Graham Taylor

[keeno82]

Hi guys n gals, I don't post v often (yes a lurker in the midst) but I was at England Dave's funeral, what is even more special about Sir Graham turning up is he made no fuss about the fact he didn't actually get in. But still stayed to the end to pay his respects to the family. I have more respect for this man than I can put into words. Btw Sid turned up at the wake top man.

[PeterWithe]

The Milan Game was not the best display, if I remember correctly a Russian linesman did not flag when the ball went out over the goal line
and the subsequent cross ended up in our net. with Cascarino missing a good chance it was never going to be easy, But the journey back
to the airport was subdued and when we got our return tickets from the travel club we got into the transfer bus only to find sir Graham standing there and had lots of encouraging words for my 12 year old son. when we were on the plane just after take off sir graham got up
to go to the loo at the back, he was talking to all the fans and had to run back to his seat to land at Bham, he truly gave his time and kind words to all. I will never forget that

You were lucky.  I came back on a coach on my own.  It was a long trip after that defeat.

So did we, £88 if I recall correctly.

We went with Premier, great sing song and piss up on the ferry over, one night stay on the French/Italian border with another great piss up in a french bar.

Just a few brief stops on the way back due to the rather flat mood. Sleep was very difficult, I remember a few of us taking it turns to lie on the floor and try and nod off. The only issue is that we lay directly above the gear box and the driver had resorted to the "if you can't find 'em, grind 'em" method of changing gear.

I went with Premier as well, we were kicked out of the hotel on Lake Garda the night before the game having booked for the few days after as well.

[AV82EC]

The Milan Game was not the best display, if I remember correctly a Russian linesman did not flag when the ball went out over the goal line
and the subsequent cross ended up in our net. with Cascarino missing a good chance it was never going to be easy, But the journey back
to the airport was subdued and when we got our return tickets from the travel club we got into the transfer bus only to find sir Graham standing there and had lots of encouraging words for my 12 year old son. when we were on the plane just after take off sir graham got up
to go to the loo at the back, he was talking to all the fans and had to run back to his seat to land at Bham, he truly gave his time and kind words to all. I will never forget that

You were lucky.  I came back on a coach on my own.  It was a long trip after that defeat.

So did we, £88 if I recall correctly.

We went with Premier, great sing song and piss up on the ferry over, one night stay on the French/Italian border with another great piss up in a french bar.

Just a few brief stops on the way back due to the rather flat mood. Sleep was very difficult, I remember a few of us taking it turns to lie on the floor and try and nod off. The only issue is that we lay directly above the gear box and the driver had resorted to the "if you can't find 'em, grind 'em" method of changing gear.

I went with Premier as well, we were kicked out of the hotel on Lake Garda the night before the game having booked for the few days after as well.

Yep, free the Lake Garda 52!! We never did get a refund on that from recollection.

[PeterWithe]

I got a couple of free away trips from memory.

[damien]

Best thing Doug Ellis did was appoint Sir GT after relegation. Shame that the current incumbent has f***** up every appointment he's ever made. Getting GT back in some capacity would be a master stroke. Of course it isn't going to happen. I hope GT enjoys his retirement.

[Dante Lavelli]

Sorry, who is England's Dave?

[Toronto Villa]

Best thing Doug Ellis did was appoint Sir GT after relegation. Shame that the current incumbent has f***** up every appointment he's ever made. Getting GT back in some capacity would be a master stroke. Of course it isn't going to happen. I hope GT enjoys his retirement.

I wouldn't give Doug that much credit in appointing Sir Graham. It wasn't like he sought him out as the man to put things right. It turned out great which is more a reflection on the manager than the meddlesome chairman.

[VillaAlways]

Sorry, who is England's Dave?

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/popular-aston-villa-fanatic-laid-10778318

[damien]

Toronto Villa. With respect I recall that Dave Bassett was another candidate.

I am not a huge fan of Herbert but that was a master stroke and it achieved exactly what we needed at that time in our history. The 4-2 win at Bradford that season was a pivotal moment for us, and I recall writing to GT about that performance and he replied and thanked me for my support from distance. I was 15 and living in Hertfordshire but loving Division 2 and travelling with the London Lions.

In answer to the question of England's Dave. England Dave is a legendary Villa and England fan who recently passed away. Had some great times with him at Villa and England. Got interviewed by Japanese TV with Dave when we were in Tokyo in 2002. We were giving out postcards of Villa Park and the locals were absolutely loving it. Great memories.

[Toronto Villa]

Damien, Dave Woodhall can add greater detail but as much as the appointment was inspired in the end I don't think Doug had Taylor in mind as his first choice.

[Pete3206]

Love this old doc. The stark contrast at the start, of him looking over the Lincoln City ground, then bursting with pride as he walks out at Wembley as England manager is brilliant.

[Julian Broddle]

Never seen that documentary. When you see what he said about the press in the May 1984 interview, he was on a hiding to nothing with the England job. Those gutterdogs would have been waiting to pounce from the moment he as appointed.

[damien]

Damien, Dave Woodhall can add greater detail but as much as the appointment was inspired in the end I don't think Doug had Taylor in mind as his first choice.

Toronoto Villa. I would be most interested to hear what Dave says about that. A fascinating period in Villa's history. Maybe I am wrong about Doug going all out for GT. I remember that era quite vividly and do recall that Dave Bassett was in the running, but getting GT was seen as a bit of a coup because Watford were very much on the up at that time.

Fact remains though that he was the right manager at the right time. He came in and said something to the effect of Villa being rotten to the core.

That assessment feels quite familiar at the current time. We clearly need someone with that depth of feeling for the club to come in and do likewise. I like Remi Garde but I just can't see him ruffling feathers in that manner, and dragging the club kicking and screaming out of it's current malaise.

[dave.woodhall]

Damien, Dave Woodhall can add greater detail but as much as the appointment was inspired in the end I don't think Doug had Taylor in mind as his first choice.

Toronoto Villa. I would be most interested to hear what Dave says about that. A fascinating period in Villa's history. Maybe I am wrong about Doug going all out for GT. I remember that era quite vividly and do recall that Dave Bassett was in the running, but getting GT was seen as a bit of a coup because Watford were very much on the up at that time.

Fact remains though that he was the right manager at the right time. He came in and said something to the effect of Villa being rotten to the core.

That assessment feels quite familiar at the current time. We clearly need someone with that depth of feeling for the club to come in and do likewise. I like Remi Garde but I just can't see him ruffling feathers in that manner, and dragging the club kicking and screaming out of it's current malaise.

Precised, Dick Taylor was an old friend of Sir Graham's from his Scunthorpe days and kept a sports shop on Witton Road. He found out that Graham was looking to leave Watford (he thought he'd taken them as far as he could and neeed a bash at a bigger club to improve his chances of the England job) and tipped off Doug.

[Toronto Villa]

Cheers Dave