Here is our regular Monday look back through the Watford Observer's archives and some of the stories that were making our headlines five and ten years ago this week.

TEN YEARS AGO

Some of Elton money used on Deeney

Watford have confirmed Sir Elton John's concert in the summer raised around £600,000 to go towards player acquisitions.

The Hornets' former chairman offered to host the concert in May to raise money for the club and almost 20,000 fans attended the gig at Vicarage Road.

At tonight's fans forum, head of business operations Michael Jones said: “In terms of the actual profit it was about £600,000 and that has been put towards Troy Deeney and there are payments for other players in there as well and there is still money left in that budget.

“It is hard to actually quantify exactly where every pound is going but it is fair to say there is still some money left.”

David Cameron visits small business leaders in Watford

Watford Observer:

The Prime Minister David Cameron met with small business leaders in Watford this morning.

His visit to Croxley Green Business Park comes on the day the coalition Government announced a new package of support for small and medium enterprises.

Mr Cameron's first stop was at Rocket Graphics – a digital production company. He was welcomed by its chief executive before talking to members of staff about their roles.

He then moved on to meet ten chief executives of small companies at the business park, hearing stories of how they had coped through the recession.

First Watford manager's England shirt goes under the hammer

Watford Observer:

A 122-year-old England football shirt worn by Watford's first manager is set to fetch up to £4,000, when it goes under the hammer at auction.

The woollen, button-up shirt with embroidered three lions cloth badge belonged to John Goodall.

It is thought to be the shirt he wore for his England debut against Scotland at Hampden Park on March 17, 1888 and one of the earliest England shirts to be offered at auction.

The shirt is now expected to sell for between £3,000 and £4,000 at Graham Budd Auctions at Sotheby's in London on Monday, November 8.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Shoppers back plans to revamp 'run down' Charter Place

Watford Observer:

Shoppers are backing the plans to revamp the "depressing" and "run down" Charter Place.

Work to demolish the old shopping centre in High Street, Watford, to make way for a new £100 million complex will start today.

Sarah Avvinti, from St Albans, described Charter Place as "run down" and very much in need of a "revamp".

The 40-year-old said: "Modernising the shopping centre will help bring more people into the area and create business."

Tim King, of The Gateway, agreed. The 36-year-old said: "Businesses here have been closing down for a while - the design is very old, it's depressing and there's not much here anymore.

"The area needs something to bring people and business in and I think the cinema and restaurants will do just that."

Play area in Rickmansworth to undergo huge revamp

Watford Observer:

Photo: Google Street View

A play area in Rickmansworth is to undergo a huge revamp.

The play area at Ebury Recreation Ground, in Uxbridge Road, will be revamped with new play equipment.

The fencing and railings will also be replaced.

As part of the plans, ten pieces of play equipment are to be installed, including an aerial runway, a pendulum basket swing, rope climbing course with a tube slide, four toddler swings, two junior swings, a large trampoline, a pendulum seesaw, sand area and a platform roundabout.

Plans for what neighbour describes as 'modern monstrosity' to be re-submitted says shop owner

Watford Observer:

The owner of a supermarket in Chorleywood will resubmit controversial plans to build nine flats above his shop.

A controversial bid to build nine flats above Budgens in Lower Road was withdrawn by the developer after Three Rivers District Councilflagged up concerns about the height of the roof.

Owner of Budgens Vic Grewal said the proposals will cost him £2 million but they have received a negative reaction in the village.

More than 80 people objected to the original plans.

He insisted Budgens will not close during the redevelopment work because his “livelihood depends on it” and “we can’t afford to do it”.