R.I.P. Graham Taylor

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

  1. Goat

    Goat First Year Pro

    just found out, don't know what to say, just gutted
     
  2. Nnnn

    Nnnn First Team

    He was one of those special people it was impossible to dislike
     
  3. Lionel Fessi

    Lionel Fessi First Year Pro

    Absolutely gutted. Working from home but done nothing but read all the tributes and comments since I saw the news

    I love our club, I'm proud of the way it is off the pitch and so much of this is down to GT, it feels like part of our club has died today. He was our club. He still is our club. Without him we would be COMPLETELY different and TOTALLY tinpot.

    A true true gentleman, an infectious character, and so refreshingly honest and down to earth.

    No one can ever replicate the journey that he and SEJ took our club on - the way they changed our club for the better, and not just on the pitch. He leaves us with so many rich and emotional memories that we can cherish forever. There's no better photo than that of GT beaming with the trophy at Wembley.

    You sir, are a legend. RIP

    #GTISGOD
     
  4. Warrington Hornet

    Warrington Hornet Reservist

    Absolutely gutted at this news.

    I was lucky enough to watch Watford when he took us through the divisions to 2nd place in the old first division, Europe and the FA Cup Final. I owe him so much for the enjoyment I got watching Watford during this period.

    The "Legend" tag is dished out far too easily these days but he was a LEGEND.

    To those reporters of the tabloids who pilloried him - hang your heads in shame.

    When I heard the news and told workmates up here who support all the local teams, not one person had a bad word to say about him.

    RIP Graham - thanks for the memories.
     
  5. R4E

    R4E Reservist

  6. Halfwayline

    Halfwayline Reservist

    Do not stand at my grave and weep
    I am not there. I do not sleep.
    I am a thousand winds that blow.
    I am the diamond glints on snow.
    I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
    I am the gentle autumn rain.
    When you awaken in the morning's hush
    I am the swift uplifting rush
    Of quiet birds in circled flight.
    I am the soft stars that shine at night.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry;
    I am not there. I did not die.
     
  7. Stuey

    Stuey Reservist

    I have very fond memories of watching Watford in the 80s it's part of my childhood. GT was instrumental in putting Watford FC on the map.

    RIP GT, a true legend.
     
  8. A great man

    RIP
     
  9. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    Just such awful, numbing news.
    His achievements are the embodiment of determination, character and exceptional talent and I feel fortunate in the extreme to have witnessed the original journey from its very beginning at Stockport and then to take my sons to see the double promotion in their first two seasons.
    Above everything, though, it's the wonderful human being that I'll always be in awe of. Just one anecdote among several that are filling my thoughts right now: he was invited to be the guest speaker at my daughter's school's Speech Day. He kept the appointment in spite of a really horrendous bout of flu, yet proceeded to give the most inspiring speech I've ever had the pleasure of listening to: perfectly pitched, warm, funny and shot through with his greatest gift: humility.
    He was truly one of a kind and his passing has left a huge hole in my life.
     
  10. Buz180

    Buz180 Academy Graduate

    My dad got "interviewed" by Sky on his way out after the Bolton game and was asked what he thought of GT. "He is God" was my old fellas reply.

    Thank you Mr Graham Taylor.
     
  11. gregibelieve

    gregibelieve First Year Pro

  12. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    Last edited: Jan 12, 2017
  13. Maninblack

    Maninblack Reservist

    Shocked to hear about this wonderful man's sudden death. He is the reason behind my unwavering passion for Watford Football Club. One of a kind who you rarely see in football - a genuine legend who always had time to speak to the fans and connect to the local community.

    When in my 13yr old naivety I wrote to the club when my scarf was stolen after a match, it was he who wrote back personally expressing his sympathy, enclosing a new scarf and a fully signed poster of the 76-77 Division 4 - winning squad.

    The way he gave out cups of hot tea and chatted to us when I and many others helped clear the pitch of snow before an important cup tie in '79 (I think)

    Years after I worked in the club souvenir shop on match days in the 80s, I bumped into him behind the stand at a home game and he asked me how I was. He'd only been in the shop twice - how he remembered me, let alone my name, I'll never know!

    In response to a cheeky begging letter I wrote to him whilst he was at Aston Villa, he sponsored me to run in the London marathon in 2002, replying with an inspiring letter with accompanying generous personal cheque.

    What a genuine, lovely bloke - and lest we forget, what a fantastic football manager!

    RIP Graham Taylor :(
     
  14. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

  15. foxywfc

    foxywfc Reservist

    R.I. P GT

    Thoughts with your family. Pleasure to of met you
     
  16. Corky an MK Hornet

    Corky an MK Hornet Reservist

    If it's official and not a scam, I'll definitely stick a score in.

    Where would be the best place - I reckon in the new area in front of the Hornet Shop.
     
  17. Steve Leo Beleck

    Steve Leo Beleck Squad Player

    Luther just gave a wonderful tribute on Talksport Drive, obvious how much he valued and respected him. If anyone missed it, would recommend tracking it down on their Listen Again page (link below, have to wait until the show finishes at 8, interview will be about 90 mins in) but make sure you have tissues ready! You could hear the anger in his voice when he said he would "never forgive the press" for how they treated him as England manager. John Barnes was due to be on earlier talking about something else just as the news was breaking but had to cancel as he was too upset. Shows how much he still means to his players.

    http://talksport.com/radio/schedule
     
  18. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

    Little bit previous I would suggest.
    I'm sure there will be no shortage of donations should anything official be arranged.


