Vicarage Road has been home to Watford FC for 100 years. The first match took place on August 30, 1922 when Watford played Millwall.

As part of the centenary celebrations, Watford FC will be publishing a book, ‘100 Years at Vicarage Road’. It will tell the story of the stadium’s evolution through pictures, words and reminiscences from supporters and players. Memorable games and goals also appear.

The Watford Observer has reported on and photographed events at Vicarage Road throughout this time. Among the 350 images that editor Geoff Wicken has chosen for the book are a selection from our library.

Over the next four weeks we’re featuring a selection of photographs from Vicarage Road in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Some of them feature in the book, while others haven’t been seen for a long time.

Watford Observer:

Mid-1950s view of the Rookery end complete with car parking facility; Watford in blue shirts

Watford Observer:

Manager Neil McBain, right, and players in 1957, with the trees inside the Vicarage Road end at their summer best

Watford Observer:

The Vicarage Road end terrace and wooden fence behind the squad in a late 1950s training shot

Watford Observer:

Heading ‘gallows’ in 1958, with the Rookery cover but not yet the back, sides or steps in place