Harry the Hornet

Harry the Hornet is the mascot of English football club, Watford F.C. He is decorated in the club colours of yellow, red and black. The club are nicknamed the Hornets.^[1]

As well being the mascot at games at Vicarage Road, he also attends some away games and regularly visits schools and hospitals in the Hertfordshire region.

History

Harry the Hornet has undergone at least three different operations over the years. He looked quite fierce when he first became a regular on the touchline at Vicarage Road in 1995, but has now adopted a child-friendly demeanour. The main reason for the first change was a dispute between the club and the man who worked inside the suit, which resulted in him retaining Harry's head and so a redesign became necessary.

On 28 August 1998, Harry got married to Harriet the Hornet. This was live on TV and was highly embarrassing, the marriage took place on the pitch at Vicarage Road before the start of the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., and was witnessed by Wolfie, the Wolves mascot, who acted as Harry's best man. The club held a full wedding ceremony for Harry and Harriet, rounded off with a sing-along to the chorus of "Elton John's Taylor-Made Army". Elton John was Chairman and Graham Taylor was manager of the club at the time.

From that point on, Harriet joined her husband on the pitch at most home games, although she has not been seen for a number of years. They were very similar in appearance, although Harriet wore a much longer football shirt, which was made to look like a dress, and had long eyelashes.

In 2000, Harry won the second Mascot Grand National held at Huntingdon Racecourse.^[2]

In the second redesign, Harry now wears standard football style shorts and his resemblance to a hornet is therefore reduced.

Harry was present at the play-off final at Wembley Stadium in 1999 and at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff in 2006, both of which Watford won.

The club has used the popularity of the mascot to sell club merchandise, and his face can be found on baby gear, mugs and T-Shirts, all of which are available from the club shop. The club has also sold toy versions of him. In 2004, the club commissioned a local artist to create artwork of Harry to appear in the matchday programme.

The mascot of Watford's arch-rivals Luton Town, is a rip-off of Harry called Harry the Hatter.

References