Watford History

I used to go on that bend when it was cinders, to watch reserve games. Saw Charlie Woods score an absolutely amazing goal for the reserves. Shame he didn't do it for the first team.

 

I watched my first game from the cinder bend.......

 

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1956 and the last time we played on Christmas Day. Division 3 South, and a 2-1 win over Ipswich. Goals from John Reid and Peter Walker.

 

Ooh, ofh, this is super! Running this past Dad later. Wonder if he went? He would’ve been 18, but he may well have been on National Service in Hong Kong then.

 

It's his birthday, so thought we would wish him another good day.

 

If you look closely you might just about spot me leaping around like a crazed dervish, right behind the goal...

 

I love the way he anticipated where the cross was going. 1970 seems just like yesterday.

 

A real Watford player who takes me back into my association with the club has sadly died. At a time when the club struggled to keep afloat he was certainly one of the best. Lovely interview that he gave a short while ago. RIP Bill.

 

I was behind that goal, one of the best days at a football match

There was a picture in the Watford Observer of Tom Whalley strolling through the Liverpool players all on their knees in despair

Shankley was in tears after the game and totally rebuilt his team after because it had been beaten by Watford

Of course since the 1980,s beating Liverpool has become more of a common occurrence and scoring three against them on Saturday would continue a three goal three game sequence, I am more optimistic than most of us know) but, but ,but

 

My home being dismantled.

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Ooh, not seen that before. :/

 

That Scoreboard

 

I received an e-mail from the club today regarding the small contribution I sent in over a year ago about my earliest memories of the ground. It is part of the project to celebrate 100 years of The Vic, and I was invited to go to an afternoons filming at the ground where I was to be interviewed. Although I would have loved to have talked about watching the game through the railings outside the dog track, the cinder bank, collecting small change for charity from the fans in the Shrodells wooden stand, the huge communal bath in the changing rooms, the dreadful tea and non-existant loos, I have had to decline. Turned down an invitation to a funeral on a Monday, and becoming a film star on the Tuesday. Strange days!

 

I think my Dad was part of that project, having seen his first matches at the Vic during the war.

 

Do you guys remember this horror show in the cup against non-leagues Northwich...

Worst ever FA defeat?

I suspect the team got quite a bit of stick but then least there wasn't social media back then from their point of view!

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/20028878.memories-watfords-fa-cup-defeat-northwich-victoria/

 

But that did lead to the best team off the pitch in Graham Taylor, Bertie Mee and Elton John

 

Thankfully no. It took me a couple of months to hear about that result - from a former Watford apprentice who was playing in the Queensland State League side that I followed.

 

I was at the game. Kick-off was moved from 3pm to 2pm because Watford said that they didn't think the floodlights were up to it. The Northwich fans brought candles with them.

 

An obvious fire hazard - we should demand the game be replayed under safer conditions.