Watford FC’s Community Sports & Education Trust and Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care welcomed over a hundred supporters to Vicarage Road this month as the fifth anniversary of The Taylor Trek concluded with a memorable day of walking, remembrance, and fundraising in honour of Graham Taylor OBE.
For the first time in the event’s history, The Taylor Trek was preceded by an ambitious new challenge, The Taylor Trek Extreme, which saw a team of Trust and Club staff and trustees travel more than 270 miles on foot across twelve days, retracing Graham Taylor’s remarkable football journey from Lincoln City to Watford.
Beginning in Lincoln, where Graham started his managerial career in 1972, the trekkers followed a route connecting the five clubs and locations most closely associated with his football legacy, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, and Wembley Stadium, before arriving back in Watford in time for the fifth annual Taylor Trek.
Along the route, the Extreme team met several special guests with personal connections to Graham Taylor and the clubs that shaped his career. At Lincoln City, former player Gavin Gordon shared memories of the club and Graham’s impact. During their visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers, the team were joined by Wolves Vice-President and former player John Richards, Graham Taylor’s childhood best friend Alan Morgan, and former England international Geoff Thomas MBE.
The journey reached its emotional conclusion on Sunday 4 October, when the Extreme trekkers arrived in Watford and symbolically handed over to the participants taking part in the traditional Taylor Trek routes. Together, trekkers of all ages continued the final chapter of the journey under the warm October sunshine through the streets of Watford before crossing the finish line pitchside at Vicarage Road Stadium.
Participants were welcomed and supported by a number of special guests, including current Club Captain Mattie Pollock, Watford FC legend Lloyd Doyley, members of the Watford FC Academy Under-18s squad, the Taylor family, Rebecca McDermott, and Steve Palmer, who took on the event’s demanding 18-mile challenge route. Ryan Jackett and Alec Chamberlain also joined supporters for the special anniversary event.
Club Captain Mattie Pollock said
“The club and players owe so much to Graham Taylor.
“It was only right that I went with my family and showed my respect. It was an amazing day!
“It was nice to catch up with a lot of people and see how much the event means to people.”
And Lloyd Doyley said
“Every year we bring our academy boys to represent the club,” he said. “I believe the football club and academy can give back.
“We made sure all our boys did the 5k walk and they applied themselves brilliantly.
“When I was their age, Graham Taylor was the person we all looked up to. He made sure that we did a lot of things within the community.
“It’s the third year I have done the event. It was good to interact with many Watford fans who maybe didn’t know what I am doing or haven’t met some of the academy players before.
“Lots of people and families were involved and it shows how respected Graham Taylor was, not just by Watford fans but other fans from all over the country.
“We all did the walk in honour of him.”
The event was made possible thanks to the support of several valued partners. Mercer & Hole served as headline sponsors of both The Taylor Trek Extreme and The Taylor Trek, while Exceed Giving supported the Extreme challenge as co-headline sponsors. The Drinking Water Club provided water for participants throughout the event, TrainSplit supported the challenge as official travel partner, and Wenzel’s provided refreshments for trekkers. As part of the fifth anniversary celebrations, a group of dedicated volunteers also provided bus tours aboard Jenks, a beautifully restored 97-year-old vintage bus, giving participants another unique way to experience Graham Taylor’s Watford and adding to the special atmosphere of the day.
Funds raised through both events will be shared between Watford FC’s Community Sports & Education Trust and Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, helping both charities continue their vital work supporting local communities.
While the walking may be over, fundraising remains open until Monday 26 October, and supporters can still make a donation to help increase the impact of this year’s event.