Away Days: Watford

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BassettSaint

BassettSaint

Active Member
Mar 30, 2011
990
178
43
South London
I thought the other day that it might be nice after each away game for the travelling fans to share the experiences of the day. I chose to use the template on football ground guide for fan reviews, which some of you may recognise. It's an easy opportunity to hear about any interesting individual stories and while I'm not sure if this will catch on, it's worth a go :cheesy:

So here's the first attempt, away days with BassettSaint.

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):

Being at university in Birmingham I don't get too many opportunities to watch the saints, however luckily I live with a watford supporter and we had a last minute decision to go down. Leaving it this late I knew I would be sitting in the home end, but I was looking forward to the experience. I was also looking forward to going back to vicarage road, having been there the last time we played there in the impressive 2-2 draw in April 2009.

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Easy as. Train from New Street into Watford Junction and a brief walk to the ground.

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

Straight to the pub! Moon Under Water which was overrun by VERY loud saints fans. Bless my friend, he must have been the only one in there with a watford shirt on ;)

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?

It's a nice looking ground this one, mostly. It's a shame about the old (east?) stand that dampens the image of the ground however. Speaking from previous experience, the away end isn't the nicest. Yet, the almost identical looking Rookery stand, is a very nice stand indeed. A very nice modern concourse with good facilities and the ticket reader on entering is always a nice touch.

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

Looking back, I think 3-0 was a bit harsh on watford in some ways. While Watford didn't really deserve to score, I'm not sure if we quite deserved three. Our play was indeed better but looking at the goals individually (1. keeper error, 2. defensive error although indeed a great finish by lambert and 3. a soft penalty) it could have been a narrower scoreline. Great play from saints to capatalise on chances however and overall a solid performance. Atmosphere was very quiet in the watford end (as those in the saints end could probably confirm) although there was a bit of noise near me in the form of a drum. Didn't see the toilets, but had a nice pasty yum yum.

6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Easy enough. Went back to the high street but decided to go Walkabout instead for another drink and caught the disappointing end to the rugby. Left soon after and got a train back to the midlands.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

An overall great day out with plenty to do before/after the game. An away win will always make a good day however regardless of everything else!
 
fran-MLs little camera said:
Know it was addressed to Bassett, but would love to hear everyone's experience. Found it very interesting.
Click to expand...

Ok Fran you've asked for it, with or without Bassett's consent here goes.


1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):

I love away games. We try to go to as many away games as possible and Watford was on this season's list. Our selection process is a bit arbitrary, we don't usually go to London games but if it's elsewhere and we fancy it we go. Never been to Vicarage road before so it was a new experience. Bearing in mind our record at VR and our away form I wasn't optimistic. As it turned out my fears were unfounded.

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Pretty straightforward. We always drive and I use the footballgroundguide website for parking and pubs. As recommended we parked in the girls school, (Me the 13th Duke of Wybourne?With my reputation?What were they thinking of?)only 5 minutes from the ground but cost £6. We try to get parked up by noon so we can find a pub.

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

Straight to the pub. We chose the Oddfellow Arms just 2 minutes walk to the ground. It has screens all over the place, even out in the garden, so we watched West Ham huffing and puffing their way through the early match. Part of our match day ritual is a monster "football breakfast" so there's no need for chippies etc. Didn't see many home fans in the pub, it was all Saints. Last season it was easier to have a chat with the home fans before the game but there are more "home fans only" pubs this season.

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?

The inside looks a little strange with one side empty and half the stand missing. I don't know what the capacity would be if it was complete but the ground had a big feel to it. Despite being tucked away in the corner of the away section we had good views and nothing obscured them. Despite the ground also being used for rugby matches, I didn't think the pitch looked in a poor condition at all.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

The quality of the football throughout wasn't great and we got lucky with the first goal but the second was worth the trip on it's own. The penalty was soft but put away with supreme confidence by Rickie. Although numbers are usually good, the noise from Saints fans can vary from game to game. This game we were very good but the atmosphere overall was a bit flat, probably not helped by the early away goal and half the ground missing. Stewards were helpfull and polite and allowed the away section to stand all the game (I know not everyone wants to stand but I go with the flow on this one). Didn't have anything to eat and the toilets were ok although a bit small.

6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

No problem. Short walk back to the car and out into the traffic, a few short queues then onto the M25. Home before 7pm which was nice. Curry and a celebratory beer for tea.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

As I've already said, I love away games but everything depends on the result. This result was for me unexpected, so the day was even more enjoyable and sets us up nicely for next week's game at Leeds.
 
fran-MLs little camera said:
Know it was addressed to Bassett, but would love to hear everyone's experience. Found it very interesting.
Click to expand...

