R.I.P. Graham Taylor

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

  1. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    Why am I surprised? Sullivan and co wouldn't recognise class if it hit them over the head
     
  2. Bwood_Horn

    Bwood_Horn Squad Player

    Any links/photos of the foil display. The only two I've seen are a poor photo on the beeb and (from google) one on the Daily Heil (which I wouldn't touch with moog's bargepole)...
     
  3. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    Glanville is a fine writer but too often his nasty,egotistical side comes to the fore. His piece today is evidence of that. What a pity he felt it necessary to raise that particular opinion at such a time. I thought with his maturity he would have risen above that. Apparently not.

    One of the reporters at West Ham made a point of mentioning the lack of recognition if I recall? Jackie/Jacqui Oakley perhaps.

    It's hardly a surprise is it? Two men who made their money in such a fine,upstanding industry! Deeply unpleasant characters who make Bas seem like St Francis of Assisi.
     
  4. highgrade

    highgrade Reservist

    Look on this forum home page at tweets and there is a video showing it all before the game.
     
  5. Happy bunny

    Happy bunny Cheered up a bit

    Fine writer? Only if you can stomach him showing off his knowledge of Italian football terms and conviction that only he knows how football should be played

    I remember how he used to write week after week that Kevin Keegan was nowhere near international standard; then, suddenly, Keegan was the only England player worth his place. This U-turn was never justified or explained. He also loftily told us that Stuart Pearce should never have been capped
     
  6. nisman94

    nisman94 International Man of Mystery

    The Prem teams that didn't do it yesterday were West Ham and Hull. One club ran by complete ***** and another club ran and supported by complete *****. Not really surprised there...
     
  7. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    I'm trying very hard to be objective but I agree he is an overbearing,hollier than thou,mealy mouthed,flea ridden,small minded, sour puss.Albeit with a good knowledge of overseas football!
     
  8. Happy bunny

    Happy bunny Cheered up a bit

    You're always so nice about people, IBB, and as usual you've stressed Glanville's best qualities. Nevertheless, I wish I'd written that!
     
  9. Witneyellow

    Witneyellow Reservist

    Nicely observed at OT this afternoon and an audible chorus of "one Graham Taylor" from the stands too.
     
  10. Halfwayline

    Halfwayline Reservist

  11. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    There is a small empty numb ache inside and always will be knowing that this man will no longer around at the place where he created history. More than any other man he put this town on the map and as such he deserves a statue either at the stadium or in the centre of town. Something which perhaps should have been considered a few years ago and which needs to come to fruition.

    One of the greatest club managers this country has produced. An innovator and like all the other greats like Clough, Shankley, Chapman etc etc a great man motivator who knew when to use the stick and the carrot, tactically shrewd, emphasized physical fitness, one of the first to analyze games thoroughly despite lacking the modern tools that are now available and as many players will testify made an 'average' player into a better one through his own ability and insight.

    Not only loved here but at all the clubs he managed and but for some bad officiating and finishing would have been one of the better England managers. Graham himself being the gentleman he was never held any rancour to the gutter tabloid press but I certainly do. They are despicable and know practically know next to nothing about football.

    They had it in for him for no reason other than he dared to pick players from what they regard as unfashionable clubs, their own pet favourites and had already decided his style of football was not sophisticated enough for them.

    I had the privilege albeit for only a few minutes of meeting him three times and he was the kindest, friendliest person one could hope to meet. Apart from being a great footballing man he was a great human being and there cannot be any finer accolade than that. Worth more than any cups or medals not to mention all the wonderful memories he gave to countless thousands.
     
  12. Guy

    Guy Squad Player

    Couldn't leave it even after 3o years, a complete and utter ****
     
  13. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    That's not what the rotund woman next to me last week thought when I said "come on Tubby" to Troy!

    I agree Man Utd and Liverpool were excellent in their appreciation.

    It's been a rough four days to say the least and even the nonagenarian fist swinging woman of St Albans* was in floods of tears last night.

    * My Mother.

    Here's hoping Walt and the ragazzi can improve our spirits in the coming months.
     
  14. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Very bitter sounding - actually I remember when the old Notts County manager of the 80s died the bloke made some reference to the fact at least this manager played football "as it should be"

    Sometimes people do hold grudges - GT wasn't one of them though.
     
  15. SteveTerry

    SteveTerry Academy Graduate

    Read the article. Smacked of complete bitterness. Funny thing is when Glanville pops his clogs he'll be lucky if one man and a dog turn up to his funeral, let alone get near to having a stadium sing his name in unison. Compete c**t.
     
  16. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    [video=youtube;3ct4mpavKRQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ct4mpavKRQ[/video]

    Familiar themes in the video and as we know comes across as a very caring man and talks about Dennis Booth at about 16'. The Imps faithful revere him along with the Villains and will be giving him a rousing send off tomorrow in their televised FA Cup replay against Ipswich Town.

    Some articles:

    http://www.espnfc.com/club/watford/...n-unmistakable-and-valuable-legacy-at-watford
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...oach-turn-average-talents-better-players.html

    Great lover of cricket:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04p7js2

    Some more anecdotes from other clubs:

    'I met Graham a few years ago at Ewood Park when he was covering a Rovers game for Radio 5 live. There is a press room in the Jack Walker stand were journalists congregate before going into the stadium, he was there as part of the Radio 5 Live team. We had a long chat about the lack of Asian players in football and he was a very intelligent bloke who was interested in learning about possible cultural reasons. A year or so later I saw him again, he came across and he had remembered my name and we chatted again'.



