Vicarage Road stadium expansion a 'matter of when, not if'

The comments were made at a meeting of the club's supporter committee on March 31, which were released into the public domain on Tuesday.

One of the questions asked of Watford's hierarchy was whether there is a "genuine desire" to leave Vicarage Road in the longer-term.

It comes after the club was said to "endorse" the promotion of a new 33,000-seater stadium on land at Bushey Hall Golf Club, which the private course owners stated would provide Watford with a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to relocate.

A design that had been drawn up for a new stadium for Watford FC

Club sources admitted having preliminary discussions with Hertsmere Borough Council but it never reached the stage where official plans were submitted.

The initial proposals by the course owners were given the cold shoulder anyway by the council in 2021 after officers decided not to include the green belt site in its list of employment spaces in its draft local plan.

See more: Bushey Hall Golf Club stadium plans rejected by council

A masterplan by Bushey Hall Golf Club owners Veladail Leisure Ltd to transform the golf course into a stadium and leisure complex

The club - in its notes from the March 31 meeting - says its "preference" is to stay in Vicarage Road and the Observer understands only an "absolutely perfect" site could tempt the Hornets away.

Watford has said it could increase the capacity of its current 22,000 seater stadium by creating a second tier in the Sir Elton John stand.

Pictured is the Sir Elton John Stand at Vicarage Road stadium in Watford. Credit: Action Images

Watford says this is a "primary aim" and a "matter of when not if", indicating the club's current stance is the expansion will happen but it just doesn't know when.

But it is no secret expanding Vicarage Road stadium throws up challenges due to its "locked in" location which is why the club says alternative sites should be "at least considered".

Vicarage Road stadium

Watford Borough Council managing director Donna Nolan said in April 2021 that the council is "working constructively" with the club to see what opportunities there could be to help Watford realise its stadium expansion ambitions.

Watford mayor Peter Taylor says he will do "everything he can" to keep Watford FC in Watford and says he believes there is an opportunity to expand thanks to development at next door Watford General Hospital.

Land around the ground is undergoing extensive redevelopment and more could be on the way.

The trust that manages the hospital is hoping to rebuild the hospital next to its current site, while the ongoing Riverwell development will bring 1,000 homes, a retirement village, a primary school, and more.

A new multi-storey car park, primarily for hospital use, has also just been completed.

The hospital design has changed but this shows an indication of the level of development, known as Riverwell, ongoing and planned near Vicarage Road stadium

Any redevelopment would of course be subject to feasibility which could be hampered by not being in the Premier League.

At the end of March, the club announced an overall loss of £21.7million in their accounts for the period between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, which was down from £35.6 million the year before.

The club says outside investment "would always be considered" to help grow but says the long-term plan is to be debt-free.

See more: Watford release latest accounts showing loss of £21.7million