The 2015–16 season was Watford's 135th year in existence and first season back in the Premier League after gaining promotion the previous season.[1] This season Watford participated in the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup. The season covers the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.
Pre-season friendlies
On 14 May 2015, Watford announced they would travel to Wimbledon on 11 July in a pre-season friendly.[2] On 10 June, a trip to Germany was confirmed.[3] On 18 June, the Hornets announced 2015 UEFA Europa League winnersSevilla would visit on 1 August.[4] A day later, a fifth pre-season friendly was confirmed against Cardiff City.[5] On 1 July, Watford announced they will kick pre-season off with a trip to St Albans City.[6] On 10 July, the Hornets confirmed they would travel to Scotland to face Dundee United on 25 July.[7]
Source: Premier League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Play-offs (only if needed to decide champion, teams for relegation or teams for UEFA competitions).[8]
^For players who came through the club's youth system the date used refers to when they signed a professional contract, unless they appeared in a first-team match-day squad prior to that, in which case that date is used.
^A dagger is only displayed if the player was exclusively a loan player during the 2015–16 season. If they signed permanently over the course of the season then it is not displayed.
^All players who have been signed to the club since the opening day of the 2015–16 season are listed. Scholars with professional contracts are not listed unless they appear in a first-team matchday squad.
^Where a player has been released, the date given is when their release was announced by Watford, not when their contract expired or when they joined their next club.
^Where a player has been released, the club they subsequently joined is listed, provided it is professional and occurred during the 2015-16 season.
^On 1 September 2015, Murray's Wigan loan was extended until 16 January 2016.[52]
Reserves and academy
Watford's academy in 2015–16 consists of 17 scholars:
In the second year: Jacob Cook, Andrew Eleftheriou, Michael Folivi, Nathan Gartside, Max Makaka, Brandon Mason, Ogo Obi, Charlie Rowan and Connor Stevens.[61]
In the first year: Denílson Carvalho, Ashley Charles, Treon Johnson, Dion Pereira, Joshua Roe, Louis Rogers, Max Ryan, David Sesay and Andrew Thomas.
In September 2014 and February 2015 respectively, strikers Ogo Obi and Michael Folivi signed agreements for one-year professional contracts to start at the end of their scholarships.[62][63]