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Watford Forever: How Graham Taylor and Elton John Saved a Football Club, a Town and Each Other
The unforgettable story, decades before Ted Lasso, of the real-life Watford Football Team, transformed into a powerhouse by coach Graham Taylor and owner Elton John.
Nothing has brought English soccer more immediately into the American mainstream than Ted Lasso, which captivated the nation in thirty-four episodes over three seasons. But before there was Jason Sudeikis’s lovable and, at first, hapless AFC Richmond, there was Watford Football Club, a team from the outskirts of London with barely enough fans to fill its stands—and which, in the mid-1970s, was languishing in 92nd place at the bottom of the last division of the English Football League. That is, until rock superstar Elton John—who, with his dad, had followed the team as a boy—bought the lowly franchise and, with legendary manager Graham Taylor, transformed the luckless football club into a top-seeded Premier League team. Inspiring, funny, and ultimately heartbreaking, Watford Forever recalls the improbably tender relationship between Elton John and Taylor, a straight-talking former fullback, who together beat the odds and their personal demons to save a club and a struggling community.
Nothing has brought English soccer more immediately into the American mainstream than Ted Lasso, which captivated the nation in thirty-four episodes over three seasons. But before there was Jason Sudeikis’s lovable and, at first, hapless AFC Richmond, there was Watford Football Club, a team from the outskirts of London with barely enough fans to fill its stands—and which, in the mid-1970s, was languishing in 92nd place at the bottom of the last division of the English Football League. That is, until rock superstar Elton John—who, with his dad, had followed the team as a boy—bought the lowly franchise and, with legendary manager Graham Taylor, transformed the luckless football club into a top-seeded Premier League team. Inspiring, funny, and ultimately heartbreaking, Watford Forever recalls the improbably tender relationship between Elton John and Taylor, a straight-talking former fullback, who together beat the odds and their personal demons to save a club and a struggling community.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published August 27, 2024
33 people are currently reading
2257 people want to read
About the author
John Preston
28 books156 followersJohn Preston is the arts editor and television critic of the Sunday Telegraph. He is the author of three highly acclaimed novels, including Kings of the Roundhouse (2005), and a travel book, Touching the Moon. He lives in London.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 18, 2024
When he died in 2017, I didn't know much about Graham Taylor other than he'd managed England. But I remember there were a few articles online and in the papers about what a great man he was and how he and Elton John were great friends and had made Watford one of the best teams in the country.
Fast forward to last year and this book came out and I knew I wanted to read it. And I amazingly won this in a Viking Books giveaway. And boy oh boy am I so glad I read it.
Elton John became Watford chairman at 29 years old. And he convinced Graham Taylor to become their manager, even though they were in the 4th division. Over the next 10 years, with a lot of hard work (and money) they would play in an FA Cup final and rise through the ranks to the 1st division. Not only that, but pride was put back into the town and it was more than a football club, with lots of charitable initiatives.
This is the most beautiful book on male friendship. On the surface you think they are total opposites, Elton - flamboyant, outgoing, a showman. Graham - to the point, old school, no nonsense. But they just clicked and were like brothers. I love the fact Elton was a millionaire rock/pop superstar, playing to sold out stadiums, and all he ever wanted was Graham's approval.
There are brilliant stories throughout the book. A couple of my favourites were when Elton thought he'd had a heart attack, but he couldn't tell the truth that he'd taken a load of cocaine and decided to play 3 sets of tennis against Billie Jean King! But then on the other end of the rock n roll spectrum, he'd go round for his tea every week with Graham and his wife. Plus a taxi driver telling Graham he should check out a young player called John Barnes (yes, THE John Barnes) But this isn't through rise tinted glasses, the book doesn't shy away from the awful homophobia and racism in the game during these years (late 70's to late 80's)
As a football fan (been supporting Celtic since 98) I love a good football book, and this is one of the best!
"Graham just cared about me as a person. About the fact that if I carried on the way I was going, then I was going to kill myself. That was what really shone through; behind his anger, I could see that he really loved me"
Fast forward to last year and this book came out and I knew I wanted to read it. And I amazingly won this in a Viking Books giveaway. And boy oh boy am I so glad I read it.
