Former England Manager Graham Taylor Has Died at the Age of 72
"?Legendary former Aston Villa and Watford manager Graham Taylor has died at the age of 72.
Famed for his time in charge of the Hornets between 1977 and 1987, which saw the club rub shoulders with the country's biggest clubs near the top of the First Division and reach an FA Cup final in 1984, he later led Villa back to the top flight in 1988 and subsequently challenged for the title within two seasons.
Taylor was given the ultimate honour for an English coach in 1990 when he took over from Sir Bobby Robson as manager of the national team.
His time in charge of England was less successful, crashing out of Euro '92 early and failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, but he returned to club management soon after and enjoyed further success during a second spell at Watford.
Taylor led Watford to the Premier League via the Football League playoffs in 1999, while his final job in management came back at Aston Villa for 16 months between 2002 and 2003.
Born in Worksop but raised in Scunthorpe, Taylor had begun his life in football as a full-back as an young apprentice with Scunthorpe Town. He went on to join Grimsby Town in 1962 and eventually wrapped up his playing career a decade later after a spell at Lincoln City.
It was with Lincoln that Taylor was given his first coaching job in 1972. He was just 28 years of age at the time and was therefore the youngest manager in the Football League.
Taylor's former employers have since expressed their sorrow on social media.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of former GTFC player & England manager, Graham Taylor. Our thoughts are with Graham's family. #GTFC pic.twitter.com/2ddDuMVtst
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We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former @England manager Graham Taylor.
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We are deeply saddened today by news of the death of our former manager Graham Taylor. RIP Graham. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/QCU1cCzCxN
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Graham Taylor: 1944-2017. Our thoughts are with your family. RIP. pic.twitter.com/arVBChrvnP
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Everyone at #watfordfc is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our most successful manager. We love you, Graham Taylor. #thankyouGT
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Everybody at Wolves is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of our former manager, Graham Taylor. pic.twitter.com/bimY8V6eug
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