Tribute: Martin Patching (1958-2023)

All at Watford FC were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Martin Patching, who was great company as a man and a trusted team-mate as a player.

Within the many words chronicling the Hornets’ first prolonged period of glory between the late 1970s and late 1980s, Patching is always referred to with affection by the players that shared the pitch - and the local pubs - with him.

A gruff-voiced, quietly-spoken midfielder hailing from the Yorkshire town of Rotherham, ‘Patch’ grew up as a Wolverhampton Wanderers fan, admiring their big names of the early 1970s, and cemented that allegiance when signing on youth forms for the Black Country club in 1973.

A former England schoolboy and youth international, he was just short of his 17th birthday when ex-Watford manager Bill McGarry, then in charge at Molineux, introduced Patching from the bench for his first-team debut as Wolves ran out 5-1 winners over Sheffield United on October 11, 1975.

His career appearances totals could have been so much higher, however he spent much of his time at Wolves as back-up - in the days of just one substitute - to Molineux midfield legends like Steve Daley, Kenny Hibbitt and Willie Carr.

Hoping to shake off that bit-part player tag, he joined Graham Taylor’s Hornets in December 1979, but with hot competition for places again - allied to an unwelcome knack of picking up injuries at inopportune moments - Patching’s chances to shine were limited at Vicarage Road also.

Shine he did though, gloriously, on a sunny afternoon in May 1983, when champions Liverpool were the visitors to Vicarage Road for a very special season finale.

Watford needed to beat the mighty Reds and hope that Manchester United slipped up at Notts County to claim an amazing runners-up place in Football League Division One - the top-flight of the English game - having won the Fourth Division just five years ago.

Patching made one of his forward forays, typical of a player with a keen eye for goal as nearly 20 goals in 125 midfield career starts proved, and was found by Luther Blissett’s pass. He scored past Bruce Grobbelaar with unerring accuracy and wheeled away in great delight.

Often lost in this tale is that he hadn’t featured for the Hornets since December 1982 and his previous match of the campaign was on loan at Northampton Town in Division Four (!) on February 19. Literally, he came in from the cold to help the Hornets make history.

Three seasons before that, he played in both legs of that extraordinary League Cup Second Round tie against Saturday’s visitors Southampton; the first lost 4-0 at The Dell before the second won - gloriously, with Patching on the scoresheet - 7-1 at The Vic, 7-5 on aggregate after extra-time.

A final pro career appearance came in September 1983, but Patching didn’t stray far. Local life suited him, combining landlord duties with stints in non-league football at Dunstable Town, Staines Town and Hendon.

Roles in scouting followed, once the boots had been hung up with any number of knee complaints having been ignored to squeeze more football in, before a second association with the Hornets blossomed.

Establishing himself - through his ‘Patch’s Pointers’ feature - as a trusted analyst of likely opposition styles with a regular match programme column, he also picked up the microphone and was a popular, thoughtful expert summariser for BBC Three Counties Radio.

Heralded a hero once again by a room-full of Watford fans keen to hear Patch’s recollections of that unforgettable 1982/83 season, he was in top form during the ‘Thirty Years On’ event at The Vic in 2013.

Patching - whose son Cauley Woodrow is enjoying a successful professional career - is fondly remembered by many current Watford FC staff who built up a great rapport with him; easily done given Patch’s big heart and welcoming smile.

RIP Martin. Our love to his family and friends at this time.

Martin Patching
Football League clubs: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Watford, Northampton Town
Total club appearances: 125 + 18 (Watford 33 + 3)
Total goals: 18 (Watford 6)