Francis Finishes

‘Orns midfielder Damien Francis has today retired on strong medical advice after watching his knee condition detoriate once again.

‘I’m devastated to have to accept the decision to announce my retirement,’ he told the club website.

‘But I have been strongly advised by my surgeon that I cannot continue to put my knee through such trauma.’


The Jamaican cap joined Watford in 2006 and at the back end of the season picked up an anterior cruciate ligament problem. Despite a brief comeback last season, including several goals, the former Wimbledon, Wigan and Norwich man was soon back on the treatmeant table.

Despite scoring against Darlo in the league cup, Francis broke down again and was unable to ever fully recover. A wasted talent, one might say. In his pomp at Norwich, Francis was a fine, exciting, box-to-box goalscoring midfielder and a player I deeply reverred.

In total, Francis made 44 Watford appearances, scoring 13.

Good luck and thanks Damien!