How did you get to meet Oli?I met Oli in 1977 when I started as a trainee journalist on the WO

How will you remember him?With affection… though he was miffed when I was the first journalist to greet Graham Taylor when he was appointed that summer. Oli was on holiday in France in his motor van so, bizarrely, I was asked to go and see GT at the Apsley training ground… and he knew who I was, through ‘looking through the local paper’. His dad was a local paper journalist and he was keen to make a good impression… and that’s the sort of thing you never forget. Oli returned from holiday and was larger than life in every way - and totally dedicated to his job. So many anecdotes to share but he’ll be remembered as a man at the heart of the Watford community. RIP Oli

How did you get to meet Oli?I was Oli's deputy sports editor for a number of years in the 70s and 80s

How will you remember him?My lasting memory was when the big fella clicked into top gear on "press days" ... Thursdays, the busiest day of our week, as we prepared to put the paper "to bed". Oli would come back from his meetings with the current Watford FC manager (his favourite, of course, was Graham Taylor). He'd stick a small cigar in his mouth and start pounding out hundreds of beautifully-crafted words on his old typewriter. My task was to supposed to be to "sub" his writing. What that actually involved was adding the occasional comma or capital letter. His writing was accurate, informative and so entertaining. It was an absolute honour to work alongside him. It's Just a Thought!

How did you get to meet Oli?As a freelance photographer at Watford FC during the GT decade

How will you remember him?Although a competitor to the great WO, Oli and his photography team, Malcolm and Peter, were always welcoming. He was professional and good company. He must be remembered as the Watford FC wordsmith and in my mind was an important part of our club during GT's decade of wonder. From the fourth to the First, Wembley, Europe, truly a tale of the unexpected. It's a shame we've lost our way but that's for the new generation. Without suffering how can one appreciate success? RIP Oli, you made your mark.

How did you get to meet Oli?I sadly never met Oli, only though his words.

How will you remember him?Fridays for me was driving to Harefield (which was the nearest place I could get the Watford Observer) and getting the best coverage of Watford FC. Oli encapsulated the mood of the fans and said it how it was. No compromises. Compared to modern day 'non factual' journalism, this was intelligent, factual and most of all entertaining Watford news. Oli can be rest assured that his legacy continues with Andrew French. RIP Oli, you will certainly be missed.

How did you get to meet Oli?I was the night shift manager for five years with the Watford Observer.

How will you remember him?Always a kind and likeable character, hard working and always had time for a chat about our beloved team Watford. Was upset to hear the news of his passing, shame we lost touch all them years ago. Rest well Oli.

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Just a photo of me and Lottie. Be nice if any of my old work mates from the early 70’s recognises me and wants to get in touch before anymore of us leave this is planet.

How did you get to meet Oli?I never met Oli

How will you remember him?Visiting my Nan and Grandads on a Saturday and pouring over the wonderful match report written by Oli. Cup of tea, a bread roll and a delve into the latest happenings at Vicarage Rd. Wrote fair and honest assessments and was a wonderful asset to the town. Later when I started going home and away it was nice to read a trusted third party opinion on the latest match. Also loved reading his reflection pieces later on. Never met Oli but was very sad to hear of his passing.

How did you get to meet Oli?I was at the Watford Observer from 1995 to 2000, and on the sports desk for most of that time

