The 2010–11 English football season officially began on 1 July 2010, and ended on 30 June 2011, although Watford only played competitive fixtures between August and May.

Player of the Season Tommy Smith, highest earner Jobi McAnuff and Hungary international striker Tamás Priskin.

These included captain and USA international Jay DeMerit, former Chelsea player Jon Harley and ex-Rotherham United striker Will Hoskins.

Manager Malky Mackay did, however, decide to retain the services of Liam Henderson and Dale Bennett after the duo triggered one-year extension options in their contracts.

Their final friendly game—the only pre-season match at Vicarage Road—was a 1–0 win against League One team Charlton Athletic, with Danny Graham scoring the only goal of the game.

Legend Win Draw Loss Postponed (P–P) A total of 24 teams competed in the Football League Championship in the 2010–11 season.

The provisional fixture list was released on 17 June 2010, but was subject to change in the event of clashes with other competitions, inclement weather, extraordinary circumstances, or matches being selected for television coverage.

For instance, Watford's opening match of the season at Norwich City was moved from 7 to 6 August, thus becoming the first game of the 2010–11 Football League.

[11] In the televised opening game of the season, away to Norwich City, Watford captain John Eustace scored the first goal of the 2010–11 Football League, after 14 minutes of play.

Norwich pulled a goal back shortly after the interval, before Graham restored Watford's two-goal cushion in the 82nd minute.

Norwich defender Michael Nelson halved Watford's lead in injury time, but the Hornets held on to win 3–2.

[13] The team's next league fixture was a home match against Coventry City, managed by former Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd.

[14] Watford led going into the last five minutes of the game, but Coventry secured a draw with late goals from David Bell and Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Leeds captain Richard Naylor scored the only goal of the game in the 6th minute, while Troy Deeney made his first start for Watford in the absence of Graham.

Graham doubled Watford's advantage shortly after half time, to give his team a second league win of the season.

[16][citation needed] Watford's wait for a first home league win of the campaign ended on 25 September, against Middlesbrough.

[21] In the last game of the month, Watford hosted Swansea City, managed by Malky Mackay's predecessor, Brendan Rodgers.

Watford were able to take 2–1 leads shortly into the second halves, but on each occasion the home side came back to win 3–2.

He was critical of the referee's decision to award Burnley a penalty, but made clear that there is "no room for hard luck stories" in football.

[72] Coincidentally, the two sides were due to play one another at Aldershot's stadium in a pre-season match at the end of July; that fixture was cancelled by mutual agreement following the draw.

Watford made five changes from the team that started in the 0–0 draw against Hull City; Hodson, Taylor, Eustace, Graham and Loach were rested.

[15][75] Among the replacements were Troy Deeney, who made his first start for Watford, and academy scholar Adam Thompson, who was playing his first ever game of senior football.

[120] Hoban, Massey, Murray and Thompson have made first-team appearances in 2010–11, while Assombalonga, Bond, Isaac and Smith have been unused substitutes.

[121][122][123][124][125] In April Watford announced the fates of the remaining second year scholars; Assombalonga and Isaac were given professional contracts and Archer, Deer, Fenwick, Hemati, Irving and Rosier were released.

At the time of the report Fordwat Limited, the investment company of Michael Ashcroft, owned 37.16% of Watford Leisure.

Valley Grown Salads (VGS), owned by former Watford Leisure directors Jimmy and Vince Russo, held a 29.98% stake.