Memories of demolition of Rookery end at Watford FC in 1994

Following the construction of the Vicarage Road end and the completion of the lower tier of the Rous Stand – now the Graham Taylor Stand – in the summer of 1993, the following year saw work begin on redeveloping the Rookery end.

A Watford Observer photographer visited Vicarage Road on July 18, 1994 to capture these pictures as the metal roof was being torn down with some of the lettering from the Watford Observer clock still attached to it.

The 'W' and 'O' lean up against the hoarding that was erected while the redevelopment was taking place (Image: Watford Observer)

The new stand was constructed during the 1994/95 season and, as club historian Geoff Wicken’s 100 Years at Vicarage Road recalls, it cost a reported £1.6 million to build.

The arm of this digger frames the mangled roof that used to cover the Rookery (Image: Watford Observer)

However, the new stand, which had a capacity of almost 7,000, was not fully designated for Hornets fans until the Hornets embarked on their first Premier League season in 1999/2000.

The section of the roof that had yet to be pulled down (Image: Watford Observer)

Looking back towards the Rookery bend (Image: Watford Observer)

The contrast of the old metal work with the new Rous Stand (Image: Watford Observer)

The wall in front of the old Rookery (Image: Watford Observer)