Tributes have been paid to a "lovely" and "fiercely loyal" woman who was Graham Taylor's personal assistant at Watford FC.

Shirley Evans died in her sleep on Friday, November 17, after which friends and former players reminisced about her "caring and friendly" nature.

The 89-year-old worked with Taylor during his first spell as manager between 1977 and 1987, a golden era that included the club's only European campaign and a first FA Cup final appearance.

Shirley's close friend and former colleague, Maggi Howlett, said she was "fiercely loyal" to the manager, adding: “She was a gatekeeper for Graham Taylor and to speak to him you had to get through her first.

"She was the most caring person and helped make Watford FC a family club.”

Watford Observer: Shirley died aged 89. Shirley died aged 89. (Image: Maggi Howlett)

Shirley was married to Glyn Evans, who died a few years ago, and the couple had lived in Watford for a long time and had two daughters, who have also passed away.

Former Watford goalkeeper Steve Sherwood, who was at the club during her time, said: “So sad to hear about Shirley Evans, such a lovely lady, typical of the staff Graham employed.”

She had worked for the club for a number of years before her interview with Taylor for the role of his assistant, which was “a walk around the ground and a conversation before she got told she had been given the job”, according to Maggi.

Luther Blissett, Watford's all-time leading goalscorer, said: "The news of Shirley's passing was hard for the Former Players Club to hear. For those of us who were part of Watford FC's glorious Graham Taylor days, this was someone who we had more or less grown up with. 

“If someone wanted to speak to 'Mr Taylor', then they had to get past Shirley, and they had to mind their manners and follow the rules." 

He added: "They say behind every great man is a woman keeping them in tow.

"Graham had Rita, the first lady of Watford and the love of his life at home, and Shirley making sure that everything ran as he wanted at the office.”

She has left behind three granddaughters, Amy, Rosie, and Lily, who she “loved unconditionally”.

A date has not yet been set for her funeral.