Watford claim their place in the Premier League by beating Bolton 2-0 at Wembley in 1999. The two Watford goals are worthy of the occasion and for once Graham Taylor leaves Wembley a happy man!
Graham Taylor you were my hero, my inspiration. You will forever be a legend. I was 12 when I went to this game. To this day it is one of the best days of my life. You led us to achieve way beyond our potential both of the unforgettable times you were our manager. I love you and will always love you for what you did. May you forever rest in peace :'(
im an horne but just would like to add bolton fans were really gracious and pleased for us gave a few a hug thats what football is about sometimes..xxx
Graham Taylor - such an inspiration and hero for me! So funny to read comments identical to any I could write - I was 15 when I went to Wembley for this, best game of my life. Everyone remembering you today means your goodness will outlive you. RIP
As a Bolton fan I remember this match, it hurt a lot at the time, Bolton had a really good team and went into the match as favourites but Watford dominated the match, Bolton hardly created anything. Can’t believe 22 years has passed.
Atmosphere with watford fans was magnificent all day, hardly heard the bolton fans all day. We definately deserved the win and bossed the game apart from 10 mins i think.
There was friendly respectful things said to opposing supporters on the way to the game. Delighted to hear same afterwards. Wanderers - you are true sports and dignified 20 years on.
One of the greatest goals ever scored at Wembley that nobody ever talks about. If that overhead goal was scored by Rooney (not capable i might add), the world would still be hearing about it.Well done Watford
We'd been slipping out of contention in February and March and looked set for no more than a top half finish, when we played that fiery "turning point" game against Tranmere at Vicarage Road at the beginning of April. From a goal down and heading nowhere, the hostilities in that match got everyone going and we came back to win 2-1. Then with a new-found togetherness they just kept winning: Birmingham away, Bolton and Palace at the Vic, and so on to ultimately displace Wolves from the play-offs.
You'll not see a better goal scored with an overhead kick at Wembley. My god it's awesome. If that had been a big name and a big club...it would be shown time and time again.
I was like 11 and it was a hell of a day!! Second best day ever ( the 2006 promotion is the best) first time Id ever been to wembley an it was amazing ill always remember wrighty and smart!!
I was on holiday in a rural area of France and didn't know the result until the next day. We played in the last 2nd tier play-off finals at both the old Wembley and the Millennium and won both without conceding a goal.
@stevohorn I was 12 and it was my first ever visit to Wembley, it wasn't a dig at Watford I'd never have forgiven anyone that beat us that day. We did have some titanic battles though between that season and the year we got promoted aswell, I'm sure Jaaskelainen still has nightmares about Tommy Mooney and Gifton Noel-Williams!
You did at first, around 98-99 but that final season before we went up we did you twice in the league I think. Still miss the heady days of playing Tranmere, The Wanderers/Wolves Derby, and being beaten EVERY year by Rodney Jack & Crewe!!!!
My first-ever trip to Wembley was this. Thanks for ruining it, I'll NEVER forgive Watford for that day! But at the same time I'll never forget the outstanding atmosphere as the teams emerged from the tunnel. Never experienced a better one since.
Oh I know I'm only playing. I was 13 at the time and with it being my first final of any kind it was heartbreaking to lose it. We have always had some part to play in the playoffs, winners last time, semi finals in 2000, lost this in 1999, winners in 1995... Not as much as Ipswich though lol.
What a great day, rather drunk out in N London to say the least by the end of it. What were the mood and expectations of Bolton fans going into the game? You'd been up and down and up and (a bit unluckily I thought) down again in the seasons before it. How confident were you in the run-up? I ask because Watford built up such momentum in the weeks leading up to it that we all seemed to believe we were going to do it. We were on the crest of this wave while Bolton appeared a bit subdued.
Tranmere eh? Ah, past memories, especially in 2000 All together now: "Aldridge, whats the score, Aldridge, Aldridge what the score!!!" (it was 3-0) & "Your not dancing anymore"
I was there...Graham Taylor was the most maligned England. Manager in the history of football..true his England stint was short lived...England teams have lost out in class players since the swamping of overseas players in the top flight
Perhap you wouldnt be so bitter if you had witnessed us applauding Bolton Supporters as they left Wembley? Plus you won the play off final yourself a couple of seasons later and you have been in the top division ever since..dident turn out too bad did it?
