1987 - Graham Taylor arrives

[Fred]

I've said this many times before i'm sure but the job he did first time round is forgotten. I do kind of wish in a way that he hadn't come back second time round because thats what a lot of fans remember of him which is a shame.

He let his heart rule his head

[Pat McMahon]

I've said this many times before i'm sure but the job he did first time round is forgotten. I do kind of wish in a way that he hadn't come back second time round because thats what a lot of fans remember of him which is a shame.

I agree. He was excellent first time round but I didn't want him back over a decade later. Similarly I don't want former players to come back as boss and risk having their memories tarnished.

[Damo70]

I remember him claiming he was very close to being sacked in early 89/90 and was actually summoned to a meeting with Ellis after we played Derby and beat them.  Ellis said it was discus plans for Bodymoor, but SGT reckoned the meeting was planned to sack him if we lost.

There appeared to be quite a few who wanted him sacked after the QPR game if I remember right from the letters to the Mail and calls to BRMB. I seem to recall a heated night out around that time when Nev and I were fighting his corner against two of our Villa fan mates who would happily have seen him sacked.

[LeeB]

I remember him claiming he was very close to being sacked in early 89/90 and was actually summoned to a meeting with Ellis after we played Derby and beat them.  Ellis said it was discus plans for Bodymoor, but SGT reckoned the meeting was planned to sack him if we lost.

There appeared to be quite a few who wanted him sacked after the QPR game if I remember right from the letters to the Mail and calls to BRMB. I seem to recall a heated night out around that time when Nev and I were fighting his corner against two of our Villa fan mates who would happily have seen him sacked.

I remember it being pretty common knowledge that if we hadn't beaten Derby (who were a pretty handy side at the time), he was toast.

We did, then went on an incredible run which still ranks as my most enjoyable period as a Villa fan.

The reaction to him coming on the pitch at the end of the second spell is one of the very few times I've felt ashamed to be a Villa fan. If you happened to be booing from the lower Trinity that day, then I make no apologies for the foul mouthed tirade I probably aimed in your direction.

[Charlie8182]

I remember him claiming he was very close to being sacked in early 89/90 and was actually summoned to a meeting with Ellis after we played Derby and beat them.  Ellis said it was discus plans for Bodymoor, but SGT reckoned the meeting was planned to sack him if we lost.

There appeared to be quite a few who wanted him sacked after the QPR game if I remember right from the letters to the Mail and calls to BRMB. I seem to recall a heated night out around that time when Nev and I were fighting his corner against two of our Villa fan mates who would happily have seen him sacked.

I remember it being pretty common knowledge that if we hadn't beaten Derby (who were a pretty handy side at the time), he was toast.

We did, then went on an incredible run which still ranks as my most enjoyable period as a Villa fan.

The reaction to him coming on the pitch at the end of the second spell is one of the very few times I've felt ashamed to be a Villa fan. If you happened to be booing from the lower Trinity that day, then I make no apologies for the foul mouthed tirade I probably aimed in your direction.

If memory serves me right, we had a fair bit of luck on our side against Derby with Paul Goddard and especially a certain Dean Saunders missing good chances.  I could have turned out so differently.

[LeeB]

You're right from memory, and IIRC there were extended highlights of the game on Central the next day.

[ez]

I've said this many times before i'm sure but the job he did first time round is forgotten. I do kind of wish in a way that he hadn't come back second time round because thats what a lot of fans remember of him which is a shame.

As i remember, there was an Ellis out campaign going on at the time. Appointing a popular manager like Sir Graham got the fans off his back for one thing.

[Clampy]

I've said this many times before i'm sure but the job he did first time round is forgotten. I do kind of wish in a way that he hadn't come back second time round because thats what a lot of fans remember of him which is a shame.

I agree. He was excellent first time round but I didn't want him back over a decade later. Similarly I don't want former players to come back as boss and risk having their memories tarnished.

It's not that I didn't want him back, It's further respect to the bloke that he did. In hindsight, maybe he shouldn't have. I've no idea what he thinks about it now.

[dave.woodhall]

I've said this many times before i'm sure but the job he did first time round is forgotten. I do kind of wish in a way that he hadn't come back second time round because thats what a lot of fans remember of him which is a shame.

I agree. He was excellent first time round but I didn't want him back over a decade later. Similarly I don't want former players to come back as boss and risk having their memories tarnished.

It's not that I didn't want him back, It's further respect to the bloke that he did. In hindsight, maybe he shouldn't have. I've no idea what he thinks about it now.

"It's not what you do that you regret, it's what you don't do. I knew I would always regret not taking that chance."

[Damo70]

You're right from memory, and IIRC there were extended highlights of the game on Central the next day.

My memories from being at the game are the same as Charlie8182. We were battered with Saunders and Goddard missing chances. My memories from the highlights were Derek Mountfield getting away with a defensive mistake and doing a gun to the head gesture of relief.

[peter w]

You're right from memory, and IIRC there were extended highlights of the game on Central the next day.

My memories from being at the game are the same as Charlie8182. We were battered with Saunders and Goddard missing chances. My memories from the highlights were Derek Mountfield getting away with a defensive mistake and doing a gun to the head gesture of relief.

1-0? Platt goal? didn't Phil Gee also miss a few that day? Or is that another Derby game?

[kippaxvilla2]

How is SGT these days?  I heard he wasn't too well last year?

[kippaxvilla2]

Our away record in the old 2nd Division was amazing I seem to recall.

[kippaxvilla2]

You're right from memory, and IIRC there were extended highlights of the game on Central the next day.

My memories from being at the game are the same as Charlie8182. We were battered with Saunders and Goddard missing chances. My memories from the highlights were Derek Mountfield getting away with a defensive mistake and doing a gun to the head gesture of relief.

1-0? Platt goal? didn't Phil Gee also miss a few that day? Or is that another Derby game?

Platt yes.  And 'Sticks' in the return game at the Baseball Ground, when we were packed like sardines in searing heat in the away end.

[Damo70]

You're right from memory, and IIRC there were extended highlights of the game on Central the next day.

My memories from being at the game are the same as Charlie8182. We were battered with Saunders and Goddard missing chances. My memories from the highlights were Derek Mountfield getting away with a defensive mistake and doing a gun to the head gesture of relief.

1-0? Platt goal? didn't Phil Gee also miss a few that day? Or is that another Derby game?

Platt yes.  And 'Sticks' in the return game at the Baseball Ground, when we were packed like sardines in searing heat in the away end.

Yes it was hot. Yes it was packed. Cacarino's debut and a brief reappearance from Nigel Callaghan.