye yellow brick road.
After the Goldrush
says...
7:35pm Wed 5 Nov 08
WFC4ever
says...
8:26pm Wed 5 Nov 08
I hope he does still carry on being a fan of a club even fi his does not like the current situation.
Afterall we all will still be supporters?
ab11uk
says...
8:33pm Wed 5 Nov 08
and you numptys.(your not fans) have a go at him.
to be honest VOR you can **** off and the rest of u are a disgrace hang ur heads in shame.
why should he save the club with these people in charge.
you invest your money in these jokers.
Berks Horn
says...
8:51pm Wed 5 Nov 08
What a sad day. If Elton feels so strongly about it I can only hope that he puts his money where his mouth is but this very much has the feeling of him walking away completely.
Simpson - what are you doing to our club? You're a disgrace.
Grigg
says...
8:53pm Wed 5 Nov 08
It is not good news to have Elton go. His role was probably honorary, but to have someone that so shaped the history of this club in the last three and a half decades decide he wants nothing to do with the running of the club is sad. Isn't it about time we got some good news?
WFC4ever
says...
8:57pm Wed 5 Nov 08
Vicar Rage
says...
8:58pm Wed 5 Nov 08
When someone who has put so much into the club in the past - and is clearly a passionate fan - decides to resign from what is really an honorary position, it does truly show just how far removed the club now is from all the good traditions, ethos and reputation Watford FC once had.
I was no fan of Boothroyd and I couldn't see him turning things around. But given a choice of him being first through the exit door, or the current chairman and CEO, I'd have kept Boothroyd.
Do these people really want to sell the club? Do they really want to do what they say, and act in the best interests of Watford FC?
If so, go - as soon as possible.
Don't appoint a new manager. Don't waste any more of our limited resources. Don't hang around because you're really not wanted.
Drop your price, do whatever it takes to hasten a purchase.
But go now.
Sunbury Horn
says...
9:17pm Wed 5 Nov 08
Maybe I'm one of the oldest readers of this site, otherwise it seems incredible how short some memories can be.
I'll always be grateful to Elton for the amazing times he brought to the club in his 2 stints as chairman, but this is also a guy who has not once, but twice left the club completely up **** creek.
Of course it was his money and he was/is quite entitled to spend it as he sees fit, but remember in 1987, it was Elton who tried to sell our club first to Robert Maxwell, then Paul Raymond, before finally landing on Jack Petchey. If only this message board had existed in those days!
And when the club faced what was surely its most critical time in 2002 in the days following the collapse of ITV digital, Elton was one of the first to jump in the lifeboat.
So yes, hugely grateful for what Elton brought to the club, but please lets get some perspective, Elton hasn't proved to be the great leader and saviour whenever the going has got tough.
Vicar Rage
says...
9:29pm Wed 5 Nov 08
If he had not arrived when he did, achieved what he achieved, spent what he spent and cared as he cared, the current mob would never have got the chance to do what they're doing.
I don't care when and how he walked away - Elton is massively, massively in credit as far as Watford are concerned.
Roger68
says...
9:39pm Wed 5 Nov 08
Sunbury Horn
says...
9:41pm Wed 5 Nov 08
Sunbury Horn
says...
9:54pm Wed 5 Nov 08
You may of course be right about the emerging pattern, I hadn't thought of that myself, tending instead towards the **** up theory, where Sir Elton's recent comments seem more a case of toys being thrown from prams.
johnny b
says...
9:57pm Wed 5 Nov 08
Grigg wrote:Grigg,
VoR - are you turning into the new Colin or what with your snide comments?
It is not good news to have Elton go. His role was probably honorary, but to have someone that so shaped the history of this club in the last three and a half decades decide he wants nothing to do with the running of the club is sad. Isn't it about time we got some good news?
Victim of Radiation is the new colin
He,s got to be a scummer in disguise
johnny b
says...
10:06pm Wed 5 Nov 08
VoR wrote:Yeah,
He's having one of his infamous hissy fits again!
Goodbye yellow brick road.
