It may have been only two weeks until Christmas but it was the fortunes of their football club that were foremost in the minds of these fans when they packed into a room almost 44 years ago.

Although Watford had come a long way in a short space of time after back-to-back promotions, there may have been some concern in the air when the club hosted a ‘meet the manager’ event on December 11, 1979.

The Hornets had only won five of their first 19 league games in Division Two and were sitting 17th in the table, only three points off the bottom.

Watford Observer: Eddie Plumley listening to Graham Taylor speak to fansEddie Plumley listening to Graham Taylor speak to fans (Image: Watford Observer)

As these pictures from our archive show though, chief executive Eddie Plumley listened attentively as Graham Taylor got to his feet to address supporters’ questions, often in an assertive fashion as his body language demonstrated.

Watford Observer: A supporter takes the chance to ask the Hornets bossA supporter takes the chance to ask the Hornets boss (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Taylor appears to be forcefully responding to a questionTaylor appears to be forcefully responding to a question (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: This man's question appeared to result in some amusementThis man's question appeared to result in some amusement (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Taylor points at one questionerTaylor points at one questioner (Image: Watford Observer)