Watford release Elton John kit celebrating 50 years since he became chairman
By Casey Cooper-Fiske, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter
Watford FC have released a new kit celebrating the 50th anniversary of Elton John becoming chairman of the Championship football team in 1976.
The blue kit, which is inspired by the colour Watford wore during the singer’s early days as a supporter, is available to pre-order now and will be worn by the team, who have worn yellow home shirts since 1959, for the first time in their home game against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Speaking in a launch video for the kit, the 78-year-old said: “My passion for this club has never died, and I’m so proud of this club, ever since I was five years old when we played in blue and there were two rickety old stands.
“What can I say? It’s in my heart and my soul; you can’t get rid of it. The supporters of this club have always been in my heart.”
The shirt is inspired by the artwork for his Diamonds hits compilation, and features his E logo, an embossed print of the lyrics of Your Song, and the ‘Happy Hornet’ badge, which was the club logo when Elton became chairman.
✌️🤙 pic.twitter.com/zSrGj5FTrg
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) September 10, 2025
Elton remains honorary life president at the club, who are nicknamed the Hornets, having left his second stint as chairman in 2002, with Watford crediting the singer with changing “the trajectory and future of the club forever”.
During his time as chairman, the club rose from the fourth division to second place in the top flight in the late 1970s and early 1980s, playing European football and reaching an FA Cup final.
The shirts will come packaged in a special edition gift box, and will be available in the club’s shops and online from 9am on Friday, with pre-orders expected to arrive before the kit’s launch on Friday.
The kit is available from ages seven to eight through to adult 4XL, including a dedicated women’s fit up to UK size 18.
Elton has achieved 10 UK number one albums and 10 UK number one singles during his career, and is best known for songs such as Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Candle In The Wind.
Managed by Paulo Pezzolano, Watford currently sit 14th in the Championship table, having won just one of their first five league matches.