Elton John became Watford chairman at 29 years old. And he convinced Graham Taylor to become their manager, even though they were in the 4th division. Over the next 10 years, with a lot of hard work (and money) they would play in an FA Cup final and rise through the ranks to the 1st division. Not only that, but pride was put back into the town and it was more than a football club, with lots of charitable initiatives.
This is the most beautiful book on male friendship. On the surface you think they are total opposites, Elton - flamboyant, outgoing, a showman. Graham - to the point, old school, no nonsense. But they just clicked and were like brothers. I love the fact Elton was a millionaire rock/pop superstar, playing to sold out stadiums, and all he ever wanted was Graham's approval.
There are brilliant stories throughout the book. A couple of my favourites were when Elton thought he'd had a heart attack, but he couldn't tell the truth that he'd taken a load of cocaine and decided to play 3 sets of tennis against Billie Jean King! But then on the other end of the rock n roll spectrum, he'd go round for his tea every week with Graham and his wife. Plus a taxi driver telling Graham he should check out a young player called John Barnes (yes, THE John Barnes) But this isn't through rise tinted glasses, the book doesn't shy away from the awful homophobia and racism in the game during these years (late 70's to late 80's)
As a football fan (been supporting Celtic since 98) I love a good football book, and this is one of the best!
"Graham just cared about me as a person. About the fact that if I carried on the way I was going, then I was going to kill myself. That was what really shone through; behind his anger, I could see that he really loved me"
February 2, 2024
Part one of this works really well rotating the origin stories of the respective men, charting their beginnings, growth, rise and eventual crossing of paths in bite size chapters which keeps this moving along at a nice speed.
This was a hugely enjoyable book, Preston has a talent for story-telling, always keeping it lively and interesting, building the story beautifully-brick by brick, week by week as we start to see the team gel and blossom.
I highly recommend this and it gives a renewed appreciation for what Taylor and Elton achieved at Watford and the impact it had on so many for so long. I imagine its only a matter of time before film rights are acquired and the inevitable film will be made. You can imagine someone like Michael Sheen in there, as long as Hollywood doesn't get a hold of it and Americanize it to the point of absurdity.
This was a hugely enjoyable book, Preston has a talent for story-telling, always keeping it lively and interesting, building the story beautifully-brick by brick, week by week as we start to see the team gel and blossom.
I highly recommend this and it gives a renewed appreciation for what Taylor and Elton achieved at Watford and the impact it had on so many for so long. I imagine its only a matter of time before film rights are acquired and the inevitable film will be made. You can imagine someone like Michael Sheen in there, as long as Hollywood doesn't get a hold of it and Americanize it to the point of absurdity.
June 8, 2024
Watford Forever begins in August 1975 as Watford travelled to Darlington for a fourth division match that was from Watfords point of view a must win game, they lost the game and it left them bottom of the league. The football league at the time was made up of 92 clubs split into four divisions, Watford then were bottom of the pile, the 92nd club. Meanwhile Elton John was the biggest pop star on the planet, he’s record sales representing 2% of the worlds total record sales. He was also one of the most flamboyant of pop stars, supporting green hair, platform shoes, was hooked on drugs and alcohol and was gay. The polar opposite to Graham Taylor whose musical interests didn’t go much beyond Vera Lynn. His football career had ended early due to injury but as a manager he took Lincoln City to the the fourth division title in 1976. However, together they formed a formidable partnership taking Watford from the doldrums of the fourth division to the first division, finishing second behind Liverpool, and an FA Cup final where they lost to Everton. Watford Forever is their unlikely story.
It is a magical story by anyone’s standards including many ‘Roy of the Rovers’ moments, such as the league cup 2nd leg tie with Southampton in September 1980, a contender for the greatest cup upset of all time. Although a lot of the book concerns football there are moments of a more personal nature including Taylor tearing a strip off Elton in the Watford boardroom regarding his attitude and drinking, a dressing down that launched the pop star on the road to recovery from his addictions, ‘Graham saved my life,’ he said. “Behind his anger,” John said, “I could see that he really loved me.” On Taylor’s death in 2017 John wrote that “he was like a brother to me.”
