 | | Watford fans at the parade |
The town of Watford celebrated their team's promotion to the Premiership as thousands turned out in the rain to congratulate them. Watford were promoted to the Premiership after a stunning victory over Leeds United at the Millennium Stadium in the Championship play-off Final, and as well as the fact that they will be playing top flight football next season, they were also rewarded by a Civic Reception at the Town Hall, followed by an open topped bus tour around the streets of the town.
 | | Looking to the Premiership: The team on the bus! |
Manager Adrian Boothroyd and his players, all the Watford staff, the Chairman and the Board took to three open topped buses for the trip and supporters came in their thousands, bedecked in shirts, scarves, hats, flags and banners, to show their appreciation. The rain tipped down as the parade began but it couldn't dampen the spirits and enthusiasm of the fans on the streets, and as the convoy reached the High Street the sun came out at last! BBC Three Counties' Simon Oxley was one of very few media representatives actually on the bus and got the reaction of players, manager and Chairman as the parade continued on its way! here are some of their views: Ashley Young "Going into the Premiership is every boy's dream and that's what we're living, we're living the dream!" Gavin Mahon | "Thank you to all those fans out there who have .... followed us all over. We appreciate it, we love you and we'll see you next year." | | Adrian Boothroyd |
"For the fans to come out in this weather shows how much it means to them. Personally it hasn't sunk in yet but when you see this and how much it means to the supporters and to Watford, it's amazing." Matthew Spring "It's an unbelievable turnaround for me personally and obviously the club, but it's fantastic. You see all the people out here in the rain and the lads appreciate them coming out and they appreciate us so it's great!" Darius Henderson
 | | Fans showed their delight |
"Throughout my career I've worked hard and put in a lot of hours on the training ground, and to have days like this is almost a dream come true." Malky Mackay "It's a fantastic sight and caps off a great season for the club. It's one of those nights that lives with you forever. It's been a fairytale season for me." Marlon King "Magnificent. Due to the weather we thought there'd be less people but they've been magnificent and turned out once again." Graham Simpson
 | | One fan makes herself heard |
"I think I'm still up there on cloud nine. I'm just so proud of everybody, I'm so happy for Watford, for the directors, the players the fans, Aidy, everybody. I'm very emotional and a very happy man." Adrian Boothroyd "I'm supposed to be organised and prepared but I'm the only doughnut who didn't bring a coat today!" "What a fantastic experience for all of us, well deserved for everybody and it's scenes like that that make all the hard work worthwhile."
 | | Flags were out in force |
"We've got something special here, we've got a feel good factor going on. The lads have worked very, very hard, the staff and everybody connected with the club are working even harder to make sure that we maintain that momentum." "My little boy just said 'Daddy can we go round again?' and I said 'no mate, you'll have to wait until next year', so hopefully we'll do it next year with another bit of silverware!" "Thank you to all those fans out there who have come to all those horrible windy nights and followed us all over. We appreciate it, we love you and we'll see you next year." You can hear the review of Watford's season on BBC Three Counties Sports' Teamtalk on Friday 26 May 6.00pm-8.00pm. | 