    Merged with the tribute thread to keep it all together.
     
  19. zztop

    zztop Eurovision Winner 2015

    I just got home having just sobbed on the tram and worked through this thread. I am absolutely devastated.

    Reading the tributes on here and listening to so many kind words on the radio - I just hoped he knew what he meant to so many people. At least, Rita and his family may get some sort of solace in their grief.

    Personally, I feel that what he achieved in club football, with clubs that were all in bad shape when he took over, surpasses anything that far better known managers have done - and he did it with honesty, integrity and dignity.

    The word is overused, but for me, following my 55 years of association and supporting Watford, Graham Taylor is our ONLY footballing legend.

    On a less important point, I hope it is a silent tribute before the game on Saturday, not applause.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2017
  20. iamofwfc

    iamofwfc Squad Player

    Saturday is going to be a very strange day and i assume what tickets are left will be snapped up, lets make is a special day, not sure who is on here from the 1881 but Gods first spell was 1977 until 1987 what about singing the "Graham Taylors having a party" from the 77th minute until the 87th minute, I hope no one takes this suggestion the wrong way, would be great if the whole ground sung it not just the 1881 to give the great man a send off.
     
  21. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Might be worth letting the club know. I think the same and am going to drop them a short email.
     
  22. iamofwfc

    iamofwfc Squad Player

    I hope it is a minutes silence, most the Boro fans there are true Football fans and my gut feeling is they will respect this 100%, lets be honest the only reason we dont have minute silence is some ******* think it is funny to ruin it.
     
  23. Beekayess

    Beekayess Reservist

    I never met him. I didn't know him. But I know what he did for our club and our community. And for football generally.

    A gentle man and a gentleman.

    He will be sadly missed.

    RIP GT. Heartfelt condolences to his family.
     
  24. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    I am truly devastated by this news and words cannot express the affection I had for the man.

    I met Graham on many occasions and he always had time for you, no matter who you were. He was at the Spurs match only a couple of weeks ago! He stood for honesty, high moral standards and you could trust the man implicitly.

    It’s hard to believe he was never knighted, but I am so happy the club recognised him in his lifetime by naming a stand after him. It was a lovely moment to see him being presented with the honour and I know it meant an awful lot to him.

    Graham loved Watford, it was always close to his affections, and Watford loved him. Football was his life, even at grass roots level, he would happily give his time.

    The memories of those halcyon years in the eighties will stay with me forever. He was a wonderful man.

    Graham will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
     
  25. Steve Leo Beleck

    Steve Leo Beleck Squad Player

    Agreed. A minute's silence is so much more poignant and moving.
     
  26. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    I assume it would be best if these requests go to the same person so who do we email? Richard Walker? Dave Messenger?
     
  27. Godfather

    Godfather bricklayer extraordinaire

    Loved by all ... please shine a little light on us from heaven GT.
     
  28. mcnamee19

    mcnamee19 First Year Pro

    Wasn't sure if this was true or not when I first saw it - I saw the Birmingham Mail article but couldn't find any other news reports or a thread on here and seemed a bit strange, must have seen it as it first broke. Then it began to be widely reported, sad news. RIP Graham and thanks for the work you put in to the club.

    Wolves play Aston Villa live on Sky on Saturday at 17:30 and I imagine something would be done in remembrance seeing as he managed both clubs.
     
  29. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    We can clap at 72 or sing an appropriate chant.

    A man has died only a minutes silence is appropriate at the start
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2017
  30. gregibelieve

    gregibelieve First Year Pro

    minutes silence at start then clap 72. im sure both or more will be ok
     
  31. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    And the players need to wear black armbands
     
  32. Halfwayline

    Halfwayline Reservist

    Personally would like to do a spontaneous applause on 84th minute - his beaming smile as he led out that team at Wembley is the first thing I thought about when I heard the news.

    It's strange - I have been fairly vociferous about those who broke down over the deaths of Diana, George Michael et al but I feel quite emotional about this. Like when you hear the news that your best mates dad, who was such an integral part of your entire childhood, has passed away.
     
  33. Goat

    Goat First Year Pro

    GT's daughter is a teacher at a school in Nottingham where a friend of mine's kids go to school. GT used to dress up as Santa every xmas and give presents out anonymously. Pure class
     
  34. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    That cold chill when I say his face on the BBC news homepage.
    I think you realise emotionally before you have chance to read and process things logically.
    Just such a bloody nice guy. Knew him as a legend but met him in person on a fans day, had time for everyone, as someone else has said impossible to dislike him.

    My dad used to write to him in his second spell here to give his thoughts, he would reply, the replies felt personal and friendly and you felt part of a big family.

    Something good, the family club
     
  35. Bloke

    Bloke Reservist

    Sad day for the club and the town, he put both firmly on the map

    I've shed tears today.

    RIP
     

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