His interest was sparked by a Treasury article we re-published last month recalling the ‘biggest game Watford had ever seen’ when Manchester United visited Vicarage Road for an FA Cup Fourth Round tie in January 28, 1950.

To reach that stage of the competition the Blues, as they were then known, had beaten non-league sides Bromley and Netherfield before they faced a Preston North End side featuring one of the all-time greats of the game.

Read more: Remembering the 'biggest game Watford had ever seen' against Manchester United

Phil, of Hunton Bridge, had not been born when Manchester United came to town, but his father was. He was also at the previous tie against Preston, which ended in a 2-2 draw before Watford won the replay 1-0.

Do you know why the Preston programme was printed without a date? Credit: Phil Hayes

Phil wrote: “Although it gets a brief mention in the article that PNE were a Second Division side, it should be noted that they could still call on the skills of the great Tom Finney. So the win against them in the replay at Deepdale was pretty good."

Born in Preston, Finney played from 1946 to 1960 and was noted for his loyalty to his hometown club, for whom he made more than 550 appearances.

He was twice voted Footballer of the Year, becoming the first player to win the award more than once, while he scored 30 times in an England career that lasted 13 years and was rewarded with 76 caps.

The published teams from the third round tie. Credit: Phil Hayes

Phil continued: “From my late father's collection I attach scans of the programmes for the games at Vicarage Road. You will notice that the date of the Watford PNE game was not printed on the cover of the programme. Perhaps one of your readers could explain why. Printing deadlines? Or perhaps because the outer page was generic and consisted of local adverts, these were printed ahead of the tie?”

If you can help answer these questions, get in touch via the link below.