Keith Mercer was just the sort of player Graham Taylor was looking for, possessing all the essential items on the new manager's checklist: courage, determination, stamina, the 'never say die' spirit....

He was also a rarity - a product of Watford's youth team. He actually became the club's youngest debutant when he came on as sub against Tranmere in 1973, a schoolboy of just sixteen. His teammates nicknamed him Bam-Bam after the baby in 'The Flintstones'! He averaged a goal every two games and was voted "Young Player of the Season" and "Player of the Season" and he made a vital contribution to the start of the glorious Golden years.

Almost every picture of Keith shows him either heaving his frame those vital couple of inches above a cluster of defenders to get to a header or lunging forward to get a foot to a ball most players wouldn't have bothered trying for! He was tough, he just wanted to get to the ball first.

Invariably he did, armed as he was with a body that was pure muscle and a brain that had obviously never been introduced to the concept of quitting.

The official WFC Former Players Club want to support our team mate and so we have pledged to help get some of the things he and his family need to make his recovery easier. Whether you donate or simply send a message of motivation, it will make so much difference to Keith to know that his part in that glorious and greatest era of our Club's history has meant something to all of us - and you. Thank you .

& thanks to BSAD for their original story http://www.bsad.org/tribute/mercer/tim.html