Following Brian Clough and Jim Smith, Taylor, who began managing at Lincoln as a 27-year-old in 1972, joins an elite club.

Here, BBC Sport Online talks to footballers who, over the past 29 years, played under Taylor during his time in charge at Lincoln, Aston Villa, Wolves and his two spells at Watford.

Dennis Leigh (Lincoln 1974-1980)

Graham was only about three years older than me when I joined but he had the respect of all the players.

Even then, you could tell he had something special. We had players with talent and he showed us various ways we could play and patterns to play to when things were going against us.

I said at the time that one day he would go on to be England manager.

He was also brilliant at getting the community together. He was famous for doing it at Watford but Lincoln were the original family club.

Leigh is now the advertising manager at the Lincolnshire Echo

Ray Train (Watford 1978-1982)

He constantly told players what they were capable of achieving. The style was different to what I was used to but it was great to be part of the success

He got the best from his teams and installed great self-belief.

When we faced Southampton in a League Cup tie 4-0 down from the first leg, he convinced us we would go through.

We won the second leg 7-1 against a team a division above.

Train is now chief scout at Middlesbrough.

Derek Mountfield (Aston Villa 1988-1991)

I have the highest regard and admiration for Graham Taylor. He treats players with respect, which some managers occasionally find difficult.

His attention to detail is fantastic, not just on the playing side, but also ensuring the players' families are happy and everything around the game is looked after.

Graham is often saddled with a long ball label, but this is completely unfair.

He often used to have lengthy team meetings on tactics and planning, and he never just advocated use of the long ball.

He would not have had the success he has had, and is still having, if he had been as limited as that.

Mountfield is now manager of Cork City

David Kelly (Wolves 1993-1995)