Following a win in his first match as permanent Head Coach, we have put together a timeline of the key dates in Tom Cleverley's career with Watford, including memorable goals, promotion and his move into coaching.

August 18, 2009       Tom Cleverley's first appearance in a Watford shirt came just hours after he had signed for the club on loan from Manchester United.

The 19-year-old was highly-rated among the United academy, and had started pre-season strongly by scoring for both the Red Devils in a friendly and England Under-20s against Montenegro.

Cleverley was named in the Watford staring XI against Nottingham Forest, and announced himself to the Hornets faithful when he found the back of the net in second-half stoppage time to secure a 4-2 victory.

April 18, 2010       Cleverley continued his scoring start to life at Watford, finding the back of the net on his home debut against Blackpool four days after the Forest match.

The midfielder continued his fine form throughout the 2009/10 season, cementing his place as one of the Hornets' key players despite only just having turned 20.

He made a total of 35 appearances and scored 11 goals before his season was cut short due to injury. Cleverley's exploits were acknowledged at the End of Season Awards evening in April, where he won Player of the Season.

January 12, 2017       Cleverley returned to Manchester United at the end of his loan spell, and it would be more than six years before he once again pulled on a Watford shirt.

The period between his spells with the Golden Boys saw him play 13 times for England, win the Premier League with the Red Devils and represent Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.

After leaving United for Everton, he struggled for first-team appearances and opted to re-join the Hornets midway through the 2016/17 season, initially on loan.

October 14, 2017       Impressing on his return, Watford took the option to make Cleverley's loan move permanent in the summer of 2017.

Despite playing a vital role as the Hornets confirmed their Premier League status in 2016/17 before making a strong start to 2017/18, the midfielder was still without his first goal since re-signing.

The wait would come to an end in October, when Arsenal visited Vicarage Road for a match under the lights. With the game locked at 1-1 with seconds to go, the ball fell to Cleverley inside the box. No invitation was needed for him to smash it home, securing a famous victory.

January 12, 2019       Cleverley suffered with more than his fair share of injuries while in his second spell with the club, missing almost every match in 2018 as a result.

He also hadn't scored since his effort against Arsenal, a period of almost 15 months when he was brought off the bench in January 2019 away to Crystal Palace.

With the game level at one apiece, an attempted headed clearance from Palace inside the box lacked power, and Cleverley, just about staying upright, volleyed the ball beyond the reach of the keeper for what would turn out to be an iconic winner.

April 24, 2021       Injuries continued to affect Cleverley throughout the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, with the Hornets suffering relegation to the Championship in the latter.

Fortunately, the midfielder was able to recover to play a key part in the 2020/21 season with 34 appearances, including wearing the captain's armband in more than half of those.

He also chipped in with four goals and played 84 minutes in the 1-0 win over Millwall in April which meant the Hornets went straight back up to the Premier League.

August 12, 2022       The Hornets were unable to retain their place in the top flight the following season, with Cleverley announced as club captain for the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

He was ever-present as the side started the season with a win and a draw, and he led the team out at Vicarage Road for the clash against Burnley on his 32nd birthday.

Cleverley timed his run into the box perfectly on the stroke of half-time to slot Ken Sema's cross into the bottom-right corner for the game's only goal, but he pulled up when celebrating and had to be withdrawn at the break.

August 12, 2023       The Burnley strike would turn out to be the last goal of his career. An Achilles issue ruled him out until February, but after two appearances he picked up a separate problem that ended his season.

Cleverley decided to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign, and took over as Under-18 Lead Coach. Coincidentally, his first game in charge of the side came exactly a year after the Burnley match.

His first competitive match in management of any kind was an entertaining affair which ended 2-2 against Sheffield United, with Jonathan Lawson and Prince Sikiru on the scoresheet.

March 16, 2024       Cleverley enjoyed a successful period with the Under-18s, including taking that age group to a cup semi-final and the Under-17s to a final. He also led the Under-18s to second in the league.

He made the step-up to Interim Head Coach of the first team after the home defeat to Coventry City, giving himself and his staff a week to prepare for his first match in senior management away at Birmingham City.

Lining up with the youngest Watford starting XI for 13 years, Emmanuel Dennis secured the points for the Hornets on the stroke of half-time to give Cleverley the perfect start.

April 27, 2024       Cleverley impressed in the interim role, losing just once in seven matches despite facing five of the Championship's top seven. As a result, he was appointed into the permanent position with two games of 2023/24 left.

His first test as permanent Head Coach was Saturday's game against Sunderland at Vicarage Road. Cleverley had yet to manage a win at home, with the Hornets' home winless run extending to almost five months.

Ryan Andrews' strike midway through the second half proved enough to end the duck, giving Cleverley a much-needed win at The Vic, and an excellent start to life as full-time Head Coach.

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