Memories in pictures of late Watford goalkeeper Andy Rankin

That was view of Watford Treasury chairman Geoff Wicken when he reflected on the considerable contribution of the former Hornets goalkeeper who has died at the age of 79.

Writing in an article in the Treasury which the Watford Observer republished in 2021, Geoff said: “To be a Watford supporter in the early and mid-1970s was, mostly, a dispiriting experience. The six seasons starting from 1971/72 saw almost continuous decline. There were two relegations, in 1971/72 and 1974/75, followed by two years of stasis in Division Four. Then everything changed. The turnaround inspired by Graham Taylor’s arrival brought the two consecutive promotions of 1977/78 and 1978/79. Those six years of gloom were followed by two of dramatic upturn, and by autumn 1979 Watford were back in Division Two, where they had been eight years earlier.

“Andy Rankin was the one player who stayed at the club for the entire eight-year period, and so went through the same experience as the fans. It seems fair to describe him as Watford’s player of the decade, both for his abilities, which were first-rate, and for his loyalty and commitment. It’s rare for any player to dominate a position for eight years, let alone through two relegations and two promotions.”

Rankin warming up ahead of his Watford debut against Burnley in November 1971 (Image: Watford Observer)

You can Geoff’s full article via this link but scroll down this page to look back at some images of the late goalkeeper’s time at Vicarage Road with these pictures from our archive.

Rankin goes full length to make a flying save (Image: Watford Observer)

Getting set at a corner (Image: Watford Observer)

The keeper is beaten by this effort against Sheffield Wednesday in the 1971/72 season (Image: Watford Observer)

Concerned teammates gather round as Rankin receives treatment (Image: Watford Observer)

A ball boy looks on as Rankin warms up (Image: Watford Observer)

The keeper prepares to make a clearance in October 1978 (Image: Watford Observer)

Andrew George Rankin, 1944-2023 (Image: Watford Observer)

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