It’s ten years ago to this day since a new chapter in the history of Watford began when it was confirmed the Pozzo family had completed their takeover at Vicarage Road.

A new journey was to start which over the next decade has seen the Hornets experience two promotions, two relegations, six seasons in the Premier League, an FA Cup final appearance, numerous management changes and significant investment in the infrastructure and facilities at Vicarage Road and the club’s London Colney training ground.

Confirmation of the takeover came on Friday, June 29, 2012. It took a few days for Watford’s new owners to release their first statement but here is a reminder of what it said.

The Pozzo family said: "Our vision of how we should be involved in professional football is to provide financial and technical support, so that success can be achieved over the long-term.

"Every project will be individual and local in its development, and we will add to that the advantages we can take from synergies of operation across the group.

"We are here for the long-term. This is not a case of a foreign owner with an injection of money looking for a quick return. Our aim is clear: we wish to establish Watford as a Premier League club, which has revenue to help it become self-sufficient over time.

"There are no promises of timescale; only that is our stated ambition to be in the Premier League so that everyone connected with Watford, all of us, can enjoy a successful and sustainable future.

"Longevity to us is key to success. It is only over many years that success can be judged. We have owned Udinese, in Italy, for 25 years. And we have a second project, part of the Pozzo group, in Granada, Spain."

Watford Observer:

Troy Deeney scoring arguably Watford's most famous goal against Leicester in the 2012/13 play-offs

The statement revealed it was Scott Duxbury and Gianluca Nani, who worked together at West Ham United, who put the proposal of buying Watford to the Pozzo family.

The Pozzos said: "Both clubs have enjoyed success and are sustainable businesses. The opportunity, presented to us by Scott Duxbury and Gianluca Nani in relation to Watford, contained ideals within a vision that was very much close to our own thinking.

"This is why we are here at Watford. The club will be run along the tried and tested model of Udinese and Granada but it will remain special to its supporters because there is no way the local values will be in any way compromised.

"We know England is a very different country to others, and football has its own culture. We respect that enormously, and we are aware how much the club means to its fans and the local community.

Watford Observer:

The Hornets celebrating the win at Brighton that secured Premier League promotion in 2015

"Nothing will change in this respect. The Academy is close to the heartbeat of the club and this will continue to be very important to Watford’s future progress.

"But of course we want to make the most of our world-class scouting network, which has many years of football experience behind it. That is the advantage of being part of a wider group, a wider family of clubs.

"Maintaining Watford’s identity is key to having long-term success. This is not just another club; this is Watford and we recognise just how important the individual nature of a football club is to its supporters.

"No more so than in England, in fact. We’re very passionate about football, and the English style reflects the true spirit of the game."

Watford Observer:

The Sir Elton John ahead of its opening in 2014

When the family took over Vicarage Road, it had a derelict East Stand and a South-West corner development which was half complete.

The Pozzos said: "Success will also be measured off the field, as well as on it. We are aware of supporters’ hopes for the stadium. Development of the stadium and the East Stand remains an essential part of our project.

“Any club must have the right facilities if it is to expect revenues which help support it reach its ambitions. Watford is no different in this regard."

Watford Observer:

Another of the great days in Watford history when they reached the 2019 FA Cup final

The Pozzos also claimed they were "not expecting a financial return" on Watford and see football as a passion.

"We don’t see football as a business. It’s a passion for us. We have been proposed a project so exciting that it moved us to support this through funding.

"We are not expecting a financial return, rather we see it as privilege to be involved with Watford. But we must be professional in all that we do, to get the right results on behalf of the club.

"We believe Watford will benefit greatly from the experience of the Pozzo family over many years.

"We are hoping all fans will join us as our vision for Watford takes shape."