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Graham Taylor (15 September 1944 – 12 January 2017) was an English football player, manager, pundit and chairman of Watford Football Club. He was the manager of the England national football team from 1990 to 1993, and also managed Lincoln City, Watford, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Key Information

Born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire,[2] Taylor grew up in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, which he regarded as his hometown.[3] The son of a sports journalist[4] who worked on the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph, Taylor found his love of football in the stands of the Old Show Ground watching Scunthorpe United. He became a professional player, playing at full back for Grimsby Town and Lincoln City. After retiring as a result of injury in 1972, Taylor became a manager and coach. He won the Fourth Division title with Lincoln in 1976, before moving to Watford in 1977. He took Watford from the Fourth Division to the First in five years. Under Taylor, Watford were First Division runners-up in 1982–83, and FA Cup finalists in 1984. Taylor took over at Aston Villa in 1987, leading the club to promotion in 1988 and 2nd place in the First Division in 1989–90.

In July 1990, he became the manager of the England team. They qualified for the 1992 European Championship but were knocked out in the group stages. Taylor resigned in November 1993, after the team failed to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Taylor faced heavy criticism from fans and media during his tenure as England manager and earned additional public interest and scrutiny when a television documentary, An Impossible Job, which he had permitted to film the failed campaign from behind the scenes, aired in 1994.

Taylor returned to club management in March 1994 with Wolverhampton Wanderers. After one season at Molineux, he returned to Watford and led the club to the Premier League in 1999 after back-to-back promotions. His last managerial role was manager of Aston Villa, to which he returned in 2002. He left at the end of the 2002–03 season. Taylor served as Watford's chairman from 2009 until 2012, after which he held the position of honorary life-president. He also worked as a pundit for BBC Radio 5 Live.

Early life

[edit]

Born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire,[2] Taylor moved in 1947 to a council house in Scunthorpe, where his father, Tom, was the sports reporter for the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph. He went to the Henderson Avenue Junior School, then Scunthorpe Grammar School (now The St Lawrence Academy), where he met his future wife, Rita, from Winteringham. He played for the England Grammar Schools football team, and joined the sixth form after passing six O-levels in 1961, but he left after one year to pursue a full-time career in football. His head teacher disapproved of his actions and told him: "Grammar school boys don't become footballers".[5]

Playing career

[edit]

His playing career began with as an apprentice for Scunthorpe United.[6] He then went on to join Grimsby Town in 1962 and played his first competitive game for them in September 1963 against Newcastle United when they won 2–1. He played 189 games at fullback for Grimsby Town, scoring twice. He was transferred to Lincoln City in the summer of 1968 for a fee of £4,000, scoring once in 150 appearances before being forced to retire from playing following a serious hip injury in 1972.

Club managerial career

[edit]

Records

[edit]

Taylor was the only manager to have twice led teams that amassed over 70 points in one Football League season under the League's original scoring system of two points for a win and one point for a draw. This system was introduced for the inaugural 1888–89 season and was retained for over 90 years until the reward for a win was increased to three points in 1981. He achieved this with Lincoln City (74 points – 1976) and Watford (71 points – 1978).[7] Only two other clubs, Doncaster Rovers (72 points – 1947) and Rotherham United (71 points – 1951), managed to gain over 70 points in one season under the original scoring system.

Lincoln City (1972–1977)

[edit]

Taylor was the youngest person to become an FA coach, at the age of 27.[8] Following his retirement from playing, and a spell as player coach, Taylor became manager of Lincoln City, being the youngest manager in the league at the age of 28, on 7 December 1972 after David Herd resigned.[9] In his first season Lincoln finished 10th, then 12th in 1974, but the following season narrowly missed out on promotion after a 3–2 defeat at Southport on 28 April 1975.[10]

Taylor led Lincoln to the Fourth Division title in 1976;[8] his team's 32 wins, 4 defeats and 74 points were all league records (when 2 points were awarded for a win).[11][12] Lincoln finished 9th in the Third Division in 1976-1977 under Taylor.[10]

Watford (1977–1987)

[edit]

In June 1977, Taylor was hired to manage Watford by new owner Elton John. He turned down an approach from First Division West Bromwich Albion in favour of the Hertfordshire-based club, then competing in the Fourth Division, surprising pundits and supporters alike. John acted on the advice of Don Revie when hiring Taylor.[13]

Taylor led Watford from the Fourth Division to the First Division in only five years.[14] In his first season Watford won the 1977–78 Fourth Division title, losing only five of 46 games and winning the division by 11 points.[15] In the Third Division Taylor led Watford to another promotion, finishing second, and losing out on the title by one point in the 1978–79 season.[16]

Taylor's third season, in the Second Division, was less successful. Indicating the tougher competition, Watford managed only an 18th finish, out of 22 teams, avoiding relegation by eight points and winning only 12 of their 42 games in the 1979–80 season.[17] In the next season, the 1980–81 season, Taylor improved Watford's performance, ending it with 16 wins and a 9th-place finish.[18] In the 1981–82 season Watford achieved promotion, ending the season in 2nd place, and gaining 23 wins and 11 draws in 42 games.[19]

In the First Division with Taylor as manager, Watford gained its highest-ever victory (8–0 against Sunderland)[7] as well as the "double" over Arsenal, an away win at Tottenham Hotspur, and home victories over Everton and Liverpool; this resulted in Watford finishing runners-up in the entire Football League.[20] He then took the side to the third round of the UEFA Cup, having finished second in 1982–83 (the club's first season as a top division club). Taylor also led Watford to the 1984 FA Cup final, which Watford lost to Everton 2–0.[21] In his final season, 1986–87, Watford finished ninth in the league and reached the FA Cup semi-finals, missing out on another Wembley appearance when they lost to Tottenham Hotspur, their chances hardly helped by the fact that both of their first team goalkeepers were injured.[22]

Aston Villa (1987–1990)

[edit]

