The Watford Observer is again delighted to be teaming up with its friends at Watford Museum to take another journey back to the past to recall the key events and dates that helped shape the town’s future.

Part 41 of '50 events and dates that shaped Watford' looks back to one of the most significant developments in the town's history that will be celebrated in two months' time - the opening of a football ground in Vicarage Road.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "1922 is a special year for Watford as it is both our Charter centenary and the anniversary of the opening of the Vicarage Road football ground. The club had been playing at Cassio Road, but played their first game at the new ground on Wednesday, August 30, against Millwall.

"The land had been a gravel pit but, as the Watford Observer reported, was changed from a “waste wilderness” into “a beautiful area covered with lovely and very fine turf”.

"The ground was officially opened on the same day by Col. Charles Healey and he hoped that many generations of those in Watford might enjoy it for many, many years."

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.