.gif)
Bob Taylor (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Taylor better known as Bob Taylor, is an English
former footballer who played as a centre forward. Known by supporters as Super Bobby Taylor, Superbob or simply Super, Taylor scored more than 250 goals in a professional career that comprised almost 750 games in 20 years. He is West Bromwich Albion
's eighth highest goalscorer of all-time.
He began his professional career at Leeds United, making his debut in 1986 at the age of 19. In 1989 he moved to Bristol City
, before joining West Bromwich Albion
in 1992. Taylor signed for Bolton Wanderers in 1998 following two successful loans spells at the club, but in 2000 returned to West Bromwich Albion, where he remained for a further three seasons. He then moved to Cheltenham Town
before ending his career at non-league sides Tamworth
and Kidderminster Harriers
.
, and brought up in the small mining community of nearby Horden
. He attended Dene House School in Peterlee
, where he proved to be a useful cricketer. He was also a successful schoolboy footballer and captained his school team; he played initially at full-back, but later became a striker
, the position he would go on to play for his entire professional career. Taylor had unsuccessful trials at both Hartlepool United
and Newcastle United
. At the age of 17 he joined his local non-league club, Horden Colliery Welfare
. In March 1986, after only a few months there, Taylor turned professional by signing for Leeds United, at that time managed by Billy Bremner
.
He gradually worked his way into the Leeds first team, making his professional debut against Millwall
on 12 April 1986, and was part of the Leeds squad that lost the 1986–87 Division One playoff final, losing to Charlton Athletic
in a replay. By the 1987–88
season he had become a regular in the side. However when Howard Wilkinson
succeeded Bremner as Leeds manager in 1988, the young centre-forward found himself surplus to requirements. Taylor believed that this was because Wilkinson wanted immediate success, and needed to bring in established, experienced players in order to achieve this. Thus in March 1989 Taylor moved to Bristol City
, with Carl Shutt moving to Leeds as part of the deal. Taylor made an instant impact at his new club, scoring eight goals in 12 games during the remainder of the season. In 1989–90
, his first full season at City, he helped the club achieve promotion to Division Two. Taylor finished as Division Three leading goalscorer with 27 league goals (34 in total) and was also named Bristol City Player of the Year.
who brought him to The Hawthorns
for a £300,000 fee in January 1992. Taylor was seen as a replacement for Don Goodman
, who had been sold to Sunderland
earlier in the season. Taylor scored on his debut against Brentford
in a 2–0 Hawthorns win, and added another two on his away debut as Albion beat local rivals Birmingham City
3–0 at St. Andrews
. Initially nicknamed "Trigger
" (due to a perceived resemblance to the character in the television comedy Only Fools and Horses
), Taylor soon became known as "Super Bob", a moniker he was first given by fans of Bristol City during his spell there, and scored eight times in 19 games during the second half of 1991–92
.
During the 1992–93
season, Taylor capitalised fully on the attacking football Albion played under manager Ossie Ardiles
, finishing as Division Two's top goalscorer with 30 league goals, and scoring 37 in all competitions. This was despite having a succession of different strike partners throughout the season, including Simon Garner
, Luther Blissett
, David Speedie
and even midfielder Gary Robson
. However when Andy Hunt
arrived at Albion in March 1993, he and Taylor quickly forged a successful striking partnership that would last several seasons. Hunt and Taylor were part of the Baggies team that beat Port Vale
at Wembley in the Division Two playoff final, to secure promotion to Division One. In the second half, with the game still goalless, Taylor was through on goal when he was brought down by former Leeds team-mate Peter Swan
. Swan's subsequent dismissal proved to be the turning point in the game, with Hunt scoring the first goal in a 3–0 victory.
Taylor was the club's top league goalscorer once again in 1993–94
, scoring 18 goals. Albion however struggled in Division One and only avoided relegation on the last day of the season.
Taylor scored several goals in local derbies during his time at Albion, including a diving header against Wolves
to seal a 2–0 win in March 1995; he later described it as the best goal of his career. His only hat-trick for Albion, in a 4–4 draw against Watford
on 12 March 1996, helped him to finished as Albion's top league goalscorer for the third time, finding the net on 17 occasions in 1995–96
. He captained the side for the second half of that season and scored his 100th goal for the club in the final league game of the campaign, against Derby County
. Things changed however in 1998, when Denis Smith succeeded Ray Harford
as manager. Recovering from an ankle injury and struggling with his fitness, Taylor was sent out on loan to Premiership club Bolton Wanderers
.
