Football: `The most important game of my life'

GRAHAM TAYLOR maintained that his return to the top flight after 11 years, courtesy of Watford's 2-0 play-off victory over Bolton yesterday, was not an opportunity to wipe the slate clean after his unsuccessful spell in charge of England.

"Everything is history," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, this was the most important game of my life because that is what is happening now.

"You can't change what has happened. But after 27 years as a manager, I had a bit of a rough time. Unfortunately it was in the middle of the England situation with the highest profile."

After resigning as England manager, he took Wolves to the play-offs, but they lost.

Taylor said that the club's youth system would provide some players for next season. "We have got to give that a lot of thought," he said. "We are not a big club and it would be very silly of me to have to feel that I would have to spend millions of pounds and thereby, almost destroy our youth system."

Sir Elton John, Watford's chairman, was full of praise for Taylor. The rock star, who was in Seattle on an American tour, said: "I am so happy for the team - the staff, the fans, the Board but most of all, for Graham [Taylor]."

ENGLISH LEAGUE ROLL OF HONOUR

PREMIERSHIP

Champions: Man Utd

Runners-up: Arsenal

Qualified for Champions' League: Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea

Qualified for Uefa Cup: Tottenham H, Leeds Utd, Newcastle Utd

FA Cup winners: Man Utd

Worthington Cup winners: Tottenham H

NATIONWIDE LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

Champions: Sunderland

Runners-up: Bradford C

Promoted via play-offs: Watford

SECOND DIVISION

Champions: Fulham

Runners-up: Walsall

Promoted via play-offs: Man City

THIRD DIVISION

Champions: Brentford

Runners-up: Cambridge Utd

Promoted: Cardiff C

Promoted via play-offs: Scunthorpe Utd