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A group of ESEA Hornets supporters joined Watford Community Sports and Education Trust to kick off a week-long celebration with the East and South East Asian community for the Lunar New Year.
As almost two billion people around the world prepare to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, the Hornets get the party started ahead of the visit of Rotherham in the Sky Bey Championship on Saturday.
Before kick-off, people of all ages from across the East and South East Asian community gathered together with local school teachers, prospective footballers from the Frank Soo Foundation, club staff and supporters at the Watford Museum, located in the 250 year. house within walking distance of Vicarage Road.
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How Sky Sports News celebrated the 80th birthday last year of Chinese ex-Stoke and Leicester footballer Frank Soo becoming the first multi-ethnic player to play for England.
They had the chance to look at trophies, and memorabilia from the 19th century, before Sam Ucko from Hornets fan channel WD18 taught the group some of Watford’s most popular matchday songs.
After enjoying some traditional food, the group – many of whom had been to a match for the first time – made their way to Vicarage Road where they watched the home side come from behind to draw 1-1 with Rotherham.
ESEA Hornets are Fans for Diversity Campaign East and Southeast Asia’s first supporter group, and founder Alan Lau told Sky Sports News Today was a spectacular success.
“This is a great way to celebrate the Lunar New Year,” Lau said.
“From the time in the museum, to the walk to the ground, it all built up to dozens of us entering the stadium.
“Looking back, with all the family and all the new faces in the stands at Vicarage Road – I think we all had a sense that this was more than just watching football.
“I’m proud to be a Watford fan, and it’s amazing how involved the club is with our community and all the other diverse communities in the local area.”
‘Football Made ESEA’ was held at Vicarage Road in September
Watford FC, ESEA Hornets and the Frank Soo Foundation joined forces in partnership with Sky Sports and Sporting Equals last September for a free event at Vicarage Road, which aims to promote the inclusion of East and South East Asia in the ‘Beautiful Game’.
Ferreira salvaged a point for Watford
Joao Ferreira salvaged a point for Watford in their 1-1 draw with Rotherham, but the result did little to help their chances of automatic promotion.
Apart from Ferreira’s superb equalizer from 20 yards, which canceled out Shane Ferguson’s first-half opener, Watford hit the woodwork of the visitors on two occasions in an evening that proved frustrating for Slaven Bilic and the Vicarage Road crowd.
Watford are in third place in the Sky Bet Championship, but are 13 points behind second-placed Sheffield United and 18 off leaders Burnley who are almost impossible to beat.
“I’m disappointed with the result, obviously,” Watford boss Bilic said after the game. The plan is to win, no matter how difficult every game is, especially in the Championship.
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Watch highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Watford and Rotherham.
“We started well, especially on the right, and I told the players I couldn’t ask more from them, but we didn’t have enough quality in the middle of the park and especially up front.
“The majority of our top players are not on the field and we cannot rely on the boys to be consistent week in, week out. Many times today we are one against one in promising situations facing the opponent and then it’s all about quality.
“Until those top players come back, we have to fight and win as many points as we can.”
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