Club Connections | Watford
As Swansea City gear up to face Watford, we look back at some of the players who have represented both clubs over the years.
Danny Graham
Few players have a stronger connection between Swansea City and Watford than Danny Graham, who enjoyed prolific spells with both clubs during his career.
Graham joined Watford in July 2009 from Carlisle United and quickly established himself as one of the Championship's leading strikers. He was the Hornets' top scorer in both seasons at Vicarage Road, netting 14 times in his first campaign before an outstanding 2010-11 season saw him score 24 league goals and finish as the Championship's leading scorer.
His goalscoring form earned him a move to newly-promoted Swansea in June 2011, and Graham made an immediate impact in the Premier League. He finished his first season as the Swans' top scorer with 12 league goals, including memorable winners against Arsenal and Liverpool.
He netted 21 times in 62 appearances before joining Sunderland in January 2013.
Ben Hamer
Ben Hamer is another player to have represented both Swansea City and Watford during a career spanning almost two decades.
The goalkeeper joined Swansea in January 2021 from Huddersfield Town, initially providing competition for the starting spot before becoming the Swans’ first choice during the 2021-22 Championship campaign.
Hamer’s spell with Swansea also brought a memorable full-circle moment. As a youngster, he had been a mascot when the Swans visited Bristol City in 1995, where he met legendary Swansea goalkeeper Roger Freestone. More than two decades later, he would go on to represent the club himself.
Hamer departed the Swans in the summer of 2022, joining Watford on a free transfer. He made 22 appearances during his two years at Vicarage Road, making his league debut in a 2-2 draw at Coventry City in April 2023, before leaving the Hornets in 2024.
Jack Cork
Jack Cork is a familiar name to supporters of both Swansea City and Watford, having represented both clubs during a career that saw him make more than 500 professional appearances.
A product of the Chelsea academy, Cork joined Watford on loan in January 2009 and made 19 appearances for the Hornets, scoring once in an FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace.
After establishing himself at Southampton, Cork moved to Swansea City in January 2015 and quickly became an important part of the Swans’ midfield. He made 83 appearances for the club, scoring twice during his time in SA1.
One of those goals came in a memorable 3-1 victory over Liverpool in May 2016, as Cork's strike from distance helped Swansea secure a crucial three points in their bid to retain their Premier League status.
Des Lyttle
Des Lyttle also featured for both Swansea City and Watford, with the defender enjoying a career which included Premier League spells with Nottingham Forest and the Hornets.
Lyttle joined Swansea in July 1992 from non-League Worcester City and made an immediate impact. He played 46 times during the 1992-93 campaign, helping the Swans finish fifth in their first season back in the Second Division, and scored once during his only season at the Vetch Field.
His performances earned him a move to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 1993, where he spent six years and helped the club secure promotion to the Premier League on two occasions.
Lyttle joined Watford in July 1999 following Forest's relegation from the top flight. He made 11 appearances during his solitary season at Vicarage Road before moving to West Bromwich Albion, later continuing his career with Northampton Town, Forest Green Rovers, Worcester City and Tamworth.