Alan Garner - 1959-2020 - Rip

Discussion in 'The Hornets' Nest - Watford Chat' started by Warrington Hornet, Jul 23, 2020.

  1. Warrington Hornet

    Warrington Hornet Reservist

    Just been on L*t*n Outlaws and it's been reported there that Alan Garner has passed away.

    Centre back who came to us from them and won the fans over - one of my favourites.

    RIP
     
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  2. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    Before my time but spoken of very highly by those older than me
     
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  3. Warrington Hornet

    Warrington Hornet Reservist

    Watford FC Player of the Season 1977/78
     
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  4. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Solid dependable as houses central defender from the start of the 1975 season with 200 appearances. Went on to work at Luton Airport.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    God bless one of our own.
     
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  5. We hate 48

    We hate 48 Reservist

    RIP Alan

    A very classy player-he was only 69 as well.

    Got player of the season in GT's promotion team 77/78 and played in all 54 games. Even weighed in with goals including a few winners

    Imagine that a defender scoring a few goals

    We quickly forgot who he had played for before joining us late on in 74/75 season. We did wonder why he joined us with L#T#N being in the top division that season even though they were relegated to Div 2. We remained two divisions apart again as we also fell into Div 4 at the end of 74/75.
     
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  6. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    Oh, that’s very sad news. I did see him play.
     
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  7. Carpster

    Carpster Squad Player

    I even remember him scoring a header from a corner. Wouldn't that be nice. Good player. RIP Alan.
     
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  8. Happy bunny

    Happy bunny Cheered up a bit

    Very good player. Gone too soon.
     
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  9. El distraído

    El distraído Johnny Foreigner

    Rest in peace.
     
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  10. Moosedog

    Moosedog Reservist

    I'm pretty sure he was older than that? I played against him in 1971 when he was playing for Luton
     
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  11. Warrington Hornet

    Warrington Hornet Reservist

    He was 69, born in 1951
     
  12. We hate 48

    We hate 48 Reservist

    Born in 1951
     
  13. Davy Crockett

    Davy Crockett Reservist

    On YouTube there is a 3 minute motd clip from September 1978 Gillingham v Watford and Alan Garner is playing .
     
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  14. Warrington Hornet

    Warrington Hornet Reservist

    Went to that game - Won 3-2. A young Steve Bruce was playing for Gillingham.
     
  15. Kesgravehorn

    Kesgravehorn Academy Graduate

    A very good and reliable player for us in that 77/78 team. Very rarely made a mistake. Rip Alan
     
  16. Shakespearo

    Shakespearo Reservist

    Sad news. Best wishes to his friends and family.
     
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  17. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    RIP Alan.
    Classy defender. Ultimately lost out to the Sims Bolton partnership in 78/79 after being PoS in 77/78.
     
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  18. sydney_horn

    sydney_horn Squad Player

    One of the greats from the 70s team I fell in love with.

    I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have been relegated this season with an Alan Garner in the team.

    RIP
     
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  19. RMT79

    RMT79 First Year Pro

    RIP Alan
     
  20. AndrewH63

    AndrewH63 Reservist

    For those of us who remember Alan Garner he will always be one of our favourite players. Very sad news, it’s more upsetting than the inevitable relegation. I got my first season ticket during the Mike Keen years, and that team will always live in the memory. He was an excellent player. Condolences to his family RIP
     
  21. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    A very good honest player, R.I.P. Sir!
     
  22. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    RIP x With the Angel's now. When you see GT, tell him he's a legend just like you. God Bless.
     
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  23. onion8837

    onion8837 Reservist

    One of my favourite players from that time. RIP
     
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  24. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    'The Fonz'.
    Very sad news,good good player.
    Condolences to his family.
    RIP Alan.
     
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  25. Moose

    Moose First Team Captain

    Oh no, childhood hero for cool hair and cool playing style. RIP Alan.
     
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  26. Leighton Buzzer

    Leighton Buzzer Reservist

    I remember standing on the terrace with a mate of mine. Watford were up against a strong attacking side, can't remember which team, I remember us holding out, and I clearly remember my pal saying "Thank god for Garner".

    Funny how some things stick in your mind.

    RIP. Alan, and thank you for all you did for our team.
     
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  27. 1finwatford

    1finwatford Academy Graduate

    Rest in peace.
     
  28. Since63

    Since63 Squad Player

    He had a good long throw...in the Keen relegation season we were rubbish at corners, so a common chant was ‘we’d rather have a throw-in, we never score from a corner, so we’d rather have a throw-in’
     
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  29. luther1

    luther1 Academy Graduate

    Sad news. I watched him many times, very dependable player. RIP
     
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  30. Simmos

    Simmos First Year Pro

    My first Watford match was the 1977 game against Huddersfield which at 0-0 we had two players sent off (Mayes and Geidimintis). We went on to win with 9 men, 2-0 with two Keith Mercer goals.

    I arrived at the Vic about two hours early for the game and before going into the players entrance one of the players came over and spent 5 minutes chatting to me and my mate about football. He then autographed our programmes. It was only then we realised it was Alan Garner. Little moments like that do stick with you. He was a great player and a true gentleman. Lets hope we can also evoke the spirit that Watford side showed against Huddersfield on Sunday. Alan Garner, RIP
     
  31. Rozerhorn

    Rozerhorn First Year Pro

    Remember him well.
    Solid Player.
    RIP
     
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  32. Eastcoastorn

    Eastcoastorn First Year Pro

    How lucky were you that that was your first match! That season was pretty miserable and definitely a highlight. It’s a long time ago but I think the manager Mike Keen was sacked BEFORE the match. It’s amazing that the players wanted to play their socks off for him in his last game. I think that match really got the fans and players united. I remember there being a great atmosphere which was pretty unusual. Of course things took a massive change of direction after that season.
     
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  33. Simmos

    Simmos First Year Pro

    Yes, Mike Keen was manager and even though he had been sacked before the game I seem to recall we still had an outside chance of promotion.

    Although they were the local team it wasn't fashionable to support them but I thought I would give them a chance and unlike the First Division I didn't think there would be any trouble at the match. I didn't know where to stand but chose the Rookery. I was wrong about there being no trouble as I seem to remember fights breaking out at the Vicarage Road end of the ground. We were not the family club at that time we were to later become.

    The whole Vicarage Road experience that day left its mark and I was hooked. I took up a season ticket for the following season more in hope than expectation and wow, how I was repaid. As you say it was a very fortunate time to start following the club.
     
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  34. Eastcoastorn

    Eastcoastorn First Year Pro

    At the risk of gate crashing Alan Garner RIP. .. a really popular player of that era. I was in the VR end that season and you always knew if the football was a poor the fighting on that terrace was always entertaining!
     
  35. Dennis_Booth

    Dennis_Booth Reservist

    Tony Geidmintis, got sent off for a great right hook. Can't remember if the Huddersfield player made the count of 10 or not.
     

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