. He played four times for the club during his initial month-long spell on loan, scoring once. The goal came in the fourth and final game – against Manchester United
at Old Trafford
– as Taylor helped to earn Bolton a 1–1 draw. The goal against United instantly gave Taylor cult hero status amongst the Bolton faithful. He then returned to West Bromwich Albion, playing in a further nine games and scoring twice, before re-joining Bolton Wanderers for a second loan spell, this time for the remainder of the 1997–98
season. During this period he scored two goals in eight games for Bolton, who were relegated from the Premier League on goal difference.
When Albion were only prepared to offer him a one-year contract, Taylor moved to Bolton permanently in July 1998 for a £90,000 fee. He was the Wanderers' top scorer in the 1998–99
season, partnering Eiður Guðjohnsen
as Bolton reached the First Division promotion play-offs
. Taylor scored twice in the playoff semi-final second leg against Ipswich Town
, to help earn his team a 4–4 draw on aggregate and qualification for the final via the away goals rule
. Bolton just missed out on a return to the Premiership by losing 2–0 to Watford
in the final at Wembley Stadium. However when Sam Allardyce
arrived as Bolton manager in 1999–2000
, Taylor found his chances limited.
signed Taylor in a £90,000 deal, making the striker one of four deadline-day signings by the club. Taylor's return to the Hawthorns paid off as he scored five goals in eight games, including one in a last day 2–0 victory over Charlton Athletic
, to keep Albion in Division 1. His goal against former club Bolton – an overhead kick in a 4–4 draw – was voted as Albion's goal of the season for 1999–2000. The following season (2000–01
) then saw Albion exceed all expectations, reaching the Division 1 playoffs, where they lost in the semi-final to Bolton.
Taylor became the 100th Albion player to be sent off in a first team match when he received a red card against Barnsley
on 28 October 2001. After scoring vital goals in the final few games of the 2001–02
season against Nottingham Forest
, Coventry
and Rotherham
, he sealed Albion's promotion to the Premiership with the second goal in a final-day 2–0 win over Crystal Palace
. Albion struggled in their first season in the Premiership however, with Taylor starting only one game. In March 2003, he expressed his unhappiness at his lack of first team action, saying that he was forced to train with the Albion youth team, and that he hadn't spoken to manager Gary Megson for four months. Albion were already relegated by the time Bob Taylor made his 377th and final appearance for them, in a 2–2 draw against Newcastle United on 11 May 2003. In what was only his second start of the season, Taylor was substituted due to injury after half an hour, but left the field to a standing ovation.
. He made his Cheltenham debut on 23 August 2003, coming on as a substitute in 3–3 draw away at Hull City
. He marked his first start for Cheltenham with two goals in a 4–1 away win at Leyton Orient
a week later. He then joined Tamworth
in 2004. A highlight of his time at the latter club was a 10-minute 2nd-half hat-trick in a 3–2 win at Leigh RMI
on 6 November 2004. In 2005 Taylor signed for Tamworth for a further 12 months. During 2005–06, Taylor received a conviction for drink-driving
; Tamworth gave him two weeks leave "to deal with personal matters". Following his release from Tamworth in May 2006, Taylor linked up with Kidderminster Harriers
for pre-season training and signed a non-contract deal with the club in September 2006. He left Kidderminster in January 2007 having made three appearances as a substitute. He subsequently retired from professional football, playing for Turnpike FC in Lichfield Pub League, and has since set up his own promotions company, Super Bob Events.
West Bromwich Albion
Individual awards
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former footballer who played as a centre forward. Known by supporters as Super Bobby Taylor, Superbob or simply Super, Taylor scored more than 250 goals in a professional career that comprised almost 750 games in 20 years. He is West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
's eighth highest goalscorer of all-time.
He began his professional career at Leeds United, making his debut in 1986 at the age of 19. In 1989 he moved to Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, before joining West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in 1992. Taylor signed for Bolton Wanderers in 1998 following two successful loans spells at the club, but in 2000 returned to West Bromwich Albion, where he remained for a further three seasons. He then moved to Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
before ending his career at non-league sides Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
and Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
.
