Slavisa Jokanovic says Watford’s players and staff must keep fighting so the club can have more days like today, as thousands of supporters celebrated promotion to the Premier League in Cassiobury Park.

The players, staff and some of their families jumped on-board two open-top buses this afternoon to travel from St Albans Road into Cassiobury Park.

There they were greeted by the town’s mayor Dorothy Thornhill at a small civic reception where she and Hornets owner Gino Pozzo addressed the players, staff and a select group of guests.

A tribute act to Sir Elton John – the club’s former chairman – performed before the players and some of the coaches made their way onto a stage, where thousands of fans were waiting.

Jokanovic and his captain Troy Deeney then made brief speeches to the supporters and the players joined the fans in taking part in a ‘bounce’, which has become a regular feature at Watford matches.

Jokanovic said: “It has been a nice afternoon for us. I am very happy because we had the chance to be with our fans and I believe they are enjoying this moment with us.

“We really enjoyed their support in the games and today was a chance to be with them.

“We must be proud and be happy and we must keep fighting and working for more days like today.”

Jokanovic has managed in his native Serbia, where he won the league and cup double in consecutive seasons with Partizan Belgrade, in Thailand, where he went the whole campaign unbeaten with Muangthong United, and also had spells in Bulgaria with Levski Sofia and in Spain at Hercules.

He also featured for a host of teams in Serbia, Spain and England during his playing days, including two seasons at Chelsea.

Watford are recognised as the first ‘family club’ and it has retained that identity – something Jokanovic had not come across on his travels.

The 46-year-old said: “It (being at a family club) is a new experience for me. There are many kids, many old people and all the generations arrive to be here with us today and it is really great. It is a nice experience for us.”

It was ex-Hornets manager and chairman Graham Taylor who created ‘the family club’ in the late 1970s and Jokanovic spent several minutes speaking to the former England boss at last night’s end of season awards at Shendish Manor.

Jokanovic said: “This was my first chance to speak with the Watford legend. We didn’t speak much about football. He seems a nice person and I expect in the future I will have more time to have a coffee with him and talk about life, football and everything.”

Jokanovic’s contract expires this summer and claims he has yet to discuss the matter with the club.

The Serbian is expected to remain at Vicarage Road and on Saturday stated he expected news on his future “very soon”.

This afternoon he said: “Today is a day to celebrate with the fans and be happy. In the next few days we are going to start speaking about the future of this club, this team and my future.”

When asked if he was excited by the prospect of building a squad capable of competing in the Premier League, Jokanovic replied: “This is our obligation, it is my obligation and the club’s obligation. We have to be ready on the 8th of August [when the Premier League season starts]. We have to build a team which have a chance to win games.

“This is not about the Olympic spirit of simply participating. I don’t believe in this thought. We have to be strong and make a team with a chance of fighting and winning all of the games.”

You can see more pictures from today's promotion party here and further reaction can be found here.