Off Topic RIP Thread. January

Met Graham Taylor about a year ago, came across as a fatanstic honest bloke.

Hopefully people look more at his great work at clubs like Watford rather than his ill-fated England tenure (that Koeman non-red against Platt was one of the worst reffing decisions ever).

I haven't seen that foul by Koeman in years and it doesn't get any better.

As you rightly said, one of the worst decisions of all time.
 
Former England manager Graham Taylor has died at the age of 72.

As a club manager, he led Watford from the Fourth Division to runners-up in the old First Division in six seasons and to the final of the 1984 FA Cup.

He guided Aston Villa to second in the First Division, returning to Watford and Villa after his England stint as well as managing Wolves.

He became England boss in 1990 but resigned in 1993 after the team failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38599231
 
Never liked the way the press went for him when England failed. Everyone saying what a decent bloke he was. In stark contrast to the tabloid press twats who lampooned him, I reckon.
 
Never liked the way the press went for him when England failed. Everyone saying what a decent bloke he was. In stark contrast to the tabloid press twats who lampooned him, I reckon.
I think that was when I started to REALLY question the point of our press, especially the red tops. Bunch of ****s.

By all accounts a lovely fella, and will be missed by quite a few.
 
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All the criticism he got had a lot to do with the substitution of Lineker against Sweden that made Phelen's sub decisions look like tactical genius.
 
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The tv fly on the wall documentary 'Graham Taylor: an impossible job' was toxic for him.

Beggars belief that his bosses could allow him (and indirectly themselves) to look so stupid by allowing access and not retaining the right to edit out the unflattering bits.
Taylor was stitched up badly and made to look an utter buffoon. Arguing with the linesman in Rotterdam in Nov 93, looking ridiculous with Phil 'Yes boss' Neal and his continual selection of Carlton Palmer.
He never recovered from this, and the London media were able to reinforce the idea that managers from outside the M25 were unsophisticated buffoons (cf BB McLaren).
 
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Newly departed Is also Bronski Beat keyboardist

Larry Steinbachek who lived only 56 years. Co founder , alongside Jimmy Somerville. The Dreaded Big"C"claims another. R.I.P.
 
The tv fly on the wall documentary 'Graham Taylor: an impossible job' was toxic for him.

Beggars belief that his bosses could allow him (and indirectly themselves) to look so stupid by allowing access and not retaining the right to edit out the unflattering bits.
Taylor was stitched up badly and made to look an utter buffoon. Arguing with the linesman in Rotterdam in Nov 93, looking ridiculous with Phil 'Yes boss' Neal and his continual selection of Carlton Palmer.
He never recovered from this, and the London media were able to reinforce the idea that managers from outside the M25 were unsophisticated buffoons (cf BB McLaren).

Not sure it's on that documentary but the clip where he rips into that clown who was giving John Barnes a gob full portrayed him really well if you ask me.

I think the abuse had a racist element to it and he tore a strip off the silly bastard.

I think he just came across as a decent bloke who made some daft decision but had some horrendous luck.

He had to play David Batty at right back in Euro '92 due to about 4 proper right backs being injured I believe.

Gary Parker, Lee Dixon, Rob Jones and Earl Barrett if memory serves me right?
 
Sad loss to football. Taking Watford from old Div 4 to 2nd in Div 1 was a major feat. Always came across as a decent bloke...Maybe too decent for some of those England ego's..Always good value on the radio when doing the pundit thing.

Seemed to have loads of bad luck with England and following Italia 1990 was always going to be tough.

RIP
 
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He talked proper, did, Graham. It used to wind up no end of folk. Daft, but it did.
 
RIP Graham Taylor. What an outstanding managerial record he had, particularly at Watford with back to back promotions to the top division and a 2nd place finish.

I always liked his honesty and integrity when he was manager of England. I liked what McMenemy said about him - simply 'He got the best out of people'.

I didn't like the media witch hunt as 'Turnip'. After defeat to Sweden. He always struck me as a decent man with a winning smile and a record as good as anyone's.

Rest in peace Graham Taylor