Colin Taylor (footballer, born 1940) explained

Colin Taylor
Birth Date:24 August 1940
Birth Place:Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England
Position:Left winger
Youthyears1:?–1958
Youthclubs1:Stourbridge
Years1:1958–1963
Clubs1:Walsall
Caps1:213
Goals1:93
Years2:1963–1964
Clubs2:Newcastle United
Caps2:33
Goals2:7
Years3:1964–1968
Clubs3:Walsall
Caps3:148
Goals3:52
Years4:1968–1969
Clubs4:Crystal Palace
Caps4:34
Goals4:8
Years5:1969–1973
Clubs5:Walsall
Caps5:96
Goals5:24
Years6:1973–?
Clubs6:Kidderminster Harriers

Colin Taylor (24 August 1940 — June 2005) was an English professional footballer who played as a left winger for Walsall F.C. in three different spells, with whom he made at least 459 league appearances by the end of the 1972–73 season, scoring at least 169 goals. He also made 33 appearances in league games for Newcastle (7 goals) in season 1963–64 and 34 appearances in league games for Crystal Palace (8 goals),[1] in season 1968–69, in which he helped Palace achieve promotion to the top flight for the first time.[2] His haul of 32 goals for Walsall in season 1959–60 remains a record from the left wing.

Taylor was a flame-haired, barrel-chested left-winger who was a member of Walsall's first team during their golden days of the 1950s and 1960s. Taylor was given the nickname "Cannonball Colin" by Walsall supporters because of his accurate left foot and strong shooting abilities. Such was the power in his left boot, Walsall fans of his era would claim that "his left leg was out of proportion to his right". Supporters would also eulogise that, when he shot at the "Railway End" goal at Fellow's Park, and happened to miss, the speed of the ball would be such, as to knock the rust off an old tea-sales caravan, permanently parked at that end.

On his retirement from professional football, Taylor, a quiet, modest man, worked as a painter and decorator.

Following his death in 2005, Walsall F.C. promised to build a permanent memorial for Taylor.

Honours

Walsall

Notes and References

  1. Book: Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. Purkiss. Mike. Sands. Nigel. 1990 . The Breedon Books Publishing Company. 342. 0907969542.
  2. Book: Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. Purkiss. Mike. Sands. Nigel. 1989 . The Breedon Books Publishing Company. 230. 0907969542.