Taylor’s contribution to Watford went far beyond the football team. He introduced a family stand for example despite being told cordoning off 500 seats for such a purpose was stupid. Football, violence was rife at the time and only 4% of football crowds consisted of women. The family stand was established to make football a safe place and no adult was allowed in there unless accompanied by a child. It was such a success other clubs followed suit.
Watford Forever is also a slice of social history. A snapshot of an era when football hooliganism, racism and homophobia were a nasty stain on football. Today football is a world of hierarchies, with the the financial giants at the top. We will never again see a time when someone can take a team on its knees playing in a crumbling stadium and with the right leadership catapult them to the top of the tree in such a short time. It was the stuff of fantasy, if Hollywood produced you’d call it far fetched, unrealistic.
But at its core is the story of a remarkable partnership. John Barnes noted that “Each one learned from the other in a way that had a hugely beneficial effect on both their lives.” The benefits transcended football effecting them on a personal level too and also changing it the lives of the people of Watford.
It’s a wonderful heartwarming story.
It is a magical story by anyone’s standards including many ‘Roy of the Rovers’ moments, such as the league cup 2nd leg tie with Southampton in September 1980, a contender for the greatest cup upset of all time. Although a lot of the book concerns football there are moments of a more personal nature including Taylor tearing a strip off Elton in the Watford boardroom regarding his attitude and drinking, a dressing down that launched the pop star on the road to recovery from his addictions, ‘Graham saved my life,’ he said. “Behind his anger,” John said, “I could see that he really loved me.” On Taylor’s death in 2017 John wrote that “he was like a brother to me.”
Taylor’s contribution to Watford went far beyond the football team. He introduced a family stand for example despite being told cordoning off 500 seats for such a purpose was stupid. Football, violence was rife at the time and only 4% of football crowds consisted of women. The family stand was established to make football a safe place and no adult was allowed in there unless accompanied by a child. It was such a success other clubs followed suit.
Watford Forever is also a slice of social history. A snapshot of an era when football hooliganism, racism and homophobia were a nasty stain on football. Today football is a world of hierarchies, with the the financial giants at the top. We will never again see a time when someone can take a team on its knees playing in a crumbling stadium and with the right leadership catapult them to the top of the tree in such a short time. It was the stuff of fantasy, if Hollywood produced you’d call it far fetched, unrealistic.
But at its core is the story of a remarkable partnership. John Barnes noted that “Each one learned from the other in a way that had a hugely beneficial effect on both their lives.” The benefits transcended football effecting them on a personal level too and also changing it the lives of the people of Watford.
It’s a wonderful heartwarming story.
January 25, 2024
In 1976, the Watford soccer club and Elton John (Reggie Dwight) were at polar opposites in their respective worlds. As John was soaring to great popularity and fame with his music, Watford was languishing at the bottom of the standings in England’s Fourth Division - about as low as an English soccer club could go. However, those fortunes were about to change as Elton John purchased the club and soon thereafter hired Graham Taylor to run the team. How they changed Watford’s fortunes is told in this book by John Preston.
Both men are portrayed in great detail, which helps illustrate both the similarities and the differences between the two men. When they first met, Taylor was questioning both the level,of commitment that John would put into the team aside from money and also just how much of a challenge did he want by taking over such a poorly funded and run club - at least they were before these two took over. It helps if the reader understands the inner workings of English soccer, both on and off the field to understand what Taylor was doing. But that isn’t required to thoroughly enjoy the book, especially with the character development of not only the two main figures in Watford’s rise to the First Division, but also many of the players on the pitch.
Speaking of the action there, Preston doesn’t spend a lot of time giving play by play details of games, but he does include accounts of all the important matches Watford played at all levels. This included both friendlies and league play. This was good writing as well - advanced enough that fans who know,the sport well won’t be bored with reading these passages, but simple enough that casual or new fans will be able to easily understand the game.
