R.I.P. Graham Taylor

Discussion in 'The Hornets' Nest - Watford Chat' started by Aylesburyorn, Jan 12, 2017.

  1. J.B

    J.B First Team

    Even in recent years he did so much for the club. Being chairman in the Bassini era and all the nonsense that that entailed must have been the most thankless task imaginable, but he still did it despite him living half-way across the country purely due to his love for the club. Who knows where we would have been without him during that period.

    A completely selfless man.
     
  2. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    Thank you Graham for everything you have done for WFC over the many years, I hope there are no empty seats on Saturday and the Club and Fans give you the send off which you most definitely deserve. R.I.P. Sir
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2017
  3. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    I had just choked back all the tears as am at work, but my dad called me in tears himself and it's set me off again.
     
  4. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    I'm actually welling up as I am writing this, goodbye and god bless to you GT, Mr Watford :'(​

    DO I NOT LIKE THIS​
     
  5. Vicarage Road

    Vicarage Road Reservist

    I'm literally typing this with tears running down my face. Can't believe it. The best man ever. RIP
     
  6. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

  7. Likewise. Is there an 1881 high-up who watches this forum?
     
  8. Keighley

    Keighley First Team

    Me too: though I am old enough to have been there in the 80s. He just seemed so genuinely happy with what we had done in 99: just a glorious surprise to him.

    He was one of the last of his kind.
     
  9. al_lotment

    al_lotment Academy Graduate

    We where lucky to have him as the Manger not just the once !

    Sad day, RIP Graham you are a true legend !
     
  10. Halfwayline

    Halfwayline Reservist

    My dad was friendly with Eddie Plumley when we used to live in his road in Rickmansworth. A few years on GT also moved into the road and he often waved and we'd have a chat.

    Didn't see him again for many years until we bumped into each other at Lords. He was there by himself and we got talking for ages.....anybody that met him will be able to justify what a thoroughly decent human being he really was. My thoughts are with Rita and the rest of the family

    The GT stand will be forever a lasting memory
     
  11. K9 Hornet

    K9 Hornet Border Collie Dog

    They broke the mould when they made him, and we won't see his like again. Pretty emotional reading everyone's thoughts on here. RIP Graham
     
  12. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    What a shock and such tragic news. My heart goes out to his family and friends, and every Watford, Aston Villa, Wolves and England fan who he touched with his magical football mind and enthusiastic personality.

    The world has lost a brilliant man today. God will welcome him into Vicarage Heaven with open arms. I'm crying as I type this too.

    Football has lost a God - I'm wearing my "GT IS GOD" T-Shirt too, wore it at Burnley Away (his last game as our manager back in 2001.

    I am lost for words...

    Everybody who posts on this thread, thank you so much from myself personally. GT will be looking down on all of you and smiling, with that cheeky grin he has at times. He knew the game inside out, he touched so many people's lives. R.I.P Mr Taylor. God Bless xx

    Ada xx
     
  13. Spud

    Spud Squad Player

    Im lost for words n shedding a tear for a great great man n manager. I cant believe it. Jesus.
     
  14. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    From BBC Sportsday:

     
  15. Loth to draw attention to it, but some of the comments on the BBC page beggar belief.
     
  16. Lloyd

    Lloyd Squad Player

    Many, many years ago I was a young boy walking home in the pi55ing rain and, because I was wearing a Watford scarf, he stopped his car and gave me a lift to my front door. I'm sure others have more inspiring and memorable stories but, to me, this simple gesture of kindness sums up this wonderful man. A sad day
     
  17. Leighton Buzzer

    Leighton Buzzer Reservist

    Please can we have one minutes silence before the game AND one minutes applause in the 72nd minute.
    Heartfelt thanks to the great man for what he did for our club, and for football in general.
    Very sad loss.
     
  18. ketteringorns

    ketteringorns Academy Graduate

    Elton John's Taylor made Army. Proud to be part of it
     
  19. lutonh8a

    lutonh8a Squad Player

    Absolutely gutting news this has come as a massive shock.
     
  20. Sting

    Sting Squad Player

    I am so sad - this was a shock - had there been any news he was ill?

