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This was it. The defining game of the season. All of our hard work, and all of our results have built up to this point. Having played 41 games, our 42nd game could be the one that secured us promotion back to the Premiership at the first attempt. I went with my strongest team available to me, Priskin and Ellington up-front, with Marlon King on the bench. Our opponents were second placed Sheff Utd, who needed two wins themselves to secure the promotion they craved. Once again, we had to settle for just the one goal win, but I would have taken that without question at the start of the match. It was Hungarian striker Tamas Priskin who sealed the points, as he headed home Tommy Smith's free-kick past Paddy Kenny. The visitors didn't help themselves either to be fair, as both Leigh Bromby and Nick Montgomery were given their marching orders, but we held on for our defining moment of the season

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The celebrations couldn't go on too long, as we had another game in two days, but I allowed myself and the team a few celebratory drinks that night. The next day, I turned the television on in time to see Luther Blissett being interviewed by Jeff Stelling. The former Watford man seemed to be surprised by the team's promotion, and particularly by the way we had played under my guidance. He was obviously delighted, but he felt we would need to heavily strengthen the squad to stay in the Premiership. The board also seemed syrprised by the promotion. I couldn't understand what was so surprising about it, as we had a good squad and we had been relegated the season before. Still, whether it was a surprise or not, it was a reality, and we would be plying our trade in the Barclays Premiership next season

We travelled to Wales for our next game looking to secure the Championship title, with our opponents Cardiff looking to push themselves further up the table. Marlon King was back in the side, and he justified his selection by heading us in front a minute before half time. We were pulled back level within four minutes of the restart, but captain Jay DeMerit won the game with a 66th minute header from Jobi McAnuff's corner. To secure the title was a massive achievement, and I was so proud of the boys. I told them just as much in the dressing room, and our lap of honour was applauded by both our fans and the Cardiff supporters, fair play to them, it was a nice touch. My first season in football management, and I had taken Watford to the Championship title. It can't be too bad can it? I love this football manager's life

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Luther Blissett had been on the T.V again, this time praising me for 'working a miracle' by taking this squad to the Championship title with the squad at my disposal. With three games of the season left, I had two more goals I wanted to achieve. To be unbeaten throughout the season, and to reach that magical 100 point mark. If we could do both of those things, the season would be perfect. Outside the ground on the Monday morning, there was a group of fans that were leading a thankyou campaign, led by supporter spokesman Louis Leary. They were quick to say thankyou and praise me and the efforts of the side, saying that winning the title was an unbelievable achievement and they were delighted with my efforts.

The next game we had to concentrate on was an away trip to Colchester. Geraint Williams' side were just one place above the drop zone, and needed 4 points to secure their safety. I was determined that they wouldn't get any of these against us, and we duly did the business, Jobi McAnuff's 32nd minute strike securing us the win. Jobi had been brilliant throughout the season, contributing 15 assists and chipping in with some vital goals, and I was delighted with his part in the side.

The penultimate game of our campaign saw Peter Grant's under-achieving Norwich the final opponents to Vicarage Road for the season. Al Bangura gave us the lead after 23 minutes, curling the ball home from 30 yards, and we went in at half time ahead. Julien Brellier equalised ten minutes into the second half, but Jay DeMerit's header looked enough to seal the points. The visitors had other ideas, Brown equalising four minutes from time, but we struck an injury time winner, Nathan Ellington firing home his 19th goal of the season and sending us past that magical ton

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April 2008

(Championship unless stated)

Watford 1-0 Sheff Utd
Priskin (25)

Cardiff 1-2 Watford
MacLean (48) : King (44) DeMerit (66)

Colchester 0-1 Watford
McAnuff (32)

Watford 3-2 Norwich
Bangura (23) DeMerit (68) Ellington (90) : Brellier (55) Brown (86)

Watford win Championship title

retired_brianrt

Our final game of the season saw us travel to Yorkshire to face Barnsley, a game which was irrelevant to either sides season. One goal won the game, Al Bangura curling home the free-kick on 52 minutes. The win meant we finished the season unbeaten in 46 games, a club record that may take a long time to be beaten again. I never imagined that we would go the season without losing, but I can't say that I'm not a happy man. I love this club, and hopefully now this club loves me

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> PL W D L GD PTS1. WATFORD 46 29 17 0 +45 1042. Sheff Utd 46 26 12 8 +35 90-------------------3. Southampton 46 24 12 10 +34 844. Charlton 46 21 16 9 +19 795. Wolves 46 21 13 12 +15 766. West Brom 46 20 15 11 +26 75-------------------7. Leicester 46 22 8 16 +11 748. Sheff Wed 46 17 13 16 +2 649. Cardiff 46 18 7 21 -13 6110. Stoke 46 15 15 16 +3 60</pre>

104 points. That is a hell of a good season for the team, and one which I am delighted to say I was manager for. The squad of players we had has outdone themselves, although deep down I know I need to strengthen to stay in the Premiership. I'm confident I can bring in the right players and that the lads can establish themselves as a Premiership side. I had been scouring the transfer market already, and found several targets I though would be incredible additions to the squad, and had set about trying to complete deals for these players

Thanks to the undefeated season, I earnt the manager of the year ward, although I told the press it was the players who deserved the accolades. I was shocked, and quite disappointed that only two of them got in the team of the year, Jay DeMerit and Jobi McAnuff the lucky players. It was a true team effort and for the team to do as well as they have it is a fantastic achievement. Premiership here we come. I can't wait, I'm so pumped up about it. I love this job.