How will you remember him?Charismatic, larger than life and sometimes formidable, Oli had a way of leaving an indelible impression. Arriving for work experience on the sports desk at The Watford Observer in the mid-90s, I could see the aura and presence of the man, the singular garb and demeanour. I was soon in awe of his prolific writing, knowledge, experience and sharp, perceptive journalism. Later, as part of the sports desk team, I continued to learn from watching Oli work and absorbed all his advice. His explanation about hyphenating compound adjectives still echoes through my mind as I write today. Walking into Vicarage Road on match days with Oli, sitting alongside him in the press box and then gathering player quotes after the game felt like a great privilege. Earning his respect and praise was always important, from my days as a naïve sports reporter through to my time as sports editor. I remember the seemingly effortless flow of vivid, evocative copy, appearing as Oli bashed relentlessly away at the keyboards at his desk. I remember being transfixed, pretending not to listen, as he chatted away with football managers, players or local characters on the phone, drawing out the best quotes. Oli was a great observer of people and life, adept at pinpointing a key news angle, an interesting insight or the amusing side of everyday occurrences. I remember the aroma of his regular curry lunch, colourful office banter with cartoonist Terry, the laughs over old anecdotes and stories. Oli welcomed me to the sports desk when I had dubious relevant experience and helped shape my skills as a writer and journalist, but he also had a memorable impact on my life. I suspect many more people can say the same.

How did you get to meet Oli?He was my first boss!

How will you remember him?As a wet-behind-the-ears cub sports reporter joining the Watford Observer straight out of Watford Grammar School in 1979, a more imposing first boss would have been hard to imagine. Large and larger than life, Ollie Philips was truly a towering figure in Watford sporting circles. As an impressionable teenager making his way in the world, simply being in the company of Ollie, resident cartoonist Terry Challis and chief photographer Malcolm Orvis ‘on the Watford FC beat’ was uplifting. Aside from being Ollie’s unofficial researcher on Watford FC records, I’d always be the first to answer the sports desk phone on the chance it was Graham Taylor or Eddie Plumley, or even a player or two, on the other end of the line. For the five fabulous years I spent on the Watford Observer sports desk (1979-1984), I dined out on the fact that I actually worked with ‘Ollie’. Old school mates and cricket-playing Watford FC fanatics never failed to be impressed by the fact that on a daily basis I sat opposite the Watford FC oracle. My final job at the Watford Observer before moving overseas was as Ollie’s ‘assistant’ at the 1984 FA Cup final, responsible for totting up the corner count, collating attempts on and off target and seeking out post-match quotes. Watford may have lost 2-0, but for me the memory of just being at Wembley alongside the great Ollie on such an auspicious occasion for the club of which he so much a part of the fabric will always remain.

How did you get to meet Oli?In the motorway services on the way back from a game we lost up north somewhere !

How will you remember him?A great journalist and fantastic guy! He told us to keep the faith !

How did you get to meet Oli?He was a fellow member of West Herts Golf Club where I helped with his Charity Fundraising for the Observer.

How will you remember him?For his encouragement to aspiring writers. He was also a fascinating musicologist. He talked enthusiastically of his visits to America to seek out the “geography” of popular hits of 50s & 60s. Stories of his visits to the Brill Building in New York City where Motown among others were produced. The greatest compliment handed out was when he said “I’ve read your stuff, you can write well”. I corresponded with him regularly the last time a week before his passing - to congratulate him. His three volume History of Watford in 20th Century is a priceless legacy to the Town. He signed my copies at the launch. Oh, and he was fond of the full English when he visited. He would sit outside at the Rhubarb Cafe like a latter day Ernest Hemingway. RIP Oli. There will never be another.

How did you get to meet Oli?Never did meet the gentleman

How will you remember him?Always looked forward to Friday mornings and digesting every single word of Mr Phillips’ reports and comments.

How did you get to meet Oli?I worked with Oli for five years on the Watford Observer's general news and sport team

How will you remember him?Always with a smile. I spent many a cold night with him rugged up in the press box at Vicarage Road along with the then deputy editor Malcom Waller and other members of the sports writing team including Gary McGowan and Tony Higgin. Great journo, wonderful bloke, one of the funniest but really knew his stuff. He richly deserved the recognition afforded him by both Watford FC and the town. Mick Parker

How did you get to meet Oli?Watford Observer

How will you remember him?Oli was my very first Sports Editor when I joined the Watford Observer from NCTJ photojournalism course in Sheffield over 35 years ago. He was always considerate and always offered positive advice when I embarked as a photographer & we shared many many home & away games. When I left the Watford Observer to join The Times, Oli presented me with a battered & well-worn boxed set by Buddy Holly which I still have. I will play the vinyl and raise a glass of red to my friend. #RIPmaestro Marc Aspland Chief Sports (staff) Photographer The Times & Sunday Times

How did you get to meet Oli?Never met

How will you remember him?I have probably read more of Oli Philips words than any other person. Couldn't wait for the Friday issue of the WO to devour his every word. Thank you Oli.