Early career
Taylor, the son of a miner, was born in Littlethorpe Hospital in EasingtonEasington, County Durham
Easington is a town in eastern County Durham, England. It comprises the ancient village of Easington Village and the ex-mining town of Easington Colliery, which are separate civil parishes. It is located at the junction of the A182 leading north-west to Hetton-le-Hole. Seaham Harbour and...
, and brought up in the small mining community of nearby Horden
Horden
Horden is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated on the North Sea coast, to the east of Peterlee, approximately 12 miles south of Sunderland. Horden was a mining village until the closure of the Horden Colliery in 1987. Main features include the Welfare and Memorial Parks and St...
. He attended Dene House School in Peterlee
Peterlee
Peterlee is a new town in County Durham, England. Founded in 1948, Peterlee town originally mostly housed coal miners and their families.Peterlee has strong economic and community ties with Sunderland and Hartlepool.-Peterlee:...
, where he proved to be a useful cricketer. He was also a successful schoolboy footballer and captained his school team; he played initially at full-back, but later became a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, the position he would go on to play for his entire professional career. Taylor had unsuccessful trials at both Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
and Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. At the age of 17 he joined his local non-league club, Horden Colliery Welfare
Horden Colliery Welfare A.F.C.
Horden Colliery Welfare A.F.C. are a football club based in Horden, near Peterlee, County Durham, England. They were formed in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League in 1935. They reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup in the 1938–39 season.-History:...
. In March 1986, after only a few months there, Taylor turned professional by signing for Leeds United, at that time managed by Billy Bremner
Billy Bremner
William John "Billy" Bremner was a Scottish professional footballer, most noted for his captaincy of the Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s. He has since been voted Leeds United's greatest player of all time and has a statue outside the South East corner of Elland Road...
.
He gradually worked his way into the Leeds first team, making his professional debut against Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
on 12 April 1986, and was part of the Leeds squad that lost the 1986–87 Division One playoff final, losing to Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
in a replay. By the 1987–88
1987-88 in English football
The 1987–88 season was the 120th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season....
season he had become a regular in the side. However when Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson is a former English football player and manager, and has recently stepped down as a Non-Executive Director at Sheffield Wednesday after formerly relinquishing the chairman role to Milan Mandaric...
succeeded Bremner as Leeds manager in 1988, the young centre-forward found himself surplus to requirements. Taylor believed that this was because Wilkinson wanted immediate success, and needed to bring in established, experienced players in order to achieve this. Thus in March 1989 Taylor moved to Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, with Carl Shutt moving to Leeds as part of the deal. Taylor made an instant impact at his new club, scoring eight goals in 12 games during the remainder of the season. In 1989–90
1989-90 in English football
-European competitions:English clubs were still banned from competing in European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster.- First Division :...
, his first full season at City, he helped the club achieve promotion to Division Two. Taylor finished as Division Three leading goalscorer with 27 league goals (34 in total) and was also named Bristol City Player of the Year.
West Bromwich Albion
Although the following season proved to be less prolific for Taylor, he nevertheless attracted the attention of West Bromwich Albion. It was Albion manager Bobby GouldBobby Gould
Robert Anthony "Bobby" Gould is an English former footballer and manager.-Playing career:Born in Coventry, Gould started his career at Coventry City, making his debut for the club whilst still an apprentice at the age of 16. He did not sign professional until June 1964...
who brought him to The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
for a £300,000 fee in January 1992. Taylor was seen as a replacement for Don Goodman
Don Goodman
Don Goodman is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.-Career:Born in Leeds, Goodman played for Bradford City, West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Barnsley, Motherwell, Walsall, Exeter City, Doncaster Rovers and Stafford...
, who had been sold to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
earlier in the season. Taylor scored on his debut against Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
in a 2–0 Hawthorns win, and added another two on his away debut as Albion beat local rivals Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
3–0 at St. Andrews
St Andrews (stadium)
St Andrew's is an association football stadium in the Bordesley district of Birmingham, England. It has been the home ground of Birmingham City Football Club for more than a century....
