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EspañolGRAHAM TAYLOR (FOOTBALL MANAGER)
'Graham Taylor' OBE (born September 15 1944, Worksop, Nottinghamshire) is a football manager and a former player.
Taylor grew up in the industrial steel town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, a town with which he still has many connections and regards as his hometown . The son of a sports journalist with The ''Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph'', Graham found his love of the beautiful game in the stands of the "Old Showground" watching Scunthorpe United, who he still supports . He is still seen at many home matches ].
Taylor works as a pundit for BBC Radio Five Live having most notably been the manager of the England national football team. His teams played a trademark "long-ball" style based upon quickly moving the ball up to big powerful forwards. Although aesthetically unattractive, Taylor's long ball style proved partially successful. His most recent job has been manager of Aston Villa, which he left at the end of the 2003 season.
He moved to a council house in Scunthorpe in 1947, where his father Thomas was the sports reporter for the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph. He went to the Henderson Avenue Junior School, then Scunthorpe Grammar School (now High Ridge School), where he met his wife, Rita, from Winteringham. He played for the England Grammar Schools football team, and joined the sixth-form after passing six-O-levels in 1961, but he left after one year to pursue his interests in football. Ths was highly anomalous for a grammar school pupil at that time to do: his teachers were disapproving of this course of action. Taylor always preferred Football to Rugby at Grammar School. He joined Grimsby Town, and played his first competitive game for them in September 1963 against Newcastle United when they won 2-1. In early 1965 Graham Taylor married Rita Cowling. They had two daughters, Joanne and Karen, whilst Taylor was at Grimsby. They also lived in Cleethorpes. When he moved to Lincoln, he bought his first house in North Hykeham.
His playing career began with Grimsby Town in 1962 for whom he went on to play 189 games at fullback, scoring twice. He was transferred to Lincoln City in the summer of 1968 , he scored 1 goal in 150 appearances before being forced to retire from playing following a serious hip injury in 1972.
Taylor was the youngest person to become a FA coach, at the age of 27. Following his retirement from playing, Taylor became manager of Lincoln City, being the youngest manager in the league at the age of 28 in December 1972. Taylor led Lincoln to the Fourth Division title in 1976, during which the Imps set the league records for most wins (32), least defeats (4), and most points (74) (when 2 points were awarded for a win).
In 1977, the 32-year-old Taylor was hired to manage Watford by new owner Elton John. He turned down an approach from West Bromwich Albion. Taylor led Watford from the Fourth Division to the First Division in only five years. He even took the side to the third round of the UEFA Cup, having finished second in 1982-83 (the club's first season as a top division club). Taylor also led Watford to the 1984 FA Cup final, which Watford lost to Everton 2-0.
In 1987 Taylor left Watford for a new challenge: the newly relegated Aston Villa. Taylor managed to take Aston Villa back to the top flight with his first attempt. During his third season at the club Villa finished runners-up in the first division. Following this success Taylor took over the England national football team from Bobby Robson, who left the job after England's world cup semi-final defeat to Germany.
'1992 European Championships'
When Graham Taylor took over the highest managerial job in English Football many complained that he was doing so without ever having won a major trophy. It was also pointed out Taylor had never played in 'top flight' football let alone international level and that winning the respect of the players would be difficult. His critics also noted although he had ditched the long-ball game at Aston Villa there was still tactical worries about his intentions when English clubs were looking to dispense with "route one" football in favour of a more "picturesque route to goal"[1].
Despite the this unease at his appointment, England lost just once in Taylor's first 23 matches ( a 0-1 defeat to Germany at Wembley Stadium in September 1991)[2].
However England struggled to qualify for the Euro '92. In a group containing Turkey , Ireland and Poland England were held to 1-1 twice by the Irish and managed just 1-0 wins home and away against Turkey. It was only a last ditch goal from Gary Lineker against Poland saw England qualify at the expense of the Irish.
Englands qualification for the Euro 92 finals proved to be the high point of Taylor's tenure.
England had been drawn to face France, Denmark and hosts Sweden. The first games against the French and Danes had ended 0-0 which resulted in England needing a victory over Sweden to advance to the Semi-Finals. It also became apparent that Taylor's relationship with England's star striker and Captain, Gary Lineker, was hurting team morale[3]. In England's last game of the tournament, a 2-1 defeat to the hosts, Sweden, Taylor substituted Gary Lineker in his final game for England. By doing this, he prevented Lineker from breaking, or even equalling, Bobby Charlton's record of 49 goals for England. Many were dismayed to see taylor substitute England's lethal striker when his team needed a goal. This led to media vilification of Taylor, including the infamous "turnip" campaign by The Sun which began the morning after the game under the headlines: "Swedes 2 Turnips 1".