In May 1987, Taylor left Watford for a new challenge at Aston Villa, who had just been relegated from the First Division.[23] Second-tier football was a terrible setback for the Midlanders, who had won the European Cup just five years earlier and had been league champions six years earlier.[24]

Taylor managed to take Aston Villa back to the top flight with his first attempt, securing their top flight safety in 1988–89 with a draw on the final day of the league season.[25] During his third season at the club Villa finished runners-up in the First Division, having led the league table at several stages of the season before being overhauled in the final weeks by Liverpool.[26] Following this success, Taylor accepted an offer to take over the England national football team from Bobby Robson, who left the job after England's semi-final defeat to West Germany at the 1990 World Cup.[27]

International management: England (1990–1993)

[edit]

Appointment

[edit]

When Taylor was appointed, critics in the media complained that he had never won a major trophy – although he had taken teams to second place in the league twice and an FA Cup final once in 1984. It was also pointed out that Taylor had never played in "top-flight" football, let alone international level and that winning the respect of the players might be difficult. His critics also noted although he had ditched the long-ball game at Aston Villa, there were still tactical worries about his intentions, given that English clubs were looking to dispense with "route one" football in favour of a more "picturesque route to goal".[28]

1992 European Championship

[edit]

Despite the unease at his appointment, England lost just once in Taylor's first 23 matches (a 1–0 defeat to Germany at Wembley Stadium in September 1991).[29] However, England struggled to qualify for Euro '92. In a group containing Turkey, Ireland, and Poland, England were held to two 1–1 draws by Ireland and managed just 1–0 wins home and away against Turkey. It was only a late goal from Gary Lineker against Poland that saw England qualify at Ireland's expense. England's qualification for the Euro 92 finals proved to be the high point of Taylor's tenure.[30]

The number of players that Taylor was using in the run up to the championship was also questioned, the press and public viewed this as evidence Taylor did not know his best team. He used 59 players in total, as he struggled to find a "new spine" after the retirement of Peter Shilton, Terry Butcher and Bryan Robson.[31] He also faced accusations he could not cope with "stars", after he dropped Paul Gascoigne for Gordon Cowans for a qualifying game against Ireland.[32] fearing he might "lose his head" in what would be a "bruising" encounter.[33] Matters were not helped by Taylor's reluctance to use creative players who were not perceived to have high work rates, such as Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley. He also suffered several injuries, notably to Gary Stevens, Lee Dixon, John Barnes and Paul Gascoigne, leaving the squad in a makeshift position going into the finals.[34]

England were drawn to face France, Denmark and hosts Sweden in group 1. In the opening game against Denmark, England started brightly and missed several chances to take a lead. David Platt was guilty of a particularly glaring miss. Thereafter, Denmark began to dominate the match, and nearly won with minutes left as John Jensen struck a post. The game ended 0–0.[35] In the match against France, Platt nearly scored with a diving header which went inches wide of the post, and Stuart Pearce hit the bar with a free-kick. The game also ended 0–0.[36][37]

England needed to beat hosts Sweden to advance to the semi-finals. Lineker crossed for Platt to open the scoring on four minutes with a mishit volley. However, England wasted several chances to extend their lead. Platt made a pass to Tony Daley who wasted a chance to pass to Lineker in the open. England held a slender 1–0 lead at half-time.[38][39] After half-time, Sweden changed their personnel and formation, and dominated the second half, scoring twice to win 2–1 and eliminating England.[36]

During the game, after 60 minutes and with the score at 1–1, Taylor substituted Gary Lineker in his final game for England, preventing Lineker from having the chance to equal, or possibly break, Bobby Charlton's record of 49 goals for England. Many were dismayed to see Taylor substitute England's top striker when his side needed a goal. This led to the media's vilification of Taylor, including the "turnip" campaign by The Sun, which began the morning after the game under the headline: "Swedes 2 Turnips 1". During that campaign, the newspaper's back page featured an image of Taylor's face superimposed onto a turnip.[40]

1994 World Cup Qualification

[edit]

Stuttering start

[edit]
The Sun headline on 24 November 1993 following Taylor's resignation as England manager. Eighteen months earlier he had been called a "Turnip" by the newspaper, after England's defeat to Sweden in Euro 1992

Taylor's relationship with the press was partially restored when he admitted his mistakes a few weeks after the finals.[41] However, this did not last long. England's first game after Euro 92 ended in a 1–0 defeat to Spain in a friendly, The Sun depicted Taylor as a "Spanish onion".[42]

England were drawn in Qualification Group 2 for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The group contained Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey and San Marino. England were expected to qualify along with the Dutch.

England began with a disappointing 1–1 draw with Norway. Norway were the early pace setters, with victories over San Marino, the Netherlands and Turkey. Gascoigne returned, but the Norwegians were confident.[43] Despite dominating the game, England could muster only half-chances. Platt gave England the lead in the 55th minute after a cross from Stuart Pearce.

Norway rarely threatened, but equalised in the 77th minute, when Kjetil Rekdal scored from 20 yards. The draw flattered the Norwegians but put them clear in the group.

Three wins and a Dutch draw

[edit]

The campaign seemed to get back on track with two wins against Turkey (4–0 at home and 2–0 away) and a 6–0 home victory over San Marino. During the latter game, Taylor confronted a spectator who was racially abusing Jamaica-born John Barnes, telling him "You're talking about another human being so just watch your language".[44]

In April 1993, England faced the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium. England went 2–0 up in 24 minutes through John Barnes and David Platt. However, Taylor's luck had started to take a turn for the worse, as Paul Gascoigne was injured by Jan Wouters' elbow, but Wouters was not sent off.

Dennis Bergkamp scored a goal for the Netherlands towards the end of the first half, against the run of play, but England continued to control the game, and looked to be heading for a win which would have ended Dutch hopes of qualification, following the side's defeat in Norway, and a draw at home to Poland.

