Elton John and Watford FC: The Legal and Emotional Revolution of the Pop Icon in English Football – Parts 1 to 3

 Elton John and Watford FC: The Legal and Emotional Revolution of the Pop Icon in English Football – Parts 1 to 3

Part 1 – Blood and Fandom Connections

1. Footballing Origins: Roy Dwight, the Victorious Uncle

Elton’s first tangible connection with football began within his family. His paternal great-uncle, Roy Dwight, stood out as a forward for Nottingham Forest and was applauded for scoring the opening goal in the 1959 FA Cup final—until he suffered a leg fracture in the same match.
This family link personified football for young Reginald (Elton’s birth name), who grew up hearing stories of triumph on the pitch and was inevitably captivated by the stadium atmosphere.

2. From Uncle to Young Fan

Elton attended his first Watford game at age 5 or 6, taken by his father, experiencing a rare moment of bonding amid a turbulent home environment.
He would recall the moment fondly: leaving behind his parents’ arguments to enter the stadium was a transformative relief—“the only time my father ever seemed happy.”

3. Passionate Support

From then on, Reginald regularly went to Vicarage Road, cheering for bold striker Cliff Holton and local players like Sammy Chung, Dennis Bond, and Duncan Welbourne.
He didn’t just shout from the stands—he once even invaded the pitch during a game, showing how much the team was part of his identity since childhood.

4. The Emotional and Psychological Bond with Watford

Elton used this bond as an emotional refuge. Even when things were going badly at home, there was solace in the community and familiarity of football afternoons.
This deep attachment would later grow into his involvement with the club—not merely based on celebrity, but on solid emotional roots.

Part 2 – From Stage to Locker Room: Elton John’s Path Behind the Scenes at Watford

1. Fame and a Return to His Roots

By the early 1970s, Elton John was one of the world’s most successful artists, with albums like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Honky Château topping charts. Yet despite his global stardom, he never turned away from Watford FC.
While touring the US and Europe, Elton stayed closely connected to the club—writing letters to the board, tracking results from afar, and attending games at Vicarage Road whenever possible during tour breaks.

2. First Public Gesture: The 1974 Charity Concert

On May 4, 1974, Elton triumphantly returned to Vicarage Road—not as a fan, but as a performer.
He held a charity concert at the stadium, with proceeds going directly to the club. The event was symbolic: a global superstar returning to his "backyard" to raise funds for a then-humble team languishing in the Fourth Division.
This act marked the beginning of a new kind of relationship between Elton and Watford—from passionate supporter to informal and influential patron.

3. First Steps Behind the Scenes

After the show, Elton began gaining access to club decisions, even without a formal role. He participated in informal meetings, made direct donations, and used his public image to draw attention to Watford.
His influence grew. Even without a seat in management, fans increasingly saw him as a benefactor—someone willing to change the fate of a stagnant team.

4. Football as a Personal Mission

Years later, Elton would say that he saw football as a “payback project.” He wanted to give something back to the club—and to the Watford community—for the joy football had given him as a child.
Moreover, he viewed the sport as a way to connect with everyday British people, contrasting with the glamour of pop music. Watford represented roots, identity, and purpose.

Part 3 – The Rise of the Pop Chairman: Elton John Takes Control

1. The Turning Point: 1976

In January 1976, Elton John officially announced he was taking over as chairman of Watford Football Club. At the time, the club was in the bottom Fourth Division of the Football League and suffering from financial and sporting crises.
Elton didn’t just want to lend his image—he wanted to transform the club from within. He told the local press:

> “I love this club. I want to see it achieve something greater. I’m taking over because I believe Watford can be big.”

2. Legal and Regulatory Challenges

Becoming chairman of a Football League club in 1976 came with legal constraints and institutional compliance. At the time, English football was governed by strict rules regarding club ownership and financing. Key points that impacted Elton’s entry included:

Restriction on financial personification: The club couldn’t depend solely on one financier. So Elton didn’t “buy” the club as in modern models but became the majority shareholder while respecting the member-association structure still in place.

Requirement of local representation: As a global celebrity, Elton had to appoint local administrative representatives to validate legal decisions. Enter Bertie Mee, former Arsenal manager, who acted as a bridge between the board and football authorities.

FA oversight: Elton had to submit a formal declaration of no conflict of interest and prove his capacity to manage club affairs.

Despite these hurdles, his candidacy was approved without objections by the League due to his solvency, public integrity, and strategic plan.

Details of the “Deal” Through Which Elton John Took Control of Watford FC

Elton became the majority shareholder—but did not “buy” the club outright like modern private takeovers.

Legal Structure of Football Clubs at the Time

In that era, Football League clubs were mostly registered as “limited companies,” but with tight restrictions imposed by the FA and the League on who could be a shareholder and how capital could be used. The rules aimed to:

Protect clubs from opportunistic or foreign buyers.

Prevent direct personal profits from football operations.

Keep clubs as community assets, even if legally businesses.

