R.I.P. Graham Taylor

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

  1. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Wasn't going Saturday. Had 101 things to do - all now cancelled and ticket bought. I would ask that any ST holder who can't go Saturday releases their seat back to the club so as many as possible can get tickets.

    I don't remember the first time around but 1996 to 2001 was when I really started going and it's probably a period that will never be surpassed in my time supporting the club. I think youthful enthusiasm makes it all seem even better but I met GT on a few occasions in that time - including twice as mascot - and I can't speak highly enough about the man and how he was with people. I also wrote to him once when I was in primary school and somewhere, buried in my bag of football bits and bobs, is a letter back from him to 8 year old me encouraging me to keep on supporting Watford. I'll have to fish it out. I also remember that sunny day in April 2001 when he finished his second stint with us. I've still got the thank you Graham (or whatever it said) t-shirt somewhere. I think the chants from when he circled the pitch at the end are burned into my memory.

    Really sad news probably because it's completely out of the blue. I hope the support on Saturday shows his family what he means to us.
     
  2. vic-rijrode

    vic-rijrode First Year Pro

    One of my abiding memories of the first GT years is the amazing League Cup runs, especially in 78-79 when we beat Newcastle, Man Utd, Exeter and Stoke only losing to the then European Champions Forest. I used to go to these games with a bunch of mates who had witnessed us struggle in the old 4th Division - after the Old Trafford game we all thought that Watford could then beat anybody - which of course they did in later years. Then there was the Southampton 7-1 and Forest 4-1 cup games a couple of years later - we all walked out of Vicarage Road a couple of feet in the air after those wins.

    There was this aura of expectation and excitement every time we came out of the pub and walked to the ground for a GT game. Luther, Cally, Barnes, "The long Man", Bolton, Jackett - ah what memories - got to stop typing now before I get too emotional.

    Thanks, thanks, thanks GT
     
  3. nisman94

    nisman94 International Man of Mystery

    I wasn't alive for his first stint and was too young for his second, but I met him when he came to WBGS when I was there for a sixth form "lecture". In that hour I saw exactly what the fans and the players saw in him when he was at our club. He spoke to us like he was our granddad, but his words had weight and he didn't mince them with us. He motivated us at a time when we (or at least certainly I) needed it, and for that (as well as being one of the most integral parts of the club that I love), I'll love him like he was my granddad. RIP God
     
  4. tonycotonstache

    tonycotonstache Squad Player

    Legend. Unspeakably sad he's gone. RIP GT
     
  5. cygnet

    cygnet Academy Graduate

    RIP Sir Graham Taylor. A Knight in shining armour. X
     
  6. brumhorn

    brumhorn First Year Pro

    Apparently it says on BBC sportsday (14.39) we're likely to hold a minutes applause. I know they're probably worried about someone ruining it, but I always think a minute's silence is so much more appropriate
     
  7. Harefield Yellow

    Harefield Yellow First Year Pro

    Incredibly sad news. RIP GT.
     
  8. Hornpete

    Hornpete Squad Player

    Incredibly sad news. Everyone in Watford regardless of whether they were a fan was influenced positively by him. The community spirit was from him and Watford was and is a better place because of him. Many people have success, but not many people come close in doing so in such a personable and positive way on others.
     
  9. Leighton Buzzer

    Leighton Buzzer Reservist

    I commented earlier that I thought it might be a good idea to have both a minutes silence before the game AND a minutes applause in the 72nd minute.
    I know our supporters will also be singing the "One Graham Taylor" and "Elton John's Taylor made Army" song throughout the game.
     
  10. Keighley

    Keighley First Team

    Nigel Spink (I think) told a similar story in respect of a Villa match on 5 Live about an hour ago, perhaps this was a tactic he used more than once?

    Talking of which, Sky are showing Villa v Wolves at 5:30 on Saturday. Might be worth a look for those of us not in pieces after our game.
     
  11. Vicarage Road

    Vicarage Road Reservist

    Elton's Taylor made army to be chanted for the whole 90 minutes on Saturday by us fans, is the least we can do for the great man
     
  12. simpleMASH

    simpleMASH Reservist

    Such sad news. A great man and a great loss.
     
  13. magic

    magic Statto & Vordamen's lovechild

    Very Emotional News.... Sad Day for his immediate Family and his extended WFC family.

    Never to be forgotten.

    RIP.
     
  14. mooneyman50

    mooneyman50 Academy Graduate

    Still trying to pretend to myself it's not true. So much love for the guy and so many beautiful memories of his time with us. Here's one which was on the TV after a pretty lucky 1-0 win at Walsall in the second replay, during the 1986-87 Cup run: The presenter asked GT if he felt our name was on the cup. The Great Man looked at him with disdain and launched into a two minute assertion that luck has nothing to do with it, that it's all about tactics, training, attitude etc, before pausing and beaming that smile, adding 'But of course, if your name IS on it....'

    Saturday is gonna be so tough
     
  15. Clive_ofthe_Kremlin

    Clive_ofthe_Kremlin Squad Player

    RIP GT.

