Saint_clark Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 There are a handful of followers who go above and beyond in support of the team they love. Take Herbert Taylor. Having watched his first Southampton match in 1940 at the age of 10, the now 83-year-old has barely missed a game since. Even a stint with the RAF couldn’t stop him: he’d hitchhike home from his posts all over the UK to catch a glimpse of his idols. No wonder he was voted Fan of the Year in 2010. Not content with following the south coast outfit for 73 years, Herbert also volunteers as a tour guide at St. Mary’s – a role he took up following his retirement. “I started working for Southampton one week after the club moved from The Dell to St. Mary’s in 2001,” he says. “I took the first ever stadium tour - that was a proud moment for me.” After volunteering for 13 years – sharing his knowledge and enthralling those lucky enough to get a glimpse behind the scenes at Saints – the 83-year-old is set to call time on his job. “I will be 84 next year, so it’s time to take a rest,” he explains. “It was my dream job in my retirement and I’ve loved every minute of it. When I take my last tour or watch my last game, the pain I feel will be softened by the many happy memories I have of ‘my’ football club.” It’s the passion, dedication and commitment of loyal fans like Herbert that make the beautiful game what it is. A real fan and a true Saint, we say thank you. Herbert Taylor, #YouAreFootball
buctootim Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Barclays have got no idea about branding. They need to bring KelvinsRightGlove in.
iansums Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Who's his boyfriend? Seriously though, good on the old fella. Let's hope the club do something for him, we know NC would have!
trousers Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 good on the old fella. Let's hope the club do something for him The photo was retweeted by the official Saints twitter account so they're definitely aware
Trader Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Ah Barclays, loyal friend of Southampton Football Cub. http://www.standard.co.uk/business/southampton-fc-fury-over-barclays-death-sentence-6894001.html
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Barclays have got no idea about branding. They need to bring KelvinsRightGlove in. Lol nice try. I said several times, history is for the fans and shouldn't be a #1 priority for a new CEO. But crack on mate - that's clearly too hard to follow.
buctootim Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 (edited) Lol nice try. I said several times, history is for the fans and shouldn't be a #1 priority for a new CEO. But crack on mate - that's clearly too hard to follow. You have noticed the Barclays ad is all about history and what it means to fans? You know Barclays - the 300 year old bank with 100 million customers in 30 countries. The sponsors of the PL. The people who make £6bn a year. I thought you could offer them a few tips about getting their advertising more on message and relevant, cause you don't want the CEO bothering about what their primary source of income thinks. Edited 21 January, 2014 by buctootim
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 You have noticed the Barclays ad is all about history and what it means to fans? You know Barclays - the 300 year old bank with 100 million customers in 30 countries. The sponsors of the PL. The people who make £6bn a year. I thought you could offer them a few tips about getting their advertising more on message and relevant. My word, what is the point. You are either never going to get my point, or just determined to distort it. I said several times that history is for the fans. This sees to be your point too. Wow, I bit when you claimed I know nothing about branding, which given my job I do. Yeah, I probably should have just not risen to it, but I did. I wasn't trying to advise the club, or anyone on what they should do. I was giving my opinion of what the club has attempted to do, and why in my opinion it is the right way to go. As I said, yes, history is important to fans, of course it is. I have at no point denied this or tried to say otherwise. I just don't think for current staff and players, who have little or no affiliation to the club it is as important. I don't see that as a negative, just a fact. If I was a pro footballer, or offered an important back-room job I would be more concerned about the current state of the club, and the near future or what can be achieved in the short-term. These are the things I perceive as being more important to those within the club at the current time. I thought it was a discussion, you know what people have on a forum, where people had differing views. Clearly mine was a minority view, but I don't think what I said was that outrageous. If you then want to try and dig me out on a seperate thread, that isn't that connected (the focus of a football club vs an ad aimed at fans, using history and their experiences) crack on mate.
buctootim Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 What an odd post. Advertising and brand image is primarily directed towards your customers, not your staff. hth
Saint_clark Posted 21 January, 2014 Author Posted 21 January, 2014 Well this went exactly as I'd hoped it would...
buctootim Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Well this went exactly as I'd hoped it would... Yeah sorry. People saying a clubs history is largely irrelevant and all that matters is now ****es me off. Herbert Taylor and this ad is a perfect example of why thats bullcrap. I hope Herbie is at games for many more years to come.
