Date of Birth: September 15, 1944
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: January 12, 2017
Biography
Graham Taylor was an English football player and manager, born on September 15, 1944, in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England. He began his football career as a player, initially playing for Grimsby Town and later Lincoln City. However, he is most renowned for his managerial career, which spanned several decades and included stints with Watford, Aston Villa, and the England national team. Taylor’s managerial career began with Lincoln City, where he achieved notable success by leading the team to the Fourth Division title in the 1975–76 season. This success caught the eye of Watford’s owner, Elton John, who appointed Taylor as the club’s manager in 1977. Under his leadership, Watford climbed from the Fourth Division to the First Division in just five years. Taylor’s tenure at Watford was marked by the club’s highest-ever league finish (second place) and an FA Cup final appearance in 1984. In 1987, Taylor moved on to manage Aston Villa, where he also enjoyed success, guiding the team to promotion to the First Division in his first season in charge. His achievements at club level led to his appointment as the England national team manager in 1990. Taylor’s time with England was challenging, however, and he faced criticism for the team’s performance in the 1992 European Championship and the failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. After his stint with the national team, Taylor returned to club management, including a second spell with Watford, where he once again led the team to promotion. Taylor retired from football management in 2001 but remained involved in the sport through media work and various ambassadorial roles until his death on January 12, 2017.
5 Interesting Facts about Graham Taylor
1. Graham Taylor was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2002 for his services to football.
2. He was famously impersonated by comedian Mike Bassett in the 2001 film “Mike Bassett: England Manager.”
3. Taylor was known for his intense, hands-on style of management and was often seen on the sidelines passionately directing his players.
4. He published an autobiography titled “Graham Taylor: The Autobiography” in 2003, detailing his life in football.
5. Taylor was a popular figure in the media, working as a pundit and commentator for various broadcasters after his managerial career ended.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Graham Taylor
1. “I never comment on referees and I’m not going to break the habit of a lifetime for that prat.”
2. “Do I not like that!”
3. “I don’t think anyone can understand what it’s like to be the England manager until they’ve been in the job.”
4. “The only thing that matters is the results, and I’m not getting them.”
5. “You can’t build a cathedral in a day. A look at the club’s history tells you these things take time.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Graham Taylor’s net worth was estimated to be around £5 million.
Children
Graham Taylor had two daughters, Karen and Joanne, with his wife Rita.
Relevant Links
1. [BBC Sport Obituary](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38599231
2. [Graham Taylor at Watford](https://www.watfordfc.com/club/history/graham-taylor
3. [Graham Taylor at Aston Villa](https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2017/01/12/graham-taylor-tribute
4. [Graham Taylor’s England record](https://www.englandstats.com/manager.php?mid=14
5. [Graham Taylor Autobiography](https://www.amazon.com/Graham-Taylor-Autobiography/dp/0755310496
