Saturday 14 January 2017 17:57, UK
Watford's fans and players paid tribute to their late boss Graham Taylor at an emotional Vicarage Road ahead of their match against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Taylor died aged 72 on Thursday and the former England manager, who took charge of the Hornets for 15 years over two spells, led the club from the bottom tier to top tier in just five seasons.
There were hugely emotional scenes at the stadium with books of condolence added around Vicarage Road for supporters, while a collection of Taylor's favourite songs were played ahead of the Premier League clash.
A black and white picture of Taylor also adorned the front cover of the programme. "The greatest Watford manager of all-time," accompanied the image. His wife and family were in attendance and were visibly moved by the tribute.
Fans laid flowers, scarves and club shirts outside the stadium while "There's only one Graham Taylor" was chanted prior to kick-off, and throughout the one-minute applause, with some fans in tears. Middlesbrough fans also sang Taylor's name.
Speaking just before the match that kicked off at 3pm, head coach Walter Mazzarri said: "We are all very emotional and sad for loss of a great person for this club. We will try to play our best possible game.
"I have spoken to them. I told them to express all of our qualities. We are slowly starting to see very important players coming back which can only help the squad."
While captain Troy Deeney added: "We've just got to make sure we do him proud. hopefully we can show how much we respected him. Football is just a game and this is bigger than that."
Supporters in the Rookery Stand joined together to hold placards ahead of the game which spelt out "GT" with a heart symbol.
Speaking in the programme notes, club chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "As one, together as a club, we were all utterly devastated to learn of Graham's passing on Thursday.
"His achievements at this club remain unsurpassed - and they weren't just on the field as Watford supporters everywhere will be aware.
"Watford still enjoys the reputation of being the original pioneers of the family club - a club so deeply rooted in its community because of the drive and commitments to see this happen from Graham.
"That the club remains the heartbeat of the town today is testament to the way Graham shaped things in his image; warm-hearted, caring, inclusive and with a will to succeed and progress at all times.
"Together with Sir Elton John, Graham built Watford FC. We will treasure the legacy he created and honour him by continuing to develop this wonderful football club. Please join us today by paying tribute to Graham."
After a career in which he also managed Lincoln, Wolves and Aston Villa, Taylor worked as a television and radio pundit while also helping Watford through a period of financial difficulty.
He served as the club's chairman from 2009 until 2012 and a stand at Vicarage Road was renamed after him in 2014. He was made an Honorary Freeman of the borough in 2001.
As well as his magnificent achievements in the promotion stakes, Taylor also led Watford into the UEFA Cup after finishing second during the club's first season as a top division club in 1982/83, and led them to the FA Cup final in 1984.
