Watford Observer

The Walthamstow midfielder made more than 300 league and cup appearances for the Hornets during two spells at the club from 1964 to 1978, either side of moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former midfielder Dennis Bond at the age of 77,” said Spurs on ‘X’, formerly Twitter.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Dennis’ friends and family at this impossibly sad time.”

A Spurs fan as a child, Bond made his Watford debut as a 17-year-old in a 5-2 Division Three defeat at Gillingham in August 1964.

Described on the Watford FC Archive as a player "oozing class from a very early age", Bond soon became an integral part of the Watford side under Bill McGarry and Ken Furphy., making more than 100 appearances before he joined his boyhood club in March 1967 for what was then a Watford club record fee of £30,000.

Bond made just 27 first-team appearances in all competitions during his three years at White Hart Lane, moving across London to join Charlton Athletic in October 1970.

He then returned to Vicarage Road, initially on loan, in 1973 and was to miss only a handful of games in the next four seasons for Mike Keen’s side.

Bond made five appearances in Graham Taylor’s first season at Vicarage Road as he guided Watford to promotion to Division Three, the last of those being his 301st and final one for the club in a 3-2 victory over Southport in April 1978.

Bond then joined Dagenham on a free transfer and went on to play non-league football for clubs including Boreham Wood and Waltham Abbey before finally hanging up his boots at the age of 55.

The game will kick-off at 7pm as the young Hornets look to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Matt Bevans’ Under-18s have already progressed through the third and fourth rounds to earn the game with the North London side.

In the third round they beat Oxford 2-1 at Kings Langley FC thanks to an instinctive strike from Kash Odiase.

Then, in the fourth round, Amin Nabizada netted twice as the Hornets were impressive 4-1 winners against Crewe at the Orbital Fasteners Stadium.

Spurs beat Middlesbrough 3-2 in the third round, before seeing off a fightback from Grimsby in the fourth round.

Spurs were 3-1 up at Blundell Park going into the last minute but the Mariners scored twice to take the game to extra time before Tottenham went on to win 5-3.

The Hornets have a proud FA Youth Cup history, winning the trophy in both 1982 and 1989.

Tickets for the tie are currently on sale, and admission is free if you are a season ticket holder.

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Fans can get their tickets from tickets.watfordfc.com, over the phone on 01923 223023 and in-person at the Supporter Services & Ticketing Office at Vicarage Road.

Watford season ticket holders can attend for free, but their seats will need to be pre-booked.

Adult tickets are priced at £5 and those aged 18 & under can secure their seat for £1, with all seating reserved in the Sir Elton John Stand.

One team, West Bromwich Albion, are already through to the last eight after winning 4-2 at Norwich City.

Fulham are due to host Arsenal tomorrow (Friday) night, while there are four ties scheduled for Tuesday including Leeds United v Manchester City.

The glamour tie of the round is next Thursday, when Manchester United host Chelsea.

The Hornets already had their place in the last 16 of the prestigious competition thanks to a commanding 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra at Kings Langley FC last week.

However, they had to wait until last night to discover who they would be hosting – and then had to be even more patient as Spurs required extra-time to secure a 5-3 win away at Grimsby Town.

The North London side seemed set to ease through as they led 3-1 in the 89th minute of the game at Blundell Park, but the home side pulled one back and then made it 3-3 deep into stoppage time.

Grimsby, who had already beaten Premier League side West Ham in the previous round, had the scent of another upset but Spurs scored a goal just before and after half-time of the additional 30 minutes to win the tie.

Although the exact date when the Hornets - who are coached by Matt Bevans and Lloyd Doyley - will host their North London rivals is not yet known, it is due to be played before Saturday February 8.

In the previous two rounds Watford have played their home times at Kings Langley, but in previous season when they have been drawn against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, they have moved ties to Vicarage Road – the assumption is they will do the same this time around.

The Hornets are one of seven non-Premier League teams that will contest the fifth round, with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City are still involved while Manchester United will host Chelsea in the last 16.

Watford have twice won the FA Youth Cup, famously beating Manchester United 7-6 on aggregate in 1982, and then winning 2-0 over two legs with Manchester City seven years later.

Tottenham have won the competition three times, in 1970, 1974 and most recently in 1990.

Neither side has reached the final in the last 30 years.

Iconic Spurs players Ossie Ardiles, David Howells, and Pat Jennings, along with Wimbledon legend Dave Beasant, took to the greens at The Grove Hotel to support the hospice.

David Howells said: "It was a fantastic day, we managed to meet some wonderful people, and all for a brilliant cause in supporting the work done by Noah’s Ark."

The players were joined by a number of the charity’s corporate partners, with a lunch and auction bringing in further funds.

Among the prizes were rounds of golf with the sports stars and a signed Tottenham Hotspur shirt.

The money raised will be significant for Noah's Ark which helps babies, children, and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, and their families, make the most of every day.

It costs more than £6 million a year to run, with the majority of that funding coming from voluntary donations.

Roscoe Mahoney, a Noah's Ark dad, spoke about his family's experiences with the hospice supporting his twins, Ray and Arthur, since their infancy.

Roscoe said: "It was amazing to be at the golf day, Noah’s Ark is very dear to me and a huge part of my life, and Tottenham is also in my DNA.

"I was so grateful to attend and to have had the chance to meet the legends."

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice welcomes the referrals of babies, children, and young people who meet their acceptance criteria and live in various areas in and around London, including Hertsmere.

More information is available at noahsarkhospice.org.uk.