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'HE LOOKED A PICTURE OF HEALTH'

Delivery man takes ‘last picture’ of England and Watford legend Graham Taylor before he died of suspected heart attack

Courier Lee Tunnell told last night how he took the last photo of football legend Graham Taylor and revealed: "He looked a picture of health!"

Arsenal fan Lee, 36, was making a delivery to a home in Kings Langley north of Watford a week ago when a chirpy voice called out: "Is it going to be a yes, is it going to be a no?"

Delivery man Lee Tunnell may have taken the last pic of football hero Graham Taylor earlier this week
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Delivery man Lee Tunnell may have taken the last pic of football hero Graham Taylor earlier this week

The dad-of-three turned around and saw the ex-England manager in trainers, track suit bottoms and an overcoat smiling at him as he walked with his wife and dog.

Van driver Lee quickly dropped-off the parcel and dashed over the road for a five minute chat with the former Watford, Aston Villa and Three Lions boss who died this week aged 72.

Lee, who lives nearby, recalled: "I was quite taken aback to see who it was having a joke whether the door would be opened or not.

Courier Lee was shocked to see Taylor was the source of a joking voice coming from behind him as he made a delivery
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Courier Lee was shocked to see Taylor was the source of a joking voice coming from behind him as he made a deliveryCredit: Getty Images
Lee heard former Three Lions manager Taylor joking about whether he was going to open the door
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Lee heard former Three Lions manager Taylor joking about whether he was going to open the doorCredit: PA:Press Association

"I went over the road, held out my hand and said 'Mr Taylor, nice to meet you'.

"We shook, he replied 'morning', and we started talking about football. I asked if he was still in the game.

"He said 'no, I'm in retirement, I'm enjoying going for walks', while looking very contented. His wife had walked off into the distance, she had probably heard it all before.

"He told me he was not really a fan of the Premier League any more, and preferred watching the Championship.

Taylor, who has managed Aston Villa and Watford FC as well as the England national team, said he was no longer a fan of the Premier League
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Taylor, who has managed Aston Villa and Watford FC as well as the England national team, said he was no longer a fan of the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association Wire
He told Lee there was too much money in the game and it was ruining Premier League football, and that he now preferred to watch the Championship
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He told Lee there was too much money in the game and it was ruining Premier League football, and that he now preferred to watch the ChampionshipCredit: PA:Press Association Archive
He also said he was enjoying going for walks with his wife in his retirement
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He also said he was enjoying going for walks with his wife in his retirementCredit: PA:Press Association

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"Graham thought money was ruining the game. He said he did not blame the players, it was not their fault, it was just the amount going into the game.

"And he did not like the fixtures constantly being moved around.

"We never mentioned England, I was only a kid when he was in charge. I said to him 'nice to meet you, enjoy your retirement, you have earned it'.

"He replied 'thank you very much', and then I asked 'do you mind if I have a photo with you?'. He said 'no worries'."

Footy legend Taylor was good friends with singer Elton John after their years at Watford FC together
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Footy legend Taylor was good friends with singer Elton John after their years at Watford FC togetherCredit: mirrorpix
Lee described his shock at learning Taylor was dead, as he had seemed so fit and healthy when they met days earlier
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Lee described his shock at learning Taylor was dead, as he had seemed so fit and healthy when they met days earlierCredit: PA:Press Association Wire

Lee described it as the highlight of his year so far and proudly posted the snap on Facebook with the tagline 'do I not like that', Graham's catchphrase from a TV documentary.

On Thursday a mate phoned him asking: "What have you done? - Graham Taylor has died."

Lee said: "Well, I was shocked, when I was talking to him he was so chipper, he looked happy, fit and well. He was obviously physically OK from the way he was walking.

"To look at him, he was not a frail man in his 70s, you would have given him a couple more decades.

"What a lovely fella. I keep thinking he was just getting to enjoy his family, and it has been taken away from him.

"It's a little spooky to think I probably took the last picture of a football hero."

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