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Graham Taylor funeral: Crowds gather for England boss Graham Taylor funeral: Crowds gather for England boss
(about 1 hour later)
Football legends have joined fans for the funeral of former Watford, Aston Villa and England boss Graham Taylor.Football legends have joined fans for the funeral of former Watford, Aston Villa and England boss Graham Taylor.
Stars including John Barnes, Luther Blissett and Sir Alex Ferguson are among those attending the service St Mary's Church, Watford. Stars including John Barnes, Luther Blissett and Sir Alex Ferguson attended the service St Mary's Church in Watford.
BBC commentator John Motson will read a tribute from ex-Watford owner Sir Elton John who will not be at the funeral. BBC commentator John Motson read a tribute from ex-Watford owner Sir Elton John who was not at the funeral.
Thousands of fans have lined the streets to pay respects to Taylor, who died on 12 January aged 72. Hundreds of fans lined the streets to pay respects to Taylor, who died on 12 January aged 72.
Rev Tony Rindl, leading the service, said: "Graham's death has come as a great shock to us." His coffin was brought in by six pallbearers, with flowers reflecting the colours of Watford Football Club.
Live: Updates from the Graham Taylor funeralLive: Updates from the Graham Taylor funeral
A number of former Watford players are attending, including Kenny Jackett, Tommy Smith, Alec Chamberlain, Sean Dyche, Malky Mackay, Ross Jenkins, Steve Terry and Steve Sherwood. Rev Tony Rindl, leading the service, said: "Graham's death has come as a great shock to us."
Current captain Troy Deeney is also at the ceremony. The congregation stood to sing Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us - a hymn sung at Mr Taylor's wedding to wife, Rita.
Songs from Mr Taylor's favourite singer, Buddy Holly, have been played to the crowd. Rev John Samways, a family friend and Watford supporter of 64 years, called him a "devoted" family man.
The ceremony will be followed by a private family committal later in the day. He recounted how at the age of 13, Taylor met Rita while he was playing Lord Grizzle in school play Tom Thumb the Great.
Taylor was appointed Watford manager by Sir Elton John in 1977 and within five years took the club from the old Fourth Division to the top flight. He said his friend had turned to him and said: "I'm gonna marry that girl."
He also managed Lincoln City and Aston Villa, guiding the latter from the second division to second place in the top flight and a return to European football in just three seasons. Six years later the couple were married.
After resigning as England boss in 1993 following the team's failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, he took over Wolves before a further five-year spell at Watford between 1996 and 2001 when he again guided the club back to the top flight. In his tribute, Sir Elton said Mr Taylor was "like a brother," describing him as a man he "befriended and loved from the moment I first met him".
Despite announcing his retirement, he returned to Aston Villa for one last job, managing the Midlands giants in 2002-03. "As chairman and manager we were Batman and Robin," he said.
Taylor's daughter, Joanne, said the family had received "tributes from people from all walks of life," adding for him it was "family first, except on match days", but "for us it was dad first, Graham Taylor second".
His grandchildren also paid tribute to him. Rhianna said they were "always happy, smiling" around him.
Elsie said "thank you for the giggles", while Jake said he was a "major influence in all of our lives".
Mr Taylor's coffin left the church to Amazing Grace and applause from the crowd outside.
A number of former Watford players attended, including Kenny Jackett, Tommy Smith, Alec Chamberlain, Sean Dyche, Malky Mackay, Ross Jenkins, Steve Terry and Steve Sherwood.
Current captain Troy Deeney was also at the ceremony, as were former England players David Platt and Martin Keown who Taylor managed at Aston Villa.
A private family committal will now take place.
Taylor started his managerial career at Lincoln City before being appointed Watford manager by Sir Elton in 1977.
Within five years he took the Hornets from the old Fourth Division to the top flight, a rise peaking in a second place finish in 1983 and, a year later, the FA Cup Final.
He moved to Aston Villa in 1987 where he memorably labelled the club - which five years earlier had been Champions of Europe - a "shambles".
He won promotion at the first attempt and led a Villa side including Paul McGrath and David Platt to second place in the top flight in 1990, securing a return to European football for the Midlands giants.
After resigning as England boss in 1993 following the squad's failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, he took over Wolves before a further five-year spell at Watford between 1996 and 2001.
He again guided the club back to the top flight.
Despite announcing his retirement he returned to Aston Villa, first as a director and then manager in 2002-03.