Watford head of operations concedes Queens Park Rangers fans will be in the home end during tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) match but does not expect there to be trouble and hopes there will be a party atmosphere inside Vicarage Road.

The Hornets’ last home game of the season is normally a celebratory occasion as the players and their families walk around the pitch after the final whistle.

And with QPR needing just a point to effectively secure the title, thousands of Rangers fans are travelling the short distance to Hertfordshire hoping to see their side return to the top flight for the first time in 15 years.

Glyn Evans, head of operations at Watford, said: “QPR supporters will be here to party and I think our supporters will be here to support the team after what has been a successful season when you compare it to the doom-and-gloom merchants who would have had us relegated at the start of the season.

“We fully acknowledge that Watford supporters will have supplied tickets to QPR fans so there are likely to be QPR supporters all over the stadium.

“In an ideal world that should never be a problem but we will deal as robustly as we can with incidents of disorder rising out of that. But we are hoping it will be a party atmosphere and it won’t be a problem.”

Evans believes Watford supporters who will be attending the game with QPR fans should try to ensure their friends’ behaviour is kept in check.

The former police inspector admits Watford fans have been to blame when trouble has occurred in similar situations in the past but believes the inclusion of two Hornets legends in Neil Warnock’s side should ensure QPR receive a “good reception”.

Evans said: “There is nothing in it for Watford really apart from a celebration of the team’s achievements during the season. There isn’t a lot riding on it for QPR really because they could lose here and unless we give them a big drumming, it won’t really affect their status.

“Cardiff and Norwich don’t play until Monday so QPR could lose here and are still likely to go up as champions.

“Baring in mind, within the QPR team their are two favoured boys of Watford – Tommy Smith and Heidar Helguson – I think that alone should ensure Watford fans give QPR a good reception.”

Rangers’ superior goal difference means a point will effectively secure the title and while Evans is comfortable with away fans being in the home end, he made his views on a possible pitch invasion clear.

“We have measures in place to ensure that there is no incursion on the pitch,” Evans said.

“It is a criminal offence and people are liable for arrest and upon conviction, banning orders will be applied for.

“It is in nobody’s interest, least of all QPR fans, to come on the pitch because what will happen is anyone who is arrested will miss the last home game of the season, because their bail conditions will include not attending football matches.

“They have a big party at Loftus Road a week Saturday so who would want to miss out on the biggest party for 15 years. Why come here and be a prat?”

The Hornets will be hoping a pitch invasion will not take place as the last home game of the campaign is normally followed by the end-of-season walk around the pitch by the club’s players and their families.

Evans has asked the Watford fans to be patient after the final whistle should QPR secure the point they need to secure promotion.

He said: “The Watford supporters who want to show their appreciation for the players, the coaching staff and their families have to stay in the stands and they have to be patient.

“There will be a bit of a celebration for QPR, the players will no doubt go and celebrate with their supporters. But there will not be any presentation irrespective of what the result will be.”

Hundreds of Rangers fans are expected to descend on Watford town centre before and after the game but Watford are in dialogue with the police and the safety advisory group before each game and Evans insists the police have measures in place to deal with fans who come to the ground ticket-less.

He said: “There will always be a small minority that will want to come into the town and do the pre-match and post-match things so they will be in the pubs in the town centre.

“They won’t be getting in the stadium though, so it is better not to travel and wait for the party next week. I am sure there will be a street parade and everyone can have a good time in Shepherd’s Bush.”

This weekend provides a slightly different challenge for the Watford staff but Evans believes you should look forward to days like tomorrow.

“You have got to want a full house every week, you have got to want a good visiting support who come to party,” the head of operations said.

“Memories go back to teams like Leicester and Norwich [who were both promoted at Vicarage Road] and these can be happy occasions but it is down to supporter behaviour. It is not down to what the police or the club do – it is down to supporters.

“I think it will be a great day, other than the rain which is predicted of course.”