    When he first came, we'd never heard of him and didn't want him - we wanted Bobby Moore instead. Wow he soon changed our minds on that.

    Winning the fourth division by a country mile in that first season was probably the most enjoyable season I've ever had as a Hornet - probably just about pipping even the first year in the first division.

    Just a reminder of the record for that year when we won the 4th division title by 11 (count 'em) clear points:-

    Watford
    P46
    Home W18 D4 L1 F44 A14
    Away W12 D7 L4 F41 A24
    Total F85 A38 GD+47
    Pts 71


    Then he went and did it all over again when he came back for a second go. Proved it wasn't a fluke.
     
  16. Clive_ofthe_Kremlin

    Clive_ofthe_Kremlin Squad Player

    GT with Luther - thems was the days...


    [​IMG]
     
  17. Robert Peel

    Robert Peel Squad Player

    That would be 101 points nowadays with 3 for a win.

    A brilliant football brain and a great human. He gave the town a real community focal point and ensured that it gave back to that community. He will be sorely missed.
     
  18. iamofwfc

    iamofwfc Squad Player

    Still can't believe this, if it was not for this wonderful human being i would prob be a supporter of one of the big six, so much to thank him for, hardly any of his ex players have a bad word to say about him, was lucky enough to meet numerous of times, each time a total gent and cared more about Football, people and watford then Money, success or good publicity. Each time I wrote to him, he personally sent a reply back, not a copy and paste, how many top flight managers would do that nowadays unless there was a few quid in it for them or some good PR. The Oxford dictionary should be re-written Legend - definition - Graham Taylor, these is, was and only ever will be "One Graham Taylor"

    Lets give him a great send of on saturday, no matter how old you are, how old your shirts, even if they only fit where they touch and need three people to help you to take them off, but wear your colours with pride on saturday, if you have not joined in singing for the last 10 years join in on Saturday until you lose your voice.

    If we won the Champions league it would not give me as many happy memories as the great man gave me and my friends and family in his two spells in charge

    My thoughts are with you and your family, a big Thank you and RIP Great Man
     
  19. Roger Irrelevant

    Roger Irrelevant Reservist

    A great man.

    Only reason I support the 'Orns.
     
  20. Malteser

    Malteser Squad Player

    p

    You've written really beautifully on this thread. Lovely words.

    As have many many others too.

    I'm so proud to support Watford.
     
  21. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    Don't mate. You'll set me off again and I've run out of tissues.

    Really needed this thread today to be 'around' people who understand and share what I'm feeling. Thanks all of you.
     
  22. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

  23. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    So very sad. Has set me off.

    A genuinely nice guy.

    Gott ist tot

    2017 taking up where 2016 left off I see.
     
  24. miked2006

    miked2006 Premiership Prediction League Proprietor

    2016 felt over the top.

    2017 feels personal.
     
  25. Arakel

    Arakel First Team

    Just crushed by this. I've never felt so far away from home before.

    A wonderful, wonderful man in every possible way. I have no chance of being able to make it this weekend so those of you who can, please give him the send off he thoroughly deserves.
     
  26. Leighton Buzzer

    Leighton Buzzer Reservist

    Will do my best I promise.
     
  27. GoingDown

    GoingDown "The Stability"

  28. Necrobutcher

    Necrobutcher Reservist

    He was marvellous. I'm just thinking how lucky we are to have had him, and remembering fondly the occasions I met him.

    What he did for us doesn't happen often in football, but the dream of it happening keeps every small club alive. We lived that dream because of him. He made it happen for us. He'll never be forgotten at Watford FC.
     
  29. Onceamascot

    Onceamascot Academy Graduate

    He was well ahead of his time in many ways. I remember when he ran the London marathon in the 1980s to raise money for the family terrace to be built and Watford fans gathered sponsorship for him. In fact I felt a twinge of sadness when the last remnant of that terrace disappeared under the SEJ stand last year but it was so appropriate that as it did so it faced the Graham Taylor stand overlooked by the family stand at a proud and grateful premier league club. So many memories. Rest in peace.
     
  30. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    Jesus even the Luton Outlaws Board are being polite and showing their respects in large numbers.
     
  31. Hornets4life

    Hornets4life First Year Pro

    Spent the best parts of my youth following his teams around the country a very sad day indeed.
     
  32. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    Shall we change all the avatars to a picture of GT
     
  33. LondonOrn

    LondonOrn Squad Player

    WTF!? I caught the news just after 2pm via Twitter on my phone at work but for some reason the tragic news didn't register until 4. I guess we all thought he was immortal.

    I've missed a few home games this season for not the best of reasons, but Saturday's and the chance to give a WFC legend the biggest ever send-off is something I will NOT be missing under any circumstances!
     
  34. Norwayhornet

    Norwayhornet Squad Player

    Know exactly what you mean , my wife isn't in to footy so doesn't understand my tears !
     
  35. Jelboy

    Jelboy Reservist

    THERE' S ONLY ONE GRAHAM TAYLOR! That is all.... legend
     

Share This Page