Here is our weekly look back through our archives at some of the stories that were making our headlines ten and five years ago this week.

TEN YEARS AGO

Mackay welcomes potential investor

Watford manager Malky Mackay has welcomed the club's new potential investor and believes the Hornets are an attractive proposition for any new owner.

The club's parent company Watford Leisure Plc released a statement to the Stock Exchange confirming major shareholder Lord Ashcroft is in “early discussions” over the possible sale of his shares.

Watford have been looking for a new investor for some time and on July 13 consolidated most of their debt into £10.142m worth of secured bonds, which need to be either renegotiated or paid off by next July.

Mackay was asked whether the potential takeover has been unsettling after his side's 3-2 victory over Leicester City.

He replied: “No, [not] if someone wanted to come in and invest into the football club and invest the structure we have here, because the club has been stripped back to the bone but we have a small, well-run machine at the moment.”

Strikes 'ruled out' after Royal Mail closes Watford depot

Postmen in Watford have ruled out industrial action after Royal Mail confirmed plans to shut the town's mail centre.

Sorting operations will move to a new multi-million pound base in Hemel Hempstead, while a new delivery office, where residents can pick up parcels, will open somewhere else in Watford.

The outcome of Royal Mail's Home Counties North review also spells closure for the Kings Langley delivery office, which will either be incorporated into the new Watford site or move to Hemel Hempstead.

It is anticipated that there will be about 300 job losses across Hertfordshire from a total of 4,500 employees.

Jowett Jupiter shines at classic car competition

Watford Observer:

A 56-year-old car, restored by a Kings Langley father and daughter team, has been named Classic Car of the Year.

After being voted 1950s Car of the Year about a month ago, “Napoleon”, a 1954 Jowett Jupiter SC, has also been recognised with the prestigious title at the 2010 NEC Classic Car Show.

Keith Clements 63, originally bought the car in 1979 as a wreck, with the intention of restoring it for his daughter Amy's 17th birthday.

But it wasn’t until July last year that Aspley Lock couple Amy Clements, then 30, and her partner Jack Moon, 27, decided to restore the Jupiter to its former glory.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Syria strikes start as Watford MP backs the bombing

RAF bombing raids over Syria have started after MPs voted in favour of the strikes following a marathon Commons debate lasting more than 10 hours.

The raids are the only way to begin combatting a “medieval and barbaric” regime according to Watford MP Richard Harrington, who voted in favour of the Prime Minister’s plans.

RAF Tornado jets carried out the first British bombing runs over Syria within hours of the vote in the House of Commons.

The debate saw fierce clashes between the Prime Minister and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn before 104 contributions from the backbenches, as anti-war protests roared outside the Palace of Westminster.

'I was quite ashamed to be a Wolverhampton supporter that day': Teenager who raised thousands for football attack victim wins award

Watford Observer:

Nic Cruwys, left, and Oliver Floyd

A teenager who raised almost £40,000 for a father left fighting for his life after he was viciously attacked at a Hornets game has won an award.

Oliver Floyd was presented with the Smith-Milne Young Person of the Year the award at Hertfordshire’s annual YOPEY awards – prizes for young people who give to others.

Milkman Nic Cruwys, 44, was left fighting for his life after an unprovoked attack on his way home from a Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Watford match in March.

The father of two spent months in intensive care after he received a serious head injury in the attack inflicted as he made his way to the station after the 2-2 draw.

Disturbed by the violence Ollie, who was also at the game, started an online fundraising drive for Mr Cruwys, whom he had never met. Within weeks, donations flooded in from across the world.

Watford sixth form student's views to be shared with US president Barack Obama

Watford Observer:

The views of students in a Watford sixth form will be shared with US president Barack Obama.

The American ambassador to the UK Matthew Barzun, pictured, visited Watford Grammar School for Boys to lead a discussion on what issues the students were important to them.

The ambassador explained that the results of the WBGS student feedback will be collated and shared with the US President.