We may not have had much in the way of snowy weather yet unlike some parts of the country, but with winter now here we’re taking a look back to an era when Watford's matches at this time of year were often played on a white coated Vicarage Road pitch.

The advent of underground heating and protective coverings means much better protection can now be given to the playing surface, but for many years it was straw that was often used to provide a barrier to the elements.

The team at the Watford Treasury has once again been looking through the picture archives, so scroll through these images and look back at a time when Watford became a football winter wonderland for fans.

Watford Observer: A snow covered Vicarage Road in 1958A snow covered Vicarage Road in 1958

Watford Observer: Clearing the snow in the 1959/60 seasonClearing the snow in the 1959/60 season

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Watford Observer: Snow clearance in the 1962/63 campaignSnow clearance in the 1962/63 campaign

Watford Observer: The players get their brooms outThe players get their brooms out

Watford Observer: Watford's efforts to get this game on were rewarded as they beat Carlisle United 5-1 in December 1962Watford's efforts to get this game on were rewarded as they beat Carlisle United 5-1 in December 1962

Watford Observer: An attendance of 8,397 braved the elements to watch the Carlisle matchAn attendance of 8,397 braved the elements to watch the Carlisle match

Watford Observer: Fans help to clear the pitchFans help to clear the pitch

Watford Observer: Supporters help to get the straw off the pitchSupporters help to get the straw off the pitch

The latest volume The Watford Treasury — a visual history of Watford Football Club — is out now. It’s a 96-page full-colour magazine of photography and articles covering almost every decade of the club’s existence. Highlights include a piece on the Watford Observer’s former cartoonist Terry Challis, written by Oliver Phillips. There’s also an interview with Steve Palmer about Graham Taylor's 1990s side; reflections on the late Alan Garner by his team-mate Ian Bolton; and, looking further back, an article on 1950s goalkeeper (and GB Olympian) Ted Bennett.

You can order Volume 6 of The Watford Treasury here