"Harry the Hornet, who I presume is the mascot, should dive in that way… I think it’s disgraceful."
Those were the unexpected words of then Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson in a pre-match press conference—not about tactics, injuries, or upcoming fixtures, but about a football mascot. Yes, a mascot.
Harry the Hornet had ruffled feathers after mocking Palace forward Wilfried Zaha with a theatrical dive, a cheeky nod to Zaha’s reputation for going down easily. The stunt became headline news, with Hodgson fuming over the antics of a man in a giant hornet suit. Ironically, years later, Hodgson would go on to manage Watford, though it remains a mystery whether he and Harry ever buried the hatchet.
But why are Watford really called “The Hornets”? After all, their club crest features a stag—mistaken by many for a moose—rather than the buzzing insect their nickname suggests. To get to the bottom of this, we need to rewind to Watford’s early years.
From Brewers to Hornets – A Colorful Transformation
Long before the black and yellow, Watford FC experimented with a variety of kits, cycling through black and white, blue and white, and even a period where they were nicknamed The Brewers—a nod to a local brewery that owned the freehold to Vicarage Road.
It wasn’t until the 1959-60 season that the club adopted its now-iconic yellow and black strip. The bold new look led fans to compare the players' appearance on the pitch to a swarm of hornets, and just like that, the nickname took flight.
A Hornet on the Badge – Then Gone Again
In the 1970s, Watford fully embraced their hornet identity, even incorporating an angry-looking hornet into their club badge. But in later years, the club swapped out the hornet for a stag, a symbol of Hertfordshire, the county where Watford is based. Fans have long debated whether the stag looks more like a moose, but despite the badge change, “The Hornets” nickname stuck, proving that identity runs deeper than a logo.
Harry the Hornet – The Mischief Maker
If Watford’s nickname helped define the club’s identity, then Harry the Hornet took it to another level. Debuting as the club’s official mascot, he quickly became a matchday favorite—whether hyping up home fans or winding up opposition players.
Aside from his infamous Zaha dive, Harry has been known for his antics, from the Conor McGregor strut to a staged wedding with “Harriet Hornet” in the 1990s. Even Wolverhampton Wanderers’ mascot, Wolfie Wolf, got involved, acting as best man. While Harriet hasn’t been seen in years—rumors suggest “relationship issues”—Harry remains a lively presence at Vicarage Road.
"Come on You ’Orns!"
Despite the stag on their badge, Watford fans proudly stick with the hornet identity. Their chant—"Come on you ’Orns!"—echoes through Vicarage Road every matchday, proving that even if the club’s badge changes, its spirit never does.
As for Harry and Hodgson? The world may never know if they settled their differences. But one thing’s for sure—Watford’s hornet-inspired legacy isn’t going anywhere.