How did you get to meet Oli?I first met Oli on a personal note when we were both members of West Herts Golf Club in the 1990s.

How will you remember him?Oli was a lovely man, a gentle giant I think sums him up. I palyed golf with him at West Herts in the 1990s and I have to say he was a much better writer than he was golfer but he enjoyed the game and the beers afterwards. Going further back to the 70's when I was manager of the old Tudor Corinthians Football Club, Oli would sometimes telephone you at work for a report on the weekend's game and would basically interview you over the telephone which would be followed by a report in Friday's paper, in those days the coverage of local leagues was much greater than it is now sadly. I was fortunate to be invited to his retirement party at the golf club which was attended by players old and new from Watford FC along with the chairman of the day and also the current manager. I think this was an indication of the respect he commanded from everybody at Watford FC. How will I remember him, with a smile a chuckle and shrug of his shoulders when another golf shot goes astray but mostly from his superb writing. God bless you Oli

How did you get to meet Oli?I MET OLI AT MOST OF THE MATCHES AT VICARAGE ROAD BECAUSE I WAS A STEWARD AT THE TIME WHEN WATFORD WERE PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE SUCCESS.

How will you remember him?OLI WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO FOUND TIME TO TALK TO YOU AND THERE WAS NEVER A GULF BETWEEN US AS STEWARDS AND TURNSTILE OPERATORS AND HIS POSITION AT THE WATFORD OBSERVER. HIS OUTSTANDING KNOWLEDGE OF ALL MATTERS WATFORD FC WAS A REAL JOY. HE SHARED OUR FEELINGS OF OUR CLUB BE THEY ON A HIGH WHEN WATFORD WERE GOING STRONG AND SHARED OUR DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN THINGS WERE BLEAK. HE WAS VERY FRANK IN HIS APPRAISAL IN HIS COLUMN IN THE PAPER AND YOU FELT ENRICHED BY HIS OUTSTANDING KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING OUR CLUB. HE WAS WATFORD FC THROUGH AND THROUGH AND HE WILL BE MISSED BY EVERYBODY CONNECTED WITH THE CLUB IN THE PAST AND PRESENT. THANK YOU OLI FOR GIVING ME THE TIME OF DAY AND MAKING ME FEEL BETTER HAVING MET YOU ON MATCH DAYS. I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN SHEFFIELD FOR THIRTY-FIVE YEARS BUT HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. MY HEART-FELT FEELINGS TO HIS FAMILY AT THIS TIME.

How did you get to meet Oli?By sheer good fortune

How will you remember him?A few years ago, I was wondering why Watford ditched the blue shirts they’d worn in the late 50s, preferring to play in gold/yellow. Who’d know the answer to that, I asked myself. It was obvious: Oli Phillips. Shame he’s retired and now lives in France, I thought. Later the same day, I was walking along New Road in Croxley, not far from where I live, and spotted a tall man in the distance. He was wearing a hat, the kind of hat Oli Phillips would wear. It can’t be. It was. “Excuse me,” I asked, “are you Oli Phillips?” “I am.” “Excellent,” I said. “Question for you…” “Ah, well,” he replied, apparently ready to answer any Hornets-related query I could throw at him. “Watford wanted to change their kit, and their luck. Jim Bonser was chairman at the time and it was said the club wanted to ‘banish the blues’…” Oli had casually appeared out of nowhere (well, France) to very helpfully answer my question just when I wanted him to. What a kind man.

