Milkman and lifelong Watford fan Ray Groves thought it was the end of the world when his prized FA Cup Final tickets were stolen from his home during a burglary back in May.
Instead of a glorious day out at the showpiece final, Ray and his son Lee had to make do with watching the big match on the television.
To add insult to injury, Watford went on to lose!
But those cup final blues were washed away last week when Ray received a letter of sympathy from Watford boss Graham Taylor.
Inside was a personal message from the Hornets’ boss, plus a hat, scarf and flag for Lee, and an invitation for all the family to meet the directors and their soccer heroes after their team’s First Division match against Arsenal next season.
Ray, who is an Express Dairies milkman in the centre of Watford, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I arrived home to find the headed envelope on my doormat.
“Mr Taylor must have read about our tickets being stolen in the Watford Observer, but he has made up for that with a marvellous surprise.
“After the break-in, Lee was heartbroken – but he is a bigger Watford fan than ever now.”
[From the Watford Observer of July 13, 1984]
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