Watford FC has responded to concerns from fans about the redevelopment of Vicarage Road, saying the club sympathises with those who will be affected by it.

However, in order to make its ambitious plans for the stadium a reality, they say it cannot be avoided.

The statement, from the club's customer sales manager Michael Jones, comes after a meeting with more than 100 fans last week to discuss what will happen next year.

The affected fans all sit in the centre of the Upper Rous stand and will have to find new seats next season as the directors and press boxes are moved there from their current positions in the old Main Stand.

Displaced fans have been offered seats to watch Watford's campaign next season from the sides of the Rous Stand until the new East Stand is ready for the start of the 2009/10 season.

Fans moved from the centre of the Upper Rous and fans who had season tickets in the centre of the current East Stand will have priority in choosing where to sit in this new stand.

Michael Jones, customer sales manager, said: "Following an invite from ourselves Mark Ashton was pleased to be joined by around 100 supporters for last week's exchange.

"Whilst sympathising with those situated in the areas concerned, we are acutely aware that our major redevelopment of Vicarage Road is not achievable without a number of supporters being inconvenienced within certain areas of the stadium.

"We wanted the supporters concerned to be able to raise their views with us, and for us to explain our reasoning behind our very carefully considered decisions. The main suggestion involved a request to move all existing season ticket holders in the entire Upper Rous Stand outwards from the centre, thus creating a ripple' effect.

"We explained that this proposition had been explored in great detail and would not be manageable, due to existing groups of supporters who currently sit together, being divided across gangways, and in some cases, different rows.

"Those supporters present were unable to agree on this as a point of fairness, and therefore it is clear that by affecting a further 1,845 of supporters across the remainder of the Upper Rous Stand, opinion would be further split, making the proposal unmanageable.

"We have reiterated that despite the inevitable short term inconvenience caused, all supporters affected will be offered centrally located seats in the proposed new East Stand, along with those supporters already displaced from the condemned section of the existing East Stand.

"Furthermore, no new applicants for seats in the Upper Rous Stand will be taken ahead of next season, meaning any seats not renewed will automatically be offered to supporters displaced from the central area in question on a ballot basis, supposing they renew ahead of the soon to be announced early bird deadline.

"We like to thank those who attended and those who have taken the time to thank us for giving them the opportunity to air their views.

"Whilst we understand and acknowledge some very loyal supporters will be affected, it was important for the Club to explain its position and bring closure to enable us to effectively plan for the new season."

Graham Sterry, chairman of Watford Supporters Trust said that Watford have acted extremely well to minimise disruption for as few people as possible. He added: "It is short term loss for long term gain."

But despite letters sent to them, the fact the Supporters Trust was consulted and after being fully briefed in the meeting, some fans are still upset about how they have been treated by Watford FC.

Graham Morgan, 61, from Basingstoke said last Thursday's meeting was a waste of time adding: "We were very disappointed. They were not prepared to budge an inch. "