What a week it’s been. Let’s start with Birmingham City.

There we were on Saturday playing an almost replica of our 1983 meeting. Our victory.

Ok there were all the bright boots (I’m not a fan), the dramatic falls to the ground as in a sniper attack. All the things we have come to tolerate or expect in a modern match.  

For me, it was about echoing that long ago fixture and the need to prove, to step up and show you can move forward after a poor patch. That’s what we were facing back then.

The solution came from a bold approach by Graham to switch things up. The right changes and subs. Barnsey was put up front with me and enter the dynamic Gerry Armstrong. Suddenly we were back on the block, energised with this new dimension. Two great balls put in and I stuck them where they belonged. Back of the net.

We all know that the purpose of our beloved game is to win. But Graham had more in mind.

Firstly it was all about scoring goals. Know your job, get the ball you needed and get the glory.

Secondly it was about entertainment. Put in the graft and guts to keep the crowd excited, commit to everything and come wind, rain or snow, they were with you. Even when the result didn’t go your way.  

On Saturday we saw the exciting change of dynamics, firstly through an outstanding double save by Dan. Next a bold double sub.

Then, with expectation higher we waved goodbye to a City player.  Yes, Graham would have said to him “are you going to go back and clear that mess up on our pitch”.

Suddenly, despite the time on the clock, we were in with a shout. Not one shout but two. Just as in ‘83 a last-gasp victory.

A huge lift to take us through just four days to face WBA. In under three minutes our revitalised attitude put us one up. We were on our way.

But this is football and it is a fickle game. Lapse of concentration and you pay the price. We did.  Both were poor goals to give away.

I had noted on Saturday that our passing needed improving. It did, but only to a point. We simply get stuck, not passing the ball quickly enough or players not creating the right movement.

There was as much comment about the weather during the game as there was about the performance. To be asked if it affected players, I had to chuckle.

Extreme? Where was the mud, I was still looking at a perfect pitch down there. I remember Mo Johnston going for a ball once and it didn’t even move when he struck it, the mud was so thick. Good grief, this was just a heavy downpour.

Still we got the draw and I am delighted we fought back. Work to be done. But we did not capitulate as we have seen in the past.

What did you make of the reception you received on Saturday?

Walking out to Rocket Man - what a moment! I have had some amazing moments in my career and this up there with the greatest. I was coming home, because Vicarage Road is my home. You are my family.

There have been social media comments about you ‘being bought’…

To be made your Ambassador is more than a gesture. My records stand. Those golden days will likely never be equalled.

Being recognised for my career, on and off the pitch is something different and very special. Anyone who thinks it was a PR gimmick needs to think about the facts.

I wonder do they even really know our Club and its history. In 1993 I hung my boots up, since then my career has been varied between charity requests, media, coaching and occasional work for the Club. 

Remember, I was earning like most of us around £500 a week at the top of the game. For the last 30 plus years I have just carried on as before, if you called I answered. If you needed support, I gave it.

Even before Covid I would voluntarily go to your kid’s birthday’s, visit your poorly relatives.  Because that was all I knew. The Watford Way. 

I wasn’t paid then - and it certainly made no difference to me accepting this role. 

So what persuaded you?

Being able to make change so that we didn’t just speak about the Club’s legacy, it was understood and lived up to.

I wanted to make the difference I did all those years ago. To reconnect those who had always been part of the Club journey and to educate those who have become recent additions and need to realise the blood, sweat and tears that gave them the opportunity to be players and supporters today.

I was not made an Ambassador when that scheme was introduced a while ago. I did not publicly accept the title Honorary Life President - something which would have put me on a par with Sir Elton and Graham. That is not my way.

Titles are not the thing - it is what you do. The footprints you leave for others to follow as a great man once said.

What will you be doing?

The first thing is the relationship being built within the Club itself. For everyone to truly understands what the ‘Watford Way’ was and still needs to be!

It has taken a long time for my voice to be heard. But I have always remained loyal to my Club. Sometimes you have to take a breath and wait for the right moment.

For me, that meant when that spirit we had back then, could mean something today. Watching people become disillusioned and seeing many of you suffer isolation during Covid all I could do was be there. That connection is more important than anything. 

Scott saw that and he listened to me. It took time, but it happened.

The more we talked, the more my experience and passion became understood. The more that DNA you are told about became real, not just a phrase.

I am my own person, but I like to think I was taught by Graham that you are respectful whilst being true to your values. That will not change.

I want the players to understand the value of the shirt they wear. The things that those before gave and gave up to enable players today to walk out of that tunnel in our great Club. They need to realise this is Watford and we have much to be grateful for.

So, whether I am at fan events, at the training ground; talking to Academy pupils or listening to complaints; discussing discrimination or dementia; or getting Luther’s Army to volunteer where needed.

Everything I can use my experience on is what I will be doing.

  • Luther Blissett is Watford FC's Amabassador, the club's record goalscorer and appearance maker, and founder of The Former Player's Club. He will be writing a column regularly and exclusively for the Watford Observer.