Published: Thursday, 4th June, 2009 5:10pm
Rodgers appeases irate Hornets fans
by Anthony Smith
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Sad to go: Brendan Rodgers has issued a direct and emotional message to Watford fans.
NEW Reading boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted his short stint as Watford manager left an everlasting impression on him.
In his first public statement since returning to Berkshire today (Thursday), Rodgers issued an emotional message to all Hornets fans.
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman spent only seven months at Vicarage Road and many Watford fans are devastated he has gone.
And Rodgers, who used to run Reading"s Academy and reserves team, admitted the decision to re-join the club after five years away was one of the toughest he has ever had to make.
'I"m very proud of my work at Watford Football Club in what has been a short period,' he said. 'But my decision to come to Watford in November 2008 has proved to be the right one.
'It was a very difficult period in the club"s history but we became one club after all the turmoil and for that I want to say a special thank you to all the Watford supporters.
'I will never forget my walk around the pitch after the last home game of the season versus Derby County. We are now on different journeys, however I wish the club every success and I"m very proud that I will be forever connected in the history of your great club.'
Reading are expected to call a press conference tomorrow (Friday) when Rodgers will be officially unveiled.
It is clear he leaves Vicarage Road with a heavy heart but he could not resist the temptation to manage his hometown club.
'I wish all the players every happiness in their football and family lives,' he added. 'And finally on behalf of my wife and children we would like to thank the staff on matchdays at Vicarage Road - they showed great professionalism and care and this we will never forget.'
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Dan
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Jun 4 09 17:24
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All the talk of having Integrity on May 28th - You've just made yourself look an idiot.
Thanks for keeping us in the Championship, but that's all you'll get from us.
Forever Connected in the history of our great club? Don't flatter yourself, you're nothing more then a foot note.
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Trevor M
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Jun 4 09 18:01
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It seems sad that many Watford fans have been reading BR's quotes as is suited them and not the words reported.
When first questioned about the Royals post he said "At this moment, I am concentrating on Watford", and one final sentence which never made it into the Watford press, something like "Until someone tells me otherwise I am manager of Watford ..." Now somwone has "told" him otherwise.
Good luck to Watford in the future and Royals fans face a new phase of the Club's history. Hopefully the Academy (where BR was so involved) can now see players move into the first team and hold their own.
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WFC always better than Reading
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Jun 4 09 18:04
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This deal was done at christmas, thanks for nothing agent Rodgers
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WFC at Heart
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Jun 4 09 19:33
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Whatever he/was or reported revor M, WFC gave him his BIG chance/break at a very young age and I believe he/Brendon should have showed more loyalty to WFC who really took him to heart.
He has since November talk to the fans of US, TEAM, HONESTY, TOGETHERNESS, COMMITMENT, FAMILY, FUTURE, of WORKING HARD etc, etc and he just walked away at the first offer of more money.
I would also like to know how much the clubs financial troubles have had to play in this decision. Do we need the £1m compensation that badly, how many players will now leave?? At least two players signed new contracts a few weeks ago because of Brendon, so he has let them down too!
Maybe all concerned at WFC need to take this oppurtunity to be honest with the fans and truely tell us the state of our club and its finances and why we let a brilliant young manager leave.
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Dan Gleebits
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Jun 5 09 01:02
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“I will never forget my walk around the pitch after the last home game of the season versus Derby County. We are now on different journeys, however I wish the club every success and I’m very proud that I will be forever connected in the history of your great club.”
Yeah whatever, don\'t expet him to hang around too long, he\'s shown his true colours now, the Greedy Lying Git!!
it wasn\'t five minutes ago he was announcing his commitment to the club
Don\'t fall for a word this a\'hole says. The second \"the special one\" comes calling he\'ll be off.
it\'s gonna be tasty at the vic next season, what a c u next tuseday!!!!!!!
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Dan Gleebits
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Jun 5 09 01:04
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what\'s all that \\r\\n\\r crap
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Jon
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Jun 5 09 09:59
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Seriously lads Bredan was a Reading for nearly going on a decade at our academy I think he has more than a little bit of a pull to Reading than money and I can't see him going anywhere else quickly Dan. But of course he is an extremely ambitious man and I'm sure he will be going straight to the top and if he takes Reading as far as we can go I would be happy to see him go on to bigger things when that happens.
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