A SOUTH Lakeland man has recalled the time he met the late former England manager Graham Taylor when the football icon brought his Aston Villa team to the Lake District for a pre-season break.

In 1990, then-Villa boss Taylor brought his high-flying Claret and Blues on a week-long retreat to the Great Langdale Hotel near Ambleside.

Rod Berry was a porter at the time and he had the enviable job of welcoming the squad of First Division greats to the hotel.

Although it was not public knowledge at the time, Taylor was just a matter of weeks away from taking charge of the Three Lions, as he was set to replace Sir Bobby Robson following England's campaign at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Taylor, perhaps best known for his impressive feats in charge of Watford FC, passed away last Thursday at the age of 72.

Mr Berry, 80, said: "I always remember when they arrived and they were milling around reception and I shouted: 'Listen you lot! You can shut up or you can find your own rooms'. Graham Taylor turned around and said: 'I think I'm going to have an easy week with you'.

"I looked after them while they were here for recuperation and training. In the evenings I did quizzes for the players – there were people like David Platt and Tony Daley – and before they left Graham put a quiz on for me.

"He was also kind enough to send a load of rosettes and signed programmes and things for my son in law who is a big Villa fan. Later he was made England manager and I always thought it was really good of him to send that stuff.

"A team of footballers at a hotel is not the easiest to look after but I thought he was really nice. We were chatting away one night and I could just tell everyone had a lot of time for him."