Almost two months have passed since Vicarage Road reverberated in joyous celebration as Liverpool were toppled for the first time this season and Watford revived their chances of avoiding the drop.
Not a ball has been kicked since at this 98-year-old venue and the ground staff have seized the chance to bring forward plans to repair the pitch.
Yet the place is abuzz with its new community role as doctors and nurses, hospital porters and other NHS workers file through corridors and spill into the stands.
Vicarage Road has provided an escape to overwhelming strain of life inside Watford General
Some are here for food and drink, others are searching for sleep or sanctuary or counselling.