Watford will not be able to build a new East Stand until the pitch and South-West corner are complete, it was confirmed at last night's fans' forum.

Director Stuart Timperley also revealed talks were held yesterday into whether the development will be a 'community stand' which could host the club's Community Sports and Education Trust.

Watford chairman Graham Taylor said: "We are continuing to look at a number of options for the East Stand to deliver value for the club. Until the South-West corner is operational, the players and the press cannot move out of it.

"Decommissioning and the demolition can be pursued once the South-West corner is completed. It cannot be done until the pitch construction project is complete as you can only have one major work [project] at any one time due to access.

"I am reading these out for basically the first time myself because these are the issues we expected from questions. I am answering them, simply by reading them out [from a sheet].

"Once again, I understand people's need to ask these questions and see exactly where we are. What I would say, is there has been a slight change and slowly we are moving - having a look to see what we can get done. It is difficult.

"If I was a Watford supporter sitting there, I would be asking the same questions you are asking so it doesn't upset me or Stuart. It shows your feeling for the club, what you want and what you are worried about.

"I am in the same position as you. I can be closer to it, I can be seeing things and we are trying our best to move and make sure we are going in the right direction. I would much rather go in the right direction slowly than go in the wrong direction quickly."

Watford director Stuart Timperley added that completing the South-West corner and relaying the pitch were 'commitments' made when the takeover was completed and it was decided the East Stand would be pursued if it could be "financed properly."

Timperley, who is also a former Hornets chairman, said: "We have had discussions about the East Stand, there is the strong intentions to do it, we do discuss it from time to time and it is certainly there in the background. It is certainly our expectation that the East Stand will be done and completed after these other projects - the pitch and the South-West corner.

"I have seen, and actually listened to, a discussion about the different options being looked at. This afternoon we discussed with some people some different options for the new East Stand around the concept of community and possibly looking at the Community Trust [being] in the East Stand.

"It is certainly an agenda, it is certainly something we are discussing and directionally that was agreed. I think we put pressure on the East Stand being done because it is absolutely imperative to this football club."

The redevelopment of the Red Lion was also brought up by supporters at last night's event.

The pub has been shut since 2006 but the football club is keen to reopen it as a sports bar, with the club’s former player association playing a crucial role.

Owner Laurence Bassini, who was not at the forum, had previously told the Watford Observer that the Red Lion may be open in time for Christmas but that seems incredibly unlikely now.

Taylor last night said: "The Red Lion's ground floor has been gutted, the contractors are due to start repairs to the roof and the external walls. Revised design plans for the ground floor need approval.

"The ground floor of the pub will be open first and there is an extended second phase to use the land next to the building.

"I can add a little bit from myself. It came as a surprise to all of us when Laurence told us what he was looking to do. It is purely through him, his idea, his reaction to it. It is his, as the club is really."