'1994 World Cup Qualification'
Taylor's relationship with the press was partially restored when he admitted his mistakes a few weeks after the finals[4]. However this did not last long. England's first game of the 1992/93 season ended in a 0-1 defeat to Spain, the The Sun depicted Taylor as a Spanish onion.
England were drawn in Qualification Group 2 for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The group contained Norway, Holland, Poland, Turkey, and San Marino. England were expected to qualify along with the Dutch. England began with a dissapointing 1-1 draw with Norway. The campaign seemed to get back on track with two wins against Turkey and a 6-0 victory over San Marino. In April 1993 England faced Holland at Wembley Stadium. England went 2-0 up in 24 minutes through David Platt and John Barnes. However Taylor's luck had started to take a turn for the worse, as Paul Gascoigne was injured. England continued to control the game, and looked to be heading for a win which would have ended Dutch hopes of qualification following a defeat in Norway and a draw at home to the Poles, but four minutes from full-time Marc Overmars outpaced Des Walker prompting Walker to foul him inside the penalty area. The penalty was converted and the game ended 2-2. Suddenly England's "World Cup life" looked in danger[5].
England could restore their flagging fortunes in May with at least a win and draw away against Poland and Norway which were to be played just three days apart.
England were poor against Poland and were largley outplayed. Poland should have won at a canter but missed several chances. Ian Wright salvaged a vital point through forcing an equaliser in 85th minute for a 1-1 scoreline. Taylor was again vilified for the poor performance. Englands next opponents were Norway. The Norwegians had arrived from obscurity and had taken the group by storm with a series of early victories which had left England, Poland and Holland scrapping for second place. Taylor made wholesale changes of personnel and tactics, which again suffered criticism as it was considered risky in what was now a crucial game. England were dreadful and lost 2-0, and had only one attempt on goal. Taylor said "We made a complete mess of it. I'm here to be shot at and take the rap. I have no defense for our performance", his honesty did not spare him a roasting from the press who were now calling for his head[6].
The press came up with headlines such as "NORSE MANURE" and "OSLO RANS"[7].
With their World Cups hopes hanging by a thread Taylor's England were to play a three team Tournament in the U.S (United States Cup) in which it was expected to be a precursor to the following summers tournament. For Taylor the US Cup began with a humiliating 2-0 defeat in Boston to the USA which prompted the tabloids to Scream "YANKS 2 PLANKS 0!". Some pride was restored with a credable 1-1 draw with Brazil and narrow 2-1 defeat to Germany. Taylor was now living on borrowed time[7].
The 1993/94 season began with a much improved performance in a 3-0 win over Poland raising the nations hopes. In October England were to play Holland in Rotterdam. With Norway having won the Group the encounter would effectively decide the second and last qualifier of the group. The game was played at a furious pace and England were fortunate to have a Frank Rijkaard goal ruled out for offside. However later in the second half with the game locked at 0-0 David Platt was fouled inside the Dutch penalty area by Ronald Koeman as he raced in on goal. The German referee failed to apply the rule of sending him off for a proffesional foul, or to award England a penalty. Just minutes later the Dutchman took an identical freekick outside England's penalty area. His first shot was blocked, but it was ordered to be retaken because of encroachment. Koeman scored at the second attempt. Dennis Bergkamp scored just moments later for 2-0 win. In the meantime Taylor was in an apoplectic mood on the touchline, berating the officals and referee as the significance of the result sank in. England still had a chance to qualify if Holland lost in Poland on the same night England were hoping they could run up a big score against part-time minnows San Marino. But it was in the final game that Taylor was to suffer the ultimate humiliation. After just 10 seconds David Gualtieri, a computer salseman, scored the fastest World Cup goal. England took another twenty minutes to find an equaliser and eventually won 7-1, but the Dutch won in Poland and England had failed to qualify.
Taylor left the job in November 1993, within days of England's failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. He had also agreed to be filmed during the qualifying campaign for ''Cutting Edge'', a Channel 4 fly-on-the-wall documentary series, in which his portrayal further undermined his authority. During the film, Taylor was heard to use foul language, and what became his personal catchphrase: "Do I not like that", uttered just before England conceded a goal to Poland.
