Kenny Jackett, a legendary figure in Watford's history, has died, aged 64.
Jackett sits eighth on the list of all-time Hornets appearances, having played 428 matches in a one-club playing career between 1980-90.
He then became a hugely successful coach, which began at Watford before stints as manager at Swansea City, Millwall, Wolves, Rotherham, Portsmouth and Leyton Orient.
The LMA paid tribute to "one of the most respected managers to have plied their trade in the EFL" and described Jackett as a man "with quiet dignity".
Chief Richard Bevan said: "Kenny stands as one of the most respected managers to have plied their trade in the EFL, a hugely capable leader whose work across four decades has left a lasting influence on the many players, coaches and colleagues who benefitted from his guidance.
"He embodied everything we like to see in a manager, humility, professionalism and a deep care for his players and staff. He improved every club he served and did so with quiet dignity throughout his career.
"From his first role at Watford to his final role at Gillingham, Kenny’s work was characterised by an incredible sense of responsibility to his teams and to the game itself.
"Kenny is a huge loss to all that knew and loved him. Our thoughts are with his wife Samantha, sons David and Ryan, and all of his family and friends, who join us in mourning."
In WD18, Jackett's playing career will be remembered as one of the finest in the club's history.
The son of former Watford wing-half Frank Jackett, he was born in Watford and rose through the ranks to make his debut in April 1980.
A ball-playing midfielder, he brought a touch of class to Watford's engine room during the most successful period of the club's history.
Graham Taylor's side had a reputation as a long-ball team, but Jackett was known best for the extra time he seemed to create on the ball for himself in midfield.
Jackett was a constant as the Hornets were promoted to Division One in 1981/82, before they remarkably finished second in the top flight at the first time of asking in 1982/83.
The Welsh international then featured during the famous run to the 1984 FA Cup final, starting at Wembley as Everton beat Watford 2-0 - crowned by a controversial Andy Gray header.
Jackett later told The Watford Observer: "While the second goal was a foul, definitely, I still think they had an edge and we couldn’t get our normal game and rhythm going.
"I think they had a bit more experience. We couldn’t get Barnes and Callaghan into the game enough which was a massive part of our game and fair play to them for not allowing us to do that either.
"We'd had several games against them where win, lose or draw we created a lot of chances, we scored a lot of goals, it was a big strength of ours. It was a team geared to attack but we didn’t get our game going and they denied us that.
"The second goal was a tough one to take but as much as it hurt they had the edge on the day."
His career extended through to 1990, by which time he had racked up 428 appearances aged just 28, forced to retire after a series of knee surgeries when an even more monumental tally of matches awaited.
Fan site BSAD write of Jackett: "For a player of such undoubted pedigree, it would have been pretty straightforward to get himself a move to a big glamour club.
"But he didn't, because he possessed another precious quality: loyalty. The club that gave him his opportunity was rewarded with years of dedicated service, both on the field and off."
Jackett's Watford story was far from over, though, as Taylor - then General Manager - hired him as manager in 1996.
After one season as the main man, Taylor took over as manager for a second spell and Jackett formed part of his staff, a period during which the Hornets won two straight promotions and played its first ever Premier League campaign in 1999/00.
Jackett departed upon Gianluca Vialli's arrival in 2001 and then embarked on an impressive coaching career, during which he established a reputation as a promotion expert.
He took charge as manager of Swansea in 2004, winning promotion from League Two at the first time of asking before a penalty shoot-out defeat in the 2006 League One play-off final.
At Millwall, he won promotion into the Championship and guided the club into the 2013 FA Cup semi-finals against Wigan, before revitalising Wolves by leading them into the Championship in 2013/14.
A period of long overdue stability for Portsmouth followed between 2017-21, before short spells as Leyton Orient boss and Gillingham director of football.
Throughout it all, Jackett gained a reputation for his level head, people skills, dignity and integrity.
He will also be remembered at Watford for his immense on-field achievements, a period during which he showed consistency and class.
A great loss, too young, and a true club legend.
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