Watford have announced the postponement of the ‘Mariappa’s Ten Men’ function due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The event, organised to celebrate each of Adrian Mariappa’s ten seasons as a professional with the Hornets, was due to take place next Wednesday (March 18) at Shendish Manor Hotel.

However, the club state the decision has been made after “much consideration” and stress the event has been postponed and not cancelled.

A statement on the club website reads: “With a room full of supporters, ex-players and the current first-team squad and coaching staff all set to attend, this decision has not been made lightly.

“Given the other measures we have in place around people accessing the Watford FC first-team working environments, their exclusion from this event was inevitable and thus not even the main man of the evening - Aidy - would be able to take his place.

“We are sure this is disappointing news, however we are determined to run the event at a point in the future when we can ensure the attendance of all the people you'd like to both hear from and mingle with; thus our terming this decision a postponement, rather than a cancellation.”

The club are arranging for a bulk refund for everyone who has bought tickets and money should be returned to accounts within three to five working days.

Anyone who has purchased tickets will be offered first refusal on re-booking once a new date is confirmed.