i take my hat off to you fez its easy to support a london club all my family are goones or spurs in 66 me and a mate wanted to support a club from berkhampstead we looked at the travel and costs so it was watford or lxtxn as they say the rest is history
Hi Brian, I am Borehamwood born and bred I'm afraid, my Dad was a Publican and he managed the Robert Peel in Watford in the early sixties (I was already a Watford Fan by then) living here made it was easier to get to the matches. The pub shut at 2.30pm on a Saturday and Dad and I used to walk to the ground with the fans, leaving my Mum to clear up. We used to get back home just before opening time at 5.30pm. On match day the pub would be very busy. The pub was in King Street and had originally been a Police Station before being converted to a pub, hence the name. However Brian I continued to go to school in Borehamwood, he later got a pub in Harrow Weald and I ended up going to Harrow & Wealdstone County Grammar.
Blimey Charlie - that's an admission. The Robert Peel used to be a place to steer clear of in the mid-late 60's - a bit of spit and sawdust would have greatly improved the ambience...
You're telling me, my Dad wouldn't let my Mum work in the bar on a Saturday night. The previous manager ran off with the takings, we were only there 6 months before we got the pub in Harrow that was November 62. Brian your right it was near the Bingo Hall.
I used to frequent the Robert Peel on occasions - but not till the 70's - not the best pub in Watford perhaps
Up to 1968 the bingo hall was The Essoldo cinema. It was opened in 1913 as The Central Hall, it became the Regal in 1930 when sound systems were introduced, and became The Essoldo in 1956. It became a bingo hall which closed last year.
A right old flea pit it was too - rather fitting given its proximity to the Robert Peel.. I've been trying to remember the names of all the pubs I used to frequent - it appears that I had an ill-spent youth. I used to lunch most days in the Coachmakers Arms, which I believe is no longer there. Was also a regular at the one next to the High Street station (Railway Tavern?) - don't think it's there now either. My Thursday night pub was the Oddfellows near to The Vic, Sunday pub was the Estcourt Tavern, Friday nights at The Coachmakers, Saturday nights when Watford were at home were either The Swan in Bushey or The Green Man in the High Street - there was one next door to that too, but can't remember the name of it. Then there were occasional forays to the Tantivy in Queens Road, the Rose and Crown in Market Street and the Wellington Arms in Woodford Road. Blimey, no wonder Benskins closed down after I left town,,,
Saw Zulu in the Essoldo with my dad. I was 10. By God it scared me! Saw Zulu warriors behind the wardrobe all night long. My first watering holes were the One Crown just down from the High St Station, and the two by Bushey & Oxhey, the Victoria and the Railway tavern(?). Most local was the Trumans (spit) one in Carpenders Park. As soon as I could drive it was off into Chilterns exploring little country pubs which all seem to be right under the M 25 now. Then left town for Canterbury
yes... me too.... Great cinema! I mover to snorbens area and my formative years all happened round there
Really nice to see the minute's round of applause for Ken at Ewood Park at Blackburn before yesterday's match with Swansea - with both sets of players applauding with the crowd. Lump to the throat time.
