Watford will return to action following the international break when they face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday at Vicarage Road – the same opponents they beat to make history 56 years previously.
On April 15, 1969 Ken Furphy’s side defeated the Pilgrims 1-0 to clinch the club’s first ever promotion to Division Two.
At the time this achievement was chronicled by manager Ken Furphy in a Watford Observer publication, Portrait of Promotion.
Celebrations on the pitch on a historic night. (Image: Watford Observer) More than half a century later the Watford Treasury has published Champions! featuring much of Furphy’s book, a host of images from the Watford Observer archives, and new material from Watford Treasury writers and interviews with former players.
We look back to that historic night in Furphy’s own words below from chapter 11 of Champions!
There was no doubt that the whole of Watford and the surrounding area were agog with interest. So often in the past, over 49 years, the supporters were sadly disappointed when optimism ended in the bitter taste of defeat. Here we were once again on the threshold of the Second Division. We needed only one point from the game against Plymouth to ensure that we could not be overtaken. Then that much-sought-after prize would be ours.
Ken Furphy enjoys a drink as the players celebrate with the fans. (Image: Watford Observer) It was indeed a night to look forward to, but for me it was again a night in which I had to make decisions. The team selection and the tactics as always, for every game, were given serious consideration, despite the fine return of seven points out of eight. This was another match and another side and the decisions needed to be made.
The only doubts in the team selection regarded the return of Scullion or Green. There was a considerable improvement in the health of Stewart’s brother in hospital and, as he was in a much more contented frame of mind, I had no hesitation in naming him in front of Brian Owen for the left-wing spot. I decided to retain Stewart to the exclusion of Rodney Green in the side and so made only one change from the Bournemouth match.
The promotion celebrations continued in the pond. (Image: Watford Observer) When one considers that team changes were made after the wonderful victory at Plymouth in the earlier part of the week, then despite the 3-1 victory over Bournemouth changes were still made. I considered then, and still do, that here was complete justification, despite the result of the previous match, for altering the side if one thinks it can be strengthened. It was to the players’ credit that they accepted my decisions without any show of temperament.
Although Walter Lees settled down in the side, following his great display at Swindon he hardly put a foot wrong, I still felt rather sorry for Brian Garvey who was a stalwart in the middle of the field for so long. Brian Owen, who fought so courageously against a succession of injuries, was not playing in this match either. I know what it is like to sit on the touchline and not be able to join in actively and play your part towards the vital result which could affect all futures. They both had my sympathy for missing out on such an occasion.
The Main Stand was packed for the game. (Image: Watford Observer) It was a tremendous crowd of 22,725 and the game itself was tense and tough. Plymouth looked a team with possibilities but the game itself was a thriller, with a quality of football which would have graced any division. We were strong in defence, eager in mid-field and always adventurous, and, as usual, there was a superhuman effort and endeavour from every player. I can remember little of the game apart from the vital winning goal. It was a goal we always promised, and, but for the brilliance of Dunne, we would have scored earlier. Several times he acrobatically stopped goalworthy shots and a brilliant header from Hale was matched by a magnificent save. Endean saw a shot cleared off the line and two fine headers from Garbett and a long-range shot from Walley, all found Dunne in position to save. There was no lack of thrills and excitement for this largest crowd of the season, as the eleven Watford players attempted to carve out a result that would never be forgotten.
Three minutes from half-time it fell to Roy Sinclair, a player who played one of the smallest parts in the whole of the success, to score the goal that brought our 603rd, and the most long-awaited of all, league victory. Years of hope were fulfilled when the Liverpudlian shot the ball in-off the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. There seemed some doubt in our opponents’ minds as to whether it crossed the line or not. The referee’s decision went for us, however. It seemed as though the second half would never end, but with seconds to go we knew we were home and dry. It was somehow impossible for us to lose.
The promotion-clinching moment. (Image: Watford Observer) As the Observer recorded that week : ‘April 15th, 1969, the night Watford gained promotion at the forty-first attempt, will live long to be savoured, relished and related time and time again. The night a tidal wave of nearly fifty years of pent-up emotion, anguish and disappointment flooded through the town. The night champagne corks rocketed round the dressing rooms. The night older fans, some officials and even players sobbed openly with tears of heartfelt joy. The night many forgot the breathalyser or the way home. The night memories were made and past disillusionments forgotten.’
The 22,000 crowd invaded the field and as each player came up into the directors’ box, they were greeted with roars of acclamation. Tt certainly was a night to remember. The players who were not in the side at that time, were not forgotten cither – Bert Slater, Bernard Lewis, Brian Garvey, Brian Owen, Roy Low, Micky Packer – for they all joined the others in the celebrations, It was a team victory for the directors, the staff, the players and the loyal supporters. The finest hour in the history of the Watford Football Club was at hand. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when that final whistle sounded and signalled the end of a game which was to usher in a new era in the history of the Watford FC. I was nearly in tears of joy, but I should imagine that many of our veteran supporters found the occasion overwhelming.
The Watford fans race onto the pitch after the final whistle. (Image: Watford Observer) I waited four years, but how small a time compared with 49. I was glad for the players, I was glad for the supporters and I was equally as glad for Chairman, Jim Bonser, and his fellow directors, for the realisation of their dreams. They carried the financial burdens during those near misses for so many years that this must have been a moment of sheer satisfaction. It is true that no matter how hard one’s staff works, without the co-operation of the players and their efforts, victory is impossible. It was this concentration, dedication and effort which proved the greatest feature of our triumph. They deserved every credit for their efforts and they made me a proud man.
Champions! Is available to buy from https://thewatfordtreasury.com or the Hornets Shop with all profits going to the Watford FC CSE Trust’s Golden Memories programme.