How did you get to meet Oli?I met Oli outside St Mary’s Church at Graham Taylor’s funeral

How will you remember him?I will remember him for his superb reporting on Watford FC. In the pre internet days I used to look forward to reading his column in the Watford Observer knowing that his report on the latest match would be accurately described. Later his nostalgia pieces were an absolute joy to read and brought back such wonderful memories

How did you get to meet Oli?I was a programe seller at the club in the 80's and often saw him around the stadium

How will you remember him?I will remember Oli for his brilliant writing abilities. He could bring the matches to life if you weren't there! As a teenager and young adult I couldn't wait for the Watford Observer to come out on a Friday just to read the back pages; it was always a real treat! After I moved to the U.S in the late 90s , the internet was still in its infancy and there was no streaming, so watching games became hard. There was Three Counties Radio , which did provide audio coverage and then there were the clippings from the back of the paper which my father kindly sent me on a regular basis each week with Oli's musings! RIP fine fellow.

How did you get to meet Oli?When I became Editor of the Watford Observer, Oli was already a legend at the paper and in the town and at Vicarage Road

How will you remember him?Oli was always someone I could rely on and on many occasions we shared our thoughts on the football scene. He arranged for me to see all the home Watford matches, many of them sitting alongside him and Terry Challis in the press box. We had some great times as Watford achieved such success in the First Division, finishing runners-up in my first year as Editor, then getting to Wembley the following year before losing narrowly to Everton. Oli and I arranged for houses to be decorated and he produced a superb Cup Final supplement. That week's Watford Observer sold more copies than at any other time that I can recall. Most of all he was a great journalist and a warm, friendly man. I am sad to hear of his passing. .

How did you get to meet Oli?Covering Watford FC for the long-defunct Watford Herald & Post

How will you remember him?Despite working for different papers, Oli and his trusty sidekick Terry Challis were always good to me when I was a young reporter in the late 1980s. My favourite memory is the time we drove to Newcastle in his old tank of a car for a night game - losing 2-1. We had a full curry before the match (one member of the group had two curries) and then stopped for fish and chips on the way home!

How did you get to meet Oli?Cannot remember first meeting but probably at an away game somewhere.

How will you remember him?Had the huge pleasure of travelling to numerous away games with Oli, Trefor, Terry and Robert. They were regulars together but he always found room for me when my normal lifts were not available. There were laughs aplenty although I did forego the pre-match curry opting for a pint instead. He is the third and last of the Watford greats travelling together in those days and like Terry and Trefor will be sadly missed. As another exile, living in Ireland these days, I was so saddened to hear the news. Hornet heaven will be even more knowledgeable and comical now.

How did you get to meet Oli?Via the pages of the Watford Observer

How will you remember him?A Legend. I had a subscription to the WO when I first moved to Sussex, purely so that I could read his match reports and analysis of Watford FC.

How did you get to meet Oli?Through my late brother-in-law Malcolm "Mac" Campbell who worked with Oli

How will you remember him?I was privileged to attend the WFC Centenary meal with Mac, Oli and other Watford Observer staff. It was a privilege to meet the man whose writings were an important part of my weekends for many years. Only when you moved away from the Watford area did you appreciate the incomparable quality of his coverage of the local team. I also had the privilege of working with Oli's wife, Ellie at the Balmoral Centre in Watford and send my condolences to her on the loss of her husband and a great man.

How did you get to meet Oli?Never had the pleasure of speaking to Oli but never missed reading and loving his reporting on Watford FC.

