THE football world should be saddened by the death of Graham Taylor. He brought decency, standards and honesty to a game full of charlatans and shysters.

I knew Graham. When working for the MCC one of my duties involved inducting new members. This meant taking small groups around the ground showing what their membership meant.

It was an unhurried, pleasing task as it meant showing genuine cricket lovers around the wonderful ground at Lord’s.

To my delight, one sunny evening Graham Taylor arrived proud to be joining the great cricket club. Yes, he had floundered as England manager but since the days of Alf Ramsey, who has not?

An inspiring young manager at Lincoln, he took over Watford when they were in the fourth division. Graham led them to second place in the former first division and to an FA Cup final. Who can forget Elton John crying on that wonderful Watford occasion? He knew what Graham had done for his club.

Ask any fan of clubs managed by Taylor and you will hear the respect and love in which he was held.

My national newspaper on Friday contained a marvellous appreciation by Henry Winter, as well as tributes by former players Luther Blissett and John Barnes. The quality of the man shone through.

If you thought no further than The Sun cruelly dubbing him “Turnip Taylor” you are the poorer for it.

Confucius hoped we all live in interesting times. If you are a Forest Green fan you certainly do.

First the football. Four points from two tough away matches, and an FA Trophy win at Chester that puts Rovers in the last 16 of the competition.

Transfer movements have, however, dominated our news. Kieffer Moore has made the surprise switch to Ipswich. Good for him.

He is an engaging young man but a frustrating footballer. We rarely saw him at his best at the New Lawn but Ipswich have certainly spotted the ability that lies within. At his best he can achieve so much.

The same can be said of Elliott Frear. Motherwell have made three unsuccessful bids for Elliott and understandably he wishes for a shot at a much higher standard of football.

I do not see this as a rejection of Forest Green but as genuine and proper ambition.

Manager Mark Cooper may not play him again as he wants players with Forest Green engraved on their hearts. Elliott is a true professional who would give his all if selected but of course this season he has so often been out of the squad or on the bench. His desire to move on is understandable, as is the opinion of manager Mark when it comes to team selection. The best result for both parties is the move to Scotland as soon as possible.

Departures free up space for a new player in – Jake Gosling of Bristol Rovers.

There will be no speculation from me on Cirencester Town’s fortunes this season. It would be too painful.

The Town were cruelly beaten on Saturday by high-flying Chesham. Missed first-half chances cost the Centurions dearly and Chesham’s resilience earned them all three points.

There is always a warm welcome at the Corinium. Rita’s half-time tea remains the best in football and having travelled to Barrow in Furness, Gateshead, Torquay and Dover this is something on which I can speak with great authority. Thank you, Rita.

TV viewers may have watched Penelope Keith’s gentle, if superficial tour of the Cotswolds on Saturday evening. Researchers for the programme contacted me before filming started.

Did I know of the Royal Shakespeare Company cricket team visiting Sheepscombe in the early 1960s with Penelope Keith scoring? I was asked.

None of my erudite sources knew of such a game but what a marvellous occasion it would have been.

Nonetheless, PK drove up the bumpy road to the ground. There she was inevitably enchanted by the views down the Stroud Valley.

It was on that field I learned what Graham Taylor always knew. Values are just as important as victories, which are meaningless unless properly earned.