But four minutes from full-time Marc Overmars outpaced Des Walker, prompting Walker to foul him inside the penalty area. The penalty was converted by Peter Van Vossen and the game ended 2–2. Suddenly England's "World Cup life" looked in danger.[42]

Draw in Poland, defeat in Norway

[edit]

England's next chance of reviving their flagging fortunes came in May, requiring at least a win and draw away against Poland and Norway which were to be played just three days apart. England were poor against Poland and were largely outplayed.[45] Dariusz Adamczuk of Poland scored in the 36th minute, although the team missed several chances to extend their lead. Ian Wright salvaged a vital point through forcing an equaliser in the 85th minute, for a final score of 1–1.[45] Taylor was again vilified for his team's poor performance. England's next opponents were Norway.

The Norwegians had arrived from obscurity and had taken the group by storm; their series of early victories had left England, Poland, and the Netherlands scrapping for second place.[45] Taylor made wholesale changes of personnel and tactics, which again drew criticism, his actions considered risky in what was now a crucial game. Lee Sharpe and Lee Dixon came on as wing-backs, while Carlton Palmer and Platt occupied midfield berths. Gascoigne supported Teddy Sheringham and Les Ferdinand up-front. Des Walker, Tony Adams and Gary Pallister formed a back three.[45]

England lost 2–0, with few attempts on goal. Lars Bohinen and Øyvind Leonhardsen scored the goals in the 42nd and 47th minutes. The first was caused by a Des Walker error, while Walker was beaten for pace by a Norwegian counter-attack for Bohinen to score[46] Subsequently, Taylor said: "We made a complete mess of it. I'm here to be shot at and take the rap. I have no defence for our performance",[47] although his honesty did not spare him a roasting from the press, who were now calling for his head.[47] The press came up with headlines such as "NORSE MANURE" and "OSLO RANS".[48]

In July 1993, Peter Newman, an independent candidate in a parliamentary by-election for Christchurch, stood under the banner "Sack Graham Taylor".[49]

The US Cup

[edit]

With their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, Taylor's England were to play a four-team Tournament in the U.S (1993 U.S. Cup), which was expected to be a precursor to the following summer's tournament. Taylor stated before the game against the United States:

In football, you're only as good as your last game, and at the moment we're poor. You can always lose any game, to anyone. It's how you lose that matters. That was the thing that shocked us all in Norway. We would have been looking for a win here anyhow, but if we'd won last week, it wouldn't have been considered essential. Now it is. Whether we like it or not, people expect us to beat America, and there is definitely more intensity about this game because of our performance in the last one.[50]

For Taylor, the US Cup began with a humiliating 2–0 defeat in Boston, to the United States with Thomas Dooley and Alexi Lalas scoring goals, which was reported by The Sun as "YANKS 2 PLANKS 0!".[51][52]

Some pride was restored with a credible 1–1 draw with Brazil, and a narrow 2–1 defeat to Germany. Taylor was now living on borrowed time.[53]

Crucial match against the Netherlands

[edit]

The 1993–94 season began with a much-improved performance, with a 3–0 win over Poland raising the nation's hopes going into what was now the crucial match against the Netherlands in Rotterdam.[53]

In October, England were to play the Netherlands in Rotterdam. With Norway having won the group, the encounter would effectively decide the second and last qualifier of the group. The game was played at a furious pace, with the Netherlands putting England under pressure early on. However, England hit back with a string of counterattacks, with Platt heading just wide and Tony Adams having a shot cleared off the line by Erwin Koeman, while Tony Dorigo hit a post with a deflected 35-yard free-kick after 25 minutes.[53][54]

Two minutes before half-time England were fortunate to have a Frank Rijkaard goal ruled out for offside, even though replays showed the goal was legitimate.[53] Later in the second half, with the game scoreless, David Platt was fouled by Ronald Koeman as he approached the Dutch goal. The German referee failed to apply the rule of sending him off for a professional foul. The Dutch charged down Dorigo's free kick, although they were clearly encroaching.[55] Just minutes later, Koeman took a free kick outside England's penalty area. His first shot was blocked, but it was ordered to be retaken because of encroachment.[53] Koeman scored at the second attempt.

Paul Merson hit a post with a free-kick moments later, before Dennis Bergkamp scored, despite using his arm to control the ball, for a 2–0 win.[53] In the meantime, Taylor was in an apoplectic mood on the touchline, berating the officials and referee as the significance of the result sank in.[53]

San Marino and resignation

[edit]

England still had a chance to qualify, providing the Netherlands lost in Poland on the same night, with England winning by a seven-goal margin or more. As such, England were hoping they could run up a big score against part-time minnows San Marino. But after just 8.3 seconds of play Davide Gualtieri, a computer salesman, scored the fastest ever World Cup goal after a defensive error from Stuart Pearce. England took another twenty minutes to find an equaliser and eventually won 7–1, but the Netherlands won in Poland 3–1 and so England failed to qualify. Even if the Netherlands had not beaten Poland, England's inferior goal difference would have still meant they had failed to qualify.[56]

Taylor resigned on 23 November 1993, six days after England's failure to qualify. He went "with great sadness", saying: "No one can gauge the depth of my personal disappointment at not qualifying for the World Cup. This is the appropriate course of action in the circumstances," he said. "If we didn't qualify, it was always my intention to offer my resignation."[57] Taylor had also agreed to be filmed during the qualifying campaign for Cutting Edge, a Channel 4 fly-on-the-wall documentary series, in which his portrayal further undermined his authority. This was during the film An Impossible Job; Taylor was heard to use foul language, and what became his personal catchphrase: "Do I not like that", uttered just before England conceded a goal to Poland.[58]

Return to club management

[edit]

Wolverhampton Wanderers (1994–1995)

[edit]

Sir Jack Hayward appointed Taylor as manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 1994, replacing Graham Turner. Taylor had been a generally unpopular figure in English football since his unsuccessful reign as national coach, and few people seemed willing to forgive him for his first managerial failure – one that mattered most to so many people up and down the country. But the following season Taylor took the Midlands club to fourth in Division One to qualify for the playoffs – their highest league finish since their last top division season eleven years earlier – where they lost out to Bolton Wanderers. They also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after a memorable replay penalty shootout victory over Sheffield Wednesday, in which they were 3–0 down on penalties, only to win the shootout 4–3, in which Chris Bart-Williams had two penalties saved over the two matches.

