Position – Centre Back
DOB – 16/12/1973
Debut v Arsenal – May 1997
Nicknames – Mincer, Mincing Finch, Flappy, Knob-Knob

Once described as the beating, bloody heart of WIFC, Hall of Famer Fincham has been at the very hub of the club since inception. Having captained the side for a number of years, the highlight of his WIFC career was scoring the winner in the IFA Cup Semi Final win over St Mirren in 2002, and his legendary streaks at Worldnet will never be forgotten by those unlucky enough to see them. Uncultured and utterly committed in his playing days, Pete’s all action style may have contributed to the back injury to which he finally succumbed to in early 2011.  Having retired, management was always on the cards and Pete took on the role of Veterans team manager in 2011, leading the team to the quarter finals in his first season and victory at the Amsterdam Vets tournament in 2013.

Pete’s Q and A

Describe yourself in a sentence
Hardened cynical old bastard who has spent a lifetime wanting to be Mowen

What was the first WFC game you went to and what can you remember about it? Same as Paula Bet, Cambridge 6/3/81 and it finished 0-0. My only memories were of Gerry Armstrong warming up. My dad didn’t seem to enjoy himself – he left shortly afterwards.

Finest ever WFC memory
Wembley in 99 with the entire WIFC squad at the time. We all used to sit together home and away back in those days and got the best tickets together at Wembley right by the royal box. From throwing Dons crutches into the trees after a pub-breakfast early that morning, to the last knockings around the pond, it was the day of all days.Although this is run close by the whole Amsterdam 2000 trip!

Worst away trip and why
WIFC played Stockport on the morning of our league match with them in November 98. For some reason, a number of us got absolutely hammered the night before in the Estcourt and although we had to leave around 6.30am, at around 7.15 I got a call from a perplexed Evo who was waiting for Alice and I at a garage in Hemel for what was supposed to be his away debut.

After Evo breaking all records to get us to Stockport, we ended up losing 7-2 and Alice had a decent run out, which shows how bad things were. I was still pissed and turning green, while Evo threatened never to do another away game again after a mix up with the definition of petrol money. There’s been many worse WFC days out, but this was my worst WIFC one by far.

WIFC playing highlight
Tie between scoring the winner in the Cup Semi Final v St Mirren (with my right foot!) and the game v the Legennds where I played on the Legends side for a few minutes.

But the repeat awards for Team of the Year are the thing which are most memorable. What started out as a bit of fun and a chance to represent Watford in something small, quickly turned into an ethos and a binding force for so many friendships because we’ve always tried to do things the right way.

Favourite WIFC moment
Between Daz rutting with Manzo in Southampton and being asked to be the 1^st captain at Euronet 97 as it was back then.

All-time favourite Watford player
Nigel Gibbs

All-time favourite Watford XI (not the best players – your favourites)
Chamberlain, Gibbs, Robbo, Palmer, Terry, Barnes, Bonnot, Hessenthaler, Tommy Smith, Blissett, Helguson

Red shorts or black?
Black

Which actor would play you in ‘WIFC – The Movie’
Denis Leary