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Magical memories of a historic day in Hornets history
It was a football fairytale that had started in the depths of Division Four, scaled the heights of the Division One summit and involved a European adventure but the pinnacle of a golden era was achieved on this date 40 years ago.
Watford had never reached an FA Cup Final before but history was made at Villa Park on Saturday, April 14, 1984 when a 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle set up a first ever trip to play beneath the iconic Twin Towers at Wembley Stadium.
Luton Town, Charlton Athletic, Brighton & Hove Albion and Birmingham City had been overcome en route to the Hornets reaching only a second FA Cup semi-final where Graham Taylor’s side found themselves as big favourites against their Division Three opponents.
Captain Wilf Rostron exchanges pennants in the traditional pre-match photo (Image: Watford Observer)
For Watford though, this was new territory. None of the team had played in a last-four clash in the competition before and they did not settle in the early exchanges.
Mo Johnston watches as George Reilly hits a shot (Image: Watford Observer)
It fell to arguably the most talented player in the club’s history to help provide the defining moment in the 14th minute. John Barnes picked up the ball, turned away from two opponents before flying down the left flank and sending over a cross into the penalty area where George Reilly got in front of a defender to head home.
John Barnes watches from the wing as George Reilly heads in his cross (Image: Watford Observer)
Nigel Callaghan had a second goal ruled out for offside soon after, meaning there was no easing in the tension as the Hornets held on to their slender advantage.
The Watford striker runs behind the goal to celebrate (Image: Watford Observer)
Plymouth rarely threatened but there was to be a big sigh of relief towards the end when a Kevin Hodges shot beat Steve Sherwood and went wide of the far post.
Nigel Callaghan and Mo Johnston mob George Reilly after scoring (Image: Watford Observer)
Watford had done it. They were at Wembley for the first time in their history and 40 years later we take a look back at some of the special scenes from one of the greatest days in the club’s history with these pictures from our archive.
We hope you enjoy looking through them.
Nigel Callaghan fires in a shot... (Image: Watford Observer)
...but a Plymouth arm is raised appealing for offside as Neil Price leaps in celebration in the background (Image: Watford Observer)
The Hornets look to apply pressure at a corner (Image: Watford Observer)
Les Taylor looks to get free in the penalty area (Image: Watford Observer)
John Barnes rises high to flick the ball on (Image: Watford Observer)
Nigel Callaghan hits a shot from outside the area (Image: Watford Observer)
Mo Johnston embraces at full-time (Image: Watford Observer)
Neil Price looks towards the celebrating Hornets fans (Image: Watford Observer)
The Hornets strikers celebrate a day to remember (Image: Watford Observer)
Thousands of Watford fans celebrate as Wilf Rostron looks up into the Villa Park stands (Image: Watford Observer)
Steve Terry is embraced by George Reilly (Image: Watford Observer)
Nigel Callaghan is decked out in cap and scarf as he celebrates (Image: Watford Observer)
Scenes that those who were at Villa Park that day will never forget (Image: Watford Observer)
A thumbs up from Watford's hot-shot Scottish marksman (Image: Watford Observer)
David Bardsley with a scarf while Steve Sherwood is hugged (Image: Watford Observer)
Reaching the final was one of Graham Taylor's greatest achievements in management (Image: Watford Observer)
