A large group of players that represented Watford between 1977 and 1983 gathered at Vicarage Road on Saturday for the annual Graham Taylor Matchday.

Fans were able to celebrate not only the life of the club’s greatest ever manager, but also see and hear from some of those who played a part in the Hornets meteoric rise from Division Four to Division One, where they finished runners-up in their debut season.

Earlier this week, we published an emotional interview with striker Ross Jenkins, who reminisced about his time at the club as well as sharing how moved he was to get such a warm reception on Saturday.

His strike partner throughout those first seven seasons was the club’s greatest ever player, Luther Blissett.

Unable to attend the game in person on Saturday due to the after-effects of his recent bleed on the brain, Luther was very keen to share his tribute to GT.

Here is what Watford’s favourite son had to say:

“Much has been said about Graham since his passing. Many wonderful things have been spoken and many wonderful tributes paid.

“One of the saddest things is that in losing our great manager and mentor, there are generations of fans who will never know exactly what set GT apart.

“If only you could all have met him.

“There is no doubt that from football’s elite to individual fans, many, many people had met Graham and benefitted from his managerial excellence and his community passion.

“If we were to gather up all those marvellous anecdotes and examples, the book would run to many, many volumes indeed.

“As I was dwelling on that ‘if only’ (we could still talk to you, gaffer, and get your thoughts), it made me think of the poem by Kipling, and how that reflects many of the attributes that Graham wanted us to  all to adopt in life.

Luther and some of his former teammates enjoyed a meal together on Saturday evening. (Image: Supplied)

“He could be so many things to so many different people, making them all feel instantly comfortable. As if nobody else would have his attention. You mattered, regardless of your position in life.

“Graham personified: “If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch.”

“I was deeply saddened to miss Saturday’s game, but a brain bleed leaves you with challenges you don’t expect.

“First there are questions such as why? With no obvious head injury, to be told it can only have been from recent stress makes it even more, well, stressful.

Steve Sherwood, Nigel Callaghan, Ian Bolton, Neil Price, Steve Terry and Gary Porter on the pitch on Saturday. (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

“There is a lot of waiting and testing still going on. Above all, you can be suddenly exhausted.

“I had gone back to matchday work at Christmas as there were many people who wanted to share season’s greetings, however I had not accounted for the tiredness that would create.

“The GT match and the surrounding time is one that is emotionally charged, especially for those of us who were very close to Graham and family. Telling stories is wonderful, but each one brings a moment of sadness with it too.

“So I was advised that over exertion and emotion would not be a good idea and that I was most definitely to avoid stress.

“We have a player get together every year for the GT Matchday, with different ex-players going along, so we are still a band of brothers and I was able to speak to them since being in hospital.

“There were many of us Golden Boys who could not go this time whether for health, work or other reasons. But it did not diminish from the player day out and I thank the Club for their annual support.

“For me personally, it was wonderful to be able to catch up with all the lads (and partners) later on after the game and raise a toast to the Boss over a quiet meal together.

“I said the other day,  every scarf raised has memories woven through it. All designs, all generations. Remembering the man who didn't just build a team but a club, which in turn built a community. Our community.

“He encouraged us to "throw your hearts over the bar".  And how we did, goodness gracious me.

“From the 4th, 3rd, 2nd divisions to finish behind the mighty Liverpool on our Division 1 debut. What history we all share together, thanks to this man.

“Graham took us to Wembley, to Europe, to the Premier League and to the very heart of football by recognising it was all about YOU, the people on the terraces.

Graham Taylor at Wembley in 1999. (Image: Watford Observer)

“By showing us that family came first, and that we must always give of our best. As players he instilled the same bond in us and simply stated that we must let nobody and nothing come between us!

“What we all achieved was incredible - together.  What Graham created was a team of people, not just a team of footballers.

“He created one club, a place where he regarded every employee, every lottery agent, Sailor, Bill, Shirley, Tony, Russell and many, many more as important parts of the very fabric he wove into Watford.

“From his executive team,  to his famous friend, the Chairman, to a local resident who stopped for a chat or was in need of support. Every one of you counted with Graham.

“Graham Taylor, filled the ‘unforgiving minute’ with 60 second’’ worth of distance run” that is for sure!

“We were all better players and better men for it, a better Club and better community for it too.

“Thank you GT.

“The Former Players Club was the result of Graham’s request to Pricey (Neil Price) to create something that would keep us as footballers connected.

“A way to support each other and those who we could still help or inspire through our playing legacy.

“Although we are scattered far and wide, we communicate regularly and the Former Players Club has been able to help players like Andy Rankin, Walter Lees, Keith Mercer and Nigel Callaghan in times of need, as well as being able to support the Club itself.

“That’s done by bringing players along to do the Taylor Trek, attend games, quiz nights and help with fundraisers and help Veterans, for example organising Remembrance with the Royal British Legion (one of Graham’s great passions).

“It’s not just in Watford, but where players move to - they always remain part of our family.”

Some other players who couldn’t be there Saturday wanted to share their thoughts, starting with Sam Ellis, who was Graham’s first signing for Watford.

A man who truly reflected everything about him, who he made his first captain and then Assistant Manager too.

“Graham’s honesty and his belief in you as a person is the thing that most defines him,” said Ellis.

“The camaraderie that he built up in the dressing room was one for all and all for one which is why having the Former Players Club is so important to us.  We can still have each other’s backs.”

Graham Taylor - the very early days . . . (Image: Watford Observer)

Defender John McClelland is widely regarded not just as one of the greatest ever to play for Watford, but also as one of GT’s finest signings.

“Graham cared for you as an individual, not just your use to him as a footballer,” said McClelland.

“We all look for people to look up to and Graham would be one of those people with his views and standards he set for himself.

“It's important to remember with history the standards Graham set as it shows we were part of the town and they were part of us. That has to never be forgotten and it is why our Former Players Club is so important, it shows that Graham’s standards are still upheld by those players signed and coached by Graham.

“After coming back from Northern Ireland’s World Cup campaign in Mexico (where I wasn't picked for any game) Graham called me in to see him, and asked if I was alright as he couldn't believe I had been left out.

“That proved to me he cared for me (though I knew that anyway). I said I was fine, it was the manager’s mistake not mine and there was nothing for him to worry about.

“There were many times he showed his kindness to me as an individual over the years.”

Nigel Callaghan, known to everyone as Cally, was one of the players that attended Saturday’s game and was introduced to the crowd.

“Graham was a manager that could make you a better player and if you were good enough you were old enough to play!” he said.

“The Former Players Club is great because it keeps us all in touch and it provides help and support, such as when the players and supporters all came together for me last year when my roof collapsed. So grateful for that!

“I just wish I lived closer so I could get more involved but the lads that live in and around Watford have done GT and the Former Players Club proud.”

Another of the players who was at the Sheffield United game was goalkeeper Steve Sherwood, who played in both the first and last game of GT’s first stint as manager at Vicarage Road.

“One thing that struck me was his commitment to ensuring that your family was comfortable in his presence, always taking time to chat to them,” said Sherwood.

“Also something like the yearly carol concert was particularly unique and the fact we had a club vicar. My younger son Craig was born with a rare syndrome and the vicar came and prayed for him and that was special to us.

“The camaraderie between the players during Graham’s time was so strong that it is  really rewarding to be able to together as the Former Players Club and have those times together like we do, such as on Saturday.

“Graham was the Boss, ok, but he was also like a member of your family when needed!”