Description Founded in 1881 as Watford Rovers, Watford Leisure operates the Watford Football Club, home to football (soccer) team the Hornets. The team made its first Premiership appearance in 2000 and currently plays in the Championship (England's second tier of football). Watford plays at the 22,000-capacity Vicarage Road Stadium. Watford is known for its youth Academy and developing young players. Investor Michael Ashcroft owns more than a third of Watford Leisure and granted a £5 million ($8 million US) loan to the company to save it from administration toward the end of 2009.