John Alfred Meadows
Wing-half / Inside-forward (1951-1960)
As a 19-year-old Willington player Johnny Meadows missed the 1950 Amateur Cup Final through injury. The merit of a long and worthy Vicarage Road career as a stylish wing-half and inside-forward was subsequently tarnished by his admitted involvement, as Watford’s captain, in match-fixing irregularities at the end of 1957/58. Two seasons later he led the Reserves when they won the championship of Football Combination Division 2. This coolest of penalty-kick specialists had two brothers who had Watford links as amateurs and played to a good standard at that level outside the professional game. Their father was a writer of popular songs, his most famous composition being “Oh My, What a Referee!”.
West Herts / Watford Career
Football League Career
| Season | Club | Apps | Subs | Goals | League Status and Final Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951/1952 | WATFORD | 18 | 1 | Football League Division 3 (South) - 21st of 24 | |
| 1952/1953 | WATFORD | 26 | 12 | Football League Division 3 (South) - 10th of 24 | |
| 1953/1954 | WATFORD | 8 | 2 | Football League Division 3 (South) - 4th of 24 | |
| 1954/1955 | WATFORD | 33 | 4 | Football League Division 3 (South) - 7th of 24 | |
| 1955/1956 | WATFORD | 24 | 1 | Football League Division 3 (South) - 21st of 24 | |
| 1956/1957 | WATFORD | 42 | 12 | Football League Division 3 (South) - 11th of 24 | |
| 1957/1958 | WATFORD | 32 | 5 | Football League Division 3 (South) - 16th of 24 (Relegated) | |
| 1958/1959 | WATFORD | 38 | 5 | Football League Division 4 - 15th of 24 | |
| 1959/1960 | WATFORD | 1 | Football League Division 4 - 4th of 24 (Promoted) |