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Well this went exactly as I'd hoped it would... Yeah sorry mate. Sincere thanks for posting, it is a really nice story.
Lazlo78 Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 I've had the pleasure of meeting up with Herbie for a stadium tour of St. Mary's. You really couldn't find a nicer and more likable gentleman than him. Writes excellent match reports too!
jasonb Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Is Herbie the only tour guide at St Mary's? I only ask as my son and I were lucky enough to get a stadium tour for Christmas and I love to be shown round by Herbie. I know I will have to be quick as I'd like to coincide it with a home game this season. Tour on the Friday and then game on the Saturday sort of thing.
Mowgli Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Yeah sorry. People saying a clubs history is largely irrelevant and all that matters is now ****es me off. Herbert Taylor and this ad is a perfect example of why thats bullcrap. I hope Herbie is at games for many more years to come. Reading what people actually say is right up there too.
Norm Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Herbie is one of the nicest people I have met. I first met him in the week he started at SMS. I've been of one of his tours and found it most enjoyable, made so by his knowledge of all things Saints.
GAS Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Which one is Herbert, they both look 83 to me? Hope they both got a free Parker pen for this.
Lazlo78 Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 Which one is Herbert, they both look 83 to me? Hope they both got a free Parker pen for this. It's Herbie sitting on the right wearing pink, maroon and grey. He has got what I believe to be the most wonderful Hampshire accent - but perhaps someone will correct me on that one...
GAS Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 It's Herbie sitting on the right wearing pink, maroon and grey. He has got what I believe to be the most wonderful Hampshire accent - but perhaps someone will correct me on that one...So whose the dude on the left?
Lazlo78 Posted 21 January, 2014 Posted 21 January, 2014 (edited) So whose the dude on the left? No clue. And what's worse, I can't come up with a funny answer. Sorry... Edit: according to Herbie himself, it is Stan Clemence; the oldest living ex-saints player. Edited 22 January, 2014 by Lazlo78
Viking Warrior Posted 22 January, 2014 Posted 22 January, 2014 Herbie . Is a scholar and gentleman . I have known him for many years. He has many thousands of friends. I remember going on the first saints list tour a memorable occassion. I'm sure some fellow saints listees on here may have been there and that fantastic speech about saints fans from around the world from a certain Aussie fan . That speech captured everything about saints fans and our love of the club and our history . It's because of the likes of Herbie that bring so much positivity to Southampton FC and the fans . Herbie does so much more than just stadium tours . The club including NC are are more than aware of herbies impending retirement . But I have an inkling he will still be doing tours to come as long as he remains fit and healthy .
ecuk268 Posted 22 January, 2014 Posted 22 January, 2014 Herbie was also instrumental in organizing the yearly visit of the Chernobyl kids. These are youngsters from the Chernobyl area who, due to their exposure to radiation, are unlikely to make it beyond their teens. Herbie arranged for the Club to give them a tour of St Marys, a number of items from the Megastore and a party in the Club. Apparently, even a couple of weeks away from their home and being given good food can increase their life expectancy. He's a true gent.
Bearsy Posted 22 January, 2014 Posted 22 January, 2014 he's a flamboyant dresser for 83 ain't it! You don't often see pensioners peacocking like that, matching their plum sweater with plum strides, open neck hot pink shirt, cultivated moustache. I hope I'm player like herb if i live to 83
paulwantsapint Posted 23 January, 2014 Posted 23 January, 2014 Ms LIEBHERR could do a lot worse than offer Mr Herbert Taylor a place on the board & his own corporate box to enjoy his football in, I am sure saint Markus would have approved & enjoyed hearing Herbert recount stories from a bygone era
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