FITTING TRIBUTE TO BOSS TAYLOR
ROBINSON: Give Zola a fair crack at the Blues WESTLEY: Name Trophy in honour of Graham Wolves and Villa pay their respects
IT WAS an emotional night at Molineux as fans of Wolves and Aston Villa paid tribute to Graham Taylor.
The former England manager died from a suspected heart attack on Thursday at the age of 72 and English foot- ball has since united to pay its respects.
Taylor managed both Wolves and Villa so it was fitting that they faced each other yesterday.
There was a floral tribute to the ex-Watford boss, while supporters paid tribute to him with chants of ‘One Graham Taylor’ and applause in the 72nd minute.
On the pitch, Wolves took the spoils thanks to a solitary Joe Mason goal.
All EFL clubs staged a minute's applause for Taylor at games yesterday.
EFL chairman Ian Lenagan said: “He was one of football’s most knowledgeable, personable and much-loved characters.”
A HOST of EFL clubs have paid tribute to former England manager Graham Taylor, who has died at the age of 72 from a suspected heart attack.
After a playing career as a full-back with Grimsby and Lincoln was cut short by injury, he became the youngest person to become an FA coach at the age of 27 and then became the youngest manager in the Football League at the age of 28 with Lincoln in 1972.
He led Lincoln to the Fourth Division title in 1976 before going on to have great success with Watford, leading them from the Fourth Division to the topflight in five years and reaching the FA Cup final in 1984.
Taylor also enjoyed success with Aston Villa, guiding them back into Division One and taking them to runners-up spot in the division in 1989-90.
His time as England boss between 1990 to 1993 didn’t prove fruitful and Taylor was lambasted by the Press.
However, he later returned to club management with Wolves, before returning to both Watford, who he led to two promotions, and Villa for a second time before retiring.
He became a vice-president at Scunthorpe United in 2003, the town in which he grew up, and later returned to Watford, becoming chairman in 2009, and then an honorary life president.
Aston Villa, who visited Wolves yesterday, said: “We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of our former manager Graham Taylor.
“Graham joined us from Watford in the summer of 1987 and set about transforming our fortunes following relegation to the old Second Division.
“He will always have a place of honour in our history books for his achievements while at the helm.”
Wolves vice-president and record goalscorer Steve Bull played under Taylor for both Wolves and England.
“Graham was a gentleman and a very good manager,” said Bull. “I always say that if he had been given another year at Molineux he would have taken us up.
“He started the Academy at the club and we all know how successful that has proved to be.
“He was a man I had a lot of time for and my thoughts go out to his family at this sad time.”
Grimsby said: “Graham was an absolute gift to Grimsby Town, to football in general, to Lincoln, Watford, Aston Villa, and to England despite the press reaction to him that all England managers have suffered.
“It’s very sad that a oneand-only has been taken from us, but for those that knew him well, slightly, or just saw him as player, or manager, he will live forever in our memories.”
Scunthorpe United added: “Graham was appointed as a vice-president of the Iron in 2003 and still found the time to watch United on occasions. He had been in the boardroom for a couple of matches this season.
“The thoughts of everyone at Scunthorpe United are with his family at this sad time.”