Former Watford FC manager Graham Taylor named 'gay icon' by Sir Elton John (From Watford Observer)

Former Watford FC manager Graham Taylor named 'gay icon' by Sir Elton John

3:20pm Wednesday 1st July 2009

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To some Hornets' fans, former manager Graham Taylor is a “hero”, to others he is a “legend”.

But the man who led Watford Football Club to its only FA Cup Final has now been handed the unlikely title of “gay icon” - by Sir Elton John.

Sir Elton, the club's Life President, was asked to list six people, gay or otherwise, for an exhibition entitled Gay Icons at National Portrait Gallery.

Sir Elton hired Taylor as manager of the Vicarage Road club when he was chairman in 1977.

And the pop star said: "I had been a lifelong Watford fan and Graham truly made whatever dreams I had for my team come true.

"In only four seasons, Graham took Watford from the fourth division to the first, and of course to the FA Cup Final in 1984.

"After going on to manage the England team, he came back to Watford in 1996 and again the team’s fortunes went up – this time to the Premier League."

The exhibition, which celebrates homosexuals, heroes and heroines, opens to the public tomorrow (Thursday).

Taylor is now a non-executive director at Watford, as well as an honorary life president alongside Sir Elton.

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