Watford and Arsenal were regular friendly opponents during the First and Second World Wars but their first peacetime meeting took place 60 years ago – and a Watford Observer photographer witnessed the occasion.
A crowd of 8,253 was inside Vicarage Road on Tuesday, April 14, 1964 as a goal from Ron Spelman was enough to give Bill McGarry’s side victory against the Gunners, who were managed by the legendary Billy Wright.
Although the match was only a friendly and the hosts were three matches away from finishing a strong season in third in Division Three, it was still a notable victory against their more illustrious close neighbours, who would end their campaign in eighth place in Division One.
The match was staged as a testimonial for popular and hard-working wing-half George Catleugh, who scored 17 goals in 327 appearances in all competitions during his 11 seasons at Vicarage Road.
The clubs were to face each other in six more friendlies before their first competitive meeting in March 1980 when the Gunners won 2-1 at Vicarage Road in the FA Cup sixth round.
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