Taylor spent heavily on players while at Wolves, paying large sums for the likes of Steve Froggatt, Tony Daley, Mark Atkins, John de Wolf, Dean Richards and Don Goodman.[59]

However, the 1994–95 season proved to be his only full season at Molineux, as, after a poor start to the following campaign, winning just four of the first sixteen league games, he resigned on 13 November 1995 due to overwhelming supporter pressure. During his tenure, he attempted to perform a citizen's arrest on a fan who had spat at him, prompting calls for closer crowd controls in the English game.[60]

Taylor called his Wolves' departure his "lowest ebb" in football - greater than even his Lancaster Gate exit - because he felt he had "lost his standing" in the game of football.[61]

Return to Watford (1996–2001)

[edit]

In February 1996 Elton John, who had recently bought Watford for a second time, appointed Taylor as General Manager at Vicarage Road. Just over a year later Taylor had appointed himself as the club's manager succeeding Kenny Jackett, who was relegated to a coaching capacity at the club. Taylor later stated that the role of General Manager had "bored me stiff".[62] He won the Division Two championship at his first attempt in 1998.[63]

The following season Watford won the Division One Play-off Final, beating Bolton Wanderers 2–0 at Wembley, and with it promotion to the Premier League. Taylor missed two months of the season as in November 1998 he was taken to hospital with a life-threatening abscess that blocked his windpipe and almost killed him.[64]

Watford were relegated from the Premiership after one season.[65] Despite starting the following season well – unbeaten through the first fifteen league games and heading the table – Watford slumped to finish 9th in Division One.[66] At this point he decided to retire.[67] During this final season Taylor had become only the third manager to manage 1,000 league games in England, after Brian Clough and Jim Smith.[68]

Return to Aston Villa (2002–2003)

[edit]

Taylor came out of retirement in February 2002 to return to his old job at Aston Villa, but retired for a second time after Villa finished the 2002–03 season in 16th place in the Premiership.[69] He subsequently cited tensions in his relationship with the club's chairman Doug Ellis and argued for an overhaul of the club's upper management to allow the club to be more competitive.[70]

Later life

[edit]
In 2014, this stand at Vicarage Road was renamed to honour Taylor

In 2003, Taylor became vice-president at Division Three club Scunthorpe United, his hometown club.[71] From 2004, he worked as a pundit on BBC Radio 5 Live,[21] and managed a team of celebrities for Sky One's annual series, The Match.

His time at Scunthorpe saw a turnaround in the club's fortunes. In his first season on the board, they narrowly avoided relegation to the Conference. The following season, they were promoted to League One. Two years after that, they were promoted to the Championship as League One champions.[72]

Taylor returned to Watford on 23 January 2009, being appointed to the new board as a non-executive director and was appointed interim chairman on 16 December 2009.[73] Taylor announced his resignation from his position as chairman on 30 May 2012. He retained the position of honorary life president of the club until his death in 2017.[74]

In 2014, Watford renamed the Rous Stand the Graham Taylor Stand to honour his achievements in two spells at the club.[21]

Other work

[edit]

Taylor was a supporter of Sense-National Deafblind and Rubella Association and a Patron of DebRa. He was a Celebrity Ambassador for the Sense Enterprise Board in Birmingham, and worked to raise both funds and awareness, including running the London Marathon in 2004.[75] He regularly hosted moderated "online coaching seminars" on the DALnet channel. He also supported the Royal British Legion and cycled from London to Paris in 2010 to raise funds for the RBL's Poppy appeal.[76]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Taylor married Rita Cowling at Scunthorpe Congregationalist Church on 22 March 1965.[77] They had two daughters.[78]

Taylor died suddenly and unexpectedly of a "suspected heart attack"[79] at his home in Kings Langley early on the morning of 12 January 2017. He was 72.[80][81][82] His funeral was held nearby, on 1 February at St Mary's Church, Watford, with many football figures in attendance.[83]

Honours

[edit]

As a manager

[edit]

[67]

Lincoln City
Watford
Aston Villa

Managerial statistics

[edit]

[84]

Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Lincoln City Dec 1972 Jun 1977 236 104 69 63 044.07
Watford Jun 1977 May 1987 527 244 124 159 046.30
Aston Villa May 1987 Jul 1990 142 65 35 42 045.77
England Jul 1990 Nov 1993 38 18 13 7 047.37
Wolverhampton Wanderers Mar 1994 Nov 1995 88 37 27 24 042.05
Watford Feb 1996 Jun 1996 18 5 8 5 027.78
Watford Jun 1997 May 2001 202 79 52 71 039.11
Aston Villa Feb 2002 May 2003 60 19 14 27 031.67
Total 1,311 571 342 398 043.55

Further reading

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Graham Taylor

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Graham Taylor (15 September 1944 – 12 January 2017) was an English professional football manager and former player, best known for transforming from the fourth tier to the top flight of English football and for his tenure as manager of the England national team from 1990 to 1993. Born in , , Taylor began his playing career as a centre-half with Grimsby Town in 1962, making 189 appearances before moving to Lincoln City in 1968, where he played 151 matches until retiring in 1972 due to a hip injury. Taylor's managerial career started at age 28 with Lincoln City in December 1972, making him the youngest manager in the Football League at the time; he led them to the Division Four title in the 1975–76 season. In 1977, he took over at , achieving successive promotions from Division Four (1977–78) and Division Three (1978–79), followed by promotion to the First Division in 1982, along with an appearance in 1984 and a second-place finish in the top flight in 1983. His emphasis on community engagement included requiring players to live within 30 miles of the club's stadium and participate in local initiatives, fostering strong ties with supporters. From 1987 to 1990, Taylor managed Aston Villa, securing promotion to the First Division in 1988 and guiding them to second place in 1990, while notably signing and supporting defender Paul McGrath through personal challenges, enabling a career revival. Appointed England manager in July 1990, he oversaw 38 matches with 18 wins, 13 draws, and 7 losses, including qualification for the in 1992, but resigned in November 1993 after failing to qualify for the amid intense media scrutiny. Later roles included a brief stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1994, a return to from 1996 to 2001 where he achieved back-to-back promotions and reached the in 1999, and a second spell at Aston Villa from 2002 to 2003. Taylor also served as 's chairman from 2009 to 2011 and was posthumously remembered for his kindness, generosity, and player development skills. His honours include the OBE in 2002, induction into the Hall of Fame as a Community Champion in 2010, and the Football Writers' Association Tribute Award in 2002.

