Pre-season fixtures with Reading, Boreham Wood, Stevenage, Gillingham and Wycombe Wanderers before a home friendly against Brentford at Vicarage Road have all been confirmed.

The Hornets will begin their on-pitch preparations for the 2024/25 season against Reading on Saturday July 6 at London Colney in the only game taking place behind closed doors.

'It would have been difficult for me to go back'

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Then they make the short trip to Meadow Park to face National League South outfit Boreham Wood on Wednesday July 10 (7.30pm).

This fixture will see Cleverley come up against two former Watford teammates in the dugout, with Ross Jenkins recently taking over as the Wood's manager and appointing Lloyd Doyley as his coach.

The Hornets’ next match sees them back on the road to face another Hertfordshire outfit as they travel to play Stevenage of League One at the Lamex Stadium – the venue for Watford’s exit from the Carabao Cup last season.

The friendly at Stevenage will take place on Saturday July 13 (3pm).

Next up will be a trip to Priestfield Stadium to play Gillingham on Saturday July 20 (3pm), setting up a reunion with club legend Kenny Jackett who works as the League Two side's Director of Football, and former midfielder Andy Hessenthaler who is the Gills’ Head of Recruitment.

A midweek trip to Buckinghamshire follows, with the Golden Boys travelling to face League One side Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park on Tuesday July 30 (7.30pm).

Pre-season will then be rounded off with a game against Premier League Brentford at Vicarage Road on Saturday August 3 (3pm).

Ticket information for all friendlies, except the game with Reading which is behind closed doors, will be confirmed in due course.

Selected friendlies will be available to stream on Watford's official website via iFollow – which is replacing Hive Live as the club’s streaming service – with more details to be announced in the near future.

Friendly schedule - subject to change, with additions likely:

•⁠  ⁠Saturday July 6, 11am: Reading (h) – Watford Training Ground (behind closed doors)

•⁠  Wednesday July 10, 7.30pm: Boreham Wood (a) – Meadow Park

•⁠  ⁠Saturday July 13, 3pm: Stevenage (a) – Lamex Stadium

•⁠  ⁠Saturday July 20, 3pm: Gillingham (a) – Priestfield Stadium

•⁠  ⁠Tuesday July 30, 7.30pm: Wycombe Wanderers (a) – Adams Park

•⁠  ⁠Saturday August 3, 3pm: Brentford (h) – Vicarage Road