Why we haven't scored at home yet - the real reason

I'm sure you've all wondered why we haven't scored at home yet this season. Is it because of formation, playing defensively, or not playing fessi and Vydra?

The truth is, it's none of these reasons.

Last January my Dad said goodbye to the Vic while he went in to hospital for some treatment. I don't really need to go into the ins and outs of this other than the treatment was life saving. He left the Vic not knowing if he'd ever see a footy match again, after all those years watching on from the stands, all of a sudden, that could be it. Of course, he didn't really think that way and when his friends wishes him good luck, he just responded by saying "I don't need it". He was that confident. More confident than those who was watching on and trying to support him; of course, we'd done our research and we knew of the mortality risks. My Dad just didn't care about that. 'Make me better and get me back' was his stance.

There were some god awful moments over the past 9 months; we very nearly lost him on two occasions. The old boy has changed - he's gone from someone looking 30 years his junior to looking his actual age in just a few weeks. It's been heartbreaking.

When the boys trotted out at Brighton it was the start of the most amazing day ever, I'll remember it for decades to come. But like the previous 20 matches, something wasn't quite right. My Dad wasn't there. I recall a moment as a young lad when he, rather embarrassingly, kissed me on the forehead during a play off win vs Birmingham; he never heard the last of it, his sons wouldn't let him forget. However, when Vydra scored at Brighton, I'd have given everything I had - and more - to have witnessed my Dad celebrate in such an emotional way. It was strange that I hadn't thought of that moment for years, then Vydra scored, and it flashed up in mind very quickly. It's strange how brains work.

We got promoted and he missed it all. He was in hospital intoxicated by some majorly strong drugs. It came at a time I had him call me randomly during the night to finish a conversation off, although we hadn't spoken that day. It was around the time he was in and out of consciousness. Then over the summer he gradually became better. He was then allowed to leave hospital before a couple of visits that put him back to square one. But then he actually did get better...

The season began and his hair was growing back. He wanted to go to Everton but my mum put her foot down. In all truth my Dad knew it just wasn't worth the risk; the risk being that he could relapse very easily due to infection. He had no immune system.

Two home games went by and he watched from home. We didn't score and he didn't really miss much. The truth is, we didn't want to score. I'm sorry to the 20,000 fans that were there, but the season just cant get underway for real until he's back in his seat. On Saturday, he will be.

I hope you all welcome back this hero of mine as much as I will be and I hope you all enjoy what will be a goalfest as we secure our first win of the season.

My prediction: 6-0

 

That's fantastic news. I have always gone to games with my dad and this struck a chord with me. Let's hope we mark his return with a shot on target.

 

great news and a great forecast ... there's a quid going on exactly that!

 

That's wonderful news. I hope the boys do the occasion justice.

 

Thanks for sharing the story. Sure puts a number of other things in perspective.

Hope he has a wonderful day on Saturday. You know I wouldn't mind guessing that, if you shared this story with the club's PR person, they might arrange something special for Saturday.

 

Excellent news Arry

 

That story cheered me up this morning.

Bet placed on a WFC win @ 2.8/1 and proceeds will go to Cancer Research.

 

Glad to hear your Dad's on the mend and he'll be back at Vicarage Rd on Saturday. WHEN we score I'll be thinking of the two of you celebrating together!

 

Beautifully written and very moving. This is what being a football fan is about. This is the real-life meaning of Bill Shankly's famous quote about the importance of football.

'Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.'

 

Thanks for posting this, really put a smile on my face.

6-0 it is then...welcome back Arry's dad!

 

Post of the season thus far, and it'll take something to beat it...

Great news 'Arry. I won't be there on Saturday, in fact I haven't been for 5 years now, but when that first goal goes in I'll be thinking of you two celebrating.

Here's to your Dad going from strength to strength and enjoying the Premiership roller coaster!

 

Tis great news 'Arry.

The human body has a remarkable capacity to recover from seemingly desperate situations. Your dad is obviously a real fighter!

 

Send this to Deeney someone?

 

Arry....the majority of stuff on this forum I skim through, this I couldn't. Congrats to you, your family and your dad. Saturday will be my first game of the season too, but a much less special day than yours.

I go to football with my brother (ashdon on here) and my dad. Supporting Watford fc gives us all a strong bond, and football is never truly just a game....it is so much more.

All the best mate to you and yours,

Opti

 

Wonderful news Arry.

Whatever happens in terms of a result, Saturday is a brilliant afternoon for The Hornets.

