Watford defender Megan Chandler is embracing a new chapter in the club’s journey as a summer of celebration gives way to the challenge of proving they belong at a higher level.
After securing promotion in emphatic fashion, Chandler described the mood around the club as “pure joy”, with the squad enjoying an extended period of celebration after their title-winning campaign.
“We won it with a game to go, celebrated on the way home and then had to wait to lift the trophy at Vicarage Road,” she said. “It ended up being about three weeks of celebrating – it was an amazing feeling.”
A Club on the Rise
Now entering her eighth season with Watford, Chandler has witnessed first-hand just how far the club has come. What was once a part-time setup has developed into a fully professional environment, with progress built on what she describes as a series of consistent “one per cent improvements”.
“Every year we’ve added something new,” she explained. “Even small things like better day-to-day routines or resources – it all adds up.”
The move to full-time football represents perhaps the biggest step yet.
“Going from having day jobs and training in the evenings to being here every day is tough, but it’s also incredible,” Chandler said. “It’s a huge step in the right direction for the club.”
Ending the ‘Yo-Yo’ Tag
Watford’s recent history has seen the club move between divisions, but Chandler is determined that their latest promotion will mark the beginning of a more sustained period at the higher level.
“The aim this season is to establish ourselves,” she said. “We don’t want to just survive – we want to compete and show we deserve to be here.”
For Chandler, however, establishing the club will take more than what happens over the course of a single campaign. She believes supporters should trust the wider vision and allow the project time to develop.
“There’s a real plan in place,” she added. “Sometimes you have to look beyond one season and see where the club is heading.”
Pride, Progress and Personal Targets
Chandler counts the two promotions she has achieved with Watford among the proudest moments of her career. To have been part of both successes makes them all the more significant.
“To do it twice with the same group is really special,” she said. “The last one was tough – exactly what a title race should be – but that made it even more rewarding.”
Her own ambitions for the new season are straightforward: stay fit, remain consistent and contribute wherever she can.
“I want to stay fit, play as many games as I can and help the team in any way possible,” she said.
Her own development has also seen her move into a different role on the pitch. Having started out in midfield, Chandler has gradually transitioned into central defence.
“I started more as a centre-mid and now I’m a centre-back,” she explained. “It feels natural – probably suits me more. The only position left now would be goalkeeper, but I think I’ll retire before that!”
Respecting the Pathway
Chandler is also keen to highlight the quality that exists throughout the women’s football pyramid, particularly at the level Watford have now left behind.
“Tier three is a really tough, high-quality league,” she said. “It’s not easy to get out of, and there shouldn’t be any stigma around playing there.”
She believes the experience of clubs such as Watford can help demonstrate that the gap between divisions does not have to be as daunting as it is sometimes perceived.
“There shouldn’t be such a big jump,” she added. “Teams coming up should believe they can hold their own.”
Backing a New Generation
Another important part of Watford’s recent success has been the emergence of head coach Renée, who made the rapid transition from player to manager and subsequently guided the club to the title.
Chandler has been impressed by both her leadership and the way she has embraced the opportunity.
“She’s been brilliant,” Chandler said. “She’s honest, passionate and works incredibly hard. To step up so quickly and lead us through a title-winning season is impressive.”
For Chandler, Renée’s progression also highlights the importance of giving talented young coaches opportunities to prove themselves.
“Watford have been great in trusting her,” she said. “There are a lot of talented coaches out there who just need that chance.”
For Watford, the celebrations may now be over, but the next chapter is only just beginning. With a newly professional environment, a squad hungry to establish itself and a long-term vision in place, Chandler and her teammates are ready to discover just how far the club can go.
