I always wore the current home Watford top to matches. I had done since I was a baby being carried to the stadium in the arms of my father. I now had an impressive collection of old Watford kits.
I gave my bird a quick peck on the cheek and walked off in the direction of The Red Lion. A ten minute walk from my flat. This was the pub where I met my mates for a drink, or two, before kick off. We got louder and louder as kick off drew closer, we always did.
Me and my mates are what I suppose you would call “die-hards!” It’s true! Apart from Lucy, I live for Watford and the life that goes with it. Most of our fathers had been the last generation of hooligans and we just followed in their footsteps.
We walked into the ground at 2.45. The atmosphere at Vicarage Road doesn’t get any better then this! Watford Vs Luton! The fans favourite! It was a sell out, with three stands glowing bright yellow and one stand, a sea of blue. “Scum! Scum! Scum!” was echoing around the packed stadium. If it hadn’t been for the new Perspex walls in front of us and in front of the away end we would most certainly be on the pitch beating some Luton scum 10 foot under the playing surface. When the match started the players seemed to be thinking the same way as us fans were. It finished 4-3 to Luton. 4-3 meaning four Luton players sent off and three Watford players sent to the tunnel. There were only four players left with out a booking when the final whistle went! Most importantly, between all this dirty play and fighting Watford managed to score the only goal of the game. It was a scrap on the line but they all count! “1-0, we beet the scum, 1-0,” was the chant echoing round the walls of the stadium as the referee blew the final whistle. We poured out of the stadium as one. Now was the bit I had really been waiting for. Kicking Luton’s arse off the pitch as well as on it!
The after-match fights were always a highlight. I had always loved violence. I remember my 1st ever fight. It was when I was in year 4 and some year 6 came and started getting lippy to me, so I smacked him. It was only after he got out of hospital when I realised what a hard punch I must have had! Since then I’ve been boxing almost everyday and I have always resorted violence as a 1st resort! All this, in preparation for Watford Vs Luton. Watford Vs Luton doesn’t come round often as until this season Luton have always been one division below Watford.
The arrangements for the fight had been carefully planned so as to beat the heavy police presence. Three or four at a time we built up our army so that when we turned into the little alleyway which lead to the little concrete clearing we were about fifty men strong. As arranged about fifty Luton fans were walking up from the other end of the alley. As one we ran towards the opposition who were now charging towards us. Both sets of fans were fighting for the pride of their team. We must have had at least 5 minutes before the police arrived. At first we didn’t see the armed police and dog units with their stun guns and tear gas until a couple of us had been taken down by them. Those of us fit to run ran! With only a blooded lip I got away from the fight and police. I loved a bust up followed by a chaise.
It must have been something to do with the adrenaline rush that made it so addictive. Ever since I was 9 my father took me to the punch-ups with him. I remember being scared for my father as I watched him getting beaten by opposing fans but he always came away with a satisfied smile on his face. At the age of 11 I started fighting along side my old man!
Tired but happy I arrived home. I went straight upstairs for a shower and to get changed. Lucy came in with a Chinese takeaway about an hour later. Sweat and sour chicken balls were and are my favourite!
They were all I ever ordered!
