The Black-And-White Years: 15 Retro-Riffic Photos Of Elton John At Watford

Chris Wright

2nd, August 2011

8 Comments

By Chris Wright

For no other reason than ‘Madman Across The Water’ is currently on in the background at Pies Towers, here’s a fifteen-strong gallery of former chairman and current ‘Honorary Life President’ Elton John flamboyantly going about his business at Watford down through the years…

Lifelong fan Elton John leads out the Watford team before a training session, 1974

Elton John oversees proceedings as Leyton Orient defender Tom Walley becomes his first signing after taking over as chairman of Watford, 1976

Elton John poses with new Watford manager Graham Taylor at Vicarage Road, 1977

Elton plumps for a bit of ‘Cossack-chic’ while watching Watford’s Division Three tie against Gillingham with a selection of stereotypical 70’s caricatures, 1978

Elton John leads the first-team squad in a song at Vicarage Road as newly-promoted Watford get ready for their maiden First Division clash against Everton, 1982

After signing a sponsorship deal with HGV firm Iveco (hence the huge truck), Elton John and the Watford first-team squad model their new shirts at Vicarage Road, 1982

Don’t go breaking my hat: Elton John and striker Mo Johnston promote the FA Cup semi-final between Watford and Third Division Plymouth, 1984

Elton John acknowledges the cheers of the crowd before Watford’s 1984 FA Cup Final tie against Everton, the Hornets eventually lost 2-0 with Andy Gray bundling home a controversial header to round-off the scoring

Elton John (alongside his new wife, Renata) can’t stave off the tears as the crowd sing ‘Abide with Me’ in unison before the 1984 FA Cup Final

Elton John and Watford manager Graham Taylor stand with the backs to a huge crowd of well-wishers, days after the Hornets had reached the FA Cup final for the first time in their 93-year history, 1984

Elton John, holding a giant key aloft before Watford’s league match against Aston Villa, 1986. Why? We’re not exactly sure…

Elton John and new Watford manager Dave Bassett, who had recently walked out on Wimbledon, celebrate at a reception in London on the eve of the club’s pre-season tour of China, 1987

Elton John and the Watford squad pose on top of the Great Wall of China after winning the prestigious ‘Great Wall Cup’ in Shanghai earlier in the week, 1987

Elton John watches Watford take on Oxford United with Robert Maxwell, days after flogging his controlling interest in the club to the publishing tycoon for £2 million, 1987

Still standing: Elton John reclines in the terraces at Vicarage Road ground after being sworn in as a director of the club, 1991

[Photos: PA]

Posted in Featured, Photos, Retro

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8 Comments

  1. Murray says:

    Fuck the kids. More matches should begin with Elton John impersonators in team kits leading the teams out.

  2. Montesquieu says:

    For a minute there I thought Brezhnev was a Watford fan…

  3. wolfinho says:

    this is an awesome article. i had no idea (being a yank, and not an elton john fan) that the man had such an affiliation with watford.

  4. Socrates' Beard says:

    Its SIR Elton John. He is a Knight of the Realm. Respect.

  5. […] SIMPLER TIMES, THE SAME WACKY GLASSES. A collection of black and white photos of Elton John at Watford. Check out the super young Mo Johnston. // WAATP […]

  6. D-man says:

    Would’nt we all do it if we had the cash, grew up poor in Manc, and I AM A RED

  7. Matt R says:

    re the picture with the key… the Villa game marked the official opening of the two-tier Rous Stand on the west side of the ground.

    re Maxwell… the sale was blocked due to Maxwell’s interests in other clubs. Thank the stars.

    Marvellous pics.

  8. Adam Cummings says:

    And with reference to that photo of Elton and the key, I am just to the left having been cut out of the picture, sob!
    The original is on my wall and a colour print adorned the programme for the following game.

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