The club: Watford (The Hornets), Vicarage RoadThe ground: Quite sad really for an ex-Premier League ground that it seems so run down. As it is also shared with rugby the juxtaposition of being allowed terracing for one game and not for the other used to create a feature, now the terracing is closed and has been "built" upon it just looks odd. From the outside Vicarage Road has a train station look about it, whilst inside it is woefully cramped and still bear hallmarks of the 80s. 5/10
The facilities and food: The concourse are the narrowest ever and therefore hopelessly cramped, and that goes for the toilets too - sandwiched between concourse and stand, though they are long with plenty of space. The pie was awful - overcooked and as obscenely hot. 3/10
The stewarding/police: There were a lot of police culminating in two altercations with police and people escorted from the ground, and there was an extremely high proportion of stewards. The stewards seemed happy to let the fans be - including standing for much of the match, though they did clamp down swiftly on antisocial behaviour. 4/10
The travelling: The easiest London club to get to and from with no holdups and quick access back to the motorway, however the ground is not signposted as there is no car parking anywhere near by (including side streets which are ruthlessly restricted), security at the hospital let us park there as long as we were good. The tube station is nearby and well signed. 5/10
The surrounding area (what's there to do outside the ground): There's an away fan friendly pub just round the corner from the ground (the Oddfellows), plus Watford town centre is a short walk away. 6/10
The home fans (their contribution to the atmosphere etc): Rubbish, except for their Al Bangura protest. Very sore losers. 4/10
Total score: 27/60
Awaydays League Table:
Barnsley (Oakwell Stadium) - 42
Blackpool (Bloomfield Road) - 38
Charlton Athletic (The Valley) - 38
Hull City (KC Stadium) - 38
Sheffield United (Bramall Lane) - 38
QPR (Loftus Road) - 36
West Ham (Boleyn Ground) - 31
Layer Road (Colchester) - 32
Stoke City (Britannia Stadium) - 28
Torquay United (Plainmoor) - 27
Watford (Vicarage Road) - 27
Note that I was unable to go to Carrow Road.
2 comments:
I have been home and away at Watford and always found it friendly. The "away" pub is great. Some family members are Watford.
I have been (or tried to go) to Home Park at least 4 times, once was OK; once was rained off and I got lost in Home Park and ended up, soaked, in Mannamead (ie not near the station); once I cocked up on the dates when it was moved to a BH, and last time, I had to leave because my boy thought he had broken his ankle and went to Exeter for me to pick him up. Two clues to who my team is;-)
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