Vicarage Road stood as one prior to kick-off seven years ago today to salute Graham Taylor as the Rous Stand was officially renamed in honour of Watford’s greatest ever manager.
The late Lincoln City, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and England boss, who died in 2017, was joined by members of his family as he made his way on to the pitch and through a guard of honour of former Hornets coaching staff and players from his two hugely successful spells in charge in Hertfordshire.
These included Tom Walley, Steve Harrison, Dennis Booth, Ian Bolton, Steve Sherwood, Steve Terry, Neil Price, Iwan Roberts, Tony Coton, Richard Johnson, Alec Chamberlain, Tommy Mooney, Nigel Gibbs and Luther Blissett.
A chant of ‘There’s Only One Graham Taylor’ rang out from the Rookery, while The 1881’s new Legends banner was displayed, as the former Hornets chairman waved to the crowd before being greeted by director Stuart Timperley to receive a presentation.
Graham Taylor with family, friends and former players in front of the renamed stand
Scroll down this page and look back at some of the images from November 29, 2014 when the Graham Taylor Stand was named after the man who led Watford from the Fourth Division to runners-up in Division One, into Europe and to a first ever FA Cup Final, before returning to Vicarage Road and securing consecutive promotions as the Hornets reached the Premier League for the first time.
Former Watford players and coaching staff make their way out for the presentation
Luther Blissett and Nigel Gibbs enjoy a light-hearted moment
Tommy Mooney waves to the crowd
The crowd in the Graham Taylor Stand
Stuart Timperley makes the presentation to the legndary Watford manager
The 1881’s legends banner
Graham Taylor addresses Vicarage Road in front of the stand that continues to bear his name
Watford’s greatest ever manager savours his reception
