Tribute To The Great Graham Taylor

by Jack Kitson / 12 January 2017, 14:34

The football world has lost a real gentleman in Graham Taylor who has sadly passed away at the age of just 72.

Taylor enjoyed great success in the managerial arena with the likes of Watford, Aston Villa and Lincoln City, while he managed England in the early 1990s.

Taylor first ventured into the dugout with the Imps at the tender age of just 28, spending five years at the helm, during which he led his troops to the Fourth Division title with a record points haul of 74, registering a whopping 32 wins in the process.

Taylor then moved to Watford, and in the space of just five years he remarkably propelled his troops from the deep depths of the Fourth Division up into the top-flight, where they went on to finish 2nd and gain qualification into the UEFA Cup, while they later finished runners-up to Everton in the 1984 FA Cup Final.

After 10 years at the helm Taylor voyaged up to the Midlands where he took over at fallen giants Aston Villa, who had suffered relegation from the First Division, only six years after hoisting the English title.

Taylor drove Villa back up to the top-flight at the first time of asking, before saving them from the drop, then proceeded to lead the club up to 2nd spot, falling just short of hoisting the title.

Taylor’s immense achievements won him the England job, where he won 18 of his 33 matches before resigning from his post after The Three Lions missed out on qualification to the 1994 World Cup.

Taylor then returned to club management with Wolves, before returning for second spells at both Watford and Villa.

Former players, pundits, and fans have been quick to pay tribute to the former England manager following the sad news:

Taylor enjoyed great success with both Watford and Aston Villa:

Everyone at #watfordfc is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our most successful manager. We love you, Graham Taylor. #thankyouGT
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) January 12, 2017

We are deeply saddened today by news of the death of our former manager Graham Taylor. RIP Graham. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/QCU1cCzCxN
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 12, 2017

Sir Elton John worked with Taylor at Watford:

I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear about Graham's passing. He was like a brother to me. We shared an unbreakable bond since we first met. We went on an incredible journey together and it will stay with me forever. He took my beloved Watford from the depths of the lower leagues to unchartered territory and into Europe. We have become a leading English club because of his managerial wisdom and genius. This is a sad and dark day for Watford. The club and the town. We will cherish Graham and drown our sorrows in the many brilliant memories he gave us. I love you Graham. I will miss you very much. My thoughts go out to Rita, Joanne, Karen and the whole Taylor family. @watfordfcofficial #GrahamTaylor #RIP
A photo posted by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on Jan 12, 2017 at 6:00am PST

Shearer memorably won his first of 63 England caps under Taylor:

Completely shocked by news of Graham Taylor. Always held him in the very highest regard - the man who gave me my first @england cap. So sad.
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) January 12, 2017

Taylor certainly left his mark in the world of football: