Seven people were convicted of Watford FC football-related crimes last season, police revealed as the club's new campaign started on Saturday.

It comes as the police said it has a “zero-tolerance approach to aggressive behaviour” on match days.

Watford FC added that it supports Herts Police’s move to publish details of the incidents.

Operations Chief Inspector Ian Grout added: “We will do all we can to pursue those who behave in an unacceptable manner on match days.

“Interestingly, the majority of those we dealt with for match day offences last season had no prior convictions and now, they will have to declare their criminal record if they have a job interview, enrol at university, buy an insurance policy, or apply for social housing.

“They have potentially closed doors on their future, and it’s just not worth it.”

Watford FC v Cardiff City

The first was on April 19, 2022, when a 38-year-old man from St Albans was charged with pitch invasion during the Watford FC v Cardiff City match held in the Vicarage Road stadium.

He pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates' Court and was fined £307, plus £85 in court costs and a £123 victim surcharge.

Watford FC v Luton Town FC

Four convictions occurred in relation to the Watford FC v Luton Town FC match on October 23, 2022. Three of the defendants pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates' Court.

A 30-year-old man, from Watford, was charged with affray after he threw coins at away fans.

The court ordered him to work 120 hours of unpaid community service, as well as paying costs and a victim surcharge.

He is also the subject of a Football Banning Order (FBO) for three years, meaning he cannot attend matches or be in the area at the time a football game is on.

A 19-year-old man, from Hemel Hempstead, was charged with affray after he threw an item at away fans in the garden of The Moon Under Water pub on Watford High Street.

Watford Observer: One of the incidents took place in The Moon Under WaterOne of the incidents took place in The Moon Under Water (Image: Google Street View)

He was ordered to carry out 90 hours of unpaid community service, plus pay additional costs and a victim surcharge. He has also been served a three-year FBO.

A 34-year-old, man from Watford, was charged with affray after he goaded away fans, spat at them and threw coins. He was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community service, plus pay court costs and a victim surcharge. He is now the subject of a four-year FBO.

The fourth conviction was for a 17-year-old boy from Abbots Langley. He was arrested for affray after he threw a drink at people in the garden of the Moon Under the Water Pub on Watford High Street.

He admitted the offence, showed remorse for his actions and was given a conditional caution by the Young Offenders Team, police said.  

Watford FC V Coventry match

A 23-year-old man, from Coventry, in the Wast Midlands was charged with actual bodily harm and common assault.

He spat at the victim and his two sons, aged 18 and 10, before kicking and punching the 18-year-old leaving him with an eye injury and two chipped teeth after the Watford FC v Coventry match in Vicarage Road on November 5, 2022.

Following his arrest, he pleaded guilty to both charges at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 31, 2023, and is scheduled to be sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on Friday, August 25, 2023.

He will also be subject to an FBO, the length of which is yet to be determined.  

Watford FC V Birmingham City FC

The seventh conviction is of a 29-year-old man, from Tamworth in Staffordshire. He was charged after a bottle was thrown onto the pitch during the Watford FC v Birmingham City FC game at Vicarage Road on March 14, 2023.

He has been summoned to appear at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on August 15 to answer a charge of throwing a missile on to a football pitch.

Watford FC had a great start to the new season seeing of QPR 4-0 at Vicarage Road and topping the Championship table.