. Initially nicknamed "Trigger
Trigger (Only Fools and Horses)
Trigger is a character in the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. He is played by actor Roger Lloyd Pack....
" (due to a perceived resemblance to the character in the television comedy Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses is a British sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003...
), Taylor soon became known as "Super Bob", a moniker he was first given by fans of Bristol City during his spell there, and scored eight times in 19 games during the second half of 1991–92
1991-92 in English football
- First Division :The last-ever league championship before the creation of the Premier League was won by Leeds United who overhauled Manchester United thanks to the efforts of, among others, Gordon Strachan, Lee Chapman, David Batty, Gary Speed and Gary McAllister...
.
During the 1992–93
1992-93 in English football
The 1992–1993 season was the 113th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:This season saw the birth of the FA Premier League. This meant a break-up of the 104-year-old Football League that had operated until then with four divisions....
season, Taylor capitalised fully on the attacking football Albion played under manager Ossie Ardiles
Osvaldo Ardiles
Osvaldo César Ardiles , often referred to in Britain as Ossie Ardiles, is a football coach, pundit and former midfielder who won the 1978 World Cup as part of the Argentine national team...
, finishing as Division Two's top goalscorer with 30 league goals, and scoring 37 in all competitions. This was despite having a succession of different strike partners throughout the season, including Simon Garner
Simon Garner
Simon Garner is an English former professional footballer. He is the record goal scorer for the English club Blackburn Rovers....
, Luther Blissett
Luther Blissett (footballer)
Luther Loide Blissett is a former professional footballer and manager, who is currently a first-team coach at Hemel Hempstead Town. Blissett played as a striker, and is best known for his time at Watford, whom he helped win promotion from the Fourth Division to the First Division...
, David Speedie
David Speedie
David Robert Speedie is a retired Scottish footballer who played for several clubs in England during the 1980s and 1990s, most notably Chelsea, Coventry City, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. He accumulated more than 500 football league appearances and scored almost 150 goals in a 14 year...
and even midfielder Gary Robson
Gary Robson (footballer)
Gary Robson is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, he played in the Football League between 1982 and 1996 for West Bromwich Albion and Bradford City, making nearly 300 league appearances.Robson later played non-league...
. However when Andy Hunt
Andy Hunt (footballer)
Andrew "Andy" Hunt is a former English footballer.-Career:Hunt started his career in non-league football, whilst training in business and tourism management, with King's Lynn and Kettering Town before being signed by then manager Jim Smith for Newcastle United in early 1991...
arrived at Albion in March 1993, he and Taylor quickly forged a successful striking partnership that would last several seasons. Hunt and Taylor were part of the Baggies team that beat Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
at Wembley in the Division Two playoff final, to secure promotion to Division One. In the second half, with the game still goalless, Taylor was through on goal when he was brought down by former Leeds team-mate Peter Swan
Peter Swan (footballer born 1966)
Peter Harold Swan is an English former footballer who played as a defender and centre forward. In a sixteen year professional career in the Football League he scored 62 goals in 445 games....
. Swan's subsequent dismissal proved to be the turning point in the game, with Hunt scoring the first goal in a 3–0 victory.
Taylor was the club's top league goalscorer once again in 1993–94
1993-94 in English football
The 1993-1994 season was the 114th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:From the start of this season, the FA Premier League would be sponsored by Carling Breweries - an association which would last for eight years...
, scoring 18 goals. Albion however struggled in Division One and only avoided relegation on the last day of the season.
Taylor scored several goals in local derbies during his time at Albion, including a diving header against Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
to seal a 2–0 win in March 1995; he later described it as the best goal of his career. His only hat-trick for Albion, in a 4–4 draw against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
on 12 March 1996, helped him to finished as Albion's top league goalscorer for the third time, finding the net on 17 occasions in 1995–96
1995-96 in English football
- Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....
. He captained the side for the second half of that season and scored his 100th goal for the club in the final league game of the campaign, against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. Things changed however in 1998, when Denis Smith succeeded Ray Harford
Ray Harford
Raymond Thomas Harford was an English footballer, better known for his successes as a coach and manager than as a player. He is considered to have been one of the top coaches of his generation.-Playing career:...
as manager. Recovering from an ankle injury and struggling with his fitness, Taylor was sent out on loan to Premiership club Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
.