Sir Jack Hayward appointed Taylor as manager of Wolves in March 1994, replacing Graham Turner. Taylor had been a generally unpopular figure in English football since his unsuccessful reign as national coach, but he took the Midlands club to the Division One playoffs - their highest league finish since the early 1980s - where they lost out to Bolton Wanderers. They also reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup after a memorable replay penalty shootout victory over Sheffield Wednesday, in which they were 3-0 down on penalites, only to win the shootout 4-3. However, the 1994/95 season proved to be his only full season at Molineux, as, after a poor start to the following campaign, winning just 4 from 16 games, he was fired in November 1995.
In the summer of 1996 Elton John, who had recently bought Watford for a second time, appointed Taylor as General Manager at Vicarage Road. A year later Taylor had appointed himself as the club's manager, he won the Division Two championship at his first attempt. The following season Taylor won the Division One Championship and with it promotion to the Premier league, where Watford were relegated after one season. Watford finished 9th in Division One at the end of the 2000-01 season, at this point Taylor decided to retire. During this final season Taylor had become only the third manager to manage 1,000 league games in England, after Brian Clough and Jim Smith.
Taylor came out of retirement February 2002 to return to his old job at Aston Villa, but retired for a second time after Villa finished the 2002/2003 season in 16th place in the Premiership. He subsequently cited tensions in his relationship with the club's chairman Doug Ellis and argued for an overhaul of the club's upper management to allow the club to be more competitive.
In 2003 Taylor became vice-president at League One club Scunthorpe United. Since 2004 , he has worked as a pundit on BBC Radio Five Live, and has managed a team of celebrities for Sky One's annual series, ''The Match''.
★ ''England: The Official F.A History'', Niall Edworthy, Virgin Publishers, 1997, ISBN 1-85227-699-1.
★ ''Gary Lineker: Strikingly Different'', Colin Malam, Stanley Paul Publications, London, 1993 ISBN 0-09-175424-0
1. Edworthy, p14-147
2. Edworthy, p148
3. Malam, p110
4. Malam, p120-121
5. Edworthy, p151
6. Edworthy, p152
7. Edworthy, p154
8. Edworthy, p154
Taylor grew up in the industrial steel town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, a town with which he still has many connections and regards as his hometown . The son of a sports journalist with The ''Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph'', Graham found his love of the beautiful game in the stands of the "Old Showground" watching Scunthorpe United, who he still supports . He is still seen at many home matches ].
Taylor works as a pundit for BBC Radio Five Live having most notably been the manager of the England national football team. His teams played a trademark "long-ball" style based upon quickly moving the ball up to big powerful forwards. Although aesthetically unattractive, Taylor's long ball style proved partially successful. His most recent job has been manager of Aston Villa, which he left at the end of the 2003 season.
Early life
He moved to a council house in Scunthorpe in 1947, where his father Thomas was the sports reporter for the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph. He went to the Henderson Avenue Junior School, then Scunthorpe Grammar School (now High Ridge School), where he met his wife, Rita, from Winteringham. He played for the England Grammar Schools football team, and joined the sixth-form after passing six-O-levels in 1961, but he left after one year to pursue his interests in football. Ths was highly anomalous for a grammar school pupil at that time to do: his teachers were disapproving of this course of action. Taylor always preferred Football to Rugby at Grammar School. He joined Grimsby Town, and played his first competitive game for them in September 1963 against Newcastle United when they won 2-1. In early 1965 Graham Taylor married Rita Cowling. They had two daughters, Joanne and Karen, whilst Taylor was at Grimsby. They also lived in Cleethorpes. When he moved to Lincoln, he bought his first house in North Hykeham.
Playing career
His playing career began with Grimsby Town in 1962 for whom he went on to play 189 games at fullback, scoring twice. He was transferred to Lincoln City in the summer of 1968 , he scored 1 goal in 150 appearances before being forced to retire from playing following a serious hip injury in 1972.
Managerial career
Lincoln City (1972 - 1976)
Taylor was the youngest person to become a FA coach, at the age of 27. Following his retirement from playing, Taylor became manager of Lincoln City, being the youngest manager in the league at the age of 28 in December 1972. Taylor led Lincoln to the Fourth Division title in 1976, during which the Imps set the league records for most wins (32), least defeats (4), and most points (74) (when 2 points were awarded for a win).
