Ex-England manager saved Elton John’s life by helping him quit booze and drugs
Sir Elton John has credited former England boss Graham Taylor with saving his life by helping him quit booze and drugs.
The megastar musician owned Watford FC in the 1970s and 80s, when Taylor was manager. The Rocket Man star has revealed in a new book about the club how Taylor, who died in 2017, read him the riot act after catching him drinking whisky on Boxing Day morning in 1981.
Taylor said to the dishevelled singer: “What the f**k do you think you’re doing? You’re letting yourself down and you’re letting the club down. If you ever turn up looking like this again, that’s f**ing it as far as I’m concerned.”
READ MORE: Raheem Sterling fumes as Sky reporter tries to get dirt out of Chelsea ace's eye
READ MORE: Jubilant Jack Grealish shouts into camera in celebration – but Chelsea hit back
In Watford Forever: How Graham Taylor And Elton John Saved A Football Club, A Town And Each Other, Elton, now 76, said: “It shook me to the core. I was just left there, stunned and mortified.
“I certainly wouldn’t have taken it from anyone else; I would just have told them to f**k off.”
He added: “Something took root inside me that day. It launched me on the road to recovery. In effect, Graham saved my life.”
Sir Elton had previously said: “I cherish my relationship with Graham as one of the greatest of my life. What we accomplished together was extraordinary on and off the field, but so was the lifelong bond we built.
Join the Daily Star's WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!
Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in!
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
“He was like a brother to me and I loved him dearly. When we started working together in 1977, I had huge ambitions and hopes for my childhood club, but Graham’s understanding of the game and leadership achieved something beyond even my wildest dreams. He was a true genius.
“We took a club in financial turmoil at the bottom of the football pyramid to second in the league, an FA Cup final and European football."
Source: Read Full Article