The reputation of Watford’s “family” football club is known the length and breadth of England, so it was not at all surprising to find plenty of New Year good wishes among the biggest crowd at Vicarage Road this season – more than 27,000 – for the visit of Canon League champions Liverpool on New Year’s Day.
Manager Graham Taylor led his team and the day’s mascots in a pre-match Happy New Year message on the pitch, while Liverpool’s popular goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar made friends with Watford fans before the game and obliged with a few autographs.
Bruce may have enhanced his popularity with his fashion sense – especially a hat which Watford chairman Elton John might have been proud to wear.
[From the Watford Observer of January 4, 1985]
NOSTALGIA NOTE: The match mentioned above, ended in a 1-1 dfraw. Watford led after a 36th minute penalty by Luther Blissett and remained in front until Ian Rush scored an equaliser two minutes from time.
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