It’s very rare that matters on the pitch become rather insignificant, but Saturday was one of those rare occasions.

Saturday’s game wasn’t necessarily about the result. It was about saying goodbye to a Watford legend; a man who encapsulated the hearts of so many and turned Watford into the special club that it is today.

The news of Graham Taylor’s passing last week was devastating.

I wasn’t around during his first stint as manager of the Hornets and I would have been far too young to remember most of his second spell at Vicarage Road. But it has always been increasingly evident to me how much of an important role Taylor played at Watford.

This was a man who guided the Hornets from the fourth division to the top flight in the space of five years. That is simply unheard of and something I don’t think we will ever see from another club again. On top of that, this was also a man who guided the Hornets into Europe and an FA Cup final in 1984.

Taylor gave supporters enjoyment and belief. He created a community spirit and a strong bond with the supporters, something which has remained with the club ever since.

But the most important thing was that he gave us the ability to dream. He proved that the impossible could be achieved with hard work. Taylor made supporters proud of the club and put Watford on the map. In the process, he provided fans with hope and determination that they could achieve their dreams if they worked hard for it.

It was watching highlights from his first spell at the club which really enticed me into supporting the Golden Boys. I come from a family which doesn’t really like football, but having watched those highlights, as well as the 1999 play-off final against Bolton, as soon as I went to my first Watford game, I was hooked. I had fallen in love with everything about the club.

So it was truly devastating to hear of the passing of such an icon.

As such, Saturday was always going to be an emotional, but memorable occasion and our fans certainly did Taylor and his family proud. From the tributes outside the ground, to the atmosphere inside Vicarage Road, it was a fitting send-off for a man who has done so much for the club and town. It really felt like the whole club was united and that’s what makes Watford so special.

Watford Observer:

The chorus of ‘There’s only one Graham Taylor’ and ‘Elton John’s Taylor Made Army’ from the stands was spine-tingling and many like me, were close to tears. Added to that, the displays from the 1881 singing section were absolutely superb and it made Saturday even more of a fitting and memorable occasion. GT would have been proud and humbled by our support and it proved that we have some of the best supporters in the country.

It’s a shame that the Hornets couldn’t have secured those all-important three points for such a great man, as it would have been the perfect day.

In truth, had the Golden Boys had more quality in the final third, then they would have won Saturday’s game. While it was by no means the worst performance in the world, there was a distinct lack of cutting edge, something which has been evident for the last month.

Our attacking play was too slow and ponderous at times, making it far too easy for Middlesbrough to defend against. When we did create clear-cut chances we squandered them, with Troy Deeney probably missing the most guilt-edged opportunity in the dying minutes.

Tom Cleverley hit the post as well, but while the Hornets never looked in any danger of losing Saturday’s game, they certainly didn’t do enough to win it.

But I don’t want to analyse this weekend’s game too much, because I think that’s a bit disrespectful.

Saturday was about one man and that was Graham Taylor. There will be no one like him ever again and he will, rightly, go down in history as Watford’s most successful manager.

This is the man who has given Watford fans so many wonderful memories which we will be able to cherish for the rest of our lives. A man who was a true gentleman and always had time for everyone.

As the lyrics on the back of the Elton John Stand say: ‘how wonderful life is when you’re in the world’ and that was most certainly the case with Graham Taylor.

He made supporting Watford so wonderful and there will be no one like him ever again.

Thank you, Graham and may you rest in peace.