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There was one major tournament to come in the summer - Euro 2008. England were the only home nation that would be competing in Austria and Switzerland. I felt that it would be a good chance to have a look at some future targets to try and sign, so I sat down with my notebook and pen in hand to watch the opening match between Croatia and Germany. It turned out to be a better game than I thought it might, and after Miroslav Klose had headed the Germans ahead, it looked as if they would start with a win, but two goals from Arsenal striker Eduardo sent Germany crashing to a shock 2-1 defeat.

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I had managed to secure two signatures to add to the team for the upcoming season, with Lee Martin agreeing a move from Manchester United for £750,000. The left winger was a talented player, and one who I felt would add depth and quality to the squad. He had been rated highly at Old Trafford but he wanted more regular football, which I was more than happy to give him. He would be joined in the transfer window by Levante's Spanish full back David, who would join on a Bosman. He was an experienced full back who would add a little extra quality, and despite his advancing years he would be a good addition to the squad

Sat in the pub with Shaun was always an interesting experience, even more so when I get recognised everywhere. We decided to have a Euro 2008 afternoon, and we sat down to watch the two televised games. The first one was well worth the entrance fee, as France destroyed Romania 6-0, Barcelona's Thierry Henry bagging a hat-trick. The World Cup runners up were in imperious form, and the worry was that they were in England's group. England were the second game, and they easily opened their campaign with a 2-0 win against Switzerland. The hosts tried hard, but the quality of England was too much, as Wayne Rooney and Joe Cole scored the goals to open England up with a win

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I was still busy scouting the Transfer Market, and even with European Championship games on the telly I was still working on finding new additions to the team. I felt that I needed a decent striker, and when I saw that Manchester City's Italian forward Bernardo Corradi was available, I duly made an offer for the services of Corradi. The City fans hadn't been too impressed with his ability, but I was confident he was more than good enough to play for my team

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Germany were in serious danger of going out of the tournament after drawing 2-2 with the Czech Republic, squandering a 2 goal lead in the match, but Croatia became the first team to qualify with a 2-1 win over World Champions Italy. The Croatians had been drawn in a 'group of death' with Italy, Germany and Czech Republic, a group which no-one had expected them to qualify from, but they had won their opening two games to eanr their place in the Quarter Finals. They were soon joined by other teams, but most importantly England beat France 3-0 to secure their place in the Quarter's, Owen, Rooney and Lampard sending the Three Lions through

My offer of £675,000 for Corradi was accepted quickly, and the Italian was quick to agree terms on a move to Vicarage Road. I was also delighted to secure the £2.5 million transfer of Rangers defender Brahim Hemdani. He was unhappy at Ibrox, due to his lack of first team opportunites, and I had no hesitation in offering the Tunisian a contract with us. He could play at centre back or in the holding role, and I was delighted to have a man with such prestigious talents at my disposal. The Championship winning squad would, in the most part, be kept together, but there were a few players that I knew wouldn't be good enough for the Premiership, and they would be allowed to leave the club

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The Quarter Finals of Euro 2008 were decided, and Portugal defeated World Champions Italy on penalties to advance to the Semi-Finals. It was a dour game to watch, but the next live game was one the best of the tournament so far. Sweden and Croatia were the two least favoured teams left in the competition, but they played out a magnificent 3-3 draw in 120 minutes of football. The football was free-flowing, both sides creating chance after chance, and for the neutral it was superb, a great advert for World football, but it was eventually the Scandinavian country who prevailed, winning through 4-3 on penalties.

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I managed to secure two more transfers for the new season, after being handed a transfer budget of £12.5 million, aswell as the additional funds left over from the previous season. The healthy situation of the money saw me secure a club record signing, Deprtivo's Spanish striker Riki agreeing a three year deal on £16,400 per week. He wasn't a well known player to our fans, but having scouted him for months I had full faith in his ability to do a job for the team. He would join on July 1st, in three days, with the rest of the new signings, and I was looking forward to the season more and more with each passing day

England had advanced to the Semi's thanks to an extra time golden goal win over Holland, and there they faced Portugal in a re-match of the World Cup Quarter Finals. This time, the result was very much different, as England ran out as surprisingly comfortable 2-0 winners, with Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand's second half goals sealing England's place in their first major final for 42 years. There, they would face France, who were fortunate to defeat a hard working Sweden 1-0, thanks to a moment of genius from Thierry Henry, in what would be a re-match from Group D in this very tournament

