http://thewatfordnest.blog.com/ My first game was viewed from the old Vicarage Road End terrace, against Wolverhampton Wonderers in the first game of the 1991-92 season (Watford lost). From that game on the Vicarage Road End was my second home, except a couple of games when my dad let us sit in the lower tier of the Rous. When the Vic End was turned into seating, we moved towards the back, left hand side (if looking from the Rookery). Many good and bad times were had, the worst obviously being relegation against Leicester…but so many goals that I still remember, Lee Nogans last second goal against Southend anyone? Promotion changed all that, from the 1999-2000 season the new Rookery stand, a modified Vicarage Road end, was to be the home end, the Vic to hold away fans. I’ve had many good and bad memories in the Rookery, but I always fancied being in the Vicarage Road End one more. I got my chance against Crystal Palace in the Play-Off final 2nd leg, the atmosphere was sensational and just as I remembered it… But not any more, I’ve been to as many home games as Uni Hols allow, and the atmosphere in the Vicarage Road End is non-existent. Is it even a Home Stand? When the announcer says Come on the East Stand, Come on the Rous, Come on the Rookery, he fails to mention the Vicarage Road end. I accept that unlike me some of the fans in that stand may not be used to or appreciate the atmosphere but for me chanting at football is like salt and vinegar. The lack of a tune to greet the players leaves the Vicarage Road End like a ghost stand. The club need to sort it out, maybe the idea will work in summer, but not in winter. Most of the people around me had gloves on, gloves do not make a sound! Fact! Sort it out Mark, Graham, Aidy or A.N Other. Play ‘Yellow’, the ‘weird unnamed’ mix, ‘Z Cars’ then the theme from Gl’Aidy’iators when the players line up. That will get the Vic End and the other stands rocking! But yesterday was different because Arsenal fans seemed to be particularly vocal in the home section. This was most notable when Arsenal scored the first goal, mini groups sprang up, one group a few rows back from me and a large group behind the goal, apparently invited by the club. I expected Arsenal fans in the grand, after all Arsenal shirts can be seen all over Watford, and to be honest there are probably as many if not more Arsenal fans living in the town! Kids celebrating goals I can live with, it may be their first game and they might not know otherwise, but adults celebrating and jeering at home fans, in the home end is nothing but disgusting. Before kick-off I thought we’d get a draw (despite the fact we are bottom etc etc), but having conceded so early, I just hoped we’d keep the score down. Instead Watford answered my prayers and feeble attempt at a rallying call. Bouazza skipped past Hoyte (I think) right in front of me, he put the ball in low, ‘C’mon Tommy…Yeafueahckeaingeaahhhh’. I was only a few rows back from where Tommy celebrated and I’m sure you can see an over sized kid going mental, punching the air. Watford deserved the equaliser and deserved to be level at half time, Arsenal despite some fleeting moments of the brilliance they can show had been contained on the whole. Watford were playing like the Watford of last season, still the same direct play, but more accurate long balls, the wings where the skill and pace of Macca, Bouazza, Young and Smith was difficult for even the Arsenal defence to deal with… But then, it went wrong. Whenever Watford has a good performance, a key player gets injured. Or seems to. Bouazza went off injured and this seemed to be the final nail in the coffin. The style of play seemed to subconsciously change when Henderson arrived, the hoofs were less accurate, and despite his effort he lacks the technical ability and pace of Bouazza. Gradually Arsenal began to dominate, whilst we brought on Henderson and Francis they brought on Baptista and Walcott. It looked like we were going to hold on but, as we do, we continued pushing forward when possible. Unfortunately it was searching for an unlikely win that meant we were caught on the attack. Van Persie who looked offside from where I was (but wasn’t) scored the type of goal I hope Watford will score regularly in the Premiership some day. The Arsenal fans around me celebrated again, this time I really knew there was no coming back, the looks on the faces of Mahon, and Foster to name but two said it all. I’m sure there were at least 100 Arsenal fans in the home end. I know Watford fans (also at University) who couldn’t go, so how could so many Arsenal fans get tickets? I do not like sharing a home section with opposition fans, when the stadium is re-developed and the away fans are housed in the new in filled corner, I will be the first to say good riddance, I want the Vicarage Road End back. Thanks in advance for comments as always.
The North stand holds many great memories for me aswell! The comeback against Tranmere! Mooney's winner against Bristol Rovers! Plenty of good memories! Away fans should be housed in the lower rous when the new east stand is all done up! The atmosphere against Palace was superb!