And no more of his infamous concerts to put a million into watfords coffers..
You really are a joker mate
duckfan10
says...
10:15pm Wed 5 Nov 08
bownie
says...
10:16pm Wed 5 Nov 08
djwatford
says...
11:02pm Wed 5 Nov 08
Let's hope the situation improves enough for him to return one day.
VoR
says...
11:12pm Wed 5 Nov 08
ab11uk wrote:I will not stoop to your level, but you're seriously testing me.
so the saviour of this club on every occasion walks away becasue he wants nothing to do with the board.
and you numptys.(your not fans) have a go at him.
to be honest VOR you can **** off and the rest of u are a disgrace hang ur heads in shame.
why should he save the club with these people in charge.
you invest your money in these jokers.
Carry on this with this lark, we'll all be in danger of scrapping in stands together....
You keyboard warrior you!
As a club we are massively indebted to the guy but isn't this about the 3rd time (different board members)he's walked away when things got tough?
I was getting fed up with people calling for him to come back everytime all was not well anyhow.
Tell me where I've had a go at him, he has hissy's all the time, just ask David. I think it's time for him to let us have our own identity.
An interesting debate nonetheless, so please let us discuss further -- The Moons... maybe pre/post QPR? as i fear you've got issues.
Col...They're likening me to you, are thet for real? I'm still p1ssing myself over that!
T Smith
says...
11:19pm Wed 5 Nov 08
n..are you ever going to listen...VoR...you have to be a Luton WUM....you most certainly could never be a WFC fan....you're a disgrace...please go back to the Luton boards!!
harry hornet wfc
says...
11:27pm Wed 5 Nov 08
VoR
says...
11:29pm Wed 5 Nov 08
duckfan10 wrote:Completely right duckfan10...
I was a season ticket holder prior to Elton arriving on the scene - and I can assure you the scene was pretty dismal. If it was not for Elton we would never have ended up in the Premier League - if it was not for the current board we would not be where we are now.
We would not have been in existence today.
VoR
says...
11:47pm Wed 5 Nov 08
T Smith wrote:Bit of advise.
This I think tells most people the real state of affairs at WFC......(well maybe apart from that pr*t VoR)....the resignation of a lifelong president should send some MASSIVE concerns......Simpso
n..are you ever going to listen...VoR...you have to be a Luton WUM....you most certainly could never be a WFC fan....you're a disgrace...please go back to the Luton boards!!
Read over your post a couple of times before hitting the send button.
You're letting yourself down.
So many issues and not enough tissues!
we should take a vote.
T Smith
says...
12:53am Thu 6 Nov 08
WFC4ever
says...
6:07am Thu 6 Nov 08
When have the people that really wanting Boothroyd gone BTW?
I think VOR is just trying to be cheeky and mess you around.
Vicar Rage
says...
8:01am Thu 6 Nov 08
Elton certainly made mistakes as chairman, but given the length of time he was at the rudder, that's almost inevitable. Name a chairman who stays at a club as long as him and doesn't drop the odd gaffe.
My point is he's a massive fan of longstanding. The position he has resigned from was given to him as an honour, and it involved him doing nothing more than filling the role.
To therefore decide he doesn't even want that association is damning. He obviously knows more than the rest of us about what is really going on (and I think we all know where some of his inside information may have come from).
As I have said previously, it's just a more high profile and therefore louder voice saying what many fans are saying - they can't associate with the club at the moment and cannot reconcile much of what is being said and done.
I was certainly in the camp that felt Boothroyd was out of time - but for the club to truly move forward, we need a total clearout.
I'd really like to think the board are doing what they say they are, and trying as hard as possible and doing all they can to facilitate a sale.
JonBoy
says...
8:06am Thu 6 Nov 08
thegift
says...
8:07am Thu 6 Nov 08
scotshorn
says...
8:13am Thu 6 Nov 08
Vicar Rage wrote:.......and surely this same logic should apply to the "current mob". If they had not arrived when they did, achieved what they achieved and cared as they cared, it's doubtful that this argument would be going on - not too many posters on here would be around watching a Conference (or below) team.
