Fred Taylor (Edwardian footballer)
Encyclopedia
Frederick "Fred" Taylor was an English professional footballer who played at inside-forward for various clubs in the period prior to the First World War.
in the West Midlands
and started his professional football career in January 1910 with Stourbridge
, playing in the Birmingham & District League. In the summer of 1910, he moved to Yorkshire
to join Hull City
of the Football League Second Division
, where he spent a year in the reserves, failing to break into the first-team.
The 1911 close-season saw a move back to Shropshire
and the Birmingham & District League, when Taylor joined Wellington Town. During the 1911–12 season, he gained a reputation as a prolific scorer with 27 goals. This brought him to the attention of several larger clubs, including Coventry City
. In the summer of 1912, Coventry City's trainer, Jimmy McIntyre
, moved to Southern League rivals, Southampton
as trainer under secretary Ernest Arnfield
. On arrival at The Dell, McIntyre recommended Taylor to his new club, who signed him ready for the 1912–13 season.
Taylor made his debut for the "Saints" in the opening match of the season, playing at inside-right in a 2–2 draw with Northampton Town
on 4 September. Taylor found the pace at first-class level much faster than in non-league football
and after only one goal in eleven games, he lost his place to another new signing, Fred Turnbull
. Taylor made two further appearances, scoring once more, but spent the remainder of the season playing in Southampton's Southern Alliance team, scoring four goals from twelve appearances.
In the summer of 1913, he moved to Lancashire
to join Barrow
, then playing in the Lancashire Combination
. In his first season with his new club, Barrow finished as runners-up in the Lancashire Combination.
Football career
Taylor was born at HalesowenHalesowen
Halesowen is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands, England.The population, as measured by the United Kingdom Census 2001, was 55,273...
in the West Midlands
West Midlands (region)
The West Midlands is an official region of England, covering the western half of the area traditionally known as the Midlands. It contains the second most populous British city, Birmingham, and the larger West Midlands conurbation, which includes the city of Wolverhampton and large towns of Dudley,...
and started his professional football career in January 1910 with Stourbridge
Stourbridge F.C.
Stourbridge Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Stourbridge, West Midlands. The club currently plays in the Southern League Premier Division.-Early years:The club was founded in 1876 and was originally known as Stourbridge Standard...
, playing in the Birmingham & District League. In the summer of 1910, he moved to Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
to join 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...
of the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 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...
, where he spent a year in the reserves, failing to break into the first-team.
The 1911 close-season saw a move back to Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
and the Birmingham & District League, when Taylor joined Wellington Town. During the 1911–12 season, he gained a reputation as a prolific scorer with 27 goals. This brought him to the attention of several larger clubs, including Coventry City
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...
. In the summer of 1912, Coventry City's trainer, Jimmy McIntyre
Jimmy McIntyre
James Alfred "Jimmy" McIntyre was an English footballer who became manager at Southampton, Coventry City and Fulham.-Playing career:...
, moved to Southern League rivals, Southampton
Southampton 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...
as trainer under secretary Ernest Arnfield
Ernest Arnfield
Ernest Arnfield was the secretary/manager of Southampton F.C. from 1897 to 1911, and again from 1912 to 1919.-Honours:Southampton*Southern League champions: 1897–98, 1898–99, 1900–01, 1902–03 and 1903–04*FA Cup finalists: 1900 and 1902-References:...
. On arrival at The Dell, McIntyre recommended Taylor to his new club, who signed him ready for the 1912–13 season.
Taylor made his debut for the "Saints" in the opening match of the season, playing at inside-right in a 2–2 draw with Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
on 4 September. Taylor found the pace at first-class level much faster than in non-league football
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
and after only one goal in eleven games, he lost his place to another new signing, Fred Turnbull
Fred Turnbull (footballer born 1888)
Frederick Stephen "Fred" Turnbull was an English professional footballer who played at inside-forward for Coventry City and Southampton in the 1910s.-Football career:Turnbull was born in Wallsend and joined Newcastle United in 1909...
. Taylor made two further appearances, scoring once more, but spent the remainder of the season playing in Southampton's Southern Alliance team, scoring four goals from twelve appearances.
In the summer of 1913, he moved to Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
to join Barrow
Barrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
, then playing in the Lancashire Combination
Lancashire Combination
The Lancashire Combination was a football league founded in the North West of England in 1891–92. It absorbed the Lancashire League in 1903. In 1968 the Combination lost five of its clubs to the newly formed Northern Premier League...
. In his first season with his new club, Barrow finished as runners-up in the Lancashire Combination.