Ohhh that Mooney winner was glorious, and i agree about putting the away fans in the lower rous. Is that just a memory then ? Have you just moved to the rookery back row ?
no mate. spent 5 years or so at the back as well. just got fed up paying 400 quid or near enough for a seat i could not use. and it took ages to get into harrys bar!!!!!!!!!!
THE VIC END we have some great great nights in there. home from home. i would go back, as the smaller stand of the two it does take the atmos and force it down on the pitch. but it and the other stand should have enclosed sides, so the sound can only go one way. but my row of seats have now gone, to make way for the old bill.
I trust you vic road end boys are going to write to the club telling them how you think stewards shoud deal with away fans in the home end? The stewards at vicarage road are a disgrace. I think it was West Ham when I was in the VR end and arguing with a jobsworth steward threatening to kick me out for persistant standing. I said "look there's 3,000 blokes standing up over there" pointing to the West Ham fans and he actually replied "yeah but they're away fans". Stupid ****! Which set of fans pays the spoons wages?
Ah yes West Ham. I had an opposition fan next to me that game, but he was a Watford member because we were a team he saw occasionally last few seasons. I would like to see his face now. He was going on about how they were a quality side, going to be in Europe etc etc How do you contact the club? Is it yourvoice? I think I will express an opinion on the removal of Z cars (or any tune for that matter) and the way it leaves the Vic End with no atmosphere and question how between 100-500 maybe more Arsenal fans got in to the home section and were not removed when they celebrated.
I think its yourvoice. someone else can probably tell you a name to adress it to guaranteeing it gets read. You should definately do it though.
Put 'FAO Paddy Flavin' in the subject line. He's the guy with responsibility for the stadium management. I'll be firing off an email later this evening when I have a moment - I don't so much mind anonymous opposing fans getting in and sitting on their hands (who hasn't done that!) but taunting home fans and Arsenal scarves/flags is a step or three too far.
I sent my suggestions this morning to yourvoice didn't think about putting 'FAO Paddy Flavin' because it's the first email i've sent. To sum up I said that the stewards obviously saw the Arsenal fans (with the scarves and jeering at the home fans) because one or two steward pointed up at various groups, only for nothing to be done. I also mentioned about the lack of atmosphere before kick off caused by the removal of any tune greeting the players onto the pitch and how clapping does not work in winter when most people wear gloves. You had to be there to realise how poor the atmosphere was before, during and after kick-off and to realise just how obvious the Arsenal fans made themselves. If Watford fans did what they did at any other ground they’d be out quicker than you can see Toumani Diagouraga.
I wish I had some Arsenal **** sitting next to me! Would have loved nothing more than to give one of them a good clump! We saw some idiot Arsenal fan walking down Vicarage Road singing: 'The wan*y Tottenham FC went to POPE to see the POPE' Are you sure he didn't go to Rome?...Tool! Oh well, on the bright side we won't have to put up with these ******** Gooners next year! Would you see opposition fans sitting in the home end celebrating a goal at Upton Park or Stamford Bridge? Course you wouldn't! Because we're a family club our fans wouldn't dare question this! Pathetic! Toughen up Watford fans!
Thing is mate how many of those clubs have decent stewards who back up the home fans? All except Watford it seems! To be honest if I went to a steward at the Vic and suggested someone was provoking me I'd expect to be nicked by the nearest copper for inciting violence or some such crap. They're so useless it's hardly worth the godamn bother!
I have been to the Emirates and Man City in with the home fans and if the Hornets had scored I would have been up. Arsenal fans are well known To** Pots, however they should show some respect. The stewards should have ejected them. I knew if I had gone up in their stadiums I would have been on my way out but just couldn't have helped it. ;D ;D
Thing is it's one thing going in 'undercover' - I've done it myself in the past. But what about those who go in with shirts, scarves and flags of the opposition? Unfortunately our stupid stewards would rather mess about harassing home fans for bottle tops than confiscating opposition merchandise found in home areas. They're idiots. Anyway, email sent. Lets see what kinda reply I get.
To be honest, I always thought it was one of the conditions of entry that away fans should only go into designated "away" or "shared" areas of the ground. If so, any openly-declared away fans in the Rookery should be evicted forthwith. As much chance as flying in the air, that. Be interesting to see what happens at the Chelscum game.
I agree, what a night that was. Rookery and Vicarage road end both singing. What is stopping the lower rous moving to the vicarage road end. Does anyone know the answer?
