Not long until The Taylor Trek 2024 – the charity walk hosted by Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust in partnership with Rennie Grove Peace Hospice, in memory of their former patron Graham Taylor OBE. On Sunday 13th October 2024, the fundraising event sponsored by Mercer & Hole and Abbey Roofing will see people taking on the trek around Watford and surrounding areas and crossing the pitch-side finish line inside Vicarage Road Stadium.
In preparation for the big day, see below some key information:
The Routes
There are three route distances for this year’s Taylor Trek, passing key points of Graham Taylor’s Hornets’ history, such as Cassiobury Park, Abbots Langley, and Kings Langley. These are:
- Challenge Route (18.8 miles)
- Medium Route (8.3 miles)
- Family Route (3.3 miles)
Each route on The Taylor Trek utilises a collection of footpaths and bridleways. These are predominantly pavement, gravel, and hard-packed earth.
Who will be there?
Trust and Club staff will be joined by Watford FC supporters, families, and charity beneficiaries on Sunday 13th. Members of the Taylor family will be waiting for finishers, ready to distribute official medals – kindly provided by Watford’s Sports and Trophies. Watford FC’s Under 18s are also participating in this year’s Taylor Trek, as well as the Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor. Bringing that extra bit of Hornets’ buzz to the event is an array of former players, including the returning Steve Palmer who completed the Trek last year, and, Watford FC and Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Ambassador Luther Blissett OBE DL, in fact joining Luther is fellow Hornets and members of his Former Players Club CIC, Gary Porter, Paul Franklin, Trevor How, and Ian Richardson. On behalf of the Former Players Club CIC, Blissett said:
“We wanted to recreate that feeling we had as players under Graham’s management when we would go for a walk together after a midweek home game. They were special times, and we felt this was another way we could give back for all we enjoyed as Hornets, by supporting the Trust in this way.”
Lunch and refreshments
There will be free refreshments at the start and finish of all routes for trekkers. In addition, those taking on the Medium and Challenge routes will benefit from refreshment stations at Meriden Community Centre and Kings Langley Cricket Club (Challenge only). A big thank you to Wenzels who have provided food such as sandwiches, sausage rolls, and donuts! As well as ASDA Watford who have provided much-needed water and energy bars.
Official 2024 shirts
As is now tradition, a new year of The Taylor Trek means a brand-new shirt. Inspired by the Watford FC home shirt, this year’s threads are sure to grab the attention of onlookers throughout the various routes. These are given to all trekkers who raise a minimum of £25, or they can be bought when signing up to The Taylor Trek online. Shirts will also be on sale at the registration desk on event day.
The Support
There has been plenty of support for this year’s Taylor Trek, including messages from the Hornets squad and head coach Tom Cleverley – who previously took part in the walk. Former player Christian Kabasele also sent in a message of support: https://x.com/chriskabasele27/status/1832107098840429026
It’s not too late to sign up, go to the following link to join the team: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/TheTaylorTrek2024 For any further information you can contact leah.crocket@watfordfc.com
