Watford legend Luther Blissett OBE DL has paid tribute to Watford Women after they beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Stadium MK on Saturday to clinch promotion back to the Championship.

The Hornets’ record appearance maker and goalscorer met Lionesses stars Beth Mead and Lucy Bronze when he collected his OBE at Windsor Castle recently, and has been a big advocate of the Women’s team at Vicarage Road.

“They are winners,” he said.

“That is how you silence critics, that is how you do yourself proud. By winning. And what a win it was for our Golden Girls, gaining promotion and their league title emphatically. It made me incredibly proud, as all Hornets should be - for the winning and for the selfless way they conducted their campaign.

“I applaud every one of them. Not just for their success, but because I understand what they and their pioneers have overcome to finally get their place in the spotlight; girls who wanted to play football, when the world said they couldn’t. How I know that feeling of prejudice.”

Despite the success of the England national team, there is still some cynicism about the women’s game – something Blissett recognises but feels is totally wrong.

“I imagine there’s perhaps a raised eyebrow or two now, from the 'it’s not really football though' brigade,” he said.

“I am not going to lie, during my playing time I had little or no thought about the women’s game, but then you focus on your own career and challenges as in any job. But like all preconceptions or prejudices, if you keep a balanced viewpoint in life, one day something happens and your eyes are opened and opinion is changed.  

“I saw this particularly in France during the FIFA World Cup 2019. With little else to watch, there I was giving far more attention to the commentary, the coaching, the ability on screen. Yes, I was already aware of the great Marta, truly a gifted player and football great. I had seen Hope Powell pave the way to glory and the likes of Rachael Yankey and Jill Scott break down barriers.

“But now I was seeing a stage set for real change in our sport, there was a real buzz about it all.

“It struck home again when I was at a football discrimination dinner one evening and my partner (sat on a table of my male peers) kept saying “I can’t believe who I am sat with”. What she meant was Marianne Spacey, Arsenal and England legend. Football really doesn’t begin and end with ‘the lads’.”

In the UK, and for England in particular, it was the success of the Lionesses at Euro 2022 on home soil that really elevated women’s football to another level.

“The Lionesses silenced their critics decisively,” said Blissett.

“It was entertaining, it was exciting. It was football. It may have been ‘women’s football’ to some when it kicked off but by the end it was football.

“Suddenly so many more were hooked. Suddenly there was pride - and it wasn’t just in Lions. The team took the title under a brilliant coach and names like Lucy Bronze, Jill Scott, Beth Mead became football icons. As I said before it wasn’t overnight.”

When Blissett had the honour of receiving his OBE at Windsor Castle, the friends and family he took with him were as keen to meet the Lionesses also in attendance!

“At my investiture the other week my family were as excited to meet Beth Mead and Lucy Bronze as they were to be seeing me get an OBE!” he said.

“The question ‘can you go and ask them for a photo’ was the order of the day! For me it was great to chat simply as footballers. We play the same sport, face the same challenges, love the same skills.

“Lucy’s mum was a powerhouse advocate and summed it up really well when she pointed out how long her daughter had wanted to play football and had to combat all sorts of prejudice from school age, yet just took it in her stride and kept playing. How the team had worked to gain degrees, thinking they would never have a chance to be a pro player. Look at them all now.”

After a second successive miserable season for the men’s team, the Women have provided a tonic and a reminder that Watford is about a whole club, not just one set of results.

“What better way to end this season than with our own win,” Blissett said.

“What greater boost for ALL Hornets. I and the Former Players Club are thrilled for them. When our great Graham Taylor was at the helm, we would go to watch the juniors, the reserves. Players of one club.

“So I’d urge all our fans to support the Golden Girls next season. I hope this will be at Vicarage Road, the home of our Club, they have earned it.  

“I must mention the legend (and fellow piece of stadium corner artwork) that is Helen Ward.

“How honoured are Hornets to have had this footballer wear our shirt and I am proud to say that Helen has become the first woman to join the Former Players Club. There is no doubt that she represents everything that Graham would have liked in a Watford player.

“Congratulations to the players and staff, and here’s to more triumphs next season. Well done…guys! Yes, I can say that, it’s nothing to do with male domains – let’s just enjoy an expression of team spirt! Besides I asked Beth Mead and Lucy Bronze, and they said it was just fine!”