Early life and playing career

Early life

Graham Taylor was born on 15 September 1944 in , , , to Thomas "Tommy" Taylor, a sports reporter, and Dorothy Taylor, a postwoman. The family relocated to , , in 1947 when Taylor was three years old, where his father took up a position covering local sports for the Scunthorpe Star and Evening Telegraph, immersing the young Taylor in the world of football from an early age. In , which Taylor later regarded as his hometown, he developed a keen interest in the sport through participation in school sports and local youth teams, often attending matches at the stadium where his father reported on Scunthorpe United. Taylor attended Grammar School, where he continued to hone his football skills as part of the school team, passing the exam to secure his place there. At the age of 16 in 1961, he left school to pursue a football apprenticeship with United, undergoing initial trials and youth development training that marked the beginning of his professional involvement in the game. His father's career in profoundly shaped Taylor's early understanding of football's broader media and public dimensions, as he frequently accompanied his father to matches and observed the reporting process firsthand, fostering an appreciation for the sport beyond the pitch. This foundation propelled him toward a professional playing career shortly thereafter.

Playing career

Graham Taylor began his professional football career as an apprentice at United in 1961, where he initially played as an inside-forward before transitioning to full-back. He did not make a senior appearance for the club but gained valuable experience in their youth setup. In July 1962, Taylor signed professionally with Grimsby Town, making his senior debut as a full-back in September 1963. Over six seasons in the Third Division, he became a consistent starter, appearing in 189 league matches and scoring 2 goals. His reliability in defense helped stabilize the team during a period of mid-table finishes, contributing to mid-table stability in the mid-1960s. Taylor transferred to Lincoln City in July 1968 for a fee of £4,000 and was immediately appointed club captain. Playing in the Fourth Division, he made 151 league appearances and scored 1 goal over four years, providing leadership and solidity at the back during the club's campaigns in the lower divisions. A persistent hip injury forced Taylor to retire from playing at the age of 28 in 1972. Across his career, he amassed 340 league appearances and 3 goals in total. Following retirement, Taylor transitioned into coaching at Lincoln City, initially serving as coach to the first team under manager Bill Anderson before taking over as the club's youngest Football League manager in December 1972 at age 28.

Managerial career

Lincoln City (1972–1977)

On 7 December 1972, at the age of 28, Graham Taylor was appointed manager of Lincoln City following the end of his due to , making him one of the youngest managers in Football League history. He took charge succeeding Ron Gray amid the club's struggles in the lower reaches of Division Four. Taylor implemented an energetic, direct style of play emphasizing high fitness levels, discipline, and attacking flair through wingers, which transformed a mid-table side into consistent performers. His approach focused on building team spirit and physical robustness, leading to steady improvement from 10th place in his first full season (1973–74) to challenging for promotion by 1975. The pinnacle came in the 1975–76 season, when Taylor guided Lincoln City to the Fourth Division title with a club-record 74 points from 32 wins, 10 draws, and just 4 losses. The team scored 111 goals—a league high—and conceded only 39 for a +72 , remaining unbeaten at home with 21 wins from 23 matches, setting multiple records under the two-points-for-a-win system. This triumph earned Taylor the Division Four Manager of the Season award and marked Lincoln's first promotion in over a decade. Over his tenure, Taylor oversaw 209 league matches, achieving 97 wins, 60 draws, and 52 losses, establishing promotion as a key milestone in his early managerial development. He departed in June 1977 for , despite interest from higher-division clubs, with Lincoln receiving a £20,000 compensation fee; the move saw him leave a newly promoted Division Three side for a struggling Division Four outfit.

Watford (1977–1987)

Graham Taylor was appointed manager of in July 1977 by club owner , who had taken over as chairman the previous year and provided to the Fourth Division outfit. Taylor, arriving from Lincoln City, inherited a side struggling in the lower leagues and immediately implemented a youth-focused development philosophy he had honed at his previous club. Under Taylor's leadership, achieved consecutive promotions in his first two seasons. In 1977–78, they won the Fourth Division title with 71 points, losing only five games and securing promotion to the Third Division. The following year, 1978–79, finished second in the Third Division, earning another promotion to the Second Division. This momentum continued, and in 1981–82, Taylor guided the team to the Second Division title and promotion to the First Division for the first time in club history. Watford's 1982–83 debut season in the top flight proved extraordinary, as Taylor's side finished second behind champions with 22 wins, recording their highest league position to date. The team's attacking flair, led by players like , saw them score 74 goals, establishing them as genuine contenders among England's elite clubs. In 1984, Taylor took to the , their first-ever appearance at , where they lost 0–2 to Everton despite a strong run that included a 4–3 extra-time replay victory over local rivals Luton Town in the third round, a 2–0 win at Charlton Athletic in the fourth, a 3–1 home triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion in the fifth, and a 1–0 semi-final success against Plymouth Argyle. Over his decade-long first stint, Taylor managed 527 matches at , transforming the club from lower-league obscurity to established top-flight participants. He departed in June 1987 for Aston Villa after ensuring another season of First Division survival, leaving behind a legacy of rapid ascent and sustained competitiveness.

