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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

Everton become sole users of Z Cars as Watford make bizarre pre-match decision

For years now, both Everton and Watford have shared something rather special about their respective home matches.

But, that quirky relationship between the clubs has now seemingly been brought to an end.

Ever since 1962 , the Blues have walked onto the famous Goodison Park turf before every match to the tune of Z-Cars - although it's recently seen a few tweaks.

Most notably, recent matches have seen the addition of an air-raid siren to the start of the song, as Tony Bellew's walk-out music when he was boxing used to play.

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But, despite any changes that have happened over the last half a century, you can't imagine an Everton home match without Z Cars.

Watford, however, have seemingly done away with the famous tune.

The Hornets introduced the evocative Fritz Spiegel arrangement of a traditional Liverpool folk song in 1963, 12 months after Everton had done so.

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The introduction of the tune for Watford was an interesting one - manager at the time Bill McGarry liked the tune, it was played before a match at Vicarage Road and they went on a 29-match unbeaten streak afterwards.

But now the Hornets have replaced the tune with one written and performed by former chairman Sir Elton John.

Ahead of Javi Gracia's side coming up against Arsenal on Monday night, an announcement was made over the stadium's speakers that Z Cars would not be playing.

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Instead "I'm Still Standing" was blared out as the two sets of players made their way onto the pitch.

The announcement said: "We’re just about ready to welcome the teams and we’ll be doing so from now on to an Elton John song – chosen by Sir Elton himself having been offered the chance by the club – to mark an historic moment in the Hornets’ history.

"So listen out for the distinctive intro, as  Z-Cars  gives way to an Elton classic."

General view inside the stadium as the teams walk out prior to the Premier League match between Watford FC and Everton FC at Vicarage Road (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

It's not yet been fully confirmed whether the change will be a permanent one or not.

Sir Elton John has had close connections with Watford for years - having become the club's chairman and director back in 1976.

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The musician sold the club to Jack Petchey in 1987 remaining president, but re-purchased the Hornets in 1997 and once again became chairman for five years.

The 72-year-old is no longer Watford's majority shareholder, but he still holds a significant financial interest in the club.

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