WFC Anniversaries

Discussion in 'The Hornets' Nest - Watford Chat' started by Luther Bassett, Jan 12, 2018.

  1. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    27 Jan marks the 50th anniversary of my first match - a 3rd round FA Cup tie v Sheffield Utd (not sure why it was so late that year, postponements, probably).
    With such a huge gap between home fixtures, I’m really not sure whether to regard tomorrow or the Chelsea game on 5 Feb as the appropriate fixture, though I’m inclined towards the former, especially given the significance regarding GT.
    Anyone else on here got something big coming up? (Try to resist the temptation, RC...)
     
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  2. vic-rijrode

    vic-rijrode First Year Pro

    Ah yes, the Jimmo Lawton knee over the bar from virtually on the goal line - a physical impossibility, but he managed it. Bonser sold Tony Currie to Sheffield Utd and bought Lawton from Darlington via Swindon.
    Those on here that think Gray is "poor" should have seen Jimmo...
     
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  3. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    Seem to recall that in late 60s/ early 70s you could change ends at half time?
     
  4. RookeryDad

    RookeryDad Squad Player

    Luther, I’m a year behind.

    But I don’t have a clue which match/when was my debut.

    Old man was PNE but they weren’t in the division that year.

    It was always them, Swindon & Boscombe in my day.
     
  5. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    Certainly chose a great year to start, RD!
     
  6. tonycotonstache

    tonycotonstache Squad Player

    9th April it'll be 30 years for me. First game we beat Oxford 3-0.
     
  7. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    Yesterday, an eerie symmetry was achieved when we were again knocked out of the Cup 1-0 by an opponent beginning with S and wearing red and white stripes.
     
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  8. Stevohorn

    Stevohorn Watching Grass Grow

    This might be of interest to you Bassett.. https://oldwatford.com/1968/01/
    Some rare old name in our line up in those days.. Slater, Scullion, Welbourne, Furphy, Tom Wally and Dixie Hale.


    I did a bit of research and it seems that between 63 and 68 fa cup games were played later in the year than previous..or after. I wonder if this was prompted by the big freeze of 63. Anyway by 69 the 3rd round had returned to being played first week of Jan and was never played so late as 68 ever again.
     
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  9. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    Very much of interest; many thanks. I could have recited the entire contents of the programme, including adverts at one stage, I’d pored over it so assiduously. Should love to get hold of a copy of that Evening News Cup special.
    Had completely forgotten we’d played Hereford in R2. I miss the days of exotic First and Second Round draws.
     
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  10. Stevohorn

    Stevohorn Watching Grass Grow

    A pic from the game..

    d4fa91d724d0d230d2015559ff8e6d10.jpg
     
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  11. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    Whilst in nostalgic mode, a few reminiscences about the Cup run in 69/70.
    Bolton away R3 - on the Hornets Express football special, standing right at the front and being fascinated by how the pitch at the hugely impressive Burnden Park was elevated and fell away quite dramatically at the sides. Getting a first taste of angry opposition fans on the walk back to the station. Haven’t checked, but have an impression that Gordon Taylor and possibly Sam Allardyce played for Bolton.
    R4 - Stoke - the Colin Franks thunderbolt.
    Possibly my first venture into the Supporters Club bar post game, Keith Eddy with a pint and fag on the go amongst a group of players.
    R5 - Fortunate Home draw against Gillingham from division below. Was a manic collector of autographs by that point and can still picture the one of their keeper, Johnny Simpson, which was like calligraphy and took him an age to sign. None of that R11 nonsense like the recent unmissable Richarlíson signed shirt offer back then.
    QF - Endean flying through the air to beat the Flying Pig, Tommy Lawrence, recently departed, RIP. Only one Liverpool player would sign, their sub; on requesting one from their new superstar striker, Alan Evans, he spat and the output landed on my shoe. Frankie Vaughan and Tarby among shellshocked Reds fans in the Supporters Club. Had the good fortune to sit next to Ian St John at a golf day dinner around 20 years later and his memories of that game were razor sharp. Told me from that day on, they were forbidden to take a defensive throw in into play at 90 degrees to the touch line by an incandescent Shankly.
    SF - Spurs pitch 100% rolled mud, like a Nigerian golf course. McCreadie stamping on Welbourne’s face. Garbett’s 30 yard pea roller to equalise. Getting taken apart in the second half, with a Chelsea fan in a Uni scarf stood behind me tapping me smugly on the shoulder every time they scored. Took me weeks to get over not reaching Wembley (I was only twelve),
     
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  12. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    Brilliant - loved the East Stand before its vulgar neighbour emerged. How did the Centre half get that high??
     
  13. vic-rijrode

    vic-rijrode First Year Pro

    "Blower" Garbett had his right hand squeezing his nuts.....
     
  14. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    Nostalgia's not what it was!
    The Alan Evans anecdote reminds me of the line in 'A Handful of Summers' when Abe Segal cleared his throat and deposited an 'oyster' on Budge Patty's Gucci loafer. Patty said I think 'that's awfully trying Abe'.
     
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