The eyes of the darts world are fixed firmly on Alexandra Palace with the World Championships now underway, but 50 years ago today it was the turn of the Watford players to step up to the oche.

A Watford Observer photographer was in attendance on December 18, 1974 when the Hornets held a darts match as part of the benefit year for long-serving defender Johnny Williams.

Our photographer’s diary does not record where the event was held but it provided a break during what was turning into a miserable season for the club that ended in relegation from Division Three.

Johnny Williams gets ready to throw (Image: Watford Observer)

Mike Keen’s men hadn’t played since December 7 when they lost 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace and three days after the darts event they were thrashed 5-1 at Wrexham during a run of six games without a win in all competitions.

Stewart Scullion's eyes remain fixed on the board after throwing (Image: Watford Observer)

The season was to be Williams’ last at Vicarage Road after a decade in which he had made the left-back slot almost exclusively his own, clocking up 419 league and cup appearances.

Do you recognise the other two men with Williams and Scullion? (Image: Watford Observer)

Roger Joslyn (back left), Alan Mayes (next to Johnny Williams) and Larry McGettigan (next to Alan) were among the other Watford players to attend the event (Image: Watford Observer)

Enjoying a pint and a laugh with some punters (Image: Watford Observer)