The controversial four-year stay of greyhound racing at Watford FC’s Vicarage Road track came to an end on Monday afternoon in typical style – with the favourite in the very last race being beaten into last place.

The defeat of heavily-backed 6-4 favourite Our Heritage summed up the last four years. For race organisers, the Greyhound Racing Association, it has been a far from trouble-free stay.

It began with criticism about the shape of the running circuit – its four near-right-angled bends were soon labelled the wall of death – and ended with a doping scandal.

In between, the GRA have faced financial problems which were not helped by the sparse crowds the afternoon meetings used to attract.

It ends an on and off 50-year association with greyhound racing at Vicarage Road. Pictured is 16-year-old Richard Wilson, with the last winner, Chad Supreme.

[From the Watford Observer of November 3, 1978]

ONLINE TOMORROW: Watford observed - more stories from Novembers past

 

These stories formed part of the Nostalgia column first published in the Watford Observer on November 1, 2013. The next Nostalgia column – with information on the old Empire cinema among many other things – can be found in this week’s Watford Observer (dated November 8, 2013 and available in newsagents now, priced just 90p) or read online here from 4pm on Thursday.

If you have anything to add – or would like to tell us anything you think our readers may enjoy about Watford’s history – we are always pleased to hear from you. Contact Nostalgia, by clicking here watfordnostalgia@london.newsquest.co.uk