Watford, EnglandEst. 1881“The Hornets”

Retro Watford Shirts & Clothing

Classic Hornets shirts, from the gold and black first worn in 1959 to the Vicarage Road sides of the 1960s, plus a sweatshirt. Our retro shirts are made from 100% cotton.
Shop all 3 Watford productsRead the Watford kit story ↓
Watford 1959-1961 Football Retro Shirt Watford 1959-1961 Football Retro Shirt
Est. 1990The original retro shirt company
100% cottonAuthentic look and feel
Adults & kidsSizes S–5XL, plus kids’ range
Name & numberPersonalise any shirt
The collection

Watford Retro Kits

3 products
Watford 1960s Retro Shirt 1960s
Quick add · pick a size

Watford 1960s

£55.00£50.00
Long sleeve
£55.00£50.00
Kids’ shirtsSizes for ages 3–13 → Red retro football shirt personalised with any name and number 10 Add a name & numberPeriod-correct lettering →
About the collection

The Watford kit story

Watford kit timeline
  1. 1881Founded as Watford Rovers
  2. 1922Moves to Vicarage Road
  3. 1959Gold shirts, black shorts and a new nickname, the Hornets
  4. 1976Gold becomes yellow, and red joins the colours
  5. 1982Promoted to the First Division for the first time
  6. 1984Reaches the FA Cup Final

Watford’s yellow and black shirts gave the club its nickname, the Hornets. Our retro Watford shirts recreate classic Watford kits from the moment those colours arrived in 1959, made from 100% cotton with no modern sponsor or manufacturer logos.

Vicarage Road

The club traces its story back to Watford Rovers, formed in 1881. After playing at several grounds, including Cassio Road for 32 years, Watford moved to Vicarage Road in 1922 and have been there ever since.

Gold and black, then yellow

For the 1959–60 season Watford switched to gold shirts and black shorts, and supporters voted to change the nickname to the Hornets. Our Watford 1959-1961 Football Retro Shirt comes from those first seasons, and the Watford 1960s Retro Shirt follows on. In 1976 red joined the colours and the gold became yellow.

Graham Taylor’s Watford

Under Graham Taylor the club rose through the divisions, reaching the First Division for the first time in 1982 and finishing second in 1982–83. In 1984 Watford reached the FA Cup Final. For the stands, try the Watford Yellow Panel Sweatshirt. Explore more in our retro Championship shirts collection and our casualwear.

Watford shirt FAQs

Why are Watford called the Hornets?+

Watford switched to gold shirts and black shorts for the 1959–60 season, and supporters voted to change the nickname to the Hornets.

When did Watford first reach the top flight?+

Under Graham Taylor, Watford were promoted to the First Division for the first time in 1982 and finished second the following season.

Can I add a name and number to my Watford shirt?+

Yes. Choose a name and number for £12, or just a name or just a number for £7.50. We match the lettering style to the era of your shirt.

What sizes do the Watford shirts come in?+

Adult shirts come in sizes S to 5XL, and we make a kids’ range too. Check the size guide on each shirt for chest measurements.

Can I return my shirt?+

Unpersonalised shirts can be returned within 14 days. Personalised shirts are made to order, so they can’t be returned unless faulty.