Not only is there writing about the soccer, but there is also some very good material on John’s rise in the music industry and the demons that haunted him. Like many other musicians, dugs and alcohol were problems for him. But he never let that interfere with his love of the Watford club he had since his childhood. He often went to their games with his father, the only true bonding time they had. John also knew when to set aside his authority and let Taylor dictate what should be done when needed - right down to making sure the owner was properly dressed when making appearances with the team.
If a reader is either a soccer fan or an Elton John fan they should pick up this book. Entertaining and fast paced, it will make a great addition to the library of this type of reader.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Both men are portrayed in great detail, which helps illustrate both the similarities and the differences between the two men. When they first met, Taylor was questioning both the level,of commitment that John would put into the team aside from money and also just how much of a challenge did he want by taking over such a poorly funded and run club - at least they were before these two took over. It helps if the reader understands the inner workings of English soccer, both on and off the field to understand what Taylor was doing. But that isn’t required to thoroughly enjoy the book, especially with the character development of not only the two main figures in Watford’s rise to the First Division, but also many of the players on the pitch.
Speaking of the action there, Preston doesn’t spend a lot of time giving play by play details of games, but he does include accounts of all the important matches Watford played at all levels. This included both friendlies and league play. This was good writing as well - advanced enough that fans who know,the sport well won’t be bored with reading these passages, but simple enough that casual or new fans will be able to easily understand the game.
Not only is there writing about the soccer, but there is also some very good material on John’s rise in the music industry and the demons that haunted him. Like many other musicians, dugs and alcohol were problems for him. But he never let that interfere with his love of the Watford club he had since his childhood. He often went to their games with his father, the only true bonding time they had. John also knew when to set aside his authority and let Taylor dictate what should be done when needed - right down to making sure the owner was properly dressed when making appearances with the team.
If a reader is either a soccer fan or an Elton John fan they should pick up this book. Entertaining and fast paced, it will make a great addition to the library of this type of reader.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
June 5, 2024
This odd-couple tale is sports-writing at its finest; playful details pepper a joyous underdog story. Crucially, Preston never loses sight of how important and absurd football is, and we take in the dewy-eyed and hard-nosed as we wind our way down the yellow-and-black-brick road.
January 17, 2024
The coming together of two great men with entirely different gifts and characters to provide me...yes, little old me....with the greatest sporting ride of my life. What is not to like.
April 30, 2024
As a child Watford were always my "Second Team" despite living nowhere near the town and having no other connection other than liking the colour of the kit on my subbuteo team.
Having then found myself living in the town for a number of years before leaving again I was very happy to see this book appear.
What a fantastic tale it is too, recognising some of the places mentioned added to the overall story, but the tale involving two such unlikely allies was stranger than fiction, and I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions.
That relationship is what makes this book such a compelling read, along with the remarkable achievements that happened while both were in charge.
The image of Graham Taylor spying on his players doing cross country runs in Cassiobury Park is one that will stick with me for a long time. Enjoy
Having then found myself living in the town for a number of years before leaving again I was very happy to see this book appear.
What a fantastic tale it is too, recognising some of the places mentioned added to the overall story, but the tale involving two such unlikely allies was stranger than fiction, and I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions.
That relationship is what makes this book such a compelling read, along with the remarkable achievements that happened while both were in charge.
The image of Graham Taylor spying on his players doing cross country runs in Cassiobury Park is one that will stick with me for a long time. Enjoy
September 21, 2024
Great book. Can't say I rated Graham Taylor as England manager but his Watford journey is fascinating. Elton John has fully cooperated in the writing of this book (as have many of the Watford players) which creates a detailed and accurate account of his years as Watford chairman. Really enjoyed this book.
January 9, 2025
I loved this book. It was a story I didn’t know and you can tell the writer was a fan of the story. But that’s ok because it was everything I love in sports….. an underdog story, seeing that athletes are people, growing of a community. All of this was told in a way that made me smile. Highly recommended for soccer fans wanting to learn this story.
