R.I.P. Graham Taylor

I knew he did not have the best start but did not realise it was that poor, in his third year at top flight we were bottom of the league for a while, yes how things have changed for the worse

 

GT was just mentioned in Parliament by the PM, who said Lincoln's victory last night was a fitting tribute to him.

 

It wasn't quite that bad. GT's first 11 matches as Lincoln manager were not all defeats, but he didn't win a game until his 12th match.

 

GT's first league game as WFC manager was a 3-1 win at Edgeley Park in August '77. It was my girlfriend's (now wife) first WFC match. I remember that the weather was good, the attendance was small and Ross bagged a brace. Anyone else there that day (I know from Highgrade's recent thread that we have a few "old-timers")?

 

I was there.We went on the train and seem to recall the players went back on it as well-or was that just wishful thinking.

What i do remember was us playing darts in a pub with some Stockport fans-reasonable atmosphere then which all changed once in the ground. But those days were different-as was crowd-3,000.

 

No but I was there for his first home game - a 3-1 defeat to York City (IIRC)

 

Yes, still in the habit of Going pretty much everywhere at that stage: saw every game in Kirby's relegation season, so masochism came easy. Don't remember a huge amount of detail, but I do recall a feeling that something a bit decent might be on the horizon, a thought which built up and then finally exploded at Griffin Park a couple of months later.

 

I'm afraid to say, I was a Johnny come lately. My first WFC match was home to Crewe in October '77. Stuffed 'em five goals to their two

 

I know it will be over two since the great mans sad death but does anyone know if there will be anything at the next England games, the first is away in Germany on 22 March then at Wembley on 26 March, I hope they do but may be considered yesterdays news.

 

Fabricating controversy to try and get on the towns peoples side, before she announces there is no money to fund a GT statue because they blew it installing a bridge over a 4ft wide pond.

 

They were top draw before the game in the pubs, during the game and in the evening in the pub. Really dont know where she got this from, I can only assume that someone else writes her tweets and got it mixed up with what was reported at the Luton game. If I was a boro fan would not be too happy.

 

As ever, he manages to make an article about someone else sound like it's all about him. You don't need to be a psychologist to understand the line about "yesterday's man".

 

Yes, agreed; he never needs much encouragement to bore on about the good old days. But still a well written and interesting article, I thought. Had been wondering about GT's absence from the airwaves over the past few months and whether it was linked to illness: this suggests he had slipped down the pecking order. in spite of the reference to an upcoming meeting to discuss future games on the 5live tribute programme, this does seem to be the case. I never really thought it suited him, as the brevity required from a co-commentator was never his strongest suit! Having said which, he did of course always come across as enthusiastic and engaging. Hadn't heard about the bad fall.

 

Worth picking up a copy of the Wobby today. 16 pages.

 

Funeral will be in Watford on 1st Feb. Invites only to the church (St Mary's) but it will be relayed outside, followed by a private family committal. The club are also planning a tribute event at a Vicarage Road after the end of the current PL season with money raised to go to his favourite charities.

Details on the official site.

 

Just so Meister.

 

Long shot but if anybody who's reading this is coming down to Muff tomorrow can you get me a copy please? pm me to sort out collection/paying. I should be in the Percy Whatsit 'Spoons from about 12.30

 

Even longer shot but l am really hoping some kind soul could put a copy in the post to the Philippines. Paypal is the only way I can pay for it mind.

 

I think there was a link or email address mentioned in Oliver's article for those that want to order copies.

 

TBF, that is the point of the piece. It is a personal article about what Graham meant to Oly Phillips; so it simply wouldn't have worked any other way.

 

But every article he writes is more about him than the supposed subject matter, not just this one. He's either retired or he hasn't - time to move on in my opinion !

 

I was a cub reporter on the sports desk in 81 and he was a formidable man in size and temper!

I believe he saw/sees himself as the definitive voice on Watford and he is now in a state of limbo,supposedly retired but still a regular contributor.

It's always difficult to sign off and I enjoyed his piece on GT,even if there was a little too much Ollie!

 

Its great that they had the England tribute there as well

 

I think the WO's decision to sell advertisements in its GT supplement is one of the grubbiest examples of profiteering I have ever seen.

 

Yeah! I was there, good day out but as mentioned by another poster it got a bit nasty outside afterwards - for some reason we used to have regular run-ins with Stockport fans - I think they also pitched up when we had that horrible day at Northwich Victoria and also Doncaster for some reason or another.... Think we followed that game at Stockport up with a home loss to York City - little did we know what was about to happen after that....

 

You would sooner no supplement than no ads?

 

I get where you are coming from, but I guess I grew up reading that style, and though it is indeed very much centred around his view of the world, I think that is possibly why I find his writing interesting.

Before internet and no-news overload, Oly was virtually the only source of independent news on the club, and I think we were lucky to have had such an authoritative voice coincide with that incredible period for the club. He was and still is frustrating, and I wrote to the Wobby on a few occasions to complain about his use of the paper and his huge influence to manipulate the fans and form, rather that report opinion.

I'd agree, he ain't perfect, but he was damned good at his job, and despite some massive negatives, we are better off for him being at the Wobby.

 

No - a supplement with no ads. An 8, rather than 16 page, version if necessary, but selling ads was tawdry in the extreme. I assume, given your location, you haven't seen the shabby document?

 

They've got to pay for it somehow. 95p is pretty good value imho considering staff costs etc. and it;s in addition to the rest of the paper foc.
The odd advert like Wetherspoons for example actually included their own tribute. Consider it the advertisers paying for his tribute and actually it's not such a bad thing.

 

Listened to the church service on 3CR just now. Have to say that everybody participating at the service, not least the fans attending outside the church did the great man, the club and the town proud. It was very moving and dignified