The Watford Observer has again teamed with its friends at the Watford Treasury to share stories from previous issues.

This week we look back to a game played on August 13, 1960.

Watford travelled the short distance to RAF Uxbridge to meet the Great Britain Olympic XI in a practice match, as part of the Olympians’ preparation for that year’s summer Games.

In a game watched by eager airmen and fortunate locals, the Hornets were beaten 2-1, with the Watford goal provided inevitably by one Cliff Holton.

The match saw Watford use six substitutes, quite a luxury considering it would be a further five years before any substitutions were permitted in league games.

Watford Observer:

The Olympic XI, comprising amateur English and Scottish players, would face Brazil in Livorno, Italy, just 13 days later, a tie they would lose 3-2.

Watford Observer:

Despite scoring eight goals in just three group games the British squad finished third in their group, and thus were eliminated from the tournament.

Watford Observer:

Watford, having just been promoted, went on to finish a creditable fourth in the Third Division, although ten points away from promotion.

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