Aston Villa (1987–1990)

Taylor was appointed manager of Aston Villa in June 1987, shortly after guiding to a strong finish in the First Division, inheriting a squad that had suffered relegation to the Second Division the previous season. His arrival marked a turning point for the club, which had endured a turbulent period under previous management. Drawing on his experience of building competitive teams from lower divisions, Taylor implemented a disciplined approach focused on organization and resilience. In the 1987–88 season, Taylor's impact was immediate as Villa secured promotion back to the top flight by finishing second in the Second Division, amassing 78 points from 22 wins, 12 draws, and 10 losses. This achievement ended a year of decline and restored the club's status among England's elite, with standout performances including a robust defensive record that conceded just 41 goals in 44 league matches. The following year, 1988–89, Villa adapted to the First Division by placing seventh with 57 points, laying the groundwork for further improvement through strategic squad enhancements. The 1989–90 campaign represented the pinnacle of Taylor's tenure, as Villa challenged for the title and finished runners-up in the First Division with 70 points from 21 wins, 7 draws, and 10 losses—their highest league position since 1981 and earning qualification for the European Cup. Taylor's tactical setup prioritized a solid defensive structure, which limited opponents to 38 goals while supporting attacking threats; key to this was the signing of promising forward from in 1989, who began to emerge as a vital asset. Over his three years, Taylor oversaw 142 matches across all competitions, recording 65 wins, 35 draws, and 42 losses, transforming Villa into a consistent top-tier contender. Taylor departed Villa in July 1990 to assume the role of manager, leaving behind a legacy of rapid revival and high achievement at the club.

(1990–1993)

Graham Taylor was appointed as manager of the on 23 July 1990, succeeding following 's semi-final appearance at the in , with his contract set to run until the 1994 . Taylor, who had guided Aston Villa to second place in the First Division the previous season, accepted the role in early June but was not officially confirmed until after the concluded. Under Taylor's leadership, England successfully qualified for by topping their qualifying group, which included the , , and , though the early stages of the campaign had begun under Robson. At the finals in , England endured a frustrating group stage exit, drawing 0–0 with and 0–0 with before suffering a 2–1 defeat to hosts , finishing bottom of Group 1 with just one goal scored across three matches. The tournament was hampered by injuries to key players such as , struggled to score, and tactical indecision contributed to a lack of attacking threat, marking a disappointing debut major tournament for Taylor. England's qualification campaign for the proved far more turbulent, beginning with a stuttering start that included dropped points against and the in Group 2, alongside a 2–0 away loss to in June 1993. Mid-campaign recovery saw key wins including a 6–0 victory over at in February 1993 and a 2–0 away win over in 1993, but losses to the (3–1 away in February 1993 and 2–0 away in October 1993) kept pressure mounting. The group also featured , with England securing a 1–1 draw away in October 1993 after leading once, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. In June 1993, Taylor took to the , a friendly , where they lost 0–2 to the , drew 1–1 with , and lost 1–2 to , underscoring ongoing challenges against top opposition. The campaign's defining moments came in late 1993: a 2–0 defeat to the on 13 October in , where a controversial non-red card for after fouling allowed the Dutch to score via a free-kick and secure qualification, effectively ending 's hopes. This was followed four days later by a 7–1 win over on 17 November in —despite conceding the fastest in international football history after just 8.3 seconds—though the result could not alter the group's outcome as the advanced alongside . Taylor resigned as England manager on 23 November 1993, six days after the San Marino match, amid intense media scrutiny and public backlash over the failure to qualify for the , a major tournament England had reached in every previous edition since 1982. His tenure, documented in the BBC fly-on-the-wall series "," captured the mounting pressure, including infamous clips like Taylor's exasperated "Do I not like that" comment, which symbolized the frustration of the role. Over 38 matches in charge, Taylor recorded 18 wins, 13 draws, and 7 losses, with England scoring 62 goals and conceding 32.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (1994–1995)

Following his departure from the national team in 1993, Graham Taylor returned to club management in March 1994 when he was appointed as manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, succeeding in the second tier of English football, the Endsleigh League Division One. The club, owned by , had been investing heavily in squad improvements but had stalled in mid-table after promotion from the lower divisions. Taylor's arrival marked a focus on squad rebuilding, with key signings including forward from Sheffield United for £1.1 million, winger from Aston Villa, defender Steve Froggatt from Coventry City, midfielder Neil Emblen from Charlton Athletic, and goalkeeper from , at a total cost of around £4.5 million. These additions complemented established stars like striker , who remained a prolific goalscorer. In the 1994–95 season, Taylor's first full campaign, Wolves finished fourth in the league table with 76 points from 21 wins, 13 draws, and 12 losses, securing a play-off spot but three points behind third-placed Wanderers. The team scored a league-high 77 goals, emphasizing Taylor's commitment to attacking football, which produced high-scoring draws such as four results and one 4–4. In the play-offs, Wolves lost to in the semi-finals over two legs. The side also enjoyed a strong run, reaching the quarter-finals after victories over Sheffield Wednesday (on penalties in the fourth round replay) and Leicester City (1–0 in the fifth round), before a 2–1 defeat to Manchester United. Taylor's overall record at Wolves spanned 92 matches, yielding 38 wins, 28 draws, and 26 losses. However, the 1995–96 season began poorly, with only four wins in the first 16 league games amid injuries and mounting pressure. On 13 November 1995, Taylor resigned, citing a lack of confidence from the board and sections of the fanbase as undermining the team's progress. His 20-month tenure, though brief, laid foundations for future stability despite the transitional challenges.

