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Graham Taylor has stepped down as Watford chairman, a position he held in a non-executive capacity.

The former England boss, who had two successful spells as Hornets manager, will retain his title of life president at the club.

He had been non-executive chairman since November 2009, when he took up the role on an interim basis.

Owner Laurence Bassini will take up the chairmanship on a temporary basis until a replacement is appointed.

Taylor led Watford from the fourth tier to the top flight during his first stint as boss in the late 1970s.

He returned in 1996 and brought Premier League football to Vicarage Road for one season.

"Having accepted the position of non-executive chairman after being interim chairman, I always made it clear I never felt this to be something for the long-term,"

"As everyone knows, when I joined the board the club was going through very difficult times and, at one point, the solvency and future of the club was in real doubt.

"With a new owner and manager in place for 12 months and a very solid performance in the Championship this last season, I feel now is the time to step down."

Taylor was engaged in a public spat with Bassini in November, after Taylor had criticised the club's owner for not attending a fans' forum.

Bassini threatened to quit the board but eventually decided to remain.