Taylor at home with Watford

Clive White on the return to Vicarage Road of the former England manager

A clear case of the heart ruling the head, but Graham Taylor was unabashed about his return yesterday to the bosom of his Watford "family''. "Some of the best decisions I've made is when that happens," he said.

It will need to be if either the First Division's bottom club or its new general manager is to survive the next three months.

The much maligned former England manager, either bravely or foolishly, is putting himself back into the firing line by accepting this appointment.

But Watford's plight - they are seven points adrift of the safety zone - will not wait and, probably against his better judgement, Taylor has found it impossible to refuse the club closest to his heart.

Taylor's dismissal by Wolves earlier this season, he felt, had "effectively killed my club career''. He was not prepared to manage lower down the League.He has chosen Luther Blissett, a link with the past when Taylor and his long-ball tactics spirited Watford from Fourth Division to First, as his first-team coach though clearly Taylor will be involving himself in team matters.

It was, however, the appearance of Elton John, the former chairman who sold out to Jack Petchey, at yesterday's press conference at Vicarage Road which will set the Hornet fans buzzing again. He has not been to a game this season and last saw Watford score three years ago. "It broke my heart to see what was happening here," he said.

The return then of the dream team ticket? Not just yet, apparently. In answer to whether he would be pouring his inestimable fortunes into the club again, he replied: "At the moment, absolutely no way. I'm here to give moral support, financial support is not in the running at the moment. In the future, who knows? I don't want to be chairman again but I do want to become more involved."

Clearly John's return to Watford had been dependent on that of Taylor and vice versa. There remains a close affinity between the two men. "We've been through bumpy times, both of us, from the press point of view but we've ridden them out. But I have to say he's not a turnip and I think it's time for the turnip to end - you can call him a Hornet."