 

beautifully put mate and those are emotions that I can relate to.....hope you both have a great day!

 

Great news buddy. Sounds like a heck of a year! As somebody who's dad is no longer with us I know how much of a bond football can be for a father and son and mine didn't even support us, he supported Chelsea!!

 

Welcome back Arry's Dad!:sign15:

 

Glad things are looking up for you and your dad, OA. I miss going to Watford games, but I miss going to games with my dad more so I completely empathise.

Here's hoping that the squad gives him a brilliant first game back that he can savour.

 

Crikey, what a response! Thank you for your best wishes, you're all truly very decent people.

 

My dad took me to my first game many many years ago vs Swansea in the depths of the divisions and I was hooked.

Sadly, my dad is no longer with us and it would have been great for him to come on Saturday as he was a Swans fan, being Welsh an all.

Win, lose or draw, what is important is you and your Dad together at the game Arry.... suck in and enjoy every moment...And when we score our first I will have a moment thinking of you both and my dad.

My very best wishes to you and your family..

 

Beautifully written and a big welcome back to your dad Arry. Let's hope he enjoys his day and we bang a couple in for him.

 

Great post, but I couldn't help reading it to the backing of our tune.

https://youtu.be/C6ZDsUGiGqM

 

24 hours

 

My Dad took me early 1970s , I took my son late 90s.
Touched a spot with all of us Orny so big up for your Old Man !!!!!!!!

 

Orny Senior has delivered!

 

What a game for his comeback. Hope he enjoyed his day Arry. Was genuinely thinking of him when we were hanging on at the end.

 

One thing to remember Arry...your dads happiest memories of his life will include being with you at football. Whatever happens with his future I can assure you that he will smile having a son with an attitude like yours

Hope he continues to be strong..

 

What a great game. I can barely speak, voice has totally gone. Crazy celebrations with my brother and dad........that's what football is all about.

 

I'm far from a soppy git, I don't do these kinds of threads and tend to take the 'if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything' approach to them. But will admit that driving up the M1 on my way back from the game your dad popped into my thoughts Orny. Good stuff and hope he enjoyed it.

 

Well done Arry's Dad :sign15: Not quite the 6 promised, but I'll settle for the win!

Havng said that, I'll be expecting the rest when you are fully fit

 

For once my skeptism in the predicted scoreline has paid off. :mengoal:

 

Thank you all for your very kind and thoughtful messages. I've received a number of messages on here, via PM, on Facebook and even received an amazing email from the club, and I can't tell you how appreciated this is.

Last week the new supporters engagement officer, Dave Messenger, got in touch after a very kind supporter on this forum made him aware of this thread. Throughout our phone conversation he said the club wanted to do something for my Dad's return. One offer was to invite my Dad down Saturday morning and give him a tour of the stadium in the lead up to the game. This offer would've been snapped up by my Dad, he'd have loved this, but that would be a long day for my Dad and I had to turn this very kind offer down. However, Dave came up with another idea, to put a letter from the club on his seat to wish him a welcome 'home'. Not only did my Dad get to his seat to find a letter tied to it, he also found a copy of last seasons DVD with all the goals which he missed last season.

I'm 32 years old and in 32 years I've seen my dad become emotional on two occasions; once when my Grandad died in 1991 and another was at his uncles funeral four years ago. Yesterday, was the third.

The gesture from the club was amazing. If ever a reminder is needed as to why this club is the best club in the world, this is it. We are a premier league club. Show me another premier league club that looks after its supporters like we do and I'll tell you why our club is still the best in the world.

On top of this, he witnessed our first goal at the Vic since being back in the prem, not to mention our first win of the season.

What an amazing day. Thank you to Ron Taylor, SM:16 and Dave for everything. My Dad could not be more grateful, trust me.

Lastly, a little story..... We walked out of the stadium via the Rous and we came past the away coaches and the away fans were scrapping with themselves. I looked back to ensure my Dad was still behind me with his mate, but I couldn't see them. A few minutes of panicking that my Dad was stuck in the middle of that disturbance, then suddenly, he walked through the crowds without a care in the world.

"Dad! Where have you been??"

"Oh, I was just getting them lot going..." (Suggesting he had caused the away fans to kick off, which of course he didn't).

After all those months of treatment, everything he's been through, one thing the chemo didn't take was his sense of humour. What a guy!

 

That is fantastic. What a club we have. Delighted for you and your dad, OA.