Press access: Watford.

On Saturday I was sent to cover the London clash between Championship sides Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road. I was looking forward to this as it has been almost a year since I last covered a game in the second tier when I followed Preston North End for my University course.

Watford seemed like a nice enough place, the folk were friendly and I finally managed to find my way to the ground, by luck/chancethe help of a Hornets fan (spotted from a distance thanks to his garishly yellow Watford shirt)

Vicarage Road just sneaks up on you. The end you approach first is the Vicarage Road stand, which houses both home and away supporters.


The press box is in the Main Stand, currently awaiting demolition as it has been deemed unsafe, although the press areas have been strengthen and reinforced so it is perfectly safe! The view from the press box looks out on to the two-tiered Rous Stand, which is home to the directors and dignitaries.


The final stand, opposite the Vicarage Road end is the newest addition to the Vic. The Rookery is clearly the loudest section of the stadium.

The press box was surprisingly impressive considering it was situated in a condemned stand. Widescreen televisions hung from the roof, individual lamps were available and it wasn’t too cramped (unlike Craven Cottage!)