A number of Watford legends were full of praise for the Mental Health World Cup at Vicarage Road on Saturday, where over £90k was raised.
That figure will continue to rise this week, a huge tally from what was a fantastic day organised by WD18 co-hosts Charlie Zazzera and Sam Ucko, as well as Mental Health World Cup founder Giancarlo Gaglione, at Vicarage Road.
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The auction for a number of prizes remains open.
Several former Watford players took part in the five-a-side tournament on the pitch, as 40 teams went head-to-head for the trophy.
Senegal – a team featuring current club staff, including Charlie Daniels, Aidy Mariappa and Lloyd Doyley – were defending champions from 2025 and reached the final this time around, where they were beaten by Norway (Comberton).
Both Mariappa and Doyley, though, very much enjoyed the day.
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Mariappa said: “Last year was a wicked event and it seems like it’s gone up again this year.
“To see how many people have come out and everyone getting together for a good cause, creating awareness, it’s just a good positive feeling about the day.
“Everyone had a good go! Everyone wanted to win it and football’s got a way of helping the community and doing some really positive stuff.”
Doyley added: “We’re big on this. We still work at Watford right now and we’re big on mental health, especially in men.
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“It’s a great event.”
Craig Cathcart and Tommie Hoban were among the headline former players to return to The Vic, featuring on the WD18 turf for the first time since their respective departures in 2023 and 2019.
Craig Cathcart back at Vicarage Road (Image: James Stock)
Both ex-defenders commented on the impressive turnout.
Cathcart said: “I was invited last year and I couldn’t make it, but I got the invite this year and I was happy to come.
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“I didn’t realise how big it was. I was expecting a smaller tournament but it’s a big event, it’s impressive, and for a really good cause obviously.”
Hoban added: “I wasn’t expecting it to be as big as it was when I arrived.
“It’s for an amazing cause, something that a lot of us can relate to in one way or another.
“It’s nice to catch up with a few old players like Craig, Mapps [Mariappa] and Lloydy [Doyley] and good to get back out on the pitch.”
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Nigel Gibbs, second on the list of all-time Watford appearances, was also in attendance, engaging with supporters and former team-mates throughout the day.
He said: “I came to the event a couple of years ago at West Herts and it’s grown.
“It’s a really good thing – the support for charity is the most important thing but coming to Watford and playing on the pitch is also great for supporters and some of the former players.”
Tommy Smith and William Troost-Ekong face each other (Image: WD18)
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Tommy Smith, who played 273 times for the club across two spells highlighted the “brilliant people” driving the event.
The former forward said: “I was lucky enough to play in this last year and it’s gradually got bigger and bigger.
“It’s so important, the awareness for men’s mental health particularly, and there some brilliant people here driving it.
“So much hard work has gone into it and I’m just here to enjoy the day.
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“It’s a bit like the old times, being here with guys like Tommy Mooney and Paul Robinson. The best times in our careers happened at Watford and it’s obviously my boyhood club.
“You do create those lovely connections.”
William Troost-Ekong and Anthony McNamee were among the other former Hornets involved on a memorable day.