Watford preparing for new season as World Cup excitement mounted

Excitement was growing as England prepared to face Portugal for a place in the World Cup Final but closer to home Watford were continuing to prepare for a new season.

These pictures from the Watford Observer archive were taken on July 25, 1966 – the day before two Bobby Charlton goals fired Alf Ramsey’s men to a 2-1 victory over the Portuguese to set up what would become the greatest day in England’s football history when they beat West Germany to lift the World Cup.

The images were captured in Croxley Green and they show then player-manager Ken Furphy getting involved as Watford built up for the Division Three season.

• Rare snaps when Watford beat Arsenal in first peacetime meeting

• When legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings swapped Watford for Spurs

• Rare snaps of Watford completing a quick-fire double over Luton

(Image: Watford Observer)

Heading drills appear to have been the focus of the training session attended by our photographer, but perhaps the most striking feature was the striped shorts some of the players were wearing.

(Image: Watford Observer)

The 1966/67 campaign was to be a case of so near yet so far for Watford as they finished third in the table, a point behind Middlesbrough who were promoted with champions Queens Park Rangers.

(Image: Watford Observer)