Final programme notes from Sean Dyche and Laurence Bassini
28th April 2012- Championship, Watford 2 Middlesbrough 1
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Tag Archives: Apr28
28th April 2001- New Division One, Watford 1 Tranmere Rovers 1
GT’s last home game in charge.
Allan Nielsen, Graham Taylor’s most expensive signing at £2.3m, spared the former England manager’s blushes at his Vicarage Road farewell. The Danish international popped up in the last minute to head an equaliser but the point salvaged is not enough to keep Watford’s play-off hopes alive.
Long ago, the script was written for Graham Taylor’s last match at Vicarage Road. One final wave of galloping attacks to see off already-relegated opponents. One last thumping victory, in the thrilling style of so many before it. Hat-tricks for Tommys Mooney and Smith to celebrate their end-of-season awards for best player and young player respectively. And, in the final minute of injury time, the seventh goal to crown it all, an astonishing, crashing-off-the-crossbar blast from thirty yards by the returning Richard Johnson.
He was more what we came to see than a relegated bunch of fighters, and an unquantifiable bunch of mid- to upper-table wanderers who represent what, if not why, he’s leaving behind by retiring. His direction was where we were looking, as a game that barely registers in the mind even this soon after its conclusion played itself into oblivion. When he showed up in the dugout, we asked for a wave, since chanting something along the lines of “Graham, give us a year or two more, we’re worthy, and by the way, thanks for making us all stand apart from whatever crowd we’ve found ourselves in from the age of [your age in 1977] to now” is just unfeasible.
28th April 1998- New Division Two, Watford 2 AFC Bournemouth 1
The game where Steve Palmer wore the number one jersey and started in goal. He swapped with Alec Chamberlain (who was no.4) after the first few seconds. In the final fixture away at Fulham Palmer wore the number nine shirt meaning he became the first and only player in Football League history to have worn every number from 1-14 during a season.
Who Ate All The Pies: STEVE PALMER WEARS EVERY SINGLE WATFORD SQUAD NUMBER IN SPACE OF ONE SEASON
28th April 1990- Division Two, Plymouth Argyle 0 Watford 0
28th April 1984- Division One, Luton Town 1 Watford 2
Our first win at Kenilworth Road in almost 20 years was completely overshadowed by referee Keith Hackett sending off Wilf Rostron which meant the Watford captain would miss the FA Cup Final.
Bob Wilson confirming the news of Rostron’s suspension on that evening’s edition of Match Of The Day
Section of the Watford Legends Interview with Wilf Rostron where he talks about the sending off and missing the FA Cup Final.
For the full interview click here.
Part of an article GT wrote before the 2002 FA Cup Final which referenced Wilf’s sending off.
For the full article click here.
28th April 1979- Division Three, Watford 2 Plymouth Argyle 2
28th April 1976- London Five-a-side Tournament (at Empire Pool, Wembley)
To boost the numbers Leeds and Wolves were invited to take part. We beat Leeds 3-2 in the First Round before going out 1-0 on sudden death penalties to QPR after a 1-1 draw.
Comicus Article- Football Nostalgia: London Evening Standard 5-A-Side Tournament