Bolton Wanderers
Taylor made his Bolton debut on 10 January 1998 in a 0–0 draw with SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. He played four times for the club during his initial month-long spell on loan, scoring once. The goal came in the fourth and final game – against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford (football)
Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, and the home of Manchester United. With a capacity of 75,811, Old Trafford is the second-largest football stadium in England after Wembley, the third-largest in the United Kingdom and the eleventh-largest in Europe...
– as Taylor helped to earn Bolton a 1–1 draw. The goal against United instantly gave Taylor cult hero status amongst the Bolton faithful. He then returned to West Bromwich Albion, playing in a further nine games and scoring twice, before re-joining Bolton Wanderers for a second loan spell, this time for the remainder of the 1997–98
1997-98 in English football
The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title...
season. During this period he scored two goals in eight games for Bolton, who were relegated from the Premier League on goal difference.
When Albion were only prepared to offer him a one-year contract, Taylor moved to Bolton permanently in July 1998 for a £90,000 fee. He was the Wanderers' top scorer in the 1998–99
1998-99 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United overcame close competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea to win their fifth Premiership title in seven seasons thanks to the comeback of Roy Keane after his long-term injury and a transfer raid totalling nearly £30 million which netted Aston Villa striker...
season, partnering Eiður Guðjohnsen
Eiður Guðjohnsen
Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen is an Icelandic footballer who currently plays for AEK Athens F.C. in the Superleague Greece. He has previously played for Premier League club Chelsea and FC Barcelona of Spain, having made his name with Bolton Wanderers. He was the captain of the Iceland national team until...
as Bolton reached the First Division promotion play-offs
Football League Championship play-offs
The Football League Championship play-offs are a series of playoff matches contested by the teams finishing from 3rd to 6th in the Football League Championship table. The semi-finals are played over two legs, with 6th playing 3rd and 5th playing 4th, with the return fixtures following...
. Taylor scored twice in the playoff semi-final second leg against Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, to help earn his team a 4–4 draw on aggregate and qualification for the final via the away goals rule
Away goals rule
The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal...
. Bolton just missed out on a return to the Premiership by losing 2–0 to Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in the final at Wembley Stadium. However when Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce
Samuel "Sam" Allardyce , nicknamed "Big Sam", is an English football manager and former professional player. In June 2011 he was appointed as manager of West Ham United....
arrived as Bolton manager in 1999–2000
1999-2000 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United were crowned FA Premier League champions with an 18-point margin over runners-up Arsenal and with just 3 league defeats all season. This was despite their failure to retain the European Cup and withdrawal from the FA Cup in order to compete in the FIFA Club World...
, Taylor found his chances limited.
Second spell at Albion
With West Bromwich Albion struggling near the foot of Division One, manager Gary MegsonGary Megson
Gary John Megson is an English former football player and is currently manager of Sheffield Wednesday.He has previously managed Norwich City, Blackpool, Stockport County, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers...
signed Taylor in a £90,000 deal, making the striker one of four deadline-day signings by the club. Taylor's return to the Hawthorns paid off as he scored five goals in eight games, including one in a last day 2–0 victory over Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, to keep Albion in Division 1. His goal against former club Bolton – an overhead kick in a 4–4 draw – was voted as Albion's goal of the season for 1999–2000. The following season (2000–01
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
) then saw Albion exceed all expectations, reaching the Division 1 playoffs, where they lost in the semi-final to Bolton.
Taylor became the 100th Albion player to be sent off in a first team match when he received a red card against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
on 28 October 2001. After scoring vital goals in the final few games of the 2001–02
2001-02 in English football
The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
season against Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, Coventry
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
and Rotherham
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, he sealed Albion's promotion to the Premiership with the second goal in a final-day 2–0 win over Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
. Albion struggled in their first season in the Premiership however, with Taylor starting only one game. In March 2003, he expressed his unhappiness at his lack of first team action, saying that he was forced to train with the Albion youth team, and that he hadn't spoken to manager Gary Megson for four months. Albion were already relegated by the time Bob Taylor made his 377th and final appearance for them, in a 2–2 draw against Newcastle United on 11 May 2003. In what was only his second start of the season, Taylor was substituted due to injury after half an hour, but left the field to a standing ovation.
