Access to information and news directly from Watford is now readily available through the internet, but 36 years ago the Hornets were urging fans "to get a buzz - from giving us a buzz!"

The Hornet Hotline had been launched in September 1984 when Les Taylor, Jan Lohman, Wilf Rostron and Paul Franklin took part in a promotional photo shoot at Vicarage Road.

Initially, the service consisted of pre-recorded messages about tickets and travel, but on February 13, 1988 – 36 years ago yesterday – the service was relaunched in the matchday programme for the Division One clash with Liverpool.

Watford Observer: A reminder of how telephones once lookedA reminder of how telephones once looked (Image: Watford Observer)

Stating that “0898 700 272 the number is up today”, a feature in the programme said the new Hotline would carry interviews with manager Steve Harrison and the players, injury news and “general items of interest” to fans.

Watford Observer: Les Taylor, Jan Lohman, Paul Franklin and Wilf Rostron helped launch the original serviceLes Taylor, Jan Lohman, Paul Franklin and Wilf Rostron helped launch the original service (Image: Watford Observer)

Former club broadcaster and radio reporter Mike Vince was “the voice” of the Hotline and calls to the service cost 38p per minute at peak times and 25p at all other times.

Watford Observer: Trevor Senior was on the front cover of the programme when the Hotline was relaunchedTrevor Senior was on the front cover of the programme when the Hotline was relaunched (Image: Ed Coan / Watford FC)

“We have been discussing the idea of an expanded ansaphone service for sometime and we are by no means the first club to start such a service,” said the club’s public relations manager Ed Coan in the programme. “We had felt, and still feel, that young fans could ring the number without their parents’ permission and run up large phone bills.

Watford Observer: What the new Hotline offeredWhat the new Hotline offered (Image: Ed Coan / Watford FC)

“However, the advantages of being able to communicate and entertain supporters on a daily basis have also to be borne in mind, but we are saying to all young supporters – ‘ask your parents first’.”

Watford Observer: The feature in the programme about the relaunched serviceThe feature in the programme about the relaunched service (Image: Ed Coan / Watford FC)

We remember the Hotline with these pictures from our archive from the 1984 launch and, thanks to Ed, the extracts from the matchday programme when it was relaunched.