August 26, 2024
Watford Forever provides a wonderful insight into the greatest football club in the world. The story of Elton John and Graham Taylor taking Watford from the 4th tier to Europe was inspiring. I recommend every Watford fan read this. You orns 🐝🟡⚫️
January 18, 2024
A history of Watford Football Club in the 70’s-80’s as well as the story of the friendship bewteen Elton John and Graham Taylor, this is a good read whether or not you enjoy football (soccer).
October 6, 2024
Wholesome! (Easy to read even if you know nothing about football clubs etc.)
December 30, 2024
I think that a lot of people are going to love this, but unfortunately it wasn't for me.
October 13, 2025
The original Wrexham! Great read for any soccer fan or Elton John fan.
August 15, 2025
Los quiero mucho Elton John y Graham Taylor. Que bonita historia. Realmente son 3.5 que sube a 4. Si les gusta el fut, este libro no tiene desperdicio.
August 20, 2025
Poignant, engaging read on the true story of Watford FC, their unlikely chairman-manager duo, and their transcendent run toward football immortality. The writing style was a bit redundant at times, but it did not take away from the natural progression of the narrative. I would recommend this book to sports fans and music geeks alike.
December 2, 2023
I read this as a Watford fan born and bred and someone who was there at the time of Elton and Graham.
This is a book that needed to be written as it was a huge missing chapter of the recent Elton John memoirs and Rocket man film. It is however some what disappointing as you don’t learn anything new.
Alternate chapters are written from the view points of Elton and Graham but Grahams “ in he own words” autobiography has covered off most of what he says here. Ok the author accessed his diary and spoke to people close to him but it’s old ground.
The most disappointing chapters are from Elton himself who of course is still alive to tell the tale. He doesn’t seem to have revealed very much in great detail about how he ran the club , supposedly single handed for a couple of years. There is not even a closing word from him about the here and now or the future. Instead we’re left with some sad sentiment from Ross Jenkins who now gazes into the night sky thinking it was all just a dream.
It will be a useful book for young people to read who want to learn about this period of Watford’s history. I suspect a good screen writer will take the skeleton of this book and make into a Netflix film. Fingers crossed. Come on u horns !
This is a book that needed to be written as it was a huge missing chapter of the recent Elton John memoirs and Rocket man film. It is however some what disappointing as you don’t learn anything new.
Alternate chapters are written from the view points of Elton and Graham but Grahams “ in he own words” autobiography has covered off most of what he says here. Ok the author accessed his diary and spoke to people close to him but it’s old ground.
The most disappointing chapters are from Elton himself who of course is still alive to tell the tale. He doesn’t seem to have revealed very much in great detail about how he ran the club , supposedly single handed for a couple of years. There is not even a closing word from him about the here and now or the future. Instead we’re left with some sad sentiment from Ross Jenkins who now gazes into the night sky thinking it was all just a dream.
It will be a useful book for young people to read who want to learn about this period of Watford’s history. I suspect a good screen writer will take the skeleton of this book and make into a Netflix film. Fingers crossed. Come on u horns !
June 7, 2025
As a Watford football fan I loved this. Always thought we were lucky to have such an amazing 'founding story' to the club i.e. the Graham Taylor - Elton John 1970s - 1990s collaboration (it even carried on to the 2000s but main era was 70s-90s). The book has a good storytelling structure to it, managing to have 2 characters stories run side by side and then bringing them together. Worked well. Also, because of this I think anyone would find this a good story to read, even if they weren't a Watford fan. I'll get my partner to read it and let you know!
The end of the 'story' is quite sad, everything runs out of steam and the characters move on, and in Graham's case, very sadly pass away, but I consider that to lead to the weight of the story of how they bought about such huge change - taking the football club of a small town in the leafy shires of the Home Counties and leading them to compete with major cities and even Europe. It all seems barely credible when you think about it. Would never happen now.
The only thing I didn't quite like about the book was some of the stories seemed quite cliched, as in cliched football stories you've probably heard a hundred time, and not many substantiated or hazy about the source, alot seeming to start with " someone said..." and you know then it was starting to just imagine the stories. Still, stories like Nigel Callaghan's car stereo blowing up at the training ground quite funny.
