Xavier Gravelaine

A talented forward but an eccentrically difficult character (“raving mad” was a popular view) who changed clubs with remarkable regularity after making his French League début in the 3rd Division with Pau, and became known as “Doctor Death” in the Watford changing-room during his very brief flirtation with English football. Xavier Gravelaine was unjustly sent off at Vicarage Road in only his second appearance for the club, and his two goals against Southampton contributed to one of only six Premier League victories in 1999/2000. A few weeks later he was gone. In 2003/04 he was voted the French Second Division’s player of the year when he captained Istres to the championship, having earned a First Division championship medal with Paris St Germain ten years earlier. He won four Full international caps.

West Herts / Watford Career