The death of Watford’s best manager was met with a wealth of tributes from our readers.

Watford supporters, and anybody lucky enough to have met him, shared stories of their encounters and an appreciation of his achievements and character.

‘I will be forever grateful’

Through most of my teenage years in the 1970s through to the end of his management of Watford, this man has affected my life in a positive way more than any other person outside of my immediate family and friends. I will forever be grateful to have been around at the right time. Thank you for so many fantastic memories, Mr Taylor. Amazing!

‘God’

Lost for words. Choked. We called him God. So pleased he saw Watford back to where he first took them.

Watford Observer: Former England manager Graham Taylor fears Watford may go into administration after Russo brothers call-in loans. Picture: Action Images

‘One of the biggest influences and inspirations in my life’

I was at university in the late 1970s so didn't get to all the games but got weekly Watford Observer football pages from my Dad; such an exciting time. I was playing football for my work team when I heard about 8-0 v Sunderland – I was the proudest man on earth.

My mum queued for hours to get my cup final tickets and now I go every week with my son who is also now at university.

GT was one of the biggest influences and inspirations in my life and the very heart of the passion I share with my son for the club. RIP great man - you were the best.

READ MORE: Watford FC fans pay tribute to Graham Taylor outside Vicarage Road Stadium

‘Absolute true legend’

He was an absolute true LEGEND. We should re-name Vicarage Road stadium after him – such was his tremendous impact on The Golden Boys – and twice at that. RIP Mr Watford.

‘No-one was greater’

I will never forget some years ago, him walking over to our car and quizzing my Chinese wife about whether his Cantonese sounded right as he was giving a speech to some Chinese delegates that evening.

As Watford legends go, no-one was greater. Thank you for all you did for WFC. Always remembered.

Watford Observer: Graham Taylor calls for stability

READ MORE: Graham Taylor: Watford to pay tribute to former manager at game tomorrow

‘The greatest man ever in football’

To me, he was the greatest man ever in football, who cared for the football fans and the game. His management skills were excellent, as well as his time as England manager at a press conference, where he told the hack to have a smile on his face or get out.

He became chair of the Watford FC board because supporters had that much respect. Thank you Sir Graham of North Hykeham for all you have done.

‘One of a kind’

I've often wondered how I would feel when this happened and now I know. A top man. A truly great bloke. Forever etched in my mind is GT, with the hugest, proudest smile on his face, that day in May back in '99, when we laid to rest the ghosts of '84.

You were one of a kind, Graham, and you will live in our hearts forever.

‘The greatest ever Watford manager’

Rest in Peace Graham. Simply the greatest ever Watford manager; he laid the foundations for the bright future that followed.

READ MORE: Graham Taylor remembered: 'He embodied everything good about football' says Watford Mayor

‘Thank you Mr Taylor, for giving me a passion in life’

I remember when I was nine, in 1984, and my mum went out and got some golden, red and black ribbons for mine and my brother’s BMXs. I wasn't massively into football back then, but that is an abiding memory I have of my childhood.

I got into WFC on GT's second coming and haven't looked back since.

We've been on one hell of a rollercoaster ride and I thank you Mr Taylor (and of course Elton) for giving me a passion in life! RIP.

‘A totally genuine gentleman’

A totally genuine gentleman. I remember reading an interview with him when he was asked what the lowest point of his life was. Expecting an answer such as when he was sacked as England manager, the interviewer was taken aback when he said, "the day my daughter left home - my wife and I both cried". That tells you everything about the man.

All our thoughts will be with his family. I hope we do him proud on Saturday.

Watford Observer: The new boss. Graham Taylor captured during a three-hour visit to the Watford Observer's offices on June 22, 1977 - two days before signing as Watford's new manager.

‘A highly principled man’

A very special and highly principled man, a great man motivator and an excellent club manager who made every detail about our club his business to improve. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers go to his family at this very difficult time.

No doubt as he enters the pearly gates he will be greeted by the chant of 'Elton John's Taylor made army'.

READ MORE: Graham Taylor: The man who worked the Watford miracle

‘The single most important man in the history of the club’

There's a decent argument that says this is the single most important individual in the history of the club that we love. A true gentleman with it.

As an 18 year old I did a few months as a sports reporter for a long since disbanded local rag. For that short time, the undisputed highlight of my week was joining the assembled press after games in a little room just off the tunnel and listening, in awe, as he gave his post-match press conference. In those days it was a very informal affair and we all just stood around him holding our dictaphones as close as we would stand to him. Win, lose or draw he was always professional (we all know that from the thousands of televised interviews he did) but what struck me was how genuinely friendly and "normal" he was in person.

For my last game I plucked up the courage to ask for a one-on-one interview. It was the day we had signed Johann Gudmundsson and I was convinced he was a striker so kept asking the one question I had prepared - had he been signed to play the little man in partnership with Jason Lee. He was so gentle in putting me straight (more than once) that he was a winger and very much one for the future.

In the scheme of things it is inconsequential but I treasure those memories. Rest in peace, Graham.

READ MORE: REACTION: Former Watford manager Graham Taylor has died

‘A nice, funny guy’

Watford Observer: Graham Taylor. Picture: Pippa Douglas

I'm lucky enough to say I went to his house and met him - he was a nice, funny guy, always making jokes and doing silly things to make people laugh.

‘An intelligent and compassionate person’

I had the pleasure of a charity evening with him a few years ago. He was charming, funny and possessed a great football knowledge.

He was clearly an intelligent and compassionate person and very sociable. He could have been bitter after the way the press treated him but he seemed very relaxed about the whole thing and at ease with himself.

He spoke a lot about his family and they were, just above football, the most important thing in his life. Many of my earliest and best football memories were down to him. Thank you Graham.