Finished this limping around Howard St Mount Cook after my ACL op.
The end of the 'story' is quite sad, everything runs out of steam and the characters move on, and in Graham's case, very sadly pass away, but I consider that to lead to the weight of the story of how they bought about such huge change - taking the football club of a small town in the leafy shires of the Home Counties and leading them to compete with major cities and even Europe. It all seems barely credible when you think about it. Would never happen now.
The only thing I didn't quite like about the book was some of the stories seemed quite cliched, as in cliched football stories you've probably heard a hundred time, and not many substantiated or hazy about the source, alot seeming to start with " someone said..." and you know then it was starting to just imagine the stories. Still, stories like Nigel Callaghan's car stereo blowing up at the training ground quite funny.
Finished this limping around Howard St Mount Cook after my ACL op.
August 3, 2024
The first three quarters of this book were excellent. As a Watford FC fan, there was a lot of nostalgia for me. It told the story of Graham Taylor and Elton John's relationship and how they put Watford FC on the map evocatively and colourfully. I learnt new things about my club from it. It was also told well within the background of unemployment and hooliganism, where Watford became the family club against this backdrop.
The last quarter was a step down from the high standard. After telling the story of Watford's first two seasons in the old first division well, there was little said on the next 4 seasons. The way the second coming of Graham Taylor was told which I grew up was told inaccurately. When Graham returned we were in what is now the Championship and from a position of no chance he nearly kept us. From 1997 to 1999 he took us up from league 1 to the Premier league and the feeling around the club, the spirit and camaraderie was excellent. It wasn't just going up by 1 division and I certainly didn't get the feeling that Graham felt it was a mistake to return. He just went on a season too long after we were relegated from the Premier.
Despite the disappointing final part, I would recommend the book because three quarters of this book is excellent and a joy for those who love the beautiful game of football. I would recommend this book.
The last quarter was a step down from the high standard. After telling the story of Watford's first two seasons in the old first division well, there was little said on the next 4 seasons. The way the second coming of Graham Taylor was told which I grew up was told inaccurately. When Graham returned we were in what is now the Championship and from a position of no chance he nearly kept us. From 1997 to 1999 he took us up from league 1 to the Premier league and the feeling around the club, the spirit and camaraderie was excellent. It wasn't just going up by 1 division and I certainly didn't get the feeling that Graham felt it was a mistake to return. He just went on a season too long after we were relegated from the Premier.
Despite the disappointing final part, I would recommend the book because three quarters of this book is excellent and a joy for those who love the beautiful game of football. I would recommend this book.
January 25, 2025
CBPLibrary | Superbly readable and cheering | One of the prompts in the library's Winter Reading Challenge is "a book from the New Nonfiction shelf", but I live rural and mostly use the digital library. When I was in town I swung by and checked out the first book from that shelf that looked even slightly interesting, and what a great result I've had! I knew that Elton had owned the Club, because I read his memoir a few years ago. But even as someone who doesn't watch football (I'm an American who supports Wales at the international level and Liverpool if asked, with Wrexham as my second team, but I make no effort to attempt to find games, my only real sports support is that of the Detroit Red Wings in hockey), I really enjoyed reading all the details of this. Do you need to understand the game? No. The short chapters will keep you turning pages, you'll get invested in the people, and you'll root for the team and the town. Also appreciated is the final chapter that updates on the lives of those met throughout.
September 30, 2025
Rating: 3.5 stars (rounded up)
I really wanted to like this book more. I'm a huge Elton John fan, and I just finished watching Ted Lasso, but in my excitement I set my expectations for this book too high. Watford Forever isn't a bad book by any means, and it was interesting to read how Graham Taylor and Elton John brought Watford FC from the bottom of Division 4 to the top of Division 1, but there were times that I just wasn't that into the book.
With that said, I still enjoyed reading this; it just wasn't my favorite. I probably would've liked the book more had I 1) known more about soccer, and 2) not already read a summary of the book's events in Elton John's autobiography. Regardless, Watford Forever is well-researched and well-written, and it provides an interesting look into the behind-the-scenes of Watford FC and its hard-fought rise from obscurity. If you're looking for an uplifting sports-related read, Watford Forever is for you.