Watford (1996–2001)

Graham Taylor returned to in February 1996 as general manager amid a perilous relegation battle in the First Division, where the club sat near the bottom of the table. Appointed by chairman , Taylor provided crucial stability and oversight, though ultimately suffered relegation to the Second Division at the end of the 1995–96 season. In the ensuing close season, Taylor assumed a director of football role, with former player installed as manager; under this structure, mounted a strong promotion challenge in 1996–97, finishing fourth in the Second Division and securing elevation to the First Division via a 3–1 playoff final victory over Carlisle United at . Taylor's influence was pivotal in this turnaround, drawing on the of his transformative first spell at the club from 1977 to 1987, which had established as a model of ambition and youth development. In May 1997, following the promotion, Taylor formally resumed the managerial position, replacing Jackett and initiating a comprehensive rebuild of the squad with a focus on integrating promising young talents such as Tommy Smith and Micah Hyde alongside experienced signings like . His tactical approach emphasized disciplined organization, direct play, and a pronounced reliance on set-piece routines, which proved instrumental in exploiting defensive vulnerabilities. Over the next two seasons, consolidated in the First Division, finishing third in 1997–98 but falling short in the playoff semifinals against Grimsby Town. The 1998–99 campaign saw further progress, with the team ending fifth and clinching promotion to the through a commanding 2–0 victory over Wanderers in the playoff final at on 31 May 1999—goals from Lee Richardson and Jon-Ole Fevang securing the club's return to the top flight for the first time since 1982. This achievement marked Taylor's second instance of guiding through consecutive promotions, underscoring his expertise in progressive team-building. Watford's debut in 1999–2000 proved challenging, as Taylor's side struggled with the pace and quality of the top tier, ultimately finishing 20th with just 24 points from 38 matches and suffering relegation alongside Sheffield Wednesday and Wimbledon. Despite the disappointment, the campaign highlighted moments of resilience, including a historic first-ever win at against in September 1999. Returning to the First Division for 2000–01, Taylor guided Watford to a solid 13th-place finish, during which he reached the personal milestone of his 1,000th league game as a manager in January 2001 against Crewe Alexandra. Over his second stint from April 1997 to June 2001, Taylor oversaw 195 matches, achieving a points-per-match average of 1.41 and delivering the club's most recent promotion to date. In March 2001, he announced his decision to step down at season's end, citing a desire to hand over to a new voice while transitioning into a non-executive role at the club, ending his managerial tenure on a note of mutual respect.

Aston Villa (2002–2003)

Taylor returned to Aston Villa as manager on 5 February 2002, coming out of to replace John Gregory, who had resigned 12 days earlier while the team languished in mid-table in the . The club was grappling with inconsistent form and internal tensions, prompting chairman to coax Taylor back for a second spell. In the remaining 13 league fixtures of the 2001–02 season, Taylor steadied the ship, guiding Villa to an 8th-place finish and securing European qualification via the UEFA Cup. The following campaign saw a more challenging year, with Villa ending 16th in the on 45 points from 12 wins, 9 draws, and 17 losses, as Taylor emphasized defensive organization to mitigate an aging squad's vulnerabilities. Throughout his tenure, Taylor faced significant off-field hurdles, including boardroom instability under long-serving chairman , whose decisions contributed to a turbulent environment, alongside challenges posed by an experienced but declining squad lacking dynamism. The team made no major cup breakthroughs, exiting the in the third round and reaching only the League Cup quarter-finals. Taylor's overall record across all competitions was 18 wins, 12 draws, and 27 losses in 57 matches. He placed particular emphasis on developing young talents, notably giving increased opportunities to midfielder , whom he backed for an role due to his versatility on the left flank. On 14 May 2003, at age 58, Taylor announced his retirement from management for the second time, citing much wider issues beyond playing matters, including a desire for more family time amid ongoing club disputes.

Later roles and contributions

Post-managerial positions

After retiring from management at the end of the 2002–03 season, Taylor took on the role of vice-president at Scunthorpe United, his hometown club in the third tier of English football, a position he held from 2003 until his death. In 2009, Taylor returned to Watford in an administrative capacity, initially as a director before assuming the role of non-executive chairman later that year, a post he occupied until 2012. During his chairmanship, he played a key role in stabilizing the club's finances amid ownership uncertainties, including oversight of operations that supported the development of the youth academy and its integration into the first-team structure. His tenure coincided with the 2012 takeover by the Pozzo family, owners of Italian club Udinese, which marked a new era of multi-club ownership and investment in squad building and infrastructure. Taylor resigned as chairman on 30 May 2012, citing the club's secure position under the new ownership as the primary reason, and transitioned to the lifelong role of honorary life president at , where he continued to provide strategic guidance until his passing. In this advisory capacity, he endorsed long-term youth strategies, drawing on his extensive experience to advocate for sustainable player development pathways within the Football Association's broader coaching framework.

Broadcasting and media work

Following his retirement from management in 2003, Graham Taylor embarked on a successful career in football broadcasting, primarily as a for . Starting that year, he provided expert analysis on matches, international tournaments, and domestic cup competitions, drawing on his decades of experience to offer thoughtful breakdowns of tactics and player performances. His contributions continued regularly until his death in 2017, spanning over 14 years and establishing him as a staple voice in football coverage. Taylor's style was characterized by balanced, measured commentary that prioritized and over , a approach that resonated with audiences and earned praise from industry peers. controller Jonathan Wall highlighted Taylor's popularity among colleagues, noting that "his colleagues loved him and he was hugely respected by his fellow pundits and the production team." This non-confrontational demeanor contrasted with more polarizing pundits, allowing Taylor to focus on constructive insights into team dynamics and managerial decisions. Beyond live match coverage, Taylor engaged in reflective media work, including interviews for BBC retrospectives on key periods of English football. He discussed the challenges of his England tenure in a 2013 BBC Sport feature marking 20 years since the team's failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, emphasizing lessons in pressure management. Similarly, he contributed personal anecdotes to BBC pieces on Watford's ascent in the and , underscoring the club's community impact under his leadership. These appearances extended his role as an educator in the sport, often highlighting youth development and rather than critiquing contemporaries. Taylor also extended his influence through written works, authoring or contributing to publications that captured his philosophies on coaching and management. In "Football Training Can Be Fun," he outlined practical approaches to player and skill-building, reflecting his innovative methods from earlier stages. His posthumously published autobiography, "Graham Taylor: In His Own Words" (2017), compiled from personal notes with Lionel Birnie, provided an intimate account of his journey from player to national team manager, including reflections on high-profile setbacks like the England documentary "." These efforts reinforced Taylor's commitment to sharing knowledge accessibly, influencing aspiring coaches long after his active broadcasting years.

