How terribly sad to lose Graham Taylor at the age of 72. A wonderful managerial club career, including the impossible success he gained at Watford, should never be forgotten. Success never came his way as England manager and like every other England manager, with the possible exception of Sir Alf Ramsey, his tenure ended in anger and ridicule. He became known for having his head placed on a turnip. Get it? Graham Turnip.
If you have ever laughed at this “hilarious joke”, as I once did, then join me in hanging your head in shame. For all his failings as an international manager, his club career was a great success, as was his subsequent media career where he became one of the best and most knowledgeable pundits on BBC Radio Five Live. Above all, he was a lovely bloke, as honest as the day is long, and a great family man. If we remember him as the turnip, ask yourself why.
Guess which newspaper featured Taylor’s head on a turnip? Yes, it was the Sun. And guess who its editor was? Step forward Kelvin MacKenzie, Rupert Murdoch’s king of filth.
I would like to remember Taylor as the man who gave us John Barnes, one of the finest players to ever grace our game. Yes, he played route one football at Watford but this was born of pragmatism. His players were not world class but his organisation was. He did to Watford players what Gerry Francis did to Bristol Rovers players: he made them play at a level many believed they would never reach. Taylor dreamed the impossible dream, woke up and found it had come true.
Graham Taylor was also a fierce opponent of racism and bigotry, which probably meant that the Sun in general and MacKenzie in particular hated him even more. Compare a thoroughly decent man who gave his life to the sport he loved to Kelvin MacKenzie, a third-rate journalist who makes a living out of telling lies and hating people and there’s no comparison at all. Taylor was not a turnip and he rose above the bile and filth. He will be greatly missed by all serious football supporters.