What Elton Actually Did:

1. Acquired Existing Shares
He bought majority shares from old shareholders, including part of the capital from the previous chairman. This wasn’t a modern privatization or auction—it involved direct agreements with existing shareholders to secure voting control.

2. Injected Personal Capital Through Direct Loans
Beyond buying shares, Elton personally loaned money to the club without demanding immediate return. Some of these loans were used for infrastructure or wages. The FA allowed this, provided the board approved it—something Elton controlled as chairman.

3. Assumed Chairmanship of the Board of Directors
Legally, being chairman meant leading the board of directors of Watford Football Club Ltd, giving him decision-making power over operations, signings, and finances—though FA rules still had to be followed.

What Elton Didn’t Do:

He did not “own” the club as a sole proprietor, like Roman Abramovich later did with Chelsea.

He did not take personal profit from club operations.

He did not transfer the club to any personal company or fund.

Public Records and Documentation

Shareholder control and executive roles at Watford FC in the 1970s were registered with the UK’s Companies House, where historical files list Elton Hercules John as director and principal shareholder from 1976 onward.

He also ensured club minutes were transparently approved, securing legal compliance.

The Immediate Impact of Elton’s Leadership

One of his first acts as chairman was the (initially unsuccessful) attempt to hire a high-profile manager. Soon after, he secured Graham Taylor, a young manager from Lincoln City.
This bold move, based on mutual trust and a verbal agreement, would become one of English football’s most legendary partnerships: Elton and Taylor.

Elton also boosted investment in stadium infrastructure, player signings, and youth development. Watford soon evolved from a curiosity to an emerging Football League power.

Key Signings Under Elton John’s Early Tenure (from 1976 onward):

John Barnes (1976): Later a Liverpool star, Barnes began at Watford, joining at age 15 with Elton’s support for youth development.

Ross Jenkins (1976–77): Promoted from the youth ranks and retained under Elton’s backing.

Alan Mayes (1977): A striker signed with financial and political support from the chairman.

Derek Hales (1977): Brought experience to strengthen the attacking line.

Tony Currie (1978): A skilled midfielder signed to bring creativity, with board approval.

At the time, player transfers were simpler—no agents or million-dollar deals—so Elton financed transfer fees and salaries as needed.

His focus was on building a reliable squad, mixing youth and experience.

Watford FC’s Rise Under Elton John (1976–1982):

1. 1976: The Struggles in the Fourth Division
When Elton took over, Watford was struggling financially and competitively in the Fourth Division.

2. The Arrival of Graham Taylor and Sporting Growth
In 1977, Elton appointed Graham Taylor, a young and ambitious coach who transformed the club.

3. Consecutive Promotions
Under Taylor’s leadership and Elton’s support, Watford achieved:

1977–78: Fourth Division champions – promoted to Third Division.

1978–79: Third Division runners-up – promoted to Second Division.

1979–80: Consolidated position in the Second Division.

1981–82: Second Division runners-up – promoted to the First Division (now Premier League).

4. Key Matches in This Era

1977–78 title-winning games: Big wins against Bournemouth and Newport County.

Third Division promotion games: Tough clashes with Swansea City and Bristol City.

1981–82 promotion to First Division: A crucial win over Grimsby Town sent the club to the top tier.

More Highlights

In 1982–83, Watford debuted in the First Division under Elton and Taylor, finishing fourth—a historic high.

This rise also brought national competition exposure and boosted club revenue and recognition.

Elton John and Homophobia in 1970s–1980s English Football

In those decades, English football was deeply conservative and masculine, where homosexuality remained taboo. Players rarely came out, fearing repercussions. Fans often expressed homophobia from the stands.

Elton John—whose sexuality was publicly perceived even before his 1988 announcement—faced this climate while chairing Watford FC. His presence as an openly gay pop star made some sports media and traditional fans uncomfortable, and he faced hostility at times.

Despite prejudice, Elton earned respect for his commitment to the club and his leadership results. His role helped initiate a still-nascent conversation on diversity and inclusion in English football, paving the way for future anti-discrimination efforts in the sport.

Robson Vianna

> This article continues in the next post

Featured Report
https://nypost.com/2024/09/03/entertainment/how-elton-john-saved-an-english-soccer-team-book-excerpt/

You Might Also Like: More Elton John Content
I invite you to visit my page dedicated to the study and documentation of Elton John’s journey:
https://allmylinks.com/robsonvianna

Photos, videos, interviews, audio and video files, articles, and a timeline covering Elton John and his world.

Hashtags
#EltonJohn #SirEltonJohn #EltonInFootball #EltonJohnWatford #EltonPresident #RocketManPresident #EltonJohn1976 #EltonJohnLegacy #LGBTQInFootball #WatfordFC #HistoryOfWatford #WatfordInThe70s #WatfordFootballHistory #WatfordRise #GrahamTaylor #EltonAndGraham #WatfordManager #RoyDwight #NottinghamForestLegend #DiversityInFootball #HomophobiaInFootball #RockAndFootball #HistoryOfEnglishFootball #EltonAndWatford #robsonvianna