I really wanted to like this book more. I'm a huge Elton John fan, and I just finished watching Ted Lasso, but in my excitement I set my expectations for this book too high. Watford Forever isn't a bad book by any means, and it was interesting to read how Graham Taylor and Elton John brought Watford FC from the bottom of Division 4 to the top of Division 1, but there were times that I just wasn't that into the book.
With that said, I still enjoyed reading this; it just wasn't my favorite. I probably would've liked the book more had I 1) known more about soccer, and 2) not already read a summary of the book's events in Elton John's autobiography. Regardless, Watford Forever is well-researched and well-written, and it provides an interesting look into the behind-the-scenes of Watford FC and its hard-fought rise from obscurity. If you're looking for an uplifting sports-related read, Watford Forever is for you.
December 28, 2023
Much promoted, an enjoyable light read reliving my Saturday afternoons from the mid-70s to early 80s. Written with the cooperation of Elton it did indeed read a little like a eulogy to Elton and Graham, the version Elton would want his sons to read. He almost said as much in the Sky Sports "book club" trailer over Christmas. No beans spilled here. A few careless slips from the author, was it Mandeville Close or Mandeville Place that GT lived (he kept moving?), and was it John Robertson or John Robinson who made Nottingham Forest tick? No idea why the club chaplain gets a chapter for himself. Hopefully someone isn't leaving us too soon. My star of the book, though, was Ross Jenkins. I think the author might have realised this too. From the fascinating snippets in this book, that would be an interesting biography.
July 9, 2024
I got this book from Netgalley so I can read and review it before it’s published.
For somebody, like me, who isn’t a fan of soccer clubs in England and in general, this book was easy to read, and I never found myself confused with the verbiage.
It’s really cool to see the progression of how Reginald Dwight saw the team play when he was very young, and then ended up buying the club as Elton John, superstar! He didn’t do it for money, he did it because he loved the team and he had a lot of knowledge of the players. One of his first orders of business was hiring Graham Taylor as the manager.
This book provided extra insight to the town, the team, the owner, the manager, and the players. The last chapter provided a where are they know synopsis, and I enjoyed that part.
Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. It did take me a few more days to complete it than all of my other reads.
For somebody, like me, who isn’t a fan of soccer clubs in England and in general, this book was easy to read, and I never found myself confused with the verbiage.
It’s really cool to see the progression of how Reginald Dwight saw the team play when he was very young, and then ended up buying the club as Elton John, superstar! He didn’t do it for money, he did it because he loved the team and he had a lot of knowledge of the players. One of his first orders of business was hiring Graham Taylor as the manager.
This book provided extra insight to the town, the team, the owner, the manager, and the players. The last chapter provided a where are they know synopsis, and I enjoyed that part.
Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. It did take me a few more days to complete it than all of my other reads.
December 27, 2024
As a Watford fan, I'm probably biased but an absolutely terrific tale of how two men who couldn't be more different took a small, pretty rubbish football club in a failing town and turned it into something special. I missed out on GT/Elton the first time round. This does a fabulous job of painting a picture of those crazy days.
One perhaps minor criticism is the ending feels a little rushed, and one thing it doesn't tell is how their reign wasn't so much a high water mark, so much as resetting the bar for the club. Prior to their arrival the club had spent the majority of it's existence in the bottom two divisions. In the 40 years since, only two have been spent outside the top two divisions. We may never reach second in the leahue again, but everything done since would never have happened without GT and Elton's arrival.
One perhaps minor criticism is the ending feels a little rushed, and one thing it doesn't tell is how their reign wasn't so much a high water mark, so much as resetting the bar for the club. Prior to their arrival the club had spent the majority of it's existence in the bottom two divisions. In the 40 years since, only two have been spent outside the top two divisions. We may never reach second in the leahue again, but everything done since would never have happened without GT and Elton's arrival.
