Post by jamo on Feb 12, 2005 14:04:28 GMT 1
Extract from a book i'm currently reading. Anyone old enough to remember it ?
The Missing Fuses
Watford, April 1959.
There are several games in which floodlight failure has led to long delays or even abandonments, but perhaps one of the most mysterious was the Watford- Shrewsbury clash close to the end of the 1958-9 season.
Shrewsbury Town were challenging for promotion, occupying fourth place in the new Fourth Division, but they had little to spare and were closely scrutinizing the goal average of fifth placed Exeter City. Two days after this Watford game, Shrewsbury would face Exeter at home.
Watford, a mid table team, had little to play for except the end of the season. At half time they were losing 4-1 to Shrewsbury, having conceded two own goals on a pitch which was hard, bumpy and of unpredictable bounce.
Halfway through the second half the floodlights suddenly went off. It transpired later that three fuses had been removed. Not a case of sabotage, the police believed , more a case of larceny.
It was an evening game . There was still some natural light, but not enough. Nevertheless, referee Denis Howell started the game again. Meanwhile, club officials tried to do what they could with the flodlights, a bit daunting given the notice on the door: DANGER, HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY. Fuse thieves must know what they are doing.
The pitch was virtually in darkness, but the teams did their best to play on. Spectators tried to help by lighting newspapers. Watford's Peter Walker shot from 35 yards and nobody thought to warn Shrewsbury goalkeeper Russell Crossley that a ball was on it's way. It flew past him into the net. Then Colin Whitaker scored one at the other end. Shrewsbury led 5-2 but conditions were impossible. Recognizing the risk of injury, referee Howell abandoned the game after 76 minutes.
Shrewsbury claimed it was floodlight robbery as they needed those two points and five goals for their promotion prospects. The Watford club were fined £100 by the Football League for failure to ensure their floodlights were in order.The game had to be played again. The Football League said it should be played in daylight hours.
When Shrewsbury returned to Watford in the first week in May, having meantime beaten Exeter City by three goals from player manager Arthur Rowley, they needed a point to gaurantee promotion. There was a sense of justice about the result. Shrewsbury beat Watford 4-1, exactly the score when the floodlights failed in the previous abandoned game. They were promoted to Division Three, where they stayed for the next 15 seasons.
The Missing Fuses
Watford, April 1959.
There are several games in which floodlight failure has led to long delays or even abandonments, but perhaps one of the most mysterious was the Watford- Shrewsbury clash close to the end of the 1958-9 season.
Shrewsbury Town were challenging for promotion, occupying fourth place in the new Fourth Division, but they had little to spare and were closely scrutinizing the goal average of fifth placed Exeter City. Two days after this Watford game, Shrewsbury would face Exeter at home.
Watford, a mid table team, had little to play for except the end of the season. At half time they were losing 4-1 to Shrewsbury, having conceded two own goals on a pitch which was hard, bumpy and of unpredictable bounce.
Halfway through the second half the floodlights suddenly went off. It transpired later that three fuses had been removed. Not a case of sabotage, the police believed , more a case of larceny.
It was an evening game . There was still some natural light, but not enough. Nevertheless, referee Denis Howell started the game again. Meanwhile, club officials tried to do what they could with the flodlights, a bit daunting given the notice on the door: DANGER, HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY. Fuse thieves must know what they are doing.
The pitch was virtually in darkness, but the teams did their best to play on. Spectators tried to help by lighting newspapers. Watford's Peter Walker shot from 35 yards and nobody thought to warn Shrewsbury goalkeeper Russell Crossley that a ball was on it's way. It flew past him into the net. Then Colin Whitaker scored one at the other end. Shrewsbury led 5-2 but conditions were impossible. Recognizing the risk of injury, referee Howell abandoned the game after 76 minutes.
Shrewsbury claimed it was floodlight robbery as they needed those two points and five goals for their promotion prospects. The Watford club were fined £100 by the Football League for failure to ensure their floodlights were in order.The game had to be played again. The Football League said it should be played in daylight hours.
When Shrewsbury returned to Watford in the first week in May, having meantime beaten Exeter City by three goals from player manager Arthur Rowley, they needed a point to gaurantee promotion. There was a sense of justice about the result. Shrewsbury beat Watford 4-1, exactly the score when the floodlights failed in the previous abandoned game. They were promoted to Division Three, where they stayed for the next 15 seasons.