Sorry I should have been clearer. ANYONE on here who went to the game please share your experiences! I just think this is the one thing which we don't cover too much of, and it's a good opportunity for everyone to share different events of a day which link us for the same reason.

Hopefully it will catch on, I won't be at Leeds but I would love someone to start a thread like this!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts IOAG :)
 
BassettSaint said:
Sorry I should have been clearer. ANYONE on here who went to the game please share your experiences! I just think this is the one thing which we don't cover too much of, and it's a good opportunity for everyone to share different events of a day which link us for the same reason.

Hopefully it will catch on, I won't be at Leeds but I would love someone to start a thread like this!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts IOAG :)
Click to expand...

Basically went on a pub crawl with a game thrown in as well.

Started with a few cans on the train, quite a few saints fans onboard. Changed at Clapham, loads of Saints there. Had a few in the flag outside watford station, popped into a few pubs on the way. Loads of Saints and great noise in the Witherspoons. Got to ground, no beer on sale, what a joke.Great atmosphere and great support during the game. Watford were shiete. Had a few in Watford, stopped off at Clapham, had a few more in a pub near station. Got train home. Got in, tried to watch the FL show through one eye. Fell asleep with can open, spilt contents on sofa. Mrs Duck told me to go to bed, tried it on with Mrs Duck, got told to **** off. Went to sleep with "who the **** is laughing now" going round and round in my head, as the room also started spinning.

The end.
 
Lord Duckhunter said:
Basically went on a pub crawl with a game thrown in as well.

Started with a few cans on the train, quite a few saints fans onboard. Changed at Clapham, loads of Saints there. Had a few in the flag outside watford station, popped into a few pubs on the way. Loads of Saints and great noise in the Witherspoons. Got to ground, no beer on sale, what a joke.Great atmosphere and great support during the game. Watford were shiete. Had a few in Watford, stopped off at Clapham, had a few more in a pub near station. Got train home. Got in, tried to watch the FL show through one eye. Fell asleep with can open, spilt contents on sofa. Mrs Duck told me to go to bed, tried it on with Mrs Duck, got told to **** off. Went to sleep with "who the **** is laughing now" going round and round in my head, as the room also started spinning.

The end.
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Excellent! Glad I'm not the only one to fall asleep waiting for the FL show. Never spilt beer though. Pretty close to nearly a whole bottle of red wine, second one of course. Missus was mad for days!
 
Lord Duckhunter said:
Basically went on a pub crawl with a game thrown in as well.

Started with a few cans on the train, quite a few saints fans onboard. Changed at Clapham, loads of Saints there. Had a few in the flag outside watford station, popped into a few pubs on the way. Loads of Saints and great noise in the Witherspoons. Got to ground, no beer on sale, what a joke.Great atmosphere and great support during the game. Watford were shiete. Had a few in Watford, stopped off at Clapham, had a few more in a pub near station. Got train home. Got in, tried to watch the FL show through one eye. Fell asleep with can open, spilt contents on sofa. Mrs Duck told me to go to bed, tried it on with Mrs Duck, got told to **** off. Went to sleep with "who the **** is laughing now" going round and round in my head, as the room also started spinning.

The end.
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Classic!!
I love football.
 
9043graham said:
Classic!!
I love football.
Click to expand...

Yep, it's in a world of its own! Watford is an easier one for me - trains to London are quick and frequent. Takes as long to get to Watford once in London. Not my favourite ground, although I did manage to miss the 7-1 humiliation back in Lawrie's day I've seen us come second quite a few times.

Disagree with the lucky bit. They were awful, and we played just enough better. But Rickie was outstanding, Morgan bossed it and Lee was like a really annoying yappy dog. No wonder the bloke gave him a shove! Like Duck, I warmed up on the train, and so my view of the game may not have been that clear, but don't it make a change to be going home with an away win to celebrate. Not something we had often for years ... bit like Duck with Mrs Duck apparently!
 
Virginia Water Saints said:
What was our support like from your perspective then - sitting in the 'home' end ?
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Thought it was pretty good myself.Wasn't sitting a million miles away from the Saints fans so it seemed pretty rowdy.....Watford fans were very disappointing. I know they had nothing to cheer about but they made no effort at all to cheer the team!Only time i heard them was when connolly came on!
 
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