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Watford 3 Manchester United 1: From the price of a pint, Mrs Thatcher and Chernobyl – what the world was like the last time Hornets beat Red Devils

The Communards were number one and Graham Taylor was in charge in 1986 when Watford last tasted success against Utd

WATFORD’S 3-1 victory over Manchester United was their first for 30 years.

United's mega-stars left Vicarage Road humiliated as the Hornets heaped more pressure on Jose Mourinho with a deserved victory.

Watford's last win came on September 16, 1986, when Graham Taylor’s side pushed Ron Atkinson nearer the Old Trafford exit door through a Iwan Roberts’ goal.

Troy Deeney celebrates his late penalty as Watford ran out convincing winners over Manchester United
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Troy Deeney celebrates his late penalty as Watford ran out convincing winners over Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association
Graham Taylor was in his first spell in charge of Watford the last time the club beat Manchester United
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Graham Taylor was in his first spell in charge of Watford the last time the club beat Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association

A lot has changed in the subsequent three decades - this was a time before the internet while only very few people were lucky enough to own a portable phone.

SunSport takes a look back at life in September 1986.

  • There were major changes around the British school system with GSCE exams replacing the ‘O’ level for 14-yeard-olds.
  • Margaret Thatcher was into her seventh year as British Prime Minister while Ronald Reagan held office in the USA.
    Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Regan were in the middle of their special relationship in 1986
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    Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Regan were in the middle of their special relationship in 1986Credit: AP:Associated Press
  • The price of a pint of beer ranged from 50p to 90p and the average house price was around £37,000.
  • The Eurotunnel Group is formed with the ambitious objective of building a tunnel which will connect England and France.
  • While Spain and Portugal become the latest countries to enter the EU.
  • There world was still reeling in shock following the devastating explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine five months earlier which led to the death of 31 people and caused serious long-term effects which are still being investigated.
    1986 saw Europe rocked by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that killed thousands
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    1986 saw Europe rocked by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that killed thousandsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
  • Don’t Leave Me This Way by The Communards (ft. Sarah Jane Morris) topped the charts. It was to stay at No.1 for four weeks.
  • Meanwhile, on the football front, Steaua Bucharest were the European champions — and Argentina had claimed their second World Cup victory in three editions.
    Greg Norman celebrated lifting The Open trophy in 1986
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    Greg Norman celebrated lifting The Open trophy in 1986Credit: Getty Images
  • Liverpool were the dominant force in English football with victory in both the league — for a 16th time — and FA Cup.
  • Michel Platini was the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, having claimed the award for a third consecutive year.
  • And in other sports, Australia’s Greg Norman beat England’s Gordon J. Brown by five strokes to win The Open.
  • While Boris Becker retained his Wimbledon men’s singles title and Martina Navratilova won a fifth consecutive women’s singles championship.

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