The 1982/83 season was the most successful in Watford’s history as the Hornets beat Liverpool 2-1 on the final day to ensure they would finish second in the old First Division.

Having scaled new heights at home, the Hornets then embarked on a short tour that has also remained without equal since – a three-game trip to China.

The Watford Observer covered the trip extensively during June 1983 and these reports were last summarised by us in 2015. Complete with these images from our archive, here is another opportunity to look back almost 40 years to when Watford, as the official programme stated put ‘friendship first, competition second’.

The opening game of the tour took place on June 1, 1983 when Watford took on the Chinese national side in front of 80,000 spectators with temperatures in the mid-90s.

The Hornets hero proved to be a 19-year-old striker, who less than six months beforehand had been playing in front of considerably smaller crowds while on loan at Fourth Division Blackpool.

Ian Richardson wasn’t fazed by the occasion though, scoring twice, with Steve Terry netting the other in a 3-1 win.

“In his first senior game, and being watched by an estimated television audience of 400 million, Richardson scored twice in the magnificent Peking Workers’ Stadium to silence the packed arena, which was full of bike-riding Chinese,” our report stated.

Club secretary Eddie Plumley enthused. “It was steaming hot and the players worked very hard. China played well and without a couple of brilliant saves from (Steve) Sherwood it might have been a different story.”

The report continued: “The massive 80,000 appreciative crowd was the largest a Watford side have ever played in front of.”

Watford Observer: A smiling Pat Rice after one of the games in China.A smiling Pat Rice after one of the games in China. (Image: Watford Observer)

Luther Blissett, John Barnes, Gerry Armstrong and Kenny Jackett had been on international duty for that game, but they were back for the second match on Sunday, June 5 against a Shanghai XI in the Jiangwan Stadium.

A crowd of 40,000 looked on as Shanghai striker Xi Zhkanh put the home side in front, but goals from Terry and Nigel Callaghan saw Taylor’s side come from behind to win 2-1.

The Hornets were to save their best for last though, as they again faced the China national side on Tuesday, June 7.

“The Hornets, who have made such a big impression – both on and off the field – in China, left their brand of attacking football indelibly stamped on the minds of the Chinese followers,” we reported.

“In the magnificent Peking Workers’ stadium, scene of their 3-1 triumph in the opening match last Wednesday, Watford again endeared themselves to the 70,000 enthusiastic spectators and the millions of television watchers.”

Watford Observer: The front cover of the official tour programme.The front cover of the official tour programme. (Image: .)

Watford were 2-0 up after only 17 minutes and despite substituting their goalkeeper, the “bewildered” Chinese went in at half-time trailing 4-0, a thundering left-foot shot from Jackett and other goals from Barnes and Blissett (2).

A penalty made it 4-1, but a fifth Watford goal, again from Barnes, completed the rout.

Manager Taylor was quoted in a national newspaper as saying: “When we beat them last week, they played impressively and well enough to have won. But they bored 70,000 people silly tonight.

“If they feel this is what they have to learn in order to be a top footballing country then I’m afraid they are sadly mistaken,” he said.