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Graham Taylor has passed away at the age of 72.

Taylor had a reputation as one of football’s gentlemen, as well as one of the most successful managers of his generation. Forget what ultimately turned out to be a frustrating spell in charge of England , he had huge success at Watford (twice) and Aston Villa.

But what is probably not as well known is that he was a huge fan of North East football, turning down the Newcastle job and also – in a memorable admission to the Sunday Sun a few years ago – stood in the Gallowgate incognito to scout players.

“It seems like a long, long time ago, but it was when I went to Villa. I had been there a year and there was an offer, through a third party, asking whether I would be interested in considering the Newcastle job,” he told us in 2010.

“I couldn’t because I had signed a contract at Aston Villa, but there was a tinge of regret there.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

“It would have been a fantastic opportunity and Newcastle has always had a place in my heart, ever since I made my debut for Grimsby against them in the old Second Division.

“I knew all about Newcastle and what a big club it is – I had actually spent a lot of time at St James’ Park when I was at Watford.

“In fact, it was on the Gallowgate that I learned never to under-estimate the knowledge of the average football fan.

“When I was a young manager at Watford and we didn’t have a midweek game I used to go to Newcastle a lot if they were playing.

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“I would park my car up at Kings Cross after training, catch the 2 o’clock to Newcastle and walk up to the stadium and pay to get in.

“It probably sounds crazy now because you wouldn’t be able to do it these days, but I loved standing on the terraces and I didn’t get noticed once, I don’t think.

“It was a fantastic trip and one that I used to love to make. I would stand on the Gallowgate and watch whoever it was that I wanted to watch, then afterwards have a tot of whiskey in the station and catch the sleeper train back to London in time for training at 9am the following day.

“One that sticks in my memory is a derby game between Newcastle and Sunderland that ended 2-2.

“I spotted Wilf Rostron, a Sunderland defender, that day and actually ended up signing him for Watford.

“I used to love listening to the supporters talking about the players and it amazed me how knowledgeable they were.”

Taylor was a true football man and his death has prompted an outpouring of tributes to a man who touched the lives of many. There will be emotional tributes from the clubs that he managed.

He told me in 2014: “It is really a magnificent football club and walking around the stadium last month brought back some excellent memories. I actually made my debut for Grimsby Town against Newcastle on 14 September 1963. They were in the second division as well and we won, so you can imagine the feeling of playing my first game and beating the mighty Newcastle United.

“I will always have a soft spot for the club so I wish them all the best.

“There is that expectancy in the city which is only right. It’s a magnificent club and city.”