Watford (1977 - 1987)
In 1977, the 32-year-old Taylor was hired to manage Watford by new owner Elton John. He turned down an approach from West Bromwich Albion. Taylor led Watford from the Fourth Division to the First Division in only five years. He even took the side to the third round of the UEFA Cup, having finished second in 1982-83 (the club's first season as a top division club). Taylor also led Watford to the 1984 FA Cup final, which Watford lost to Everton 2-0.
Aston Villa (1987 - 1990)
In 1987 Taylor left Watford for a new challenge: the newly relegated Aston Villa. Taylor managed to take Aston Villa back to the top flight with his first attempt. During his third season at the club Villa finished runners-up in the first division. Following this success Taylor took over the England national football team from Bobby Robson, who left the job after England's world cup semi-final defeat to Germany.
England (1990 - 1993)
'1992 European Championships'
When Graham Taylor took over the highest managerial job in English Football many complained that he was doing so without ever having won a major trophy. It was also pointed out Taylor had never played in 'top flight' football let alone international level and that winning the respect of the players would be difficult. His critics also noted although he had ditched the long-ball game at Aston Villa there was still tactical worries about his intentions when English clubs were looking to dispense with "route one" football in favour of a more "picturesque route to goal"[1].
Despite the this unease at his appointment, England lost just once in Taylor's first 23 matches ( a 0-1 defeat to Germany at Wembley Stadium in September 1991)[2].
However England struggled to qualify for the Euro '92. In a group containing Turkey , Ireland and Poland England were held to 1-1 twice by the Irish and managed just 1-0 wins home and away against Turkey. It was only a last ditch goal from Gary Lineker against Poland saw England qualify at the expense of the Irish.
Englands qualification for the Euro 92 finals proved to be the high point of Taylor's tenure.
England had been drawn to face France, Denmark and hosts Sweden. The first games against the French and Danes had ended 0-0 which resulted in England needing a victory over Sweden to advance to the Semi-Finals. It also became apparent that Taylor's relationship with England's star striker and Captain, Gary Lineker, was hurting team morale[3]. In England's last game of the tournament, a 2-1 defeat to the hosts, Sweden, Taylor substituted Gary Lineker in his final game for England. By doing this, he prevented Lineker from breaking, or even equalling, Bobby Charlton's record of 49 goals for England. Many were dismayed to see taylor substitute England's lethal striker when his team needed a goal. This led to media vilification of Taylor, including the infamous "turnip" campaign by The Sun which began the morning after the game under the headlines: "Swedes 2 Turnips 1".
'1994 World Cup Qualification'
Taylor's relationship with the press was partially restored when he admitted his mistakes a few weeks after the finals[4]. However this did not last long. England's first game of the 1992/93 season ended in a 0-1 defeat to Spain, the The Sun depicted Taylor as a Spanish onion.
England were drawn in Qualification Group 2 for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The group contained Norway, Holland, Poland, Turkey, and San Marino. England were expected to qualify along with the Dutch. England began with a dissapointing 1-1 draw with Norway. The campaign seemed to get back on track with two wins against Turkey and a 6-0 victory over San Marino. In April 1993 England faced Holland at Wembley Stadium. England went 2-0 up in 24 minutes through David Platt and John Barnes. However Taylor's luck had started to take a turn for the worse, as Paul Gascoigne was injured. England continued to control the game, and looked to be heading for a win which would have ended Dutch hopes of qualification following a defeat in Norway and a draw at home to the Poles, but four minutes from full-time Marc Overmars outpaced Des Walker prompting Walker to foul him inside the penalty area. The penalty was converted and the game ended 2-2. Suddenly England's "World Cup life" looked in danger[5].
England could restore their flagging fortunes in May with at least a win and draw away against Poland and Norway which were to be played just three days apart.
England were poor against Poland and were largley outplayed. Poland should have won at a canter but missed several chances. Ian Wright salvaged a vital point through forcing an equaliser in 85th minute for a 1-1 scoreline. Taylor was again vilified for the poor performance. Englands next opponents were Norway. The Norwegians had arrived from obscurity and had taken the group by storm with a series of early victories which had left England, Poland and Holland scrapping for second place. Taylor made wholesale changes of personnel and tactics, which again suffered criticism as it was considered risky in what was now a crucial game. England were dreadful and lost 2-0, and had only one attempt on goal. Taylor said "We made a complete mess of it. I'm here to be shot at and take the rap. I have no defense for our performance", his honesty did not spare him a roasting from the press who were now calling for his head[6].