Sunbury - if you have a long memory, you'll remember Vicarage Road (and the status of Watford generally) pre Elton John. If he had not arrived when he did, achieved what he achieved, spent what he spent and cared as he cared, the current mob would never have got the chance to do what they're doing. I don't care when and how he walked away - Elton is massively, massively in credit as far as Watford are concerned.
JonBoy
says...
8:38am Thu 6 Nov 08
scotshorn wrote:Take your blinkers off and you'll see that the current mob are running this club into the ground and destroying the ethos of a generation.
Vicar Rage wrote: Sunbury - if you have a long memory, you'll remember Vicarage Road (and the status of Watford generally) pre Elton John. If he had not arrived when he did, achieved what he achieved, spent what he spent and cared as he cared, the current mob would never have got the chance to do what they're doing. I don't care when and how he walked away - Elton is massively, massively in credit as far as Watford are concerned........and surely this same logic should apply to the "current mob". If they had not arrived when they did, achieved what they achieved and cared as they cared, it's doubtful that this argument would be going on - not too many posters on here would be around watching a Conference (or below) team.
No longer are we a club with family values, any sense of morality. Dare to stand up to this mob and you will be disposed of, haven't you seen enough ruthlessness from this mob?
If only we had a passionate fan base that cared.
VoR
says...
8:50am Thu 6 Nov 08
I'm surprised and disappointed of you WFC4ever, coming down to their level!
Doesn't Life president supposed to be for life?
And well said Scotty!
Vicar Rage
says...
9:03am Thu 6 Nov 08
The current financial plight is of their own making. They openly admit they gambled everything.
I'd say that is an approach that is at best careless - but is probably far worse.
The current mob made one all or nothing decision before (appoint Boothroyd) and it paid off, giving them a massive Premiership pay-day.
Then they sold players for large sums of money, most of whom were at the club before Boothroyd arrived.
The cash must have been slushing around in bundles.
Watford Football Club should have been financially secure for years to come - and even if they wanted to have a quite understandable go at getting back up, they should have been frugal (a word Simpson likes) enough to have put a pot of money to one side to ensure they could still be liquid and competitive if the promotion bid failed.
We've been promised five-year plans, the club operating in the black, new stands and a 7-day-a-week business.
Yet in three short years we've come full circle and now have a relegation threatened squad, little or no money and a ramshackle stadium.
Elton was here longer and had more time to make mistakes, but he left the club in a far better position than he found it.
Watford is where I lay my hat
says...
9:18am Thu 6 Nov 08
Its a real shame that the board, after doing great things when they first arrived (taking a punt on Boothroyd was a stroke of genius I think despite how things have gone recently)have allowed us to get into this situation but I honestly think they did it with the clubs best interests at heart.
But history shows that if you over extend yourself in search of success and don't get it then you lead yourself into this kind of mess - Leeds anyone? Personally as much as I want the club to be competing at the highest level I think we should have continued down the more prudent route (after all the tortoise won the race in the end didn't he) but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
So yes the board have messed up big style and it is time for them to go, but their recent antics I think stem from them knowing they have screwed up and trying to front it out out of embarrasment.
Anyway, hopefully we'll get a new buyer soon and they'll ask EJ to come back as life president. For me he has to be part of the club as if it wasn't for him and GT our ambitions would probably never have gone beyond getting into, or not being relegated from the 1st division.
Bendean
says...
9:22am Thu 6 Nov 08
ab11uk
says...
9:32am Thu 6 Nov 08
derry pigweed
says...
9:34am Thu 6 Nov 08
Roger68
says...
10:49am Thu 6 Nov 08
Hexham Hornet
says...
