Watford's Vicarage Road centenary: memories from the 1980s

As part of the centenary celebrations, Watford FC will be publishing a book, ‘100 Years at Vicarage Road’. It will tell the story of the stadium’s evolution through pictures, words and reminiscences from supporters and players. Memorable games and goals also appear.

The Watford Observer has reported on and photographed events at Vicarage Road throughout this time. Among the 350 images that editor Geoff Wicken has chosen for the book are a selection from our library.

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We’ve already featured a selection of photographs from Vicarage Road in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Some of them feature in the book, while others haven’t been seen for a long time. Today we finish with the 1980s.

The final whistle goes against Wrexham in 1982 and Watford are promoted to Division 1. Graham Taylor moves down the touchline as the pitch invasion begins. Watford Observer (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Stadium halt opens in December 1982. Watford Observer (Image: Watford Observer)

One of the great Vicarage Road nights. Ian Richardson grabs an early goal in the second leg of the UEFA Cup tie against Kaiserslautern in 1983. Watford Observer (Image: Watford Observer)

The team wishes supporters a happy 1985. The poster hoardings on the north-west terrace were a very unusual feature for the interior of a football stadium.Watford Observer (Image: Watford Observer)

Messages and team news on the electronic scoreboard behind the Vicarage Road end goal could be compelling.Watford Observer (Image: Watford Observer)

The gap between the pitch and spectators on the Shrodells side was extensive. Not many away fans were in the divided Rookery for this game.Watford Observer (Image: Watford Observer)