DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON YOUR ALLOTMENTS

There is always something to learn when blogging and yesterday, a good friend who is a Forest supporter, reminded me that Roy Dwight had broken his leg in 1959 Cup Final after a tackle by Luton's Brendan McNally. I can remember seeing it happen and it was only 33 minutes into the game, following Dwight's opening goal. Forest were then2-0 up and hung on. The only time this has happened in a Cup Final.

My pal said "don't forget that Roy Dwight was cousin to Reg Dwight." Of course, Reg Dwight is the original name for Elton John and that brings me on to Watford FC.

Due to the hype of playing Liverpool today, I heard on the radio that Watford's ground has been upgraded by their investors and that there is now a Sir Elton John Stand on the east side of the pitch. The stadium is much more conducive to "proper" football compared to Graham Taylor's pommo days. There's a good surface for playing tiki taka etc etc. But just outside the ground there is an issue over the 118 year old allotments that back onto the ground. They presently occupy 128 local horticulturalists. Spot the Allots!

Watford moved to Vicarage Road in 1922, having originally played at Cassio Road. The Farm Terrace Allotments pre-dated the football club and have been saved from a redevelopment plan that was going to build on the site. The 1925 Allotment Act insists that any change in useage has to be referred to the Secretary of State and this plan did not get the nod, so the allotments stayed.

Roy Dwight played for Fulham (72 apps) before his spell at Forest (only 44 games) including the Cup Final. He never recovered from the injury and sauntered off to Gravesend and Northfleet, Coventry and Millwall before hanging up his boots as manager at Tooting and Mitcham. He then trained to be a PE teacher locally and following that Assistant Race Manager at Catford Greyhound Stadium.