Richard Lee With Danny Shittu and Aidy Boothroyd

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Posted by: Richard Lee 22/11/2009

Iron Filing

It just gets better and better!

A fantastic display on a wet and windy day at home to Scunthorpe means we sit just a single point off fourth place after 17 games.

Firstly an apology for no diary last week. By the time had chance to sit down it was Thursday so thought it best to wait until this weekend to catch up on everything WFC.

For me it was the best start to a game we’ve experienced this season. We seemed to keep the ball for long periods of time and were always probing. On another day it really could’ve been five or six. That being said Scott had to be at his best on a couple of occasions and we had him to thank for some vital saves that meant our dominance was rewarded.

Once again Heidar continued to add to his cult status. In fact the first two goals were of the highest quality. I made a comment at the time that I’m not sure there are many teams in this division that are capable of football such as that - and I would go as far to say that I don’t believe we were just a short while ago, which is a massive testament to our current squad.

It goes without saying that the feeling around the place is very good right now. We have a squad that is very much singing from the same hymn sheet. There really isn’t any bad characters around the place, no out of control egos etc., just a young squad that are all willing to pull for each other. The banter is great, the training is sharp and the results are being seen on the field.

It is important to note that we will be doing our utmost not to get carried away though. It is exciting times right now but we have already had a couple of examples of the pitfalls of this division and how quickly things can change so we know we must continue the high standard of football we have shown so far and who knows where it may take us.

On a personal note it was great to be back involved yesterday. The knee is feeling good, the team of physios have been great with me and I’m feeling very strong right now. I haven’t trained too much but, hopefully, with another good week of training under my belt I’ll be back to my sharpest and ready if called upon.

Bye for now.

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I wanted this section to be as complete as possible, so I’ve spent quite a long time writing these pages and choosing some ‘interesting’ photos from all sorts of stages of my life. I hope you find it a good read.

Early Years and School Days

Where to begin? Well I was born on the 5th of October, 1982, in John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

I lived in Bicester until the age of four before moving to Bierton, near Aylesbury. I only lived there until I was seven but within this time I’d joined a local Sunday football team called Bedgrove Dynamos - a team that I stayed with until the age of 11 when I joined Watford.

When I was seven we moved to Longwick, where my parents still currently live, and I attended Longwick Primary School as a boy...

My Family and Friends

I’m the oldest of four boys. Being the oldest you’d think my brothers would look up to me and want to follow in my footsteps. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Until recently none of them had shown any interest in football whatsoever. My dad has always been a big football fan and he’s the biggest reason that football has taken such a prominent role in my life...

Football – Kick Off and Youth Team Days

As I mentioned, I started with Bedgrove Dynamos and stayed with them until the age of 11. It was then that I was aware of a Watford scout present at one of our games. This happened to be a game that we won 10-0 and a game that I didn’t touch the ball! Thankfully my manager at the time recommended me to the scout and I was subsequently given trials...

2001/02 - Under Luca and 2002/03 - Under Ray

Big changes were anticipated with the arrival of Luca Vialli, unfortunately things didn’t go quite to plan and a disappointing season meant only one year at the helm for him.

For me it did mean the introduction of Kevin Hitchcock who has played a major role in my career to date and was a big reason I made the year-long loan to Blackburn – more of that later...

2003/04 – What a Nightmare!

The following season didn’t quite go as hoped. In fact it was a complete nightmare for so many reasons. It seemed doomed from the beginning, firstly I twisted an ankle one morning when I decided to go out early to work on my kicking.

I’d return to the physio room to be told I’d just been handed another call-up, which I therefore had to turn down...

2004/05 – The Cheek of it!

The following season I found the breakthrough I was hoping for. Unfortunately for a keeper it normally requires an injury or sending-off for you to get your chance and that was exactly what happened.

Alec sustained an injury that would allow me to start the season, and this wouldn’t be the only time when an injury to Alec would give me my chance – more of that later.

2005/06 – Off to Rovers

The next season was here and the new regime under Aidy would soon be in full flow. Changes were again made and players were coming and going faster than ever. The first meeting we had he informed us of his goals for the season: automatic promotion was the goal and Play-Offs the worst-case scenario...

Dragons' Den

Dr Cap Website - New Era Caps & Hats

Since appearing on the show I think I’ve received more recognition for that than for my football! It was a great experience and something I’m glad I went through. It all began as a joke really, as a regular viewer of the show it was my friend Daren who suggested that we apply for the show with our idea of a selection of headwear stores...

2006/07 – My Return

The new season was here and I was determined to make an impression. I reported back and would initially be up against Alec and a young lad we’d signed from Lincoln, Scott Loach. It was widely expected that Ben Foster would be returning to us on loan at some point in the near future...

2007/08

Well as of writing this we are well and truly in the battle for promotion, hopefully when I add to this at the end of the season we will once again be in the Premiership. Fingers crossed!

Future Dreams

I’ve included this section just as much as a reminder to myself as well as pointing out where I’d love to see myself at some point in the future. I’m a huge believer in setting goals for yourself and I love a good quote!...

2007/2008 Season

The season of 07/08 would inevitably be one of huge disappointment but one that I can now look back upon with a lot of pride.

Ben Foster had left and the new challenge came in the shape of a man who, at the age of 36, already had legendary status is Estonia, Mart Poom ....

2008/2009 Season

I want to start this piece by saying that this season from a personal point of view was my most disappointing of my career up to date and I will go on to explain why as I give my run down but for that reason I feel more focused than I ever have done and know I’ll look back on it as being a pivotal part of my future.

The season didn’t start well, a pre existing knee injury flared up on a pre season tour to Austria and meant I would sit out the majority of pre season. ....

2009/2010 Season

Perhaps my most frustrating season to date and in truth a bit of a non entity.

As with every season I approached it with hope. Hope that I could oust Scott and get myself re-established as Watford's number one keeper and in truth I don't think there was much more I could've done, Scott was consistent in his performances and although I shone in the reserves it would never be enough to reclaim the spot I badly desired...

All images on this site are courtesy and copyright of Action Images, Alan Cozzi/Watford FC or Ann Barton.
Dr Cap Website - Find Your New Era Cap