under aidy boothroyd in the 2005–06 season, young was given a new lease of life as a striker and right winger. young started 41 league matches, finding the net 15 times, including a playoff semi-final goal against crystal palace, as watford qualified for the play-offs and eventually beat leeds united 3–0 to gain promotion to the premier league. during that season, young scored a number of spectacular goals, including free-kicks against plymouth argyle and leeds, a shot into the top corner from 30 yards out against coventry city, and a curling shot against queens park rangers. it was during this season, though, that young was sent off for the first time in his career, in the local derby away at luton town.