the club was at first called "watford rovers." it changed its name to "west hertfordshire" in 1893, and "watford f.c." in 1898. watford won the southern league in 1915 and joined the football league in 1920. they stayed in the football league's bottom division until 1960 when they were promoted to the third division as champions. watford played in the second division for the first time in 1969 when ken furphy was the manager.