How will you remember him?A sad day for Hornet fans everywhere. Oli was a key component in Watford's rise up the divisions under GT and Elton. He really was the bridge between the fans and the club and both sides always had the upmost respect for each other and that’s why the partnership worked. Always impartial but never afraid to “ruffle a few feathers” if he felt it was necessary. My condolences to his family and many friends, let’s give him a great send off at the Blackburn game as this man was crucial to the development of Watford FC. RIP Oli. 😢

How did you get to meet Oli?-

How will you remember him?Oli was instrumental in establishing the Watford Supporters Trust back in 2002 acting as both a supporter and a critical friend of its aims and objectives. His wisdom, experience and guidance during that period was invaluable. RIP Oli

How did you get to meet Oli?Sadly never did

How will you remember him?So sorry to hear of Oli’s demise. Oli’s articles and honest reporting are firmly up there in truly cementing my early days support of my local team along with GT, EJ, LB…… A Watford legend and a rich addition to Hornet Heaven.

How did you get to meet Oli?I was a reporter, then chief sub, at the WO from 1999-2001

How will you remember him?A larger-than-life figure, in both stature and character. One of my fondest memories was meeting him and his wife in Beijing for a meal. I moved to China after leaving the WO, and was over the moon when Oli said he was passing through and that it would be great to catch up. It was!

How did you get to meet Oli?Oli interviewed me in 1993 about a chapter I'd written in a book.

How will you remember him?One of the most formative aspects of my life as a Watford fan was reading Oli's writing in the Watford Observer. In the 1970s, my brother and I used to race downstairs on Friday mornings. We grabbed the newspaper from the letterbox and laid out the sports pages on the hall carpet. We knelt side by side, devouring every word Oli had written, before we went off to school. But his influence didn’t stop there. As someone who writes about Watford FC myself these days, I can say that almost every piece I write owes something to Oli's work on the club's history. Oli enriched and deepened my experience of being a Watford supporter - which is something that I’ve handed onto my sons. His influence continues. I will always be hugely grateful for the role he played in an aspect of my life that has meant so much to me.

How did you get to meet Oli?Through many pre-season tours watching WFC and club events. Also evenings spent in the Boot pub in Sarratt, especially New Year's Eve.

How will you remember him?Funny, articulate and just a great guy. Thank you Oli. RIP

How did you get to meet Oli?Back in the mid 1970s I remember travelling by coach to Wimbledon for a pre-season friendly. There were only about 30 of us on the coach, including Oli

How will you remember him?After the game, a mob of Wimbledon "fans" decided to attack our coach (don't laugh!) It didn't look good but a few of us, including Oli, managed to defend the coach doors until the driver pulled away. Oli made reference to this incident a few times in his articles as how he was prepared to "take one with him". Back in those days the WO was a broadsheet and Oli's articles were compulsive reading for this Watford fan. Happy memories and greatly missed. RIP Oli

How did you get to meet Oli?I never met him personally

How will you remember him?Oli was simply another foundation stone in the foundations of the club that I fell in love with, my club, our club. He wrote with passion, with clarity and with a deep feeling for his privileged position. Thoughts go to his family and friends.

How did you get to meet Oli?At many Watford FC functions

How will you remember him?A truly great man, with an oracle of words that were put to print from his heart. He acted as a watching servant to us supporters to ensure the integrity of the club we all love so much. Oli will be remembered by with compassion, and can now continue his many conversations with the the other great man, GT.....RIP Sir Oli

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My go to book for all things Watford..

How did you get to meet Oli?As Watford Club Photographer

How will you remember him?I remember Oli always being the gentleman that national press journalists would go to when they arrived at Vicarage Rd to cover little old Watford. Any time there was a press conference they would get the low down from Oli. A trusted confidant of Graham Taylor , and a good friend to Trevor Challis whom was never far from his side. He didn't suffer fools and was often brash, but you only had to read his in-depth coverage in The Observer every Friday to know that he had the inside track at Vicarage Road. Sadly we are unlikely to see the likes of him again. A very talented journalist whom chose to dedicate his life's work to Watford the town and particularly Watford FC

How did you get to meet Oli?Never met him

How will you remember him?While at Uni my mum regularly posted me copies of Oli’s Watford reports, so I felt part of the ‘gang’