Memories of Watford going top of Football League 41 years on

The Hornets had been bottom of Division Four just seven years previously, but Elton John and Graham Taylor took the club on a fairytale rise that saw the club promoted to the top tier of the English game for the first time in 1982.

Watford were soon making the rest of Division One sit up and take notice as victories over Everton, Southampton and Swansea City put them among the early pacesetters before West Bromwich Albion visited Vicarage Road on Saturday, September 11, 1982.

An attendance of 17,639 watched on as two goals from Luther Blissett either side of a Les Taylor strike secured a 3-0 victory to send Taylor’s side officially top of the league for the first and only time.

The Hornets celebrate after Blissett fires them in front (Image: Watford Observer)

The Hornets had also been top on August 31 but in those days league tables were not published or recognised until after three matches had been played.

Nigel Callaghan is among those to congratulate Blissett on his goal (Image: Watford Observer)

Take a look through these pictures from our archive as we look back to the day when Watford were above 91 other clubs at the summit of the Football League.

The West Brom keeper is beaten by Les Taylor's shot for Watford's second goal (Image: Watford Observer)

The Hornets celebrate doubling their lead (Image: Watford Observer)

Wilf Rostron embraces scorer Taylor (Image: Watford Observer)

Kenny Jackett on the ball (Image: Watford Observer)

Blissett watches a bouncing ball as Gerry Armstrong looks on (Image: Watford Observer)

A West Brom player is receiving treatment off the pitch as Blissett makes it 3-0 (Image: Watford Observer)

'We are top of the league...' (Image: Watford Observer)

How the Division One table looked 41 years ago today (Image: 11 v 11.com)