Watford History

wow!

 

Watford photo shoot 1982/3 season.

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I dont remember Mourino being our manager that season

 

The team coach featured in the picture was a cut-price deal from Del Boy & Rodders.

 

That's probably why Sherwood is missing from the picture - the coach they delivered was too small to include him.

 

A gentle read:

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/19638786.recalling-ten-things-the-good-old-days-watford/

 

I remember fondly those half-time 'shoot-outs', I actually think that format would be a better way to settle cup games that end in a draw rather than a standard penalty shoot-out

 

I am 38, but remember some games with the half time shoot outs. One of them, it was disabled kids taking the kicks. The poor lad had some special metal thing on his head too. I have NEVER seen a better pen, top corner. We all celebrated like mad as he wheeled off in delight. That must have been 90s though.

The pylon floodlights too. Years ago, I can't remember against who, it was a mid week cup game. The floodlights went tannoy announcer asked if there was an electrician in the ground, game eventually postponed. Replay was concelled just before KO with a frozen pitch as well. Anyone remember what team / year that was? I am guessing late 80s or probably more early 90s.

 

I remember what was possibly the first (and only?) game we played which ended with such a shoot out - a friendly back in 1981 against Vancouver Whitecaps. There was decent attendance for it - 10,000+ - which surprised me as a month or so earlier there was a much smaller attendance for the visit of Red Star Belgrade. Like many around me at the match, I wasn't particularly impressed with the idea.

The other part of the article that caught my eye was the 'Being able to sit where I liked' bit. I'm not particularly a fan of sitting at matches - I greatly prefer the idea of being able to stand where I liked. But with Watford there was always a down side - for matches against big clubs, we were invariably booted out of The Rookery to allow the visiting fans the luxury of shelter. Being banished to face the elements at the Vicarage Road end didn't sit well with me.

 

I need to sell my tickets for watford - liverpool you can pay after the game. I need to sell my tickets now

 

I'm old enough to remember when the fans changed ends at half time.

 

I used to do that

It all changed when West Ham fans ran riot in the vicarage Road end Shen they were losing to us in 1980

 

Was that only if the first half had been particularly nerve-wracking?

 

When I started going I used to stand in the Shrodells enclosure - and watched that crowd change ends at half time, wondering why. Before moving to Watford, I always watched football at either Hearts or Hibs from the halfway line, so wasn't really interested in going behind either goal.
After a while, a schoolfriend and I arranged to meet up at the Vicarage Rd end for a match - I stayed at that end as I didn't think much of the view from the Rookery. Then one day it started raining just before half time, so I swapped ends - and basically kept using that end for the shelter and the banter thereafter.

 

Even groups of the chanting supporters use to change ends too

 

Eight years ago. We have a lot to say thank you for.

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Indeed - what might have been does not bear thinking about had the Pozzos not entered our lives

 

Great 70s article in the wobby...

 

I didn't like it, but Mme. could see from the old Rookery, so we spent many a Saturday afternoon under the Observer clock.

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