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I was faced with good news when I returned to the office, as club chairman Graham Simpson offered me a new two year extension to my contract. He dropped it in front of me, and I signed it there and then, there was never any doubt I wouldn't. I would be earning £2,750 more than I was now, and I was delighted to be attached to this club till 2011. I just hoped I could celebrate signing my new contract with a joint celebration of new European Champions after the game that night

Come the end of the match, the whole of a nation was celebrating, as England had triumphed 3-1 over a disapponting French side. A brace from Michael Owen and Frank Lampard's second half striker gave England a major tournament win for the first time since 1966. Many people think it's strange that I support England despite the fact I'm a Scotsman. Don't get me wrong, I am proud to be a Scot, but I want to see my other U.K nations doing well, and I would hope that applies to the other countries. I celebrated as much as any Englishman when they lifted the European Championship trophy, as much as I would have if it was Scotland lifting the trophy.

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With the International football finished, I could concentrate on the club football side of things, and with five pre-season matches arranged I felt that we had good preparation for the season ahead. The new signings had started life at the club well, and they fitted in with the training sessions, which pleased me greatly. I had also completed another signing, Hibernian's Moroccan striker Abdesslam Benjelloun agreeing terms on a move. He was an international striker who oozed quality, and I was delighted to have captured him, especially after beating off several more 'high-profile' clubs to get him.

All of the new signings went into the squad for our friendly with Northwood, with the excpetion of Benjelloun, who had found himself sleeping off jetlag. It was an easy win over the minnows, with goals from Nathan Ellington, right on half time and a second half brace from Bernardo Corradi giving us the win. We didn't get the clean sheet, in fact we even went behind, Andy Jenkins heading home on the half hour, but it was a good start and a decent performance from the side.

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I managed to complete two further signings in the next few days, with a midfielder and a striker joining the side. Mika Aaritalo was a Finnish international who had started his career at Aston Villa, but he had come highly recommended from more than one of my scouts. Having took a look at him myself, I felt he would be a good signing for the team. He could play in midfield, or as part of the strikeforce, but for a fee of £1.3 million I felt he would prove to be a bargain signing. The second transfer to join us was a player of proven Premiership quality, someone who had been a revelation for his side until recently. Matthew Taylor had fallen out of favour atn Portsmouth, and I was more than happy to match their asking price of £2.7 million. Matty could play on the left side of defence or midfield, and he would provide some excellent cover for the team

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Our next pre-season game was against the Champions of Ireland, Bohemians. They were a side that had been into the third round of Champions League qualifiers, so I was expecting a half decent test. Taylor and Aaritalo didn't make the squad, but Riki started his first game in our colours. He did well too, scoring our second goal. Tommy Smith had equalised after O'Sullivan had put the home side in front. I recieved a blow in the match though, as our Spanish international tore his calf muscle, an injury that would keep him out for up to four months, which was a real blow to my plans. We also lost a goal five minutes from time, so aswell as the injury to Riki we got a draw out of the match

Swindon were our next warm up opponents, this time it was comfortable as we ran out 3-0 winners, the goals coming from the re-instated Marlon King and two from midfielder Damien Plessis sealing it. The players were getting fitter with every passing day, and with the opening day of the season fast approaching I was getting more nervous. The Premiership would be a completely different kettle of fish to the Championship, and our unbeaten run meant absolutely nothing in the forthcoming season. The signings I had made were, I felt, good signings and would be enough to keep us up. That was all myself and the board wanted. Survival. I didn't care if it was 17th, or 7th, just staying in the division would be more than good enough for me

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Our final two pre-season games saw us grab a win and suffer a defeat. Boreham Wood were easily defeated, with Priskin and an Aaritalo brace enough to win it. The worrying result however saw us succumb to a 3-1 loss to Premiership side Portsmouth. It wasn't that we lost that worried me, it was that we were outclassed by nothing better than an average Premiership outfit. Leroy Lita and Sylvain Distin were the home side's goalscorers, while Marlon King scored our consolation, but I was not happy with the performance. I knew we needed to perform better than we had done against Harry Redknapp's side.

I completed what would be my final signing of the Summer Transfer window after the Portsmouth game, as Manchester City's goalkeeper Joe Hart signed on a permanent contract after his impressive performances last season on loan. The was £625,000, which was a nice sum for such a talented performer. He signed just in time to be registered for our opening League game, which saw the squad completed, at least for now anyway

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Walking out of the tunnel at Craven Cottage was a mind blowing experience. To be walking out of the tunnel as a Premiership manager for the first time in my career was unbelievable. I wanted this to be a regular thing, in fact I was determined to make it regular. I loved the thrill of being a manager, and I wanted it to be there for the rest of my life.

Our opponents in the opening Premier League fixture were Fulham, who were an established club in the top flight, so I expected a tough test. Just how tough it would be though, I hadn't known, as Moritz Volz and Clint Dempsey put the home side into a 2-0 lead at half time. We showed our fighting spirit in the second half though, as substitue Nathan Ellington, and then a penalty on debut from Mika Aaritalo earned us a point that our second half performance deserved. I was delighted with the team for the way that they had come back and fought their way to the point that we got.