The tributes that have poured forth following Graham Taylor's sad passing yesterday have shown him to be a man of absolute class, as countless football players, journalists and fans have revealed the remarkable gestures made by Taylor to them throughout his life. Paul McGrath paid tribute to the man who helped save his career and BBC presenter Mark Pougatch paid a word-perfect tribute to his former colleague on BBC Radio last night.
Supporters, too: he replied to most of the letters he received from fans, with a host of them published across social media last night in tribute.
Miles Jacobsen, a Watford fan and the man who developed Football Manager, has written a wonderful piece for the Mirror in tribute to his hero Taylor, writing that, without his influence, there may never have been a Football Manager.
Included in the piece is a wonderful anecdote from a pre-season trip to Ireland. It was during Taylor's second spell in charge of Watford, and involved Taylor meeting a group of fans, and trying to get some encouragement for a young player making his debut. It's wonderful:
In his second spell as manager at the club, a few years down the line, the club arranged a pre-season tour to Ireland. Me and some friends thought a weekend in Dublin was a very good idea, so went to watch Watford playing St. Patrick’s Athletic. We were standing outside the front of the stadium with Guinness in hand, when out strolled Mr. Taylor.
“We’ve got a young lad making his debut today named Stevie Brooker. He’s really nervous, but has a lovely left foot on him. Can you get a song ready for him?” He then grabbed a half drunk pint out of one of my mates hand, downed it, and walked off.
Stevie Brooker got the ball on the edge of the box and curled the ball in with a beautiful left foot strike. “There’s only one Stevie Brooker, one Stevie Brooker,” rang out.
Wonderful.
Read the full piece on the Mirror website.
