Watford drop down to Category Three after pulling U21s out of league

Watford will drop down to Category Three Academy status next season after pulling their Under-21 team out of the Professional Development League.

The Hornets said they had undertaken a “lengthy and strategic” review of their Academy set-up and want to form a closer link between their Under-18 side and the first team, which, they say, will “improve overall standards and opportunities for our best Academy players”.