Watford are celebrating 50 years since the Rocketman launched the most successful period in their history.
Having been attending matches since the age of seven, Sir Elton John - who had become a pop sensation - took charge of the club of this day in 1976, sparking a period of unprecedented success.
He hired Graham Taylor as manager in 1977 and they masterminded back-to-back promotions from Division Four immediately.
50 years ago today, a new chapter began 🐝
Elton John became Chairman for the very first time 💛 pic.twitter.com/NMmdtEc6lr— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 11, 2026
It took three seasons to earn promotion to the top tier in 1981/82, before an extraordinary campaign saw Luther Blissett's 27 goals inspire a second-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Cup.
Having eliminated Kaiserslautern and Levski Sofia, Watford were eventually knocked out by Sparta Prague - but then progressed to the FA Cup final for the first time in their history, controversially losing 2-0 to Everton in May 1984.
Sir Elton's tears make the iconic image of that day, and he remained in charge of the club until he sold 93% of his shares to Jack Petchey in 1990, following the departure of Taylor.
That was not the end of the fairytale, though, as - having continued to be involved - he returned as chairman in May 1997, officially teaming up with Taylor again.
Watford won back-to-back promotions, from Division Two into Division One and then, memorably, into the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley in May 1999.
Competing in the top flight proved too tough a task this time around, relegation following 12 months later and Sir Elton departing once more in 2002.
As acknowledged in a video released on social channels today, though, his chairmanship undoubtedly brought about the greatest period in the club's history and is interwoven into its DNA.
Sir Elton remains heavily invested in the club's fortunes to this day and played the most recent of his four concerts on the Vicarage Road pitch in July 2022.
A special edition shirt marking this anniversary was worn for the home game against Blackburn Rovers in September, when Sir Elton was in attendance.
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