Bio:
Less than a year after the FA Cup victory with Sunderland and despite playing in the Second Division, he was given his debut for England in a friendly game against Portugal in Lisbon. Watson, quite advanced in years for a debutant at 27, was one of six first-timers on show (among the others were Trevor Brooking) in what would prove to be 1966 World Cup-winning manager Alf Ramsey’s last game in charge. Later in 1974, Watson won his second cap in a 2–0 defeat by Scotland at Hampden Park, Glasgow, coming on as a substitute for Norman Hunter.
His first competitive game at international level was his seventh appearance in all as England defeated Czechoslovakia 3–0 at Wembley in a qualifier for the 1976 European Championships. Despite this scoreline, England would not ultimately qualify for the finals while the Czechoslovak team would go on to win it. Watson did not miss another England game until 1980.
During the same year, Watson’s establishment as England’s first choice central defender was galvanised by a 4–3 victory over Denmark in Copenhagen which set the seal on a qualification for UEFA Euro 1980 – England’s first major tournament qualification for a decade. Watson continued his England career, earning his 50th cap against Argentina in a warm-up game prior to the European Championships in Italy. Watson duly played in all three of England’s group games – against Belgium, Italy and Spain – but a draw, defeat and victory respectively was not enough for England to progress.
His final appearance for England came against Iceland in June 1982 having gained 65 caps. He was excluded from the squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, with manager Ron Greenwood selecting only three central defenders, Phil Thompson, Terry Butcher and Steve Foster. He did however, appear in the video for “This Time We’ll Get It Right”, England’s 1982 World Cup song. Watson remains the most-capped England player never to play in a World Cup finals match.
Factfile:
- Full Name: David Vernon Watson
- Position: Defender
- Date of Birth: 15.10.1946
- Birthplace: Stapleford
- Nation: England
- Caps: 65
- Goals: 4
- Club Career: Sunderland
- Period: 1970-1975
- League Games, 177
- League Goals, 27
- Previous Club: Rotherham United
- Transfer Fee: £100.000
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