Watford: Cultural Oasis of the South
His interest stirred by a recent spate of anti-Burnley articles on the
Watford website Bitter, Sad and Depressed [www.bsad.org.uk], our Cultural Correspondent Igor Wowk looks forward to the return fixture, when we get to sample the delights of Hertfordshire’s own Xanadu.
It’s easy to see why Watford supporters loathe Burnley [www.bsad.org/0102/reports/burnley/aindex.html].
With their fantastic one way system, big shops like B & Q and the redundant power station close to Vicarage Road, it’s hard for a down to earth place like Burnley to match the architectural majesty of the jewel of the M25.
Watfordians used to spending their evenings lingering over cappuccinos in the fashionable High Street, as the carefree citizens wander around soaking up the last rays of the autumnal sun, probably find the gritty and unpretentious surroundings of Burnley less than pleasing on the eye. What better things in life can there be than soaking up the pre-match atmosphere in the Parisian style sophistication of Downtown Watford, which is only a stone's throw from Vicarage Road, especially when Luton are the visitors?
Once you are in the stadium, it must be really great to mingle with the crowds brought up on a diet of flair and sophistication, as epitomised by icons like Luther Blisset, Kenny Jackett, Ross Jenkins and the other big ugly bastards they had in their side at the time, that made them the envy of Europe. Those sublime moments of skill linger long after they have occurred, which must make watching the current Watford side somewhat painful.
After all, when you have been at the very pinnacle of football success and led to the mountain top by that arch priest of soccer sophistication Graham Taylor, the current state of affairs must be hard to take. With the brilliant Vialli at the helm it would be nice to think that Watford were heading back to where they truly belong, but unfortunately the Elysium fields of Division Three South don't exist any more
Next time I go to Vicarage Road, as I negotiate the outstanding curves of the Inner Ring Road and the circular nature of the One Way System, even as I seek to nuzzle my battered old car amongst the Ferraris and BMWs of the local population, my mind will be turned towards those poor unfortunate Watford supporters. As I wander the twists and turns of the narrow streets I might be distracted enough to ponder why they put their houses so close together. I suppose it’s because they are such a friendly lot, unlike ourselves. Yes, the place that gave the world the immense cultural talents of Elton John and Gerri Halliwell must be a really great place to come from, and must give anyone a sense of pride. "Je suis de Watford," you would be able to proclaim on the beaches of St Tropez. "Io sono di Watford," in the San Marco Plaza di Venezia. "Si Si, lo so, Luther Blisset, che un grande stronzo," they might reply in Milano.
Being such a low and humble life form I ought to be really grateful for the opportunity to visit such magnificent centres of cultural, architectural and 21st century style that following our team presents us, in the shape of a trip to Watford. Flanked by the M1, the London Orbital Road, the A41 and those other mystical highways that lead to other similarly evocative places nearby such as Rickmansworth, Potters Bar and Barnet, it’s always the first fixture I look for.
Monday night in Watford! I am so breathless I can hardly wait. I am off to choose my outfit, visit my hair stylist and colour co-ordinator.
Buonos Nottes, as Del Boy might have said, and Hasta La Pasta, Sharon.
Igor Wowk
November 2001
More on Watford
As with all articles on the site, the
views expressed in the comments section are those of the individual contributor, and do
not necessarily reflect the view of the Burnley FC London Supporters Club
