Patience has often been needed when trying to buy tickets for a big match. Now it is usually a case of sitting in front of a computer, or on a phone, waiting for a website to let you into the sales page, but in the past fans have often had to queue for hours eager to get their hands on a coveted piece of paper after being served at the ticket office.

That was the case on a cold January day in 1979 when a Watford Observer photographer captured the scenes as a long row of supporters queued the full length of Occupation Road and beyond into Vicarage Road, back towards the hospital, keen to make sure they would not miss out on being at a cup semi-final against the reigning league champions.

As we recalled last week, Graham Taylor’s Division Three side had already claimed a famous victory at Manchester United en route to reaching the last four of the League Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

Watford Observer: The queue stretched the full length of Occupation RoadThe queue stretched the full length of Occupation Road (Image: Watford Observer)

Standing in their way were a Nottingham Forest side who would go on to crown the 1978/79 season by winning the European Cup.

Watford Observer: Vicarage Road is a very different stadium todayVicarage Road is a very different stadium today (Image: Watford Observer)

The two-legged semi-final was always likely to favour Brian Clough’s big guns and so it proved as they won 3-1 at the City Ground, but an attendance of 27,656 – still a club record for the competition – packed into Vicarage Road to watch the Hornets hold Forest to a goalless draw in the second game.

Watford Observer: Graham Taylor's side came out for the second leg aiming to overturn a 3-1 deficitGraham Taylor's side came out for the second leg aiming to overturn a 3-1 deficit (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford were out but it had further fuelled the belief that Taylor was building something special.

Watford Observer: Ross Jenkins watches as an opportunity goes wideRoss Jenkins watches as an opportunity goes wide (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Forest goalkeeper Peter Shilton watches the ball go wide of his postForest goalkeeper Peter Shilton watches the ball go wide of his post (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Luther Blissett is ready to pounce as Shilton grabs the ballLuther Blissett is ready to pounce as Shilton grabs the ball (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: The Hornets are out but the message on the scoreboard says it allThe Hornets are out but the message on the scoreboard says it all (Image: Watford Observer)