When Sir Elton John told the audience at Monday night’s Vicarage Road concert that he was ready to return to playing a greater role with Watford FC, it didn’t come as a surprise to club officials.

The legendary rock star has almost daily calls with chairman Scott Duxbury and spoke with him at length in his dressing room before both concerts. Indeed, Elton met with Duxbury before the concert on Monday night.

He has for some time been looking at ways that he could play a greater part at the club, and talking to Duxbury about them regularly.

I’m advised that Elton sees greater involvement with the club being in terms of his time. It would be a totemic role at the club.

However, his regular phone calls and messages, as well as attendance at home games last season, meant the club were very aware that he was keen to be more active in his participation with the Hornets.

It’s a move I understand is welcomed throughout the club, not only by Duxbury but also by owner Gino Pozzo and other key members of the club staff.

Elton has already talked to new head coach Rob Edwards on multiple occasions and the unveiling of the club’s new black and white third kit – a nod back to 1922 ahead of the celebrations of 100 years of playing at Vicarage Road – during Sunday night’s concert was Elton’s idea.

I’m aware he has made regular contact with Duxbury since Monday’s concert, and the pair will continue to discuss ideas and formulate something for when his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour ends in July 2023.

Elton’s next stop on the tour is in Philadelphia on July 15, and he will be playing venues all over America and Canada from then until wrapping that leg of the tour up with three nights at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, concluding on November 20.

He then doesn’t resume touring until January 27 in Auckland, New Zealand, leaving almost two months clear in his diary where he could easily return to the UK and have more formal discussions with the club.

However, it’s been made very clear to me that Elton’s announcement on Monday night was not a spur of the moment thing, or something driven by the emotion of his two Watford shows.

He is very keen to work with Duxbury and the club to help in areas like sponsorship deals, partnerships, even meeting potential new signings. He is eager to be a regular face at both the training ground and Vicarage Road, meaning it’s likely fans will see more of him, husband David Furnish and their two sons Elijah and Zachary at home games.