Watford in incredible gesture to Elton John as they make major change to Vicarage Road area
WATFORD have unveiled a remarkable gesture to their lifetime president Sir Elton John.
The club have renamed one of the streets adjacent to their Vicarage Road Stadium to Yellow Brick Road.
instagram @watfordofficialElton John poses alongside the road named in his honour[/caption]
instagram @watfordofficialIt is one of the main roads next to their stadium[/caption]
The tribute relates to Elton‘s iconic 1973 track ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ and album of the same name.
The street sign has changed colour to yellow as part of the tribute to their former chairman.
Elton is a lifelong supporter of Watford and has spent two separate spells as chairman.
In 1976, three years after the release of Yellow Brick Road, he bought the club with the earnings from his music career.
At the time, the club were plagued by financial issues.
When Elton took over, Watford were rooted to the bottom of the Football League and placed 92nd out of the 92 English Football League clubs.
After appointing Graham Taylor the following year, Watford soon flew up the leagues and arrived in the first division in 1982.
In their first season in England’s top league, they finished second and qualified for Europe.
GettyJohn bought the club in 1976[/caption]
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The following season Watford reached an FA Cup Final – the first of two in their history.
Watford took to Instagram to unveil the Yellow Brick Road, and captioned their post: “@eltonjohn has given his blessing to the re-naming of Occupation Road in tribute to his stellar career as a musician & life-long love of Watford FC.
“‘Using ‘Yellow Brick Road’ is a really fantastic, clever way for supporters to have played their part in recognising a time when I was here pretty much every day – on this amazing journey with Graham Taylor,’ said Elton.”
“’As I’ve said many times before, Watford Football Club has done more for me in my lifetime than I ever did for it.’”
Elton replied with a comment saying: “Thank you Watford and all the supporters of Watford FC for this great honour! .”
Elton would enjoy a second spell as Watford chairman in 1997 after re-purchasing the club from Jack Petchey.
He stood down in 2002 after no longer being able to devote enough time to the club – but still retains shares in Watford.
Watford fans were loving the news, with one commenting: “Need to pave it with yellow bricks .”
Another wrote: “Can he buy the club back?”
GettyJohn still attends games when he can and is the honorary lifetime president[/caption]
