R.I.P. Graham Taylor

No. He is far too great a man for that.

 

A statue for sure but swapped with the hornet would be my choice

 

Just drove past VR and was some form of red yellow black scarves tied round all the metal pillars outside The Hornets Shop so I think they're planning something special.

 

Personally I think there should be a statue of him and Elton with their arms around each other (that iconic picture from 70s). Both deserve to be remembered

 

Have read the entire thread partly to view the tributes and experiences and stories and also for inspiration for a few words.
I am one of the truly fortunate ones to have experienced the halcyon days.
It is beyond all doubt that the club we share now is one built on the work and vision of GT and SEJ including more recently, at appropriate times, its defence when others sought to use the club for their own ends. The community links developed a while back continue and connects this town and its people to the club permanently and irrecoverably. All part of a shining example and a great legacy
Tomorrow will be very emotional for all, our club has in no small way helped to shape many lives including my own in a positive way, hence the deep sadness I feel.
Graham Taylor? A pioneer in the world of football and (with thanks to earlier poster on this thread) the greatest man ever
to walk in to Vicarage Road.
RIP and with my, and I am sure thousands of others, thanks.

 

Posted by Roy & 1881 for those without Facebook.

**1881**

We say goodbye to Mr Watford today as fans of a club that although have evolved since those glorious golden days, have not and will ever forget what he did for the club we all love today. If you're too young to remember, you would have been told....and If you were on the terraces when he took us from nothing to Europe, or been a supporter when he came back, or even just met the man on a personal level..he is embedded deep within each and every one of your hearts. That's the measure of the man Graham Taylor.

As fans, as family, as friends, as human beings, unfortunately can never stop what's coming to us all.
What we as fans will do on this occasion though is pay our respects however damn well each individual pleases. Before the game, during or after....let what will be will be naturally. Nothing will be forced in terms of what will be sung. But we all know what will be sung.

As a fanbase we are extremely lucky to have a dedicated group of fans that have pulled together in such a small amount of time to give the man the best send off we know how.

For those that are helping first thing (no more help needed) please be at the ground at 0745!

The players/officials will be leaving the tunnel EARLIER THAN NORMAL...so with this in mind...
EVERYBODY AT THEIR SEATS NO LATER THAN 14:40.

Hope we make you proud one more time GT.

 

Reading that set me off again. Wish I could be there but it takes me a minimum of 36 hours to get to the Vic.

 

I'd prefer it on the corner of Occupation and Vic Rd.

The hornet is outside Mcdonalds on a chewing gum infested pavement.

 

I heard of Gods demise at around 9.30pm on Thursday night here in WA. I received a text alert on my phone. On picking it up I saw the words "Former Watford Manager Graham Taylor..." and the rest was hidden from view.
I somehow knew what the hidden text said and gave an anguished No. My wife was somewhat upset and worried when I burst into tears. A fully grown man, upset at the death of a person he didn't know that well but had met on a couple of occasions back in the 80's.
Reading this thread and the tributes by ex and current players, managers and supporters of other teams has helped in a small way get my head round what has happened.
As other people have said, the majority if not all of the comments are not about his results or achievements but stating what a beautiful human being GT was.
I am so gutted I wont be at the game tonight. I will somehow get to watch it here in WA.
I shall stand solemnly and pay the Great Man my respects. And I shall probably be crying like a baby as I do so.
We love you Graham Taylor. Thank you so much.

 

Indeed, but as mentioned earlier, it should be somewhere in the town as the impact of both men reaches far beyond the FC.

 

By the pond ready for celebrations in future European adventures?

 

I wonder how much a bouquet in the design of that sign to send to the memorial would cost.

 

I'm not sure how I'm gonna get through today and I'm not even gonna be there. Please do him proud

 

A picture of the great man serving fans in the old supporters club-must be late 70's/early 80's -picture from Echo or Observer-cannot recall as some one sent it to me

 

I've always felt it bad luck to come on here prior to kick off (the last month has shown without doubt that thought process is rubbish) but It's hitting me more now it's match day and I start my hour long pilgrimage from Ealing. Sole rep able to make it from my family and mates so the flowers and singing will be on behalf of them as well.

Come on you 'Orns. Please don't let us down today

 

In terms of the most fitting tribute, obviously what goes on the field is important, but to me the most important thing is that the club keeps going above and beyond for the community. Helping those in the town whether football fans or not.

I believe we are still at the forefront of community presence still; The Sensory Room, the At Our Place events and the impromptu raffle to raise money for Ray Batchelor at the last one.

Hoping for 3 points still, but if I were to take one thing away from my memories of GT it would be that helping others is the greatest thing you can do and the best way to honour him.

 

Brilliant tribute on Football Focus; hugely impressed by Martin Keown's contribution. The BBC has excelled itself on GT's behalf.

 

I've just welled up watching the minute's applause at Spuds in the Estcourt - not a clue how I will be come 3pm!

 

Brilliant....

Go to 58 minutes...GT at his best!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b088j29h

 

More than a few tears today. Couldn't join in the first bout of "one Graham Taylor" due to voice cracking in a most unmanly way. Easier to belt out the "Taylor made army" monotone which didn't call for changes in pitch which my throat could just about manage.

Well done to the 1881 today for the foil display and the singing. I hope Rita and the family felt the emotion and love and that it gave them some comfort.

 

For anyone who like would to hear the pre-match tribute from a radio perspective, particularly because of the descriptive stuff, this is BBC Five Live:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b088j3n3#play

Go to 2:23:51 for the Vicarage Road bit. There's nearly 8 minutes. The reaction of Mark Chapman and Ian Dennis at the end is telling too - two national broadcasters clearly in tears and they weren't even there. Ian Dennis bless him can't even commentate on the Swansea game for about 30 seconds after it starts.

 

Perfect everybody.

A fitting tribute by fans,broadcasters,ex players,club and town.

We did him proud.

 

Just listened to it. You can really tell how he was loved and held in massively high esteem by his colleagues at 5 Live. Like Watford FC, 5 Live have indeed done GT proud. I've still got the tribute programme from Thursday evening to listen to, and I'm sure that will be as equally well done.

 

It cracked me up listening to it today, and not much does that.

 

What Hornetgags posted, Colin Murray did a fantastic bit on Fighting talk earlier today, again, another one who very obviously upset. The BBC have posted some lovely stuff on him here, listen to Motson and Keown http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38624294

Perhaps we need to have a sticky at the top of the thread with some of the links.

 

John Barnes on Soccer Am

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/10728812/-

 

Another shoutout for the BBC, beautiful stuff all round today

 

Just wonderful- started me off all over again.

 

In the Sunday Times that ******* Brian Glanville regurgitated the sour anti - Taylor stuff he's been churning out for the last 35 years. Wing Commander Reep, Charles Hughes, threat to the essence of English football, substituting Gary Lineker etc. "In due course the bubble of long ball football burst and Watford slid down the table." Never lower than 12th, to55er.

 

Apparently, there were PL clubs yesterday which opted NOT to do a minutes applause, West Ham being one of them. Disgusting if true

 

I'm sure West Ham would have sanctioned applause if Watford had made an appropriate payment