Watford News 24/7Writer: Dr Watford 
Date:Monday September 8 2008
Time: 9:57AM
UK time is: 04:47:02
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Watford almost missed out on legend
Watford wing legend John Barnes has revealed the Hornets almost missed out on his signature all those years ago…
The Jamaican born flyer, who along with Luther Blissett, set Vicarage Road alive at the tender age of 17, told Soccer AM it was only a last gasp, last minute offer from Graham Taylor that kept him in England and spared him from entering the 'soccer scene` over the pond in the US.
Speaking on a pre-recorded segment titled 'Why I love Football` Digger said "I fully expected to go back to Jamaica…I didn`t expect to be in England - I got offered a football scholarship to Washington University which I would have done."
He added "It wasn`t until 6 months before I was due to go back [to Jamaica] that Watford - my first club - saw me playing in the park and offered me the chance to stay and play…"
And play he did. Barnes wracked up almost 300 appearances for the Golden Boys scoring 83 goals in the process after joining up with the Hornets in June 1981 from amateur outfit Sudbury Court.
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Your Comments
John Barnes is a legend... He along with Luther and Mooney are my top 3 Hornets....
watford1881
Yes, he's definitely up there in my best ever Watford XI, Team: Coton, Welbourne, Eddy, Sims, Walley, Rostron, Scullion, Blissett, Jenkins, Bond & Barnes. Manager GT. All these players proved their value at the Vic and would certainly hold their own in the Prem today. Come on You 2008/9 Golden Boys!
RFB-gloryhornetboys
For skill & flair, top draw player, still think liverpool got him on the cheap, although his partnership with luther and girls at hotels was aparantly top draw too, have to add alledgedly!
ANDY710
He's got 6 kids now... and the weight to prove it. £900k was a good bit of business for Watford at the time. £1m was seen as a massive figure...oh, how things have changed.
DrWatford
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