Defeats do not tend to live long in the memory but Saturday marked the anniversary of a loss that is one of the most significant in Watford’s history – the outcome of the club’s first game in European competition.

The Hornets qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first – and only time so far – by finishing runners-up in Division One in the 1982/83 season and on September 14, 1983 they travelled to the Betzenberg Stadium to face FC Kaiserslautern.

Despite falling behind in the tenth minute, Graham Taylor’s young side with an average age of 22 equalised six minutes later through Jimmy Gilligan.

Jimmy Gilligan equalises in the 16th minute of the tieJimmy Gilligan equalises in the 16th minute of the tie (Image: Watford Observer)

That was the way it remained at half-time after Jan Lohman had seen a goal controversially ruled out three minutes before the break when Richard Jobson had tried to connect with a Nigel Callaghan free-kick, but was adjudged to have fouled the keeper who had collided with him.  

John Barnes goes to congratulate the Hornets scorerJohn Barnes goes to congratulate the Hornets scorer (Image: Watford Observer)

The West German side went on to win the tie 3-1 with two second-half goals, but Taylor reflected afterwards: “That's our first match in Kaiserslautern. We've never been here before and now Kaiserslautern have to experience Vicarage Road. They've never been there before.”

Gilligan and Callaghan celebrateGilligan and Callaghan celebrate (Image: Watford Observer)

It was to prove a significant observation as Watford famously won the second leg 3-0 two weeks later to progress 4-3 on aggregate.

Barnes gets set to strike a free-kickBarnes gets set to strike a free-kick (Image: Watford Observer)

Paul Franklin and Wild Rostron exchange a few words as the teams make their way outPaul Franklin and Wilf Rostron exchange a few words as the teams make their way out (Image: Watford Observer)

The traditional exchange of pennants between the two captainsThe traditional exchange of pennants between the two captains (Image: Watford Observer)

A historic coin toss in Watford's historyA historic coin toss in Watford's history (Image: Watford Observer)

Graham Taylor alongside John Ward in the dugoutsGraham Taylor alongside John Ward in the dugouts (Image: Watford Observer)

Jan Lohman thought he'd given Watford the lead before half-time...Jan Lohman thought he'd given Watford the lead before half-time... (Image: Watford Observer)

...but the goal was ruled out after Richard Jobson had beaten the keeper to a header......but the goal was ruled out after Richard Jobson had tried to get on the end of a Callaghan free-kick... (Image: Watford Observer)

...but was adjudged to have fouled him....but was adjudged to have fouled him. (Image: Watford Observer)

Gilligan gets ready to pounce in case the keeper lets the ball slip from his graspGilligan gets ready to pounce in case the keeper lets the ball slip from his grasp (Image: Watford Observer)

Callaghan and Gilligan look on as the ball goes wideCallaghan and Gilligan look on as the ball goes wide (Image: Watford Observer)

Barnes fires in a shotBarnes fires in a shot (Image: Watford Observer)

Rostron looks on as the ball goes wide of the postRostron looks on as the ball goes wide of the post (Image: Watford Observer)