One of Watford’s major sports club is hoping to host a celebratory football match later this year to mark 125 years since a ball was first kicked on its land.

West Herts Sports Club is in discussions with Watford FC’s Former Players Association to play the game against a team of ex-Hornets on Sunday, September 27 – exactly 125 years to the day since Watford Rovers took on Mr A.T.B. Dunn’s XI in the first fixture to take place at the Park Avenue ground.

The club was to be the home of what was to become Watford FC until 1922 when they moved to their current Vicarage Road home. But the year was also significant in West Herts’ history as a trust deed was executed, ensuring the use of the ground for sporting activities in perpetuity.

West Herts’ fortunes have fluctuated since, with sports such as rugby and hockey coming and going, but it has maintained its focus and around 800 adults and children now play sport there on a regular basis.

The 125th anniversary of cricket first being played at the club is next year – a committee has been established to celebrate that anniversary –and the club currently boasts five adult teams and ten junior sides.

Following Watford’s departure in 1922, senior football did not return to the Park Avenue club until 2004, but since then West Herts have risen from Division Four to the top flight of the Watford Sunday League.

Five years earlier, West Herts Social – Division Two side West Herts Reserves since 2011 – was made up of social members and the multicultural club has more than 40 players from a number of different nationalities in two teams.

West Herts Tennis Club has more than 175 members across all ages with 17 teams for men, women, junior and veterans, while the squash club has around 80 current players, including internationals at various age levels.

The club has also been the home of Watford Joggers since 2012 and has almost 150 members, ranging in age from 20 to 80, who regularly use routes across the area.