February 15, 2025
There's not much I love more than a great underdog story and here is one that is both terrific and true! I am also a long-time football (soccer) fan, stemming from my childhood years in Boston cheering on the MIT team.
Lowly Watford occupied the fourth division with player well past their primes (if they ever HAD a prime) a stadium deserving demolition in a sad economically depressed town. Elton John, yes - THE Elton John had grown up in Watford, was a fan. The start of the tale is when John purchased the Hornets and set out to help the team. Hiring Graham Taylor was an crucial move and the two men formed a true bond and worked together to take Watford right up to the top.
This is a fun and charming story, alternating between the two main players, and I really loved it.
I think as good as the book is, being a football fan or at least familiar with the sport is essential.
Lowly Watford occupied the fourth division with player well past their primes (if they ever HAD a prime) a stadium deserving demolition in a sad economically depressed town. Elton John, yes - THE Elton John had grown up in Watford, was a fan. The start of the tale is when John purchased the Hornets and set out to help the team. Hiring Graham Taylor was an crucial move and the two men formed a true bond and worked together to take Watford right up to the top.
This is a fun and charming story, alternating between the two main players, and I really loved it.
I think as good as the book is, being a football fan or at least familiar with the sport is essential.
May 5, 2024
An enjoyable book charting the success of Elton John and Graham Taylor in taking Watford FC from the bottom of the English Fourth Division to the top of the English First Division in just under six years. The charm of this book is not the football, it it is in the interaction of John - the bisexual and deeply insecure English rock star - and Taylor - the disciplinary but sensitive and imaginative football manager. They should not have been a successful pairing, but they certainly were, with John craving Taylor’s approval. A fascinating book, albeit one that tails off when Taylor leaves Watford FC (the reasons for which are not adequately explained) and John sells the club. A very enjoyable read (and I don’t even like football 😜)
September 19, 2024
I am not a Watford Supporter but as it is a team near to where I have grown up and a a a fan of the sport I decided to give this a read. It is a very interesting and rather inspiring story. It chronicles the events of Elton John’s take over of the Hertfordshire club, and the first regime of the legendary Graham Taylor, which saw the Hornets come all the way from the bottom of the fourth division all the way to the top flight of English football.
A quick and enjoyable read, full of facts and tidbits about the workings of the club (lots of it from the mouth of Elton John himself).
If you are interested in a sport story in a similar vain to the Busby babes and Brian Clough’s tenure as Forest manager, I would recommend this to you.
A quick and enjoyable read, full of facts and tidbits about the workings of the club (lots of it from the mouth of Elton John himself).
If you are interested in a sport story in a similar vain to the Busby babes and Brian Clough’s tenure as Forest manager, I would recommend this to you.
December 25, 2024
A fantastic read. For those who follow world football at all - and especially those who have taken an interest in things like Wrexham, Ted Lasso, and American involvement in European ownership of teams - this is totally worth your time. Elton John's complicated childhood is weaved throughout this story of his hometown team (Watford) and his eventual ownership of the team in the 1970s - long before Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the struggling Wrexham FC team and made a documentary about their effort to boost the team out of the doldrums of English football. Watford's rise with the boost of Elton John and manager Graham Taylor is almost incomprehensible. But it's just as much about how they did it and the people involved.
May 2, 2024
What a fantasticly good read. I enjoyed this book so much, I was sorry that it had to end. This is a nice slice of footballing history, but the author makes it into a tale of two biographies in Graham Taylor and Elton John also, in fact you learn a little bit about the lives of many of the players and staff at Watford FC also. The final pages fill you with a nostalgic sense, even when you didn't witness events first time around. Great book, worth reading if you have even a vague interest in football.
July 12, 2024
Listened on audiobook. Having read Elton John’s autobiography, there was a brief chapter or two where he mentions his time at Watford so it was nice to have its own book that delves into his time. I really enjoyed how it started with 3 different streams for Elton John himself, Graham Taylor and Watford, before all three eventually merge together. The whole book had the right amount of depth to bring you a bit closer inside the team and highlighted the right matches in more detail to emphasise the upward journey the club was on. Great read.
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