10:51am Thu 6 Nov 08
In the same token we must look at the current Chairman and remind ourselves that it has not all been bad under him. He had the courage to bring in Aidy in the first place (as Elton did with GT) and he got us to the top flight a lot quicker than everybody expected (as Elton and GT did), he has taken us to semi-finals of cup competitions (see brackets above) and now he wants out. The difference is that at the moment many of us are on a downer with him but the History books will all remind us of what he has achieved and once we have calmed down we will be able to see that he has done a lot of good. He even went one better than Elton in so far he has managed to get plans passed for the ground improvements.
Perhaps now is a good time for him to move on, as it was (apparently) with Aidy.
Aidy was our second most successful manager and I think you could say that Simpson is our second best Chairman.
Roger68
says...
11:55am Thu 6 Nov 08
Prof Plum
says...
11:56am Thu 6 Nov 08
After the Goldrush wrote:1974 - Duncan Welbourne testimonial. I seem to remember that he played in his glasses.
His best game was on the wing against wolves in a testimonial game for ?????? Anyone? must have been late seventies.
The way things are going we might need him to lace his boots up again....
Roger68
says...
11:58am Thu 6 Nov 08
Bomber
says...
12:03pm Thu 6 Nov 08
JamesA
says...
12:30pm Thu 6 Nov 08
EJ does have a penchant for the dramatic gesture. And, while his place in the history of WFC is not in doubt, I'd personally prefer it if he was a little more constructive in his actions.
Hopefully at some point he'll return to play an active role in the club's future.
Hexham Hornet
says...
12:34pm Thu 6 Nov 08
People who don't agree with others start accusing them of being Luton supporters, how low can they sink?
Fans should now concentrate on either removing or saving the board and getting behind the team and stop fighting amongst themselves over things they cannot do anything about.
ab11uk
says...
12:46pm Thu 6 Nov 08
Elton has walked away from a position watford gave to him. Il put it in simple to terms.
Its as if he was offered the keys to the town only to turn up and say no thanks its crap.
How specific do you want him to be with his resignation?????
he released a statement sayign the board were woeful. then he resigns from a honorary position. The position isnt a job its just a association?
What more do you want him to do to show his feelings to this board?
Roger is your quote a ironic comment on simpsons tenor?
At the moment he is exercising his power without responsibilty.
or is it just a silly confused comment about Elton hating the board and what it has done with the club. which all true supporters agree with
ab11uk
says...
1:01pm Thu 6 Nov 08
com/group.php?gid=91
289840367
Make a stand
VoR
says...
1:31pm Thu 6 Nov 08
ab11uk wrote:Oh woopie dooooo...
http://www.facebook.
com/group.php?gid=91
289840367
Make a stand
There seems to be 5 protesters who can't spell properly.
Which one is you ?
I hazard a guess you're the 2nd one down, Is that your Dad holding you?
Grow-up!
ab11uk
says...
1:52pm Thu 6 Nov 08
com/group.php?gid=38
300766975
the planned protest
Make a Stand
Roger68
says...
1:57pm Thu 6 Nov 08
, so let us ask Elton for the same. As for "power and responsibilty" well Elton has absolutely no current responsibility at Watford but has great power to influence fan/media opinion, given his status. Simpson on the other hand has near total responsibility for what happens at the club, and has some power (not total power) to guide it--but as I said before, though he may be in charge of the club he is not in charge of events. Indeed things may now be spiralling out of his "control", since "fan power" once it gets up momentum can have somewhat unpredictable outcomes (ref: Newcastle).
VoR
says...
1:57pm Thu 6 Nov 08
GrahamTaylor
says...
2:07pm Thu 6 Nov 08
Yes please, east stand will do!
AB has allegedly been sacked for leaking info to SEJ / the WO, shock horror! His sacking is a cover up whilst were all posting about this story the questions raised by the Russo about 3 Directors taking millions out of the club over the last three years is falling onto death ears.
For the record SEJ walked away last time because he did not think the club would stand on its own two feet if he stayed he felt everybody would turn to him and ask him to bail it out. That is not to say he would have let it fall into administration.
Notice AB has given a statement, a gagging order, the truth will never be common knowledge.
Hexham Hornet
says...
