BBC NEWS; Watford Wembley heroes return to town to reveal new mural.
Three Watford players who were part of the team that won the 1999 Championship play-off and made their maiden appearance in the Premier League came to the town yesterday to formally unveil a new mural remembering that historic day.
Robert Page, the captain, goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain, and Nick Wright, who scored a beautiful overhead kick on that great May afternoon at the old Wembley Stadium, were all present to view their own photographs, as well as those of some of their colleagues and renowned manager Graham Taylor.
The underpass, which connects The Crescent and Pump House Crescent under the ring road, is now dazzling in the Hornets’ yellow, red, and black, and depicts many of the major events of the 25-year-old 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in cartoon form.
It is one of several murals that Murwalls, a firm that specializes in massive art works, has developed and installed across town.
Other examples of their work can be found both inside and outside Vicarage Road Stadium, including a large picture of Elton John on the side of a stand, a portrait of Taylor on the side of a building opposite Watford Hospital, and an image of the club’s greatest player, Luther Blissett, in one of the concourses.
Robert Page talks at the unveiling, in front of a photograph of his former manager, Graham Taylor.(Image by Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)
The football club worked with Murwalls, Watford Council, and Herts County Council to install the artwork, which has transformed normally drab walls – and now an underpass – into vibrant and intriguing works of art depicting some of the town’s most famous footballers.
After presenting the new artwork, dignitaries attended the Hornets’ 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Vicarage Road.
Festy Ebosele gave Watford the lead, and although Sunderland equalised early in the second half, Tom Dele-Bashiru scored a late penalty to win the game.
Watford are presently seventh in the Championship league table and play away to Preston North End on Wednesday (October 2).
The main image shows Richard Roberts (leader of Herts County Council), Marc Silver (founder and CEO of Murwalls), Alec Chamberlain, Nick Wright, Robert Page, Terry Douris (chairman of Herts County Council), and Peter Taylor (mayor of Watford).
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