Some interesting facts about Vicarage Road....... Officially opened on 30th August 1922 in a match against Millwall in a 0 - 0 draw. There was a dog racing track installed in 1928 with fairly regular races running until 1978. Floodlights were installed in 1953. Here's a photo from 1955. Samuel Kalu can be seen on the touchline warming up for his debut fresh out of the youth team. When the electronic scoreboard was put in in 1978 Graham Taylor made sure the sideline benches were left uncovered so that the home fans in the Vicarage Road end knew that when they got a roof the players and staff would get one too. GT - What a guy!!! The club through the Community work of Graham Taylor and Ann Swanson opened the family terrace and family stand to bring about an era of family safe football supporting. There are many highlights for great goals seen at the Vic in these 100 years. I would say nothing beats Troy Deeney's goal in 2012 though. After the sad passing of Graham Taylor the club commissioned a statue in his honour outside the club shop. There's only one Graham Taylor. We owe so much to Elton John for the first main transformations to the ground when he was Chairman. His Summer concert was a wonderful reminder for us all of that affinity and affection for the club he still has. Oh there's also a game of football on against Middlesboro. 0-1
Oh good. I love it when we have games like these where there's a special event or anniversary, the team always turns up and puts in an excellent performance.
Totally. The mere thought of trying to piece together who plays in defence on Tuesday gives me chills.
Seems to me that SEJ said he'd see us in November. I'm not sure whether he'll see RE if that is so. Bernie Slaven to score.
A celebration game probably with ex players there ? Certain defeat then .. Pedro will probably be injured again.
I'm going, first game this season for me.. For a change I've bought a ticket in the UGT, so can safely have a nap if it's boring.
I’m working away next week so will miss the game…..sad to miss the 100 years celebrations, the game not so much.
I’m hearing we’ll be playing in the Newcastle third kit for this one to celebrate the centenary match.
Hopefully this game goes better than the last time we hosted Boro with fans, which was another special occasion for us as it was the first home game since the passing of GT...a drab 0-0 which kept up a long winless run under Mazzarri. Not feeling overly confident mind you!
We have better recent memories of Boro at home mind you, it was that game towards the end of the Jokanovic season which really laid down a marker and made me believe that we would be going up, and a grindy 1-0 with a very inexperienced team under Ivic in the first game of the 20/21 season was a morale booster after many of us on here were wetting their pants at the prospect of losing half of our squad!
Yes and they have now kicked off their season with that yesterday so they will come to us with less fear. Probably scouring over the QPR goals as we speak. It would be great to win on Tuesday, not just for us to get three needed points to get our season back on track, but for the town, the club, GT and everybody connected to it. I said we would beat QPR - we lost. I also said we would draw 0-0 with Preston and got that spot on. So, since it's a big occassion I think the players will put on a good show for the fans this time. Boro' are no mugs but we should be alright.
Still not over the Kevin Miller sending off against this lot when player manager Bryan Robson did a massive dive. Or the Vydra sending off for doing absolutely nothing which was later rescinded.
I remember both. The Vydra one was ridiculous. The Robson dive was pure embarrassment that the ref bought it.
If you need a mask, earplugs, flask of Ovaltine and blanket, just ask. I'll be able to doze without them.
I'll donate 10 quid to a charity of your choice first thing on Wednesday morning if you get a Mexican wave across the UGT Tuesday night.
Just as long as the Mexican Wave isn’t a new variant . That could wipe out the whole UGT in one foul swoop . Might free up a few season tickets though
Nice nostalgic write up. Not worth guessing what our team or formation or tactics will be. Roll on the window shutting on 1st September so we can celebrate the start of a new exciting 100 year era... with/without Sarr/Pedro; with/without new/old players; with/without Rob Edwards knowing what his formation/strategy is; with/without a prayer of Rob bringing on subs and changing things up in time to make any difference. We may know wtf is going on from 1st September. Until then, we haven’t got a scoobie but we welcome Boro to help us celebrate 100 glorious years. 1-1.
No hesitation! Not sure we had all the others before "little o " though did we? Unless I was having my year dead for tax purposes?!