Boothroyd has grounds for optimism

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Watford hope the project will also include the construction of a new East Stand and see the stadium's capacity rise to 24,000 by the year 2010.

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Redevelopment plan: Watford's Vicarage Road is set for a makeover

And Boothroyd is determined to develop his team at a similar pace to justify the investment and ensure the new stadium gets the standard of football it deserves.

He said: "We will have a new ground by 2010 and we will have a new development around here. The whole club is moving forward.

"But it is what happens on the grass that counts because there is no point having a great stadium if we have no-one to fill it.

"We have to make sure we have both. It is a very exciting place to be."

Watford have joined forces with housing association Origin Group, who are reportedly pumping £19million into the project.

Club chief executive Mark Ashton has already indicated the redevelopment will not impinge financially on Boothroyd's summer recruitment plans.

Nor will Boothroyd be forced to sell valuable assets like striker Marlon King, who is back in training after a knee operation and could even play again this season.

Construction work on a new wrap-around building at the Rookery end of the stadium - providing affordable housing for 125 employees of the neighbouring Watford General hospital as well as new changing facilities - is set to get under way in May.

The Hornets will then apply for planning permission to rebuild the decrepit East Stand.

Watford chairman Graham Simpson said: "This is a pivotal moment in the history of this great club.

"This will now enable us to look forward to a new era of life at Vicarage Road and push on towards our goal of redeveloping the East Stand."