During the 1982–83 English football season, Watford F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, after being promoted from the Second Division the previous season. Under Graham Taylor's management, Watford finished second in the First Division – their highest ever league finish.[1] As a result, Watford qualified for European competition for the first time.[2] Luther Blissett finished the season as the division's top scorer, with 27 league goals.[3]
| 1982–83 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman |  Elton John |
| Manager | Graham Taylor |
| Stadium | Vicarage Road |
| First Division | 2nd |
| FA Cup | Fifth round |
| League Cup | Third round |
| Football League Trophy | Quarter-final |
| Top goalscorer | League: Luther Blissett (27) All: Luther Blissett (33) |
League table
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool (C) | 42 | 24 | 10 | 8 | 87 | 37 | +50 | 82 | Qualification for the European Cup first round |
| 2 | Watford | 42 | 22 | 5 | 15 | 74 | 57 | +17 | 71 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 3 | Manchester United | 42 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 56 | 38 | +18 | 70 | Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[a] |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 42 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 65 | 50 | +15 | 69 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 5 | Nottingham Forest | 42 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 62 | 50 | +12 | 69 |
Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
- ^ Manchester United qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup first round as the 1982–83 FA Cup winners.
Squad
edit- Squad at end of season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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References
edit- ^ Pickard, Michael (25 June 2010). "Les Taylor recalls 1984 final". Watford Observer. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ "Graham Taylor factfile". The Guardian. 29 March 2001. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ Ross, James M. (15 July 2011). "English league leading goalscorers". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
Further reading
edit- Birnie, Lionel (2010). Enjoy the Game – Watford FC, The Story of the Eighties. Peloton Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9567814-0-6.
- Phillips, Oliver (2001). The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes. Alpine Press Ltd. ISBN 0-9528631-6-2.
- Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.
- Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. T.G. Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
- Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford Football Club. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0.