One for you old un's (especially BB). There used to be a Police Office (someone in charge I believe) who stood in Vicarage Road just outside the Red Lion on Matchdays. His nickname in the 60s/70s with us younger fans was "Sourface" although he turned out to be a nice chap and a bit of a Watford fan. He used to have his own song* sung with gusto by The Rookery whenever he ventured into the ground. The reason I mention him is although I saw him regularly up to a couple of years ago in his usual position, I haven't seen him since. Just wondered if he was still around. *Song's lyrics sung to tune of "Camptown Races" were: Who's that copper with the big flat hat? Sourface, Sourface! Who's that copper with the big flat hat? Sourface is his name. On the beat all day, On the wife all night. Who's that copper with the big flat hat? Sourface is his name. Just thought I'd ask......
You'll be far too young and far too much a Lady to have sung that song. It was during the time that the Rookery was not a place for Gentlefolk of either sex. Coincidentally it was also a fertile time of loud, imaginative, rude and sometimes crude song lyrics. So much tamer now, fortunately (he said through gritted teeth).
Remember him well vic - and the song. He tried to have me ejected once - for jumping up and celebrating a goal against Leicester. He dragged me down to the front but then got distracted when a fight broke out - actually told me to 'wait there' while he went to help As if.........
you're too kind vic...thank you! i think maybe the fact that you gritted your teeth means that you believe that something is missing these days in the Rookery
There certainly were a few 'characters' there for a while, some of whom have since spent time 'at Her Majesty's pleasure' I believe. It was always best to wear the black & yellow in their presence - to avoid 'friendly fire'
A bit before my time, but the old git's who I go with will remember those days...Rookery days with steel toe-caps on!..'emel boys we are 'ere, s*hag ya women and drink ya beer....I will question them in the morrow..
Mitch, he still sells programmed! I can remember in the mid 90's when he used to get so much banter from the home fans all of us howling at him
Forest away in 08/09 he was sat next to me!! He ponged a bit though. Your right though, although I didn't see him at the Blackpool game I do now remember seeing him selling programmes at the Bristol City game. He must be the longest serving WFC programme seller in the history of our club!! Yeah I remember the chants " Wolfie, Wolfie whats the score " etc etc. He looked like he used to love it when we sang songs like that back then!!
Think I know who you mean...the weird looking guy with the beard? (hence the name Wolfie). Always wondered why so many of the matchday staff are odd people.
Yeah thats him. In the 90's he had a proper dirty/scuffy bright ginger beard!!! These days it's a bit shorter/more well groomed and also not as ginger. Plus he always seems to look miserable these days (not surprising after being a programme seller for so long I suppose!) Anyone remember singing " Elton John's Taylor Made Army " non stop for 10 consecutive minutes?? Or singing " Your going home in a Watford Ambulance " to David Connolly.
Hell Yeah! In those days there was far more singing and chanting! More crowd participation, there used to be a small group of lads at the front of the North Stand(when that used to be the home end) Who sung their hearts out every game and always got everyone else singing I recognise a couple of them now but it is still not the same as it was!
I think the main reason for that is back then, to me, the majority of our fans in the Vic Road End (and the first 2 years of the Rookery) seemed to be mainly under 40 years of age. These days though I see a LOT of fans that are, Id say 45 to 70 sitting in the Rookery. I dont have a problem with this, Im going to be that age (hopefully), but it does have a big Impact on the atmosphere. I used to get goosebumps every single time I joined in with the ' Mooney Wonderland ' songs. Was such a good feeling when your stood up with the majority of other Watford fans, arms in the air singing that song out loud with the passion that came with it. I miss those times, the only way I get goosebumps these days at Vicarage Road is if Im cold!!
Where does he sell programmes?? I miss the singing and chanting..sometimes our corner of the Rookery can be so quiet ...thank goodness for away games! lol yep, except for the last game of the season, or matches like the Spurs game...
Im so young as to not be around for the Mooney days!! However even I know who Wolfie is!! Wasn't aware he was an actual fan as well as a programme seller? Seems like home matches used to provide a great atmosphere before the 2000s. A large majority of home crowds around the country seem to be very quiet these days, any particular reason for that? Away atmospheres are still generally good, from Watford fans and teams visting Vicarage Road, but you fear they may follow the trend of home fans soon enough!
In that case, i must go round with my eyes shut..coz i have no idea who he is lol. I can't imagine away game atmospheres changing any time soon...though there are still those fans, even at away games, who tell people to 'pipe down'...weirdos! lol
If your in the corner/far side of the Rookery then no, you wouldn't notice him (Wolfie) as he only seems to walk up and down the middle/centre stairs selling programmes. Talking of gingers, has anyone ever noticed a very, shall we say....... Exuberant young Watford fan at away games? He got thrown out at Elland Road last season for goading the Leeds fans. At Fratton Park last season he spent most of the game trying to wind up the Pomepy fans, till Michael Brown scored their 3rd goal to make it 3-2 to which the Pompey fans sang " Ginger, whats the score " He's a real character I tell you!! Passionate but a bit of an overly excited moron too.