    Legend is used too freely - but he was a footballing legend for us - the best manager we ever had - or probably ever will have. And a genuinely nice man
     
  21. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    I'm usually quite a 'cold' person when it's made known a public figure has died but right now I'm just slumped in a chair and at a complete loss, numb.

    A man who took success and flattery in his stride and who seemingly didn't let the ridicule and criticism affect him either.
    So many people in all walks of life could do with taking note on how to conduct oneself in similar circumstances.

    A legend for Watford FC and respected by many within football.

    My thoughts now turn to his family who will feel the loss more than any of us on here.

    Mr Graham Taylor, OBE. 15 September, 1944 - 12 January, 2017.

    Thank you for everything, may you forever rest in peace.
     
  22. HappyHornet24

    HappyHornet24 Crapster Staff Member

    Isn't "Hollywood" on here the "main man"?
     
  23. GoingDown

    GoingDown "The Stability"

    Poor Adam Leventhal, having to break the news on SSN. He's a better man than I.

    Some lovely lovely comments from Martin Tyler a short while ago.

    A universally loved man by everyone in football.
     
  24. Harrybassetthater

    Harrybassetthater Academy Graduate

    I met Graham when he kindly appeared at my football club's presentation. What a gentleman. RIP.
     
  25. J.B

    J.B First Team

    Forget a minute's applause; should be 90 minutes of 'One Graham Taylor' and 'Elton John's Taylor Made Army'.
     
  26. AndrewH63

    AndrewH63 Reservist

    His legacy in terms of transforming the club is on par with the impact Matt Busby had a Manchester United or Bill Shankley at Liverpool. The record books will not show the sporting trophies those greats achieved in their tenures, but in terms of something deeper, the breadth of influence and the creation of a culture and ethos that affected so much and so many, he truly built this club. A very sad day, our thoughts must be primarily with his family, who have lost so much so suddenly.
     
  27. fuzzy73

    fuzzy73 Squad Player

    Looking around elsewhere fans from other clubs have shown respect for a genuinely nice man who loved football.

    Copied this from elsewhere:

     
  28. IRB

    IRB THe artist formally know as ImRonBurgundy?

    Absolutely gutted

    I'm surprised how hard this has hit me, not ashamed to say I'm at my desk trying to hold it together

    Not only was he our greatest ever manager, he was just a complete gentleman always

    It's going to be an emotional day on Saturday but I can't wait to be part of the tributes to the great man

    RIP Graham
     
  29. Sahorn

    Sahorn Reservist

    Totally devastated.

    I drove up from Plymouth a couple of years ago to attend a club Xmas lunch which he was star attraction and Rita was there - just so I could meet him and personally shake his hand and thank him for everything he has done for our football club.

    After most had left, he and I sat and chatted.
    So glad I made the effort to go.
    An absolute gentleman.

    The club must honour him in some way and a statue would be a fitting tribute - maybe with SEJ and it could be unveiled by SEJ and Rita.

    Hope there will be an (auto)biography. Does anyone know as I would love to read his career insights.

    Tearful and can't believe it.

    Thankyou Graham. RIP.
     
  30. inayellowshirt

    inayellowshirt From the other place

    [yt]bdHcACIP-hg[/yt]
     
  31. soton_orn

    soton_orn Reservist

    Thank you GT

    What you did for me was more than football
     
  32. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

  33. Norwayhornet

    Norwayhornet Squad Player

    Same here Ron remember when my mum and dad and I met him in the saracens head in Kings Langley , He came over and chatted to us , a kind and generous man , A watford legend in every sense ,one of the true gentlemen of football!
    I am gutted .
    when you pass on your respect on saturday ,pass on an extra one from my family please.
     
  34. Grover

    Grover First Year Pro

    Will be there on Saturday, first time I will go to a match where the outcome won't be the most important thing. Just had to explain to my not football Wife about how important as a supporter he was to the club, and how he was a manager that as a kid I looked up to and loved, unlike many modern day Managers. I will always have fond memories of the man, and I hope on Saturday I can play a part in recognising just how important he was to Watford FC and it's supporters
     
  35. Meh!

    Meh! Pre-Dictator

    Ah man :'(

    Sad, sad times.

    RIP Sir Graham Taylor.
     

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