Personal life and death

Family

Graham Taylor married his childhood sweetheart, Rita Cowling, on 22 March 1965 at Congregationalist Church. The couple enjoyed a 51-year marked by mutual support, particularly during the intense pressures of Taylor's managerial career. They had two daughters, Joanne and Karen, both of whom were young children when the family relocated from the area to in 1977 following Taylor's appointment as manager there. This move to the area provided stability for the family amid Taylor's career transitions, and the family remained based in for much of his professional life. Taylor's daughters later spoke fondly of their upbringing, with Joanne and Karen attending events and sharing memories tied to their father's connections. Taylor and Rita had three grandchildren, including grandson Jake Colley and two granddaughters, whom Taylor often mentioned in interviews as a source of joy in his later years. He actively supported their interests, such as coaching his grandson in in the family garden. In his , Taylor was known for his private nature, avoiding the media spotlight and prioritizing time. He developed a keen interest in gardening after retiring from management, finding relaxation in tending his garden. Taylor also engaged in charity work, serving as a patron of , a UK organization supporting those with the genetic skin condition , and supporting , a charity for with . Rita's unwavering support was particularly vital during Taylor's tenure as manager from 1990 to 1993, when intense media scrutiny and professional setbacks tested him; family provided his emotional anchor through these challenges.

Death

Graham Taylor died suddenly at his home in , , on 12 January 2017, aged 72, from a suspected heart attack. The news was announced by Football Club, where Taylor had served as manager and honorary life president, in a statement expressing deep sadness over the passing of their most successful manager. A family spokesperson confirmed the details, noting the unexpected nature of the event, with no prior public disclosures about his health. Taylor's funeral took place on 1 February 2017 at in , attended by family and close friends in a private service, though hundreds of mourners, including football figures such as , gathered outside to pay respects. delivered a moving tribute read at the service, describing their close bond from his time supporting . Immediate tributes poured in from across the football world, including a statement from the Football Association via England manager Gareth Southgate, who expressed condolences and praised Taylor's contributions to the game. Minutes' silences were observed at matches nationwide, including Premier League fixtures, in his honor. Media obituaries widely highlighted Taylor's resilience following his challenging tenure with the England national team, emphasizing his successful club career and dignified post-management life. In the aftermath, Taylor's family chose to maintain a low public profile, while community efforts preserved his legacy through initiatives like charity events in his name, including walks supporting local hospices and the Community Sports Trust. In October 2025, The Taylor Trek charity walk raised over £15,000 for local charities, honoring his ongoing impact as of November 2025.

Legacy

Honours

Graham Taylor's managerial career was marked by several significant achievements in English football, including multiple league titles and promotions across different divisions. With Lincoln City, he secured the title in the 1975–76 season, guiding the team to a record-breaking campaign with 32 wins and an unbeaten home record. His first season at in 1977–78 also culminated in a Fourth Division championship, as the Hornets finished as runaway winners with a dominant performance that included key victories securing the title early. Taylor's impact at Watford extended to higher divisions, where he led the club to promotion from the Second Division in the 1981–82 season, achieving their first-ever ascent to the top flight. Later, during his second spell at the club, he masterminded back-to-back promotions, including victory in the 1998–99 First Division play-off final against Bolton Wanderers, returning to the . At Aston Villa, Taylor engineered promotion from the Second Division in the 1987–88 season, clinching a return to the top tier on the final day with a draw at Swindon Town. In cup competitions, Taylor took Watford to the 1983–84 FA Cup final, where they faced Everton at Wembley but lost 2–0, marking the club's first appearance in the showpiece event. Taylor received individual recognition for his contributions to the sport, including appointment as an Officer of the (OBE) in the 2002 for services to football. In 2002, he received the Football Writers' Association Tribute Award. In 2002, the awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Science for his pioneering use of and management in football. He was inducted into the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame as a Community Champion in 2010, acknowledging his role in transforming clubs like Watford and Aston Villa. A notable club-specific record held by Taylor is that he remains the only manager to have led two teams to over 70 points in a single Football League season under the original two-points-for-a-win system—Lincoln City with 74 points in 1976 and with 71 points in 1978.

Managerial statistics

Graham Taylor's managerial career encompassed 1,384 matches in all competitions, yielding 596 wins, 370 draws, and 418 losses, for an overall win percentage of 43.1%. These figures are compiled from official Football League, , and FA records across his tenures at various clubs and with the England national team. His record varied by club and role, with higher win percentages in top-flight and international management compared to lower divisions. The following table summarizes his performance breakdowns:
TeamGamesWinsDrawsLossesWin %
Lincoln City (1972–1977)236104696344.1%
(1977–1987)52724412415946.3%
Aston Villa (1987–1990)14265354245.8%
(1990–1993)381813747.4%
(1994–1995)8837272442.0%
(1996–2001)293109889637.2%
Aston Villa (2002–2003)6019142731.7%
Taylor holds the distinction of achieving the most promotions with a single club in English football history, securing five with across his two spells there—three during his first tenure (from Fourth Division in 1977–78, Third Division in 1978–79, and Second Division in 1981–82) and two during his second (from Second Division in 1997–98 and First Division in 1998–99). He also guided Lincoln City to one promotion as Fourth Division champions in 1975–76.

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  93. https://www.evertonfc.com/club/history/honours/fa-cup-final-wins/fa-cup-1984
  94. https://footballwriters.co.uk/previous-tribute/
  95. https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6283043.honorary-degree-for-taylor/
  96. http://punditnewswire.blogspot.com/2012/02/pundits-graham-taylor.html
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