Memories of Rous Stand construction at Watford

Fans had watched Watford in action from the Shrodells or West Stand for 64 years since the club’s move from Cassio Road, but the structure had all but disappeared by the start of June 1986 as a new stand started to rise from the ground.

We looked back at the demolition of the Shrodells Stand earlier this month – you can see the pictures via this link – but Watford Observer photographers continued to visit Vicarage Road on an almost weekly basis during that summer to capture the gradual development of what would become the Rous Stand and is today named the Graham Taylor Stand.

The Shrodells Stand had been consigned to memory by the start of June 1986 (Image: Watford Observer)

These pictures were taken during three visits in June of that year and show how quickly the columns and beams were put in place for the stand which would accommodate just over 2,100 seats and 33 executive boxes in the upper tier.

The view from the Vicarage Road terracing on June 7, 1986 (Image: Watford Observer)

Plenty of progress had been made by June 18, 1986 (Image: Watford Observer)

The cranes lifting the concrete beams into place (Image: Watford Observer)

A view of the construction from the pitch (Image: Watford Observer)

The view on June 18, 1986 from the Vicarage Road terracing (Image: Watford Observer)

The new stand was starting to take shape by June 25, 1986 (Image: Watford Observer)

Work continued to ensure the pitch would be ready for the start of the following season (Image: Watford Observer)

Workmen were using ladders amid the concrete structure (Image: Watford Observer)