THE YELLOW (BLACK AND RED) BRICK ROAD IN MAY

If you like football and like London, then Ed Glinert's book "The London Companion" is a little gem. It is a site-by-site celebration of the capital's "favourite sport".

If like me you have recently been listening to a CD of Elton John's greatest hits (something that amuses my grandson, aged 4), then the two fit together quite nicely and give me a topic to chat on!

At the Howard Hotel, Temple Place, London, Elton John met Bobby Moore in May 1977 and nearly appointed him as Watford FC manager. Elton had just acquired ownership of the club and he needed a new manager. Moore was coming to end of his playing career and John said they should meet up to finalise details. A further meeting was scheduled for five days later at the "Memories of China" restaurant in the West End. Earlier that day, John phoned Moore and postponed the meeting.

A few weeks later the job went to Graham Taylor and in 1982 he took The Hornets to runners up in the Second Division and therefore, into the First Division for the first time in the club's history.
Even more impressively Watford were runners up to Liverpool in the 1983 season, although they were 11 points adrift of top spot. Nevertheless, an ascendency to be proud of. Do I like that!

Watford had risen from Fourth to First Division in five seasons (1978-82) and played in the European Cup of course!
They had also got to the FA Cup Final in 1984 (a game I watched on New Zealand television). Taylor left the club in 1987 and the club slipped from 9th to 13th in Tier 3 in 1997 under 6 managers. Taylor returned in 1997-8, to steady the boat, leading the Hornets to consecutive promotions. He retired in 2001 and 12 managers have had the "seat" since...... with limited success??
Will Hughes is the "face" of Watford FC these days and it was not too long ago that we was playing for "Public" School, Repton in Derbyshire, against my mob , Charterhouse,  on our hallowed yurf, Big Ground. (we won)!!

Swansea had climbed from Fourth to First between 1978-81.
There were also the "meteoric rises" of Oxford United (in danger of liquidation in 1982) won the Third and Second Divisions in successive seasons, reaching the First Division and also winning the Milk Cup in 1986 and then there was Wimbledon FC (1977-86) jumping from Non-League to the First Divison and an FA Cup Final too.

Bobby Moore did manage briefly in Eastern AA Hong Kong, Oxford City and Southend Utd.