R.I.P Geoff Taylor.

[bornablade]

These are the guys, this is the time that cemented our culture at the Lane.

The 'backs to the wall', 'fighting spirit', 'giving more than 100%' attitude was all started in the 1980's / 1990's with Harry, Geoff and Frenchie. The connection between fans and club - knowing we were all in this together.

Warnock and Wilder have just continued that legacy.

RIP Geoff. I hope you realised just how important you were to our club.

 

[Weasel]

Must have hit Wilder this news as he was part of the team that DB and GT built. Wilder was also there at Leicester away. Seems like a life time away that sunny day in May 90. So many people I knew then who aren't here now.

 

[The Hobott]

Thanks for everything Geoff. RIP.

 

[wavy-blade]

Wilf’s the zone

RIP Geoff an integral part of our history and success at that time , a lovely guy ! Thanks !

 

[dazzlingblade]

Oh no, arguably my favourite time as a blade, the day in Leicester, the journey home, waiting in the car park to welcome them back

Proper character and football man

Rest well Geoff

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

After Harris and "Before Bassett" was an era when we were known to be a "soft touch" with little backbone or character.
I was 30 when Harry , Geoff & Frenchie came in - they took a weak-kneed club and literally grabbed it by the scruff of the neck , dragging it up to be a respected outfit.

We stopped being the mugs of the football world and it made me proud again to puff my chest out as a Blade.
Accusations of "long-ball or crude" style were completely misplaced - we simply "manned-up" and had Deane & Agana banging in the goals... Such joyful times. Capped by Darlington.

Harry had been an insurance broker & Geoff had been an electrical contractor when Wimbledon rose from the amateur world to the First Division and won the FA Cup.
I don't think even Wilder's rise from 2016 to 2020 is anywhere near that kind of "success on a shoestring" story.

If that happened today , instead of the 80s , you would never hear the end of it in the media , films etc.

Wonderful times created by wonderful men , the like of which we won't see again in the money driven game of today.

To get a flavour of it , watch the 'United' BBC series which followed our promotion to the old First Division in 89/90.

What a brilliant 92 years you must've had , Geoff
And "WILF'S THE ZONE".

Excellent post which absolutely hits the nail on the head in respect of the impact that DB’s appointment had on our club.
In the previous few years we had been a sinking ship offering little or nothing to generate enthusiasm or enjoyment for the fans .

Then in a very short space of time a team was assembled on an absolute shoestring budget which , without being particularly stylish or technically proficient , brought back the pride in being a Blades supporter and which was highly successful and exciting to watch .

Geoff Taylor played a big part in this and well deserves having had such a long innings .

RIP .

 

[ZoneManWilf]

I can't remember who first transcribed this on BladesUnited (probably JJ Sefton) but here's the full zone man conversation:

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The scenario: 5th May 1990, United need to win at Leicester to win promotion to the top flight for the first time in over a decade. 4-2 up at half time, Sir David Bassett is not happy with the defense at corners. A fine display of tactical genius and teamwork is then displayed by the management team of DB and Geoff Taylor.

DB: Now Jock, the first corner, you’ve gone wandering out and it’s just gone over your head. Your man’s gone out and Oldfield’s gone beyond. So we’ll make a change on the corners, Hilly, you’ll pick up, er, Kelly, Barnesy’s man, you’ll pick Kelly up on the corners OK? (points at a player out of shot) You’ll then pick North up, the five, OK? Jock, you’ll do the zone, OK?

GT: Can we just sort that out as well, like the last one, Chris was picking up Wrighty, there was Deano and Bob picking up with two, and we had no zone man. If our zone gets pulled out like Jock Bryson now, Mark, you’ve got to be across in the hole in the three. (to Mark Morris) Do you understand? No you don’t obviously.

Argument starts.

DB: We talking at a corner?

GT: Yeah.

DB: (points at Mark Morris) No he’s marking at a corner.

GT: Who’s he marking?

DB: He’s marking, er, he’s at the near post with Oldfield and James, him and Deansy there.

GT: (looking bemused): Alright.

DB: (points at Mark Morris again) So it’s him marking with, er, Deansy.

GT: We still need a zone in there.

DB: Yeah, Wilf’s the zone, in the corner.

GT: (more bemused): What, in the front?

DB: No, Jock’s the zone, near post zone, Chrissy’s on the edge. Jock’s come off, I’ve taken Hilly to mark instead of Jock, that’s the only difference.

GT looks even more bemused and they engage in some low level muttering.

DB: (now confused as well – GT muttering all the while now): Well Wrighty’s in the edge of the box, Chrissy Wilder’s……….well that’s right……….Well if he’s out there……….Wilf will have to……… (more low level muttering)

GT: What I’m saying is that the 6 yard man has got to be in front if he’s out.

DB: Yeah, Jock’s got to get out, yeah.

I might be able to take credit for that one...

Really sad news. Was a big part in that Bassett team and contributed hugely to making United relevant again.

RIP Geoff.

 

[fifty shades of blade]

My best years evwr as a blade. Thanks Geoff (bag) RIP xx

 

[Carlton Blade]

My first game was in DBs 1st season. Loved all of that team and everyone involved.

 

[Keen Blade]

After Harris and "Before Bassett" was an era when we were known to be a "soft touch" with little backbone or character.
I was 30 when Harry , Geoff & Frenchie came in - they took a weak-kneed club and literally grabbed it by the scruff of the neck , dragging it up to be a respected outfit.

