BELOW you can see some of the greats to have lined up in defence for the Hornets. From J R Paul, an amateur footballer, through to Duncan Welbourne in the 1960s and 1970s and then on to the tough tackling, popular full back Paul Robinson - who came through the youth policy at Vicarage Road.

J R Paul (1892-1899)

Watford appearances: 31 Watford goals: 0

J R Paul was the club's first ever Southern League captain and achieved this as a Victorian amateur. He was twice a Cambridge blue, he represented Herts and Cornwall and later returned to be a schoolmaster at Aldenham.

Arthur Grimsdell (1911-1915)

Watford appearances: 43 Watford goals: 4

Made his debut for the Golden Boys when he was only 17, Arthur Grimsdell later went on to captain England and lead Tottenham to an FA Cup final victory. He also played first class cricket, enjoying 26 years with Hertfordshire CCC.

Duncan Welbourne (1963-1974)

Watford appearances: 457 Watford goals: 25

A tough tackler who amassed an unbroken sequence of 280 League games during his Watford career, he was ever present as the Hornets won Division Three in 1969.

Ian Bolton (1977-1983)

Watford appearances: 287 Watford goals: 36

Cost Watford only £12,000 from Lincoln, and repaid that figure time and time again in both defence and midfield. A major factor in Watford's climb from Division Four to Division One in the late 1970s and early 1980s

Wilf Rostron (1979-1989)

Watford appearances: 404 Watford goals: 30

Converted from a winger to a full-back, his all-action style made him a crowd favourite. He made 40 consecutive FA Cup appearances but missed the 1984 Final - and the chance to captain the team at Wembley - due to suspension.

Nigel Gibbs (1983-2002)

Watford appearances: 491 Watford goals: 7

A dependable and loyal right-back, and a fans' favourite, Gibbs made his debut for the Hornets in a UEFA Cup tie against Sparta Prague in 1983. Unfortunately, he suffered a career-threatening injury in 1993 and was released in 1996, but stayed with the club, joining them for pre-season training and signed a new contract. Gibbs served Watford as a player for 20 years, making his final appearance for the club in April 2002. He is now part of the youth setup at Reading

Kenny Jackett (1980-1990)

Watford appearances: 428 Watford goals: 34

A cultured left-sided player, Kenny Jackett was in sight of the club appearance record when injury ended his playing career at the age of 28. He won 31 full Welsh caps and went on to coach Watford's first-team coach. He then became assistant to Ian Holloway at QPR but left to take the top job at Swansea. After a brief stint as Man City's reserve team manager he took over the helm at Millwall in November 2007.

John McClelland (1984-1990)

Watford appearances: 234 Watford goals: 3

A distinguished international captain who was skipper of Glasgow Rangers before moving to Watford, where his coolness and leadership took instant effect. His ungainly running style belied incredible pace

Paul Robinson (1996-2003)

Watford appearances: 252 Watford goals: 9

Hugely popular figure with the Hornets faithful due to his gung-ho style of football. The product of the youth system here at Vicarage Road, he made his debut aged only 17, coming off the bench against Luton Town. Was sold to West Bromwich Albion for £250,000 in 2003 and has since become a terrace hero again at the Hawthorns.

(C) Black & white pictures courtesy of the Watford Observer, from Ollie Phillips' great book Watford Centenary.
(ISBN0-9509601-6-0)