Later career and retirement
Bob Taylor's testimonial match was played at The Hawthorns on 13 May 2003, in front of 12,000 fans. It marked the end of his second and final spell at West Bromwich Albion, who had released him the day before. Taylor then spent a season at Cheltenham TownCheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
. He made his Cheltenham debut on 23 August 2003, coming on as a substitute in 3–3 draw away at Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
. He marked his first start for Cheltenham with two goals in a 4–1 away win at Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
a week later. He then joined Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
in 2004. A highlight of his time at the latter club was a 10-minute 2nd-half hat-trick in a 3–2 win at Leigh RMI
Leigh RMI F.C.
Leigh Genesis Football Club, formerly known as Horwich Railway Mechanics Institute F.C. and Leigh Railway Mechanics Institute F.C. , was an English semi-professional association football team that folded after relegation from the Northern Premier League in 2011...
on 6 November 2004. In 2005 Taylor signed for Tamworth for a further 12 months. During 2005–06, Taylor received a conviction for drink-driving
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
; Tamworth gave him two weeks leave "to deal with personal matters". Following his release from Tamworth in May 2006, Taylor linked up with Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
for pre-season training and signed a non-contract deal with the club in September 2006. He left Kidderminster in January 2007 having made three appearances as a substitute. He subsequently retired from professional football, playing for Turnpike FC in Lichfield Pub League, and has since set up his own promotions company, Super Bob Events.
Style of play
Bob Taylor was primarily a goal poacher. His goals were often unspectacular, and he lacked the pace necessary to chase long balls. Instead he relied heavily on his sense of timing; of being in the right place at the right time. He was also adept at holding the ball up in order to bring other players into the game. Taylor was "all effort" and did not shy away from the physical side of football. He has been described by West Bromwich Albion club historian Tony Matthews as "Strong and powerful both on the ground and in the air and a perpetual hard worker".Honours
Bristol City- Promotion
- Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
(old): 1989–90, as runners-up
- Football League Third Division
West Bromwich Albion
- Promotion
- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
: 1992–93, via playoffs - Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
: 2001–02, as runners-up
- Football League Second Division
Individual awards
- Leading scorer
- Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
(old): 1989–90 (27 goals) - Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
: 1992–93 (30 goals)
- Football League Third Division
Club performance
| Club | Season | League The Football League The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football... |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Leeds United | 1985–86 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1986–87 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1987–88 | 32 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 39 | 12 | |
| 1988–89 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 42 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 54 | 13 | |
| Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
1988–89 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 8 |
| 1989–90 | 37 | 27 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 34 | |
| 1990–91 | 39 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 11 | |
| 1991–92 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 5 | |
| Subtotal | 106 | 50 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 126 | 58 | |
| West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
1991–92 | 19 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 8 |
| 1992–93 | 46 | 30 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 59 | 37 | |
| 1993–94 | 42 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 52 | 21 | |
| 1994–95 | 42 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 11 | |
| 1995–96 | 42 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 54 | 23 | |
| 1996–97 | 32 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 10 | |
| 1997–98 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 238 | 96 | 8 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 19 | 8 | 281 | 113 | |
| Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... |
1997–98 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 |
| 1998–99 | 38 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 48 | 18 | |
| 1999–00 | 27 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 6 | |
| Subtotal | 77 | 21 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 96 | 27 | |
| West Bromwich Albion | 1999–00 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 |
| 2000–01 | 40 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 6 | |
| 2001–02 | 34 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 7 | |
| 2002–03 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 86 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 96 | 18 | |
| WBA subtotal | 324 | 113 | 10 | 4 | 22 | 6 | 21 | 8 | 377 | 131 | |
| Cheltenham Town Cheltenham Town F.C. Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more... |
2003–04 | 28 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 8 |
| Subtotal | 28 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 8 | |
| Tamworth Tamworth F.C. Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system.... |
2004–05 | 35 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 19 |
| 2005–06 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 60 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 62 | 19 | |
| Kidderminster Harriers Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed... |
2006–07 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Subtotal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 639 | 219 | 30 | 12 | 46 | 13 | 34 | 12 | 749 | 256 | |
External links
- Official site
- Interview on the official Tamworth F.C. website
- http://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s474/st120757.htm Bolton Wanderers Interview with Mark Heys.