2:14pm Thu 6 Nov 08
The trouble is that his gesture is only that - a gesture - with no real bite behind it. If, as the board say, they have a 54% stake of irrevocable votes behind them, plus their own votes, then there is not much any of us can do but he is wealthy enough to do something about it if he wants to, and he could be planning to do so. He could join forces with the Russos and buy the club out. Maybe all is not as clear as you think, or maybe it is just him having another of his tantrums and he has thrown the keys out of the pram - even though these keys did not open any doors.
What will a planned protest do? Do you think the board are unaware of how many of the fans feel? Do you think they give a toss? Do you think it will encourage a buyer to come forward?
Berks Horn
says...
2:28pm Thu 6 Nov 08
On the other hand, it does give an indication as to why Aidy left. When the story came out about Elton's statement on the board Simpson said on 3CR that the only person at the club he was aware of who spoke to Elton was Aidy. The way he said it made me think at the time that there was an accusation there. I reckon Aidy was **** to Elton about player sales etc and that was, in the end, why he was out on his ear.
As I've said, I'm no big fan of Aidy, but if the above is the case then there is a lot to be worried about.
I notice Simpson is quoted in the Standard today as saying the club are in a great financial position, with a three mill overdraft facility that they are only just dipping into. If so, why the need for some of the recent player sales, why will he not commit to not selling any more players in January? The man is a spin-merchant, unfortunately for him we're not all mugs.
Berks Horn
says...
2:42pm Thu 6 Nov 08
ab11uk
says...
2:46pm Thu 6 Nov 08
lets all sit back and do nothing.
Newcastle FC
ralphinator
says...
3:20pm Thu 6 Nov 08
please decamp to the rivals board where there are plenty of rude, unpleasant, like-minded characters (and Hex occasionally!) You'll be more at home there if you can't conduct a reasoned debate with fellow fans without resorting to cheap insults. We all have different viewpoints, it's just that some of us are sufficiently grown up to tolerate others'
WFC4ever
says...
3:21pm Thu 6 Nov 08
I don't think its good to prorest at the game..even more so when its the new manager's 1st game.
Don't buy programmes or something from the club shop if you really want to stop Simpson getting money.
Toshhorn
says...
3:22pm Thu 6 Nov 08
Hexham Hornet
says...
4:29pm Thu 6 Nov 08
So ab11uk, plan a protest by all means, but if you can think of something more worthwhile that would be even better. Living so far away I actually cba but at least I have an opportunity to voice my feelings at a shareholders' meeting. Are you a shareholder as well, if so then that would be as good a place as any for you to say your piece?
Graham Gimpson
says...
4:40pm Thu 6 Nov 08
watfordbird
says...
5:24pm Thu 6 Nov 08
What on earth is happening with this club.
Come on be truthful with the fans and do the decent thing and let us know what is really going on within this so called Family Club a joke in it self i think.
Hexham Hornet
says...
5:52pm Thu 6 Nov 08
If there was less secrecy and we had a greater understanding of the situation then we might have more sympathy with the board.
Chris the Vic
says...
10:36pm Thu 6 Nov 08
A great shame that equally VoR dwells so much on the great feats of Homer that are truly in the past.
Get real VoR, Homer is now an embarassment to the club and his inability to get anything right these days is damaging all that was good about our club.
His most recent statements are contradictory and we are in tatters. A bit like most of your predictions earlier this season.
In fact are you sure you aren't one and the same.
More Local Sport stories
- Local football hit hard by weather
- Watford Half Marathon cancelled for first time
- Little Hay ladies hold lead in Mary Forster Bowl
- Smith leads coaching session at Queens' School
- Watford rugby players tackle ‘tough guy’ challenge
- Old Merchant make positive start despite defeat
- Free coaching at Radlett Bowls Club
- Fullylove clocks impressive personal best
- Individual display not enough for Dolphins
- Strong showing from Roy in Players Championship
Sir Elton John. Picture: ACTION IMAGES
Most popular
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Comment now! Register or sign in below.
Log in with us
Fields marked with * are mandatory.
Or
Log in with