The words were warm and heartfelt. Richard Johnson described the man who served Watford for 21 years as player and coach as a “top keeper and top bloke”, Sean Dyche comically called him the “black box” for surviving the numerous changes of manager and head coach at Vicarage Road, while many in the audience stood to applaud. The reaction from fans, former teammates and friends at Watford Palace Theatre on Sunday underlined that Alec Chamberlain remains a popular member of the Hornets family.

The former goalkeeper, who won three promotions at Vicarage Road and made 287 appearances for the club in all competitions, was the subject of the latest Tales from the Vicarage Live show hosted by presenter and journalist Adam Leventhal.

The two men reflected on Chamberlain’s career in the first part of the show, including the back-to-back promotions of winning the Division Two title at Fulham in 1998 followed by play-off glory at Wembley 12 months later and, amid some light-hearted boos, his spell as a Luton Town player.

The pair also watched an affectionate video message from Ben Foster before being joined on stage by Dyche, Johnson – a late replacement for Robert Page – Paul Robinson and Richard Lee. The laughter was soon to escalate.

Those who have seen former Hornets defender, coach and manager Dyche at previous Tales from the Vicarage Live shows know how funny he can be, and from the moment the Burnley boss walked on grinning into a camera it was clear he would be on top form again.

Chamberlain joked that he knew there would be some “flak flying” with Dyche on the panel when I spoke to him during the interval, but he was appreciative of having a show held in his honour.

He said: “It’s nice to have that connection still with the supporters and nice to be asked, to be honest.

“A lot of players come and go and I’ve always been really fortunate that I’ve had lots of recognition playing for Watford. Leaving the club in the way I did, it’s nice I’ve still got those ties with the club and nice ties with those involved and around it.”

The former first-team goalkeeping coach had been working in the Hornets Academy prior to his long career at Vicarage Road ending in December.

“I think it probably was,” the 53-year-old responded when asked if it was the right time to leave. “Obviously I’d stayed after Sean left and there’d been the takeover and there’s been a lot of changes with managers.

“I’ve done various roles, mainly goalkeeping coaching, but when I went into the academy I had no problem with that and I enjoyed that side of it. It wasn’t really so much about me, it was more about the way maybe they [the club] saw the academy moving forward.

“I’ve got no problem with it. We came to a gentleman’s agreement and I’m still dipping my toe in and out of football with Wales as well.”

Now working with former teammate Page as part of his Welsh Under-21 backroom staff, Chamberlain is understandably and justifiably “very proud” of his time at Watford.

“When I came here aged 32 I never would have dreamt I would have been here for 21 years, it’s ridiculous to think that,” he said. “To even get a three-year contract at 32 was remarkable and Graham Taylor showed great faith in me. But we sort of got a bit of momentum as a club and I think I probably did as a player as well and it was a joy to be a part of.

“Because it went so well my past at Luton got swept under the carpet and I never really had any murmurings about that. Obviously the success we had will always be the most successful period of my career so nothing but fantastic memories.”

There are not many people in football who know Chamberlain better than the man who was to make his Hornets debut between the posts in the 2002/03 campaign.

“From minute one, day one he kind of took me under his wing a little bit,” Lee said. “Initially he was more a mentor, obviously he became a friend, then a coach, but I think where he always got the balance right...you see sometimes when a player goes into a coaching role they suddenly become a different person or they make it known they’re away from it, but we kept that friendship throughout.

“Even when I was playing good, bad, indifferent, he was always there. Not just a goalkeeper, but for anyone to know you’ve got that person alongside you is huge.

“We don’t speak as much now but we’re in regular contact, he’s still someone that I would turn to for advice and I still see regularly and someone I hope, touch wood, will be a lifelong friend.”

Was Chamberlain the most influential person in Lee’s career?

“He’s up there. Take out family, yes, he probably he is,” the former Brentford stopper admitted. “I hadn’t really thought of it but in terms of the period of time, the influence that he had on me and my development, not just physically, but technically and everything he brought I think it’s fair to say, barring family, he’s the biggest influence.”