Watford Museum presents...

Goal-den Years, 1996-2001: Memories:

"The Wembley perspective"

By Mike Vince

Noone connected with Watford will ever forget the moment Robert Page, as devoted to the club than anyone I have ever worked with, lifted that cup at Wembley.

It was a moment to cherish for each and every one, but some of us knew what it meant to Graham Taylor.

I did the comemntary that day which was used on the video the football club sold, and made lifetime souvenirs for hundreds of our supporters.

Have a close look at the moment that superb referee Terry Heilbron blew the final whistle. There was a camera on Graham. His first act? To shake hands with the staff on the bench and his shattered opposite number Colin Todd. His second? To turn towards the Directors Box and wave to his beloved wife Rita.

Then I knew what it meant. Graham had been the man who had preached the vision of a family club - and he drew his own inspiration from his own family. How typical he should have wanted to share the moment of ultimate triumph with the person that mattered most to him.

If I needed any further indication of what that day meant to Graham it came about an hour later down in the basement area of the hallowed Wembley stadium.

Win, lose or draw, Graham always made time for the local press - for Oliver Phillips at the Watford Observer and for me for radio/clubline/video. Be it Watford, Wigan or Wembley it was the same.

First question-'what does this mean to Graham Taylor'?

For the only time I can recall in my dealings with him we had to stop the interview at his request and do a second take.

I well understood why.

First contributed to the Goal-den Years 1996-2001 exhibition at Watford Museum