The press came up with headlines such as "NORSE MANURE" and "OSLO RANS"[7].
With their World Cups hopes hanging by a thread Taylor's England were to play a three team Tournament in the U.S (United States Cup) in which it was expected to be a precursor to the following summers tournament. For Taylor the US Cup began with a humiliating 2-0 defeat in Boston to the USA which prompted the tabloids to Scream "YANKS 2 PLANKS 0!". Some pride was restored with a credable 1-1 draw with Brazil and narrow 2-1 defeat to Germany. Taylor was now living on borrowed time[7].
The 1993/94 season began with a much improved performance in a 3-0 win over Poland raising the nations hopes. In October England were to play Holland in Rotterdam. With Norway having won the Group the encounter would effectively decide the second and last qualifier of the group. The game was played at a furious pace and England were fortunate to have a Frank Rijkaard goal ruled out for offside. However later in the second half with the game locked at 0-0 David Platt was fouled inside the Dutch penalty area by Ronald Koeman as he raced in on goal. The German referee failed to apply the rule of sending him off for a proffesional foul, or to award England a penalty. Just minutes later the Dutchman took an identical freekick outside England's penalty area. His first shot was blocked, but it was ordered to be retaken because of encroachment. Koeman scored at the second attempt. Dennis Bergkamp scored just moments later for 2-0 win. In the meantime Taylor was in an apoplectic mood on the touchline, berating the officals and referee as the significance of the result sank in. England still had a chance to qualify if Holland lost in Poland on the same night England were hoping they could run up a big score against part-time minnows San Marino. But it was in the final game that Taylor was to suffer the ultimate humiliation. After just 10 seconds David Gualtieri, a computer salseman, scored the fastest World Cup goal. England took another twenty minutes to find an equaliser and eventually won 7-1, but the Dutch won in Poland and England had failed to qualify.
Taylor left the job in November 1993, within days of England's failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. He had also agreed to be filmed during the qualifying campaign for ''Cutting Edge'', a Channel 4 fly-on-the-wall documentary series, in which his portrayal further undermined his authority. During the film, Taylor was heard to use foul language, and what became his personal catchphrase: "Do I not like that", uttered just before England conceded a goal to Poland.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (1994 - 1995)
Sir Jack Hayward appointed Taylor as manager of Wolves in March 1994, replacing Graham Turner. Taylor had been a generally unpopular figure in English football since his unsuccessful reign as national coach, but he took the Midlands club to the Division One playoffs - their highest league finish since the early 1980s - where they lost out to Bolton Wanderers. They also reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup after a memorable replay penalty shootout victory over Sheffield Wednesday, in which they were 3-0 down on penalites, only to win the shootout 4-3. However, the 1994/95 season proved to be his only full season at Molineux, as, after a poor start to the following campaign, winning just 4 from 16 games, he was fired in November 1995.
Watford (1996 - 2001)
In the summer of 1996 Elton John, who had recently bought Watford for a second time, appointed Taylor as General Manager at Vicarage Road. A year later Taylor had appointed himself as the club's manager, he won the Division Two championship at his first attempt. The following season Taylor won the Division One Championship and with it promotion to the Premier league, where Watford were relegated after one season. Watford finished 9th in Division One at the end of the 2000-01 season, at this point Taylor decided to retire. During this final season Taylor had become only the third manager to manage 1,000 league games in England, after Brian Clough and Jim Smith.
Aston Villa (2002 - 2003)
Taylor came out of retirement February 2002 to return to his old job at Aston Villa, but retired for a second time after Villa finished the 2002/2003 season in 16th place in the Premiership. He subsequently cited tensions in his relationship with the club's chairman Doug Ellis and argued for an overhaul of the club's upper management to allow the club to be more competitive.
Post managerial career
In 2003 Taylor became vice-president at League One club Scunthorpe United. Since 2004 , he has worked as a pundit on BBC Radio Five Live, and has managed a team of celebrities for Sky One's annual series, ''The Match''.
References
★ ''England: The Official F.A History'', Niall Edworthy, Virgin Publishers, 1997, ISBN 1-85227-699-1.
★ ''Gary Lineker: Strikingly Different'', Colin Malam, Stanley Paul Publications, London, 1993 ISBN 0-09-175424-0
1. Edworthy, p14-147
2. Edworthy, p148
3. Malam, p110
4. Malam, p120-121
5. Edworthy, p151
6. Edworthy, p152
7. Edworthy, p154
8. Edworthy, p154
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