WORK has begun in earnest to remove the older part of the East Stand roof at Vicarage Road, which has stood proudly since 1922 when the Club first moved to the stadium.

Over the next few weeks contractors will be on site to undertake the work so everything is in place and safe by the time football returns to the ground for the pre-season friendly with Charlton on Saturday 31 July.

The Club has been regularly receiving reports from a Structural Engineer on the East Stand for a number of years.

Following recent concern and guidance regarding the structural integrity of the supporting metal framework as a result of corrosion, the older part of the East Stand roof is now being removed

Waterproof cladding will be placed over the older part of the East Stand until the Stand can be fully demolished.

The East Stand has not been open to spectators since the end of the 2007/08 season. Since then, only three sides of the ground have been open to paying supporters.

Elsewhere at Vicarage Road, the pitch is now being prepared again for the start of the new campaign following the Elton John concert.

Please note that The Hornets Shop is unaffected by the work and is open for business as usual between 9.30am - 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday.

The Club's Ticket Office can be contacted on 0844 856 1881 as usual during the summer months.

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