Watford Vs Swansea City

Matchday 46 was a memorable journey, as we opted to travel by train. This involved picking Liam up from school and embarking on a frenzied dash into Birmingham amidst the chaotic rush hour traffic. Unfortunately, upon reaching Birmingham, parking the car, and arriving at Birmingham New Street, we found ourselves just minutes late for the train I had hoped to catch. With less than an hour until the next train, I decided to treat Liam to some food at McDonald’s. While there, I checked the train information and noticed overhead line problems affecting services between Milton Keynes Central and Watford Junction, despite our train indicating it was running as scheduled. With time ticking away and the prospect of missing the match looming, we quickly finished our meal and hurried back to Birmingham New Street to seek further advice.

Upon reaching Birmingham New Street, I checked the departure boards, but found no indication of any disruptions. Seeking reassurance, I spoke with a Network Rail Information Office, who assured me that the departure boards provided the most accurate information and that trains were still running to Watford Junction. With this assurance, we made our way down to the platform and waited for our train. It arrived with plenty of time to spare, and being 11 coaches long, there were ample seats available, especially during this time.

Despite a slight delay, we arrived at Watford Junction just over 20 minutes behind schedule due to the overhead line issue. According to Google, the walk to the ground would take approximately 23 minutes, so we briskly made our way there, stopping to pick up a matchday program on the way. Upon entering the stadium, we made a quick visit to the restroom before Liam requested a hotdog, which cost £6.50, before heading to our seats in The Sir Elton John Stand.

Inside the stadium, we arrived approximately 15 minutes before kick-off. The view of the stadium was impressive, and one particular highlight was Watford’s state-of-the-art Sensory Room, a fantastic addition to the football club’s facilities.

Here is the link to the Watford FC Sensory Room
https://www.watfordfc.com/news/club/award-winning-sensory-room-a-look-inside

The atmosphere in the stadium was lively, with Swansea City fans being vocal throughout, while the home fans only came to life in the second half. Watford’s performance in the first half was lacklustre, culminating in a comical own goal; however, being only 1-0 down at halftime was somewhat surprising. The second half saw a complete turnaround, with Watford playing better football and managing to equalize, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Personally, I felt that a draw was a fair reflection of the game given the performances in both halves, and neither team deserved to win.

We left the game 10 minutes before the end and hurried to the train station, aiming to catch the 21:45 train back to Birmingham instead of opting for the later one, which would have meant arriving in Birmingham much later, and with Liam having school the next day, I wanted him back home as soon as possible.

Thankfully, we managed to catch the 21:45 train and arrived in Birmingham just after 23:00. With no major traffic on the drive home, we walked through the door just before midnight.

Overall, Matchday 46 was a good experience. However, in hindsight, I wish I had chosen a weekend game for this trip so that we could have enjoyed the journey to and from the ground without feeling rushed.

Fascinating Facts about Watford FC and Vicarage Road:

Club History: Watford FC was founded in 1881, making it one of the oldest football clubs in England. The club has a rich history and has experienced periods of both success and challenges throughout its existence.

Vicarage Road Stadium: The club’s home ground, Vicarage Road Stadium, has been the venue for Watford’s home matches since 1922. Originally built for rugby, it has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years and currently has a seating capacity of over 22,000.

Elton John’s Influence: Watford FC has a strong association with music legend Sir Elton John, who served as the club’s chairman during two separate stints in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 2000s. His influence and financial backing played a significant role in the club’s rise through the ranks of English football.

Golden Boys: Watford FC is affectionately known as the “Golden Boys” by its fans. The nickname reflects the club’s traditional colours of gold and black, which are prominently featured in its crest and kit designs.

Prominence in English Football: In recent years, Watford FC has established itself as a prominent club in English football, competing in the Premier League and regularly challenging for promotion from the EFL Championship. Under the ownership of the Pozzo family, the club has made significant investments in its infrastructure and player recruitment, aiming for sustained success at the highest level of the game.