Blissett, Vydra and other strikers who came back to Watford
It had been all the talk among Watford fans since the whispers first began at the start of the week, and now the return of Emmanuel Dennis to Vicarage Road – on loan from Nottingham Forest – has been confirmed.
One of very few plus points when the Hornets were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2021/22 season, Dennis joined Nottingham Forest and was on loan in Turkey when Watford stepped in to secure his services until the end of the season.
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Many people say ‘never go back’ when it comes to returning to somewhere that you have enjoyed previous success, but that mantra didn’t stop the late, great Graham Taylor from having two incredible spells at Vicarage Road during which he twice brought top-flight football to Watford.
So, now that Dennis is back at the club here are a few other forwards who have left, only to return later.
There is no other place to start other than with Watford’s greatest ever player, record appearance maker and goalscorer and current club ambassador – plus he had three spells as a player at the place he calls home.
The archetypal story of a hungry young player who progressed through the ranks, Blissett’s rise dovetailed perfectly with Taylor’s first stint as manager and the two were instrumental in taking Watford from Division Four to Division One.
Capped by England and winner of the Golden Boot for his 27 First Division goals, Blissett unsurprisingly attracted attention and became Watford’s first £1m player when he joined AC Milan in 1983.
After a season in Italy he returned to Watford, spending another four seasons at Vicarage Road before joining Bournemouth in 1988. His goalscoring feats at Dean Court were phenomenal as he averaged virtually a goal every two games.
His third and final stint as a Watford player was between 1991 and 1993, but he was to return again in 1996 as Taylor began his second spell at the club.
Blissett coached the first team and also managed the Reserves, before leaving in 2001 when Gianluca Vialli became manager.
However, the legendary striker never really left Vicarage Road because of his work on matchdays and support for the club on and off the field, and earlier this season he was appointed as Club Ambassador.
