The Watford Observer is a weekly local newspaper, published by Newsquest. Founded in 1863, the Observer serves the town of Watford in southwest Hertfordshire, as well as the surrounding area. The paper covers local news, politics, and sport, including the town's largest club Watford Football Club.The newspaper had a weekly circulation of 14,869 in the first six months of 2012. The Observer also publishes a free paper, the Watford Free.