    'I was fortunate enough to meet the man on many occasions, both growing up during his management and in later years and always found him to simply be the most lovely guy you could meet.

    The first time though, that was the one. I was a kid, wide eyed and enthralled in the passion of the game, hanging around BMH in the holidays and trying to get a glimpse of my favourite players (all of whom he had signed). In those days you could walk into BMH, right up to the changing rooms. No security, no autographs through car windows, Taylor would have hated that side of the game today.

    So I'm hanging around outside and out comes Graham Taylor "So you're my new number 9 then?" he says with a big grin, getting down to speak to me on my level. Something Taylor was a master at in more ways than one. Before I know it he has summoned out Spinksy, Birch, McGrath and Platt. He then proceeds to get me in a penalty comp against Platt and Birch with Spink's in net, telling me McGrath's knee's will fall apart if he takes one.

    That was Graham Taylor. No ego, no self importance just a really decent bloke who loved what he did, took no nonsense from anyone and just happened to be bloody good at the job. But above all that he was the sort of guy who would do that sort of thing for a young and impressionable fan.'

    BMH is Bodymoor Heath Villa's training facility.


    [​IMG]
     
  17. Steel City Gold

    Steel City Gold Reservist

    Thanks for that Smudger.

    One of my best mates up here is an Imps fan. He'll be at the game tomorrow night and is looking forward to being part of their goodbye to GT.

    And as for the BMH story? Dear oh Lord, just absolutely lovely.
     
  18. LondonOrn

    LondonOrn Squad Player

    One thing I loved about one of the player tributes at half time on Saturday (think it was from Ian Bolton) was the way GT nurtured the players at his clubs, and through this along with many other ways was instrumental in creating this family atmosphere that remains central to the ethos of this club.

    He said that Graham wasn't just about improving players, making them play well as individuals and as part of a team and work hard, but he took a keen interest in them as people, their wellbeing and outside interests. May seem obvious, but it's a quality of good management, as well as any form of teaching, that is all too often overlooked. And from reading all those ancedotes from people connected not just with Watford but other clubs he managed, it's really heartwarming to realize especially if you weren't fully aware of it already how much of this interest extended to people within the larger community, fans, non-playing staff, press alike.
     
  19. Halfwayline

    Halfwayline Reservist

  20. HornetHopefuls

    HornetHopefuls Academy Graduate

    Just read on Watford observer that the travelling Luton fans to Crewe despite joining in the applause before the game then went onto singing an offensive chant about Graham Taylor, absolutely disgusting.It's a shame even the minority couldn't show respect.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2017
  21. David Squires cartoon this week is a wonderful tribute

    [​IMG]
     
  22. iamofwfc

    iamofwfc Squad Player

    There was alway going to be a few I am afraid, most clubs will have them, when David Pleat passes away I am sure the same will happen at the vic (i hope not though), we have a regular Poster on here that had a Christmas wish that Eddie Howe had died.

    Its just the way society is, but for the majority of fans around the country, even I am shocked how complementary they have been.

    I thought a lot of fans would hold the England thing against him, but it seems the majority do realise that he was a real football man and did it for the love of football and not the love of money. Dont think any other England manager has ever wanted to succeed more then him, maybe Sir Bobby is on Par.
     
  23. Luther Bassett

    Luther Bassett Reservist

    And, for all his idiosyncrasies, Sir Alf.

    Which reminds me, was astonished at how big a bar steward Ron Greenwood is portrayed as in the Bobby Moore drama which began last week. Thought he was on schedule for sainthood?
     
  24. onion8837

    onion8837 Reservist

    I think there was a lot of artistic license in that particular show !
     
  25. Bwood_Horn

    Bwood_Horn Squad Player

    Aren't Lincoln City doing some "big" tonight?
     
  26. iamofwfc

    iamofwfc Squad Player

    heard on the radio they were, live on BBC so I hope the bbc give it good coverage
     
  27. J.B

    J.B First Team

    The least surprising thing to happen ever. Utter pondlife so desperate for attention that they use the death of someone who was about 500x the man that they will ever be.
     
  28. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Sadly I feel the Millwall lot will be a bit nasty too...
     
  29. iamofwfc

    iamofwfc Squad Player

    Think they may surprise you (and hope)

    Leeds were as good as gold on thursday and showed loads of respect
     
  30. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Hope you are right.

    Lincoln having a few banners and minutes applause in tribute tonight.
     
  31. IRB

    IRB THe artist formally know as ImRonBurgundy?

    Superb from the club

    [video=youtube;1FoJ9P7luzo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FoJ9P7luzo[/video]

    Edit - chorus could potentially make a decent chant...
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2017
  32. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    That's set me off again,I've cried all over the cat!
     
  33. IRB

    IRB THe artist formally know as ImRonBurgundy?

    Superb win from Lincoln tonight, fully deserved and good to see Theo Robinson involved

    Shame our boys couldn't manage a similar performance on Saturday
     
  34. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Heard GT lost his first 11 games at Lincoln - just shows how management really has changed in terms of instant demands.
     
  35. Derbyhorn

    Derbyhorn Academy Graduate

    Reminded me of the chant "We're going up again" which we sang as we progressed from the 4th to the 1st under GT, so it seemed especially apt for this tribute. Some new words and I agree it would still make a great chant.
     

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