Newcastle United Watson was born in
North Shields, Tyne and Wear. a record that still stands. Watson appeared 24 times that season, firstly under
Jim Smith and then under
Ossie Ardiles as Newcastle struggled in the
Second Division. Watson featured prominently during the
1991–92 season as
Kevin Keegan returned to Newcastle and relegation to the
Third Division was avoided. During his seven years at the club, he wore a jersey with every shirt number 2–11 at least once, earning a reputation as a key all round capable footballer integral to
The Entertainers style of play. his throw in
march 1991 was a great
summersault throw in that he nearly made his teammates score, but it went wide
Aston Villa, Everton and West Bromwich Albion Watson was transferred to
Aston Villa for £4 million in October 1998. He scored once for Villa, in a 4–0 home win over
Southampton on 1 December 1999 in the
League Cup. When boss
Walter Smith found his squad decimated by injury, Watson was used a striker alongside
Tomasz Radzinski, a role he had started to play at the beginning of his career before transferring to the defence. His time with Everton was blighted with injury, although he did enjoy some time in the first team for the
2003–04 season, which included three goals against Leeds United on 28 September 2003. This made him the first Everton player to score a hat-trick in any competition since
Nick Barmby in February 2000. Watson signed for
West Bromwich Albion on 5 July 2005 on a three-year contract on a
free transfer, after rejecting the offer of a new one-year contract with Everton. He made his debut as an 80th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw away to
Manchester City on 13 August.
Sheffield Wednesday in 2008 Watson joined
Sheffield Wednesday on 9 February 2007 on loan until the end of the 2006–07 season, with opportunities at West Brom limited. He made his debut the following day, starting in a 1–1 draw away to
Burnley. Watson signed for Wednesday permanently on 10 July 2007 on a free transfer. His first goal for the club came on 6 November with an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Wednesday drew 1–1 away to West Brom. Watson succeeded
Lee Bullen as club captain for the
2008–09 season, taking charge of off-the-field matters, with
Richard Wood retaining his role as team captain and being responsible for on-the-field affairs. Watson scored the winner in the
Steel City derby against
Sheffield United on 19 October; his volleyed lob over
Paddy Kenny in the 35th minute gave Wednesday a 1–0 win. Sheffield Wednesday decided to release Watson on 14 May 2009 due to long-term injury problems. He subsequently retired from playing. ==Coaching and managerial career==