We stopped being the mugs of the football world and it made me proud again to puff my chest out as a Blade.
Accusations of "long-ball or crude" style were completely misplaced - we simply "manned-up" and had Deane & Agana banging in the goals... Such joyful times. Capped by Darlington.

Harry had been an insurance broker & Geoff had been an electrical contractor when Wimbledon rose from the amateur world to the First Division and won the FA Cup.
I don't think even Wilder's rise from 2016 to 2020 is anywhere near that kind of "success on a shoestring" story.

If that happened today , instead of the 80s , you would never hear the end of it in the media , films etc.

Wonderful times created by wonderful men , the like of which we won't see again in the money driven game of today.

To get a flavour of it , watch the 'United' BBC series which followed our promotion to the old First Division in 89/90.

What a brilliant 92 years you must've had , Geoff
And "WILF'S THE ZONE".

Just realised my nostalgia got the better of me .... Darlington ?

That was '82 not '90 ... I obviously meant Leicester !

Kind of you not to highlight my error

 

[metalblade]

RIP Geoff

 

[United Aren't Back.]

'If you're shitting yourselves, just think about how me and Bag must be feeling.'

 

[wavy-blade]

 

[Darkoak]

View attachment 207999View attachment 207998

There's obviously a few familiar faces there, but can anybody name a full L to R?

 

[Sithblade]

There's obviously a few familiar faces there, but can anybody name a full L to R?

Gayle, Tracey, Bassett, Beesley poking behind him, Ward, Gage, Gannon, Andy Daykin?, Wilder, Wit?, Wally Downes then no idea of guy on the right.

 

[Silent Blade]

Gayle, Tracey, Bassett, Beesley poking behind him, Ward, Gage, Gannon, Andy Daykin?, Wilder, Wit?, Wally Downes then no idea of guy on the right.

Is it really Mitch Ward? Saw him at the Sheffield derby last month, didnt look like him, I have no idea who is far right too.

 

[Sithblade]

Is it really Mitch Ward? Saw him at the Sheffield derby last month, didnt look like him, I have no idea who is far right too.

Not sure, he looks similar to the last picture I saw of him. I'm used to the long dark locks of the 90s on him.
This is from 11 years ago.

 

[Rooks]

Is it really Mitch Ward? Saw him at the Sheffield derby last month, didnt look like him, I have no idea who is far right too.

I think it's Dominic Field who was the accountant at United, the two ladies are Marcia Austin, who worked th the Ticket Office and Kate Howe who worked with me in the Pools Office. I also think, but I'm not 100% sure, the player on the right is Tony Battersby.

 

[Original United]

Thanks Geoff, we would not be where we are now without you and Harry.

RIP

 

[Silent Blade]

I think it's Dominic Field who was the accountant at United, the two ladies are Marcia Austin, who worked th the Ticket Office and Kate Howe who worked with me in the Pools Office. I also think, but I'm not 100% sure, the player on the right is Tony Battersby.

Cheers

 

[The Crab]

Glad that Geoff got a decent send off

 

[Valley Blade]

I think it's Dominic Field who was the accountant at United, the two ladies are Marcia Austin, who worked th the Ticket Office and Kate Howe who worked with me in the Pools Office. I also think, but I'm not 100% sure, the player on the right is Tony Battersby.

Could it be Paul Rogers?

 

[Silent Blade]

Could it be Paul Rogers?

No, saw him a few years ago at West Ham. Not like him

 

[Rooks]

Paul Rogers was there, also Bob Booker and Tony Agana.

 

[Tezza1889]

Oh no, arguably my favourite time as a blade, the day in Leicester, the journey home, waiting in the car park to welcome them back

Proper character and football man

Rest well Geoff

You me and God knows how many..

We were so lucky to experience that..

 

[Tezza1889]

After Harris and "Before Bassett" was an era when we were known to be a "soft touch" with little backbone or character.
I was 30 when Harry , Geoff & Frenchie came in - they took a weak-kneed club and literally grabbed it by the scruff of the neck , dragging it up to be a respected outfit.

We stopped being the mugs of the football world and it made me proud again to puff my chest out as a Blade.
Accusations of "long-ball or crude" style were completely misplaced - we simply "manned-up" and had Deane & Agana banging in the goals... Such joyful times. Capped by Darlington.

Harry had been an insurance broker & Geoff had been an electrical contractor when Wimbledon rose from the amateur world to the First Division and won the FA Cup.
I don't think even Wilder's rise from 2016 to 2020 is anywhere near that kind of "success on a shoestring" story.

If that happened today , instead of the 80s , you would never hear the end of it in the media , films etc.

Wonderful times created by wonderful men , the like of which we won't see again in the money driven game of today.

To get a flavour of it , watch the 'United' BBC series which followed our promotion to the old First Division in 89/90.

What a brilliant 92 years you must've had , Geoff
And "WILF'S THE ZONE".

Nailed it

 

[Northyorksblade]

I think it's Dominic Field who was the accountant at United, the two ladies are Marcia Austin, who worked th the Ticket Office and Kate Howe who worked with me in the Pools Office. I also think, but I'm not 100% sure, the player on the right is Tony Battersby.

Couldn't picture Battersby so just Googled him. He's described as a journeyman on wiki. Ruddy hell, that's some journey.Take a look at his clubs.