The Watford Observer has again teamed up with its friends at The Watford Treasury to share stories from previous issues.
Although seven different goalkeepers appeared for Watford during the 1970s, the position was dominated by one man. Andy Rankin was Watford’s player of the decade, writes Geoff Wicken. To be a Watford supporter in the early and mid-1970s was, mostly, a dispiriting experience. The six seasons starting from 1971/72 saw almost continuous decline. There were two relegations, in 1971/72 and 1974/75, followed by two years of stasis in Division Four. Then everything changed. The turnaround inspired by Graham Taylor’s arrival brought the two consecutive promotions of 1977/78 and 1978/79. Those six years of gloom were followed by two of dramatic upturn, and by autumn 1979 Watford were back in Division Two, where they had been eight years earlier.
Former Everton goalkeeper who was Watford s player of the 1970s watfordobserver.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from watfordobserver.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Watford legend Luther Blissett has said seeing shoppers out and about is a “great site to see” as lockdown restrictions eased further. The former striker was out in Watford town centre today to reopen the Peace Hospice shop in the Parade, cutting a ribbon at the store earlier this morning. From today, shops, gyms and close contact services such as hairdressers are all allowed to welcome people back. Bars, pubs and restaurants are allowed to serve customers outdoors, with groups limited to two households or by the rule of six . Speaking to the Watford Observer, Blissett said he felt “fantastic” to be back in the town and to reopen the hospice.
Hundreds of shoppers and diners were out and about in Watford town centre as businesses reopened their doors to the public for the first time in months. The town was officially open for business today (April 12) as lockdown restrictions eased, with shops, gyms and close contact services such as hairdressers all allowed to welcome people back. Bars, pubs and restaurants are allowed to serve customers outdoors, with groups limited to two households or by the rule of six . Plenty of diners were seen around the town today, with people grabbing a bite to eat outside at several restaurants and cafes including L’Artista, Nandos and Café Bianco.