Why Watford are Known as "The Hornets" – A Look at the Club’s Unique Identity

Harry the Hornet mascot standing pitchside during a Watford FC game, cheering on the team.

When football fans think of Watford FC, they’re quick to picture the club’s distinctive yellow and black kit and, of course, Harry the Hornet, Watford’s lively mascot. But how did Watford come to be known as “The Hornets”? Let’s explore the origin of this unique nickname, the club’s history of changing colors and symbols, and how Harry the Hornet became a key figure on matchdays.

Watford’s Early Colors and the Origins of “The Hornets”

Football player wearing a vintage Watford kit in black and white, featuring classic striped design. — An illustration of a football player in a classic black and white kit. These were one of the combinations of kit colours Watford used before settling on Yellow Shirts and Black Shorts.

In the early days of Watford FC, the club’s colors were quite different from the iconic yellow and black seen today. After their founding, Watford cycled through different colors and wore a variety of kits including black and white, as well as blue and white. It wasn’t until the 1959-1960 season that Watford made the transition to their now-signature yellow and black, which naturally led fans to compare the players’ appearance on the pitch to that of hornets, a nickname that quickly caught on.

The Brewery Connection and Watford’s Original Nickname

Vicarage Road Stadium, lit up before a thrilling night game. Once home to the brewery that held the freehold, Watford FC earned the nickname 'The Brewers' during a unique chapter in its history.

Before becoming “The Hornets,” Watford’s original nickname, "The Brewers." This name arose from a brewery owning the freehold to Vicarage Road. However, as the club grew in popularity and shifted to a bolder, more recognizable kit color, “The Hornets” became a more fitting nickname that resonated with fans and reflected the team’s vibrant energy on the field.

Occasional Kit Changes to Yellow and Red

Watford players wearing red shorts in a match against Blackburn Rovers — Watford players don red shorts in a match against Blackburn Rovers, showcasing one of the club’s occasional kit variations.

Watford players take on Chelsea FC in their classic yellow and black kit, proudly wearing the colors that define them as “The Hornets.”

Although Watford’s main colors are yellow and black, the club has, on occasion, opted for yellow shirts paired with red shorts as an alternative kit for certain seasons. However, this does nothing to alter the club’s identity or their fond nickname as “The Hornets.” Regardless of the color scheme, the hornet emblem and the fans’ association with the nickname endure.

The Changing Badge: From Hornet to Stag

Watford FC’s old badge featuring an angry hornet wearing football boots — Watford’s old badge, showcasing an angry hornet in football boots, symbolizing the club’s “Hornets” nickname in earlier years.

In the 1970s, Watford embraced its Hornet identity further by including a hornet on the club’s badge, firmly establishing the link between the nickname and the club’s brand. However, in later years, the club opted to revert to a badge that prominently features a stag, paying homage to Watford’s location in Hertfordshire, which has a stag as its county symbol. Interestingly, some fans have noted that the stag could be mistaken for a moose due to its design, but either way, the hornet nickname has endured and remains the fan-favorite way to refer to Watford.

Harry the Hornet – The Matchday Mascot

Harry the Hornet on matchday at Vicarage Road — Harry the Hornet entertaining fans at Vicarage Road on matchday, bringing energy to Watford’s home games.

Harry the Hornet sitting on the Vicarage Road pitch, engaging with away supporters before a game — Harry the Hornet playfully interacting with away supporters on the Vicarage Road turf, adding to the matchday excitement.

Today, Watford are firmly known as “The Hornets,” and Harry the Hornet has become a beloved presence on matchdays. Since his debut, Harry has been known for his antics on the pitch, bringing laughter to home fans and sometimes cheekily winding up opposition players and supporters. A symbol of the club’s lighthearted spirit, Harry has solidified himself as an irreplaceable part of the Watford experience.

One of the quirkiest stories involving Harry the Hornet dates back to the 1990s, when he “married” Harriet Hornet in a staged ceremony on the pitch. In a fun crossover, Wolfie Wolf from Wolverhampton Wanderers even joined in on the celebration, acting as best man. While Harriet has been largely absent in recent years, it’s said that she and Harry had some “relationship issues,” though the full story remains known only to Harry himself.

Fan Spirit – The Chant “Come on you 'Orns”

Watford tifo being raised at the Rookery End before kickoff against Arsenal — Watford fans raise a massive tifo at the Rookery End before kickoff against Arsenal, creating an electrifying atmosphere at Vicarage Road.

Watford fans proudly cheer, "Come on you 'Orns!"—a spirited nod to their hornet-inspired identity, showing just how deeply this nickname resonates with the club and its supporters.

For more insights into Watford’s history, and to see where “The Hornets” play, visit our page on Vicarage Road Stadium, home of Watford Football Club.

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