Graham Taylor: Former England manager dies at the age of 72 - BBC News

Former England manager Graham Taylor has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 72.
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[@flaccidchrist]

In 1993 while he was England manager, Graham and his lovely wife drove to our village for a day out. He parked his car on the main road which happened to be right outside my house. My Dad called me and I saw Graham get out of the car and with his wife, walked down the street and out of sight. Being 11 years old at the time and a massive football fan, this made me very excited. The England manager! In our village! I had very specific ideas as to what the England XI and substitutes should have been, so I wrote him a letter detailing formation etc, sealed it and left it on the car windscreen. (I remember urging for an all-Arsenal back 5 including GK as they played together every week, it was a crime Winterburn wasn't in the picture etc) Well, the next 4 hours went by so slowly as I waited by my window for Graham to return. When he did, he picked up the letter from underneath the wipers and sat back in the drivers seat to read it. I can vividly remember him laughing with his wife for about 10 minutes before driving off. It made me happy that he'd read it and obviously enjoyed it. I then went about my life, waiting for the next England match to see whether he'd taken any of my advice. 2 weeks later I received a personal letter from Graham Taylor, England Manager on official FA paper. Included with the letter were England flags, stickers and all sorts of goodies and that, to an 11 year old football-mad boy, was the business. The letter read as follows: Thank you for your views on the England Team, which as you know I found on the windscreen of my car in Hawes when I was on holiday with my wife. As you can guess, everyone has an opinion as to what they think the team should be, but the difference between their teams and mine is that mine can lose, because theirs never play! Thank you for your support, and I enclose a few England items which I hope you will accept with my compliments. Best wishes Graham Taylor Bearing in mind this was in the spring of 1993 when he was under enormous pressure and getting a real hiding in the papers, so you could have forgiven him if he were to have just discarded my letter and thought about how even in a remote Yorkshire village he couldn't get the day off. That's why Graham Taylor will always hold a special place in my heart. RIP Graham, in a game that has gone crazy, he really was one of the good guys.

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

Mr.Flaccid that's a nice story I like nice stories!

[@jeffwalker4482]

Mr.Flaccid I enjoyed reading all that

[@benjamineckford1718]

Mr.Flaccid I love little stories like that, they make life worth living. RIP Graham Taylor, truly a gentle soul

[@kevinshanahan6064]

GT would have been interested in your views as what motivated him was people being entertained. He would go to grounds and try to blend into the terraces and listen to what fans were saying. NB - GT was very aware of his surroundings - he knew you were watching him which is why he made sure you could see him reading your letter.

[@Shelsight]

Love this story. Im a lifelong Hornets fan and worked at Vicarage Rd on matchday in my teensp. Met him 3-4 times and he always gave everyone time for a few words. A kind, genuine man, and a legend in our books.

[@DaveyStraker]

Graham was a fount of knowledge and a man with strong opinions, was also an endless source of entertainment and stories, just as happy to poke fun at himself as everyone else. Graham Taylor was a top-class manager at club level and a true gentleman inside and outside of football. He will be greatly missed and perhaps now his work in management, viewed through the prism of this sad news, will finally get the credit it fully deserves.

[@bentattersfield887]

a genuinely lovely man who just tried to see the good in people...often to his own personal detriment

[@marky26marky]

Respect from scotland graham, you were a gentleman, a great man and an honest man, managers now couldnt lace your shoes

[@arsenalmanic]

He was always around.(after management, was doing radio commentary). Always came across a very polite and a nice man. Surprised at his passing. RIP!!!

[@scoppio07]

Hope Linneker is not going to pretend any different towards Graham Taylor. He still bangs on about how he was substituted back in the 1992 Euro's. I remember that match and Linneker looked no more like scoring than my grannie. He was totally ineffective. Couldn't hit a cow's backside with a banjo. Graham was right to bring him off. Yet Linneker had a face like a slapped arse and never let anyone forget how he was brought off the pitch.

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

Comments should be disabled for this video out of respect for Graham Taylor! Rest in Peace 🙁

[@shamirpatel3569]

Rip absolute gentleman will be missed. Upmost sincerest condolences to the family.

[@annwaine2881]

Graham and his family live quite close to my home and he was a really good member of the local community, always obliging when he could, to open and attend local events. Top man who will be greatly missed.

[@AndrewGray124]

Do I not like that

[@carolineizminster8518]

Can we not knock it

[@jaggass]

Graham Taylor was from my hometown of Worksop, Notts. He was the one of the best managers outhere and one of the nicest people too. He will be sorely missed. Im sure's he at the top now catching up with old mates like Sir Bobby Robson, Brian Clough, etc

[@WS-1]

A gentleman and a great ambassador of his chosen sport - history will remember Graham Taylor as an individual who made a difference . R.I.P.

[@kevgreenhalgh263]

RIP.

[@shanet5604]

The man had just died and they bring up his worst headline ?? Gutter journalism still in full flight ! 🇮🇪

[@scottyunitedboy2925]

Definitely. The kid presenting this just quoting sound bites

[@carolineizminster8518]

do i not like that

[@marklowe6862]

Top man ... godbless him

[@worldwidegamer4225]

RIP Graham old lad' :)

[@grecosgreecedaz6026]

sad another good manager passes away OK wasent best england manager but he knew what players coming threw ranks RIP graham

[@DaveyStraker]

Graham took on the England job at a time when all the big players were inured for a great length of time. It was a case of very bad luck.

[@grecosgreecedaz6026]

So true brian clough would have been greatest mate

[@peterjoyce9749]

j'accuse!

[@worldnews9389]

the latest news on our channel

[@peterjoyce9749]

j'accuse!

[@peterjoyce9749]

I denounce you!