Watford Women sign experienced Championship defender Harley Bennett

Watford have signed defender Harley Bennett following her departure from fellow Barclays Championship side London City Lionesses.

The 33-year-old joins the Hornets on their return to the second tier, where she has played since 2018 and been London City’s club captain for past two seasons.

Also formerly at Charlton Athletic, she was Championship Player of the Month last September.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 kicked off with New Zealand defeating Norway before Australia also beat Republic of Ireland by a single goal. Australia  Republic of Ireland Women Group B New Zealand had the better … Continue reading

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Damon Lathrope has added experience to his defence with the signing of Harley Bennett from London City Lionesses.

Bennett, 33, was club captain for the Lionesses for the last two seasons of a four-year spell in Kent.

Strong in the tackle and comfortable with the ball at her feet, the former Charlton Athletic centre-back has played consistently at second-tier level since 2018, making 60 appearances in all competitions and scoring twice.

Impressive performances from defence didn’t go unnoticed either, with Bennett picking up the Championship Player of the Month award for September.

Having already joined up with the group for pre-season, Bennett will wear the number 14 shirt for the Golden Girls.

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A Watford optician celebrated the tenth anniversary of her practice by holding a party for customers and those workers who play an important role in making the business work.

Nisha Tanna, the owner of WildEyes Vision Clinic in Vicarage Road, laid on food and drink for more than 100 people who visited the shop on Saturday for the party.

As well as her customers, Nisha also invited the postmen, couriers and suppliers to be part of the event to say thank you for the part they play in ensuring the business can function effectively on a day-to-day basis.

She said: “I don’t believe in this hierarchy – if they’re the postman treat them like rubbish – because they invest in you. We wanted everyone to be involved that makes the practice work.”

The bad weather meant one customer, who lives on the Isle of Wight, was unable to attend as planned, but Nisha’s furthest patient comes from much further afield.

She explained: “The patient has been with practice for quite some time but she moved to Australia three years ago.

“She’d had her eyes tested there and glasses made up but she wasn’t completely satisfied, so when she came over here to visit she booked her appointment a couple of months in advance. It was an absolutely pleasure to see her.”

Nisha has been an optician for more than 20 years and is a firm believer in the importance of going the extra mile for her patients.

“Business is good,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of new patients come in and it’s all because of word of mouth because people have heard about me.

“We want them to have a better experience each time they come in. When it comes to the glasses, I hand pick each and every frame that’s displayed in the practice. And as I get to know my patients, I know what frame would suit them so I’ve always got them in mind when I’m making those purchases.

“Because I’m qualified as an optometrist and a dispensing optician I can see them through the whole journey, so they’re not being handed from pillar to post and that’s where they get the absolute personal service from.”