As an old employee of Odhams (Watford Ltd) and Sun Printers, I will try to throw some light on a question asked in your report in the Watford Observer, regarding the cover of the programme for the Watford FC versus Preston North End FA Cup third round tie, played on January 7, 1950.

The reason why no date was printed on the cover of this programme or information about who Watford’s opponents were would have been the front cover and the back page of the programme were considered as prime premium advertising space. The covers of the Watford FC programmes would have been printed well in advance of fixtures as businesses would have had contracts with Watford FC for their advert to run for x amount of time either on the front cover or the back page of the programme. All Watford FC programmes at that time were published by The Watford Football Club Ltd., Vicarage Road ground, Watford and printed by H L Castle of Hill Farm Avenue, Leavesden.

As there was no commercial TV or radio programmes in 1950, all advertising was done through national or local newspapers, weekly or monthly magazines or, in this case, Watford FC matchday programmes, where local businesses would advertise.

Looking at the two line-ups in the programme for the Watford versus Preston North End cup game I see Ken Stockley is wearing the number 6 shirt for Watford. Ken was local and grew up in Gammons Lane and finished his working life working in the print for Sun Printers. Another interesting observation of the Watford versus Preston programme is the kick off time of 2.15pm. This was because there were no floodlights at Vicarage Road in 1950.

Staying with the subject of old Watford FC programmes, I have attached a copy of the Watford Reserves versus Notts Forest Reserves programme when Watford Reserves played in Football Combination League Division One (pictured above). If you look at the Forest line up you will see Roy Dwight wearing the number 11 shirt. I expect you have realised this was Reggie Dwight’s ( Elton John ) Uncle Roy. Little did I know that Roy Dwight’s nephew would become the owner of Watford Football Club in the future.

Another interesting observation of the Watford versus Forest programme is the number 8 and number 6 for Watford. Number 8 is David Pygall who grew up in Gammons Lane, went to Leggatts Way School and is now living in Australia. Number 6 is Peter Barnes, another local North Watford lad, who grew up on the Balmoral Estate, went to Alexandra School, worked all his life for Sun Printers but very sadly passed away six years ago now.

I do hope my information regarding the question of why the date was not printed has been helpful and also my additional information about the Watford Reserves programme has been of interest to readers.

Ernie MacKenzie

Gammons Lane, Watford