It may have only been a few days before an FA Cup quarter-final but a group of Watford players took time out to cheer on a team-mate who was taking part in another big sporting event – the Watford Pancake Race.

The event was a tradition in Watford for many years and in 1984 it was held on March 6, four days before the Hornets beat Birmingham City 3-1 to reach the last four of the competition.

Players including John Barnes, Nigel Callaghan, Mo Johnston and Wilf Rostron joined shoppers and spectators to cheer on those showing off their flipping skills, including fellow Watford player David Bardsley.

Watford Observer: Hornets player David Bardsley races a firemanHornets player David Bardsley races a fireman (Image: Watford Observer)

To mark Shrove Tuesday, take a look back at these snaps from our archive when a member of the Lloyds Bank team won the coveted Watford Observer trophy.

Watford Observer: A sizeable crowd gathered to watch the enthusiastic participantsA sizeable crowd gathered to watch the enthusiastic participants (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: John Barnes discusses tactics with Wilf RostronJohn Barnes discusses tactics with Wilf Rostron (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Racing along The ParadeRacing along The Parade (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: The firefighters' teamThe firefighters' team (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Holding aloft the Watford Observer trophyHolding aloft the Watford Observer trophy (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: The Watford players joined shoppers to watch the action unfoldThe Watford players joined shoppers to watch the action unfold (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: The Lloyds Bank team celebrateThe Lloyds Bank team celebrate (Image: Watford Observer)