Derek was stammering in shock. ‘What’s going on, Mr Mainwood, sir? Do you think the change of name is some kind of prank, sir?’
‘Well,’ Bill replied calmly, ‘I’m sure we’ll find out in due course — but it could be real, Derek, my boy. Maybe the club has decided to re-brand itself. Companies do sometimes rename themselves when they’re struggling. Or maybe the club just wants to enhance its image.’
Derek started to get upset. ‘But this name’s going to humiliate us, sir. Fans of other clubs will laugh at us, sir.’
‘But I can see the thinking behind it, my boy. Watford has always been a Town Club, rather than a Big City Club. So, to emphasise the connection with the surrounding community, it seems they’ve re-branded with an even more local name.’
‘I understand that, sir, but—’
‘It’s a name with lots of history and heritage, my boy. It’s what the area around the stadium was called 200 years ago — when it was fields.’
‘I know, sir. But it’s an awful name, sir — truly awful!’
Derek stared up at the two words on the back of the Vicarage Road stand.
‘Colney Butts!… Colney Butts, sir!… Who’d want to support a team called Colney Butts, sir?’
HORNET HEAVEN 