The Watford Supporters Trust have issued the following statement following Aidy Boothroyd’s departure from Vicarage Road.

It reads: “It was with great sadness that the board of the Watford Supporters Trust heard of Aidy Boothroyd’s departure from the manager’s position at Vicarage Road.

“When Aidy arrived in 2005, he was unknown to most of us, but he quickly made a strong impression. After the relegation scrap of the 2004-2005 season, and the loss of a talisman such as Helguson, who, apart from Aidy himself, would have thought that the following season would see us promoted to the Premier League? And the manner of that promotion will live long in the memory.

“Going in to the play-offs, we were all too aware that we had not beaten any of the other three teams in the regular season. But this was a Watford team that had ‘grown and learnt’ throughout the season and, once the onslaught of the first-half at Selhurst Park was weathered, we enjoyed six goals and three clean sheets. The meticulous planning that had gone into preparing the players for the games ensured that nothing was left to chance and that promotion was secured convincingly and deservedly.

“Aidy’s mantra that ‘anything is possible’ gave us all a belief that maybe we could make a decent attempt at staying in the top division. It wasn’t to be but, disappointing as that season was, and who knows what our fate would have been had we been luckier with injuries, we still managed to go on a winning run to the FA Cup semi-final. And our points tally at the end of the season was no disgrace.

“Last season started so well. The hangover that so often afflicts teams coming down from the Premier League was not in evidence as we stormed to the top of the table and automatic promotion seemed a certainly. But the curse of the Manager of the Month award struck last November and started a run of poor results that saw us just holding on to a play-off position. A bright start to the second leg at Hull notwithstanding, the belief that took us up in 2006 was never in evidence and the defeat in the play-off semi finals had a sad air of inevitability. “Up until this time, Aidy had enjoyed the financial support and the unwavering confidence of the board of the football club and it is fair to say that they took a gamble last season by maintaining the wage bill at Premier League levels in order to make a push for promotion. The failure to achieve this promotion meant that it was no longer possible to maintain this level of financial support and fiscal restrictions had to be imposed for this season.

“The loss of high profile players, and the inability to bring in replacements in the summer, meant that this was always going to be a difficult season. The much-heralded change to the playing style has provided some thrilling games, but the results have been poor.

“The Aidy Boothroyd era at Vicarage Road has been nothing if not exciting. He came in as an unknown with many questioning the appointment. A promotion, FA Cup semi-final and a play-off semi-final in his three full seasons mean he has left us with many happy memories.

“He also made a great impression with his off-the-field activities. His commitment to community activities and his support to local charities, such as the Peace Hospice, mean that it will not just be the fans of Watford FC who will be regretting his departure. Aidy will always have a place in our hearts.

“We wish Aidy, Emma and the children all the very best for the future.”