Colin Taylor

Colin Taylor (24 August 1940 — June 2005) was a Stourbridge-born English footballer who played 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.

For the football striker who played in the 1990s, see Colin Taylor (footballer born 1971). For the rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s, see Colin Taylor (rugby league).

Colin Taylor
Personal information
Date of birth (1940-08-24)24 August 1940
Place of birth Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England
Date of death June 2005 (aged 64)
Position(s) Left winger
Youth career
?–1958 Stourbridge
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1958–1963 Walsall 213 (93)
1963–1964 Newcastle United 33 (7)
1964–1968 Walsall 148 (52)
1968–1969 Crystal Palace 34 (8)
1969–1973 Walsall 96 (24)
1973–? Kidderminster Harriers ? (?)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

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 best known for his powerful shooting skills and the accuracy of his left foot and as a result of this, he was nick-named "Cannonball Colin" by Walsall`s fans. 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. have promised to build a permanent memorial for Taylor.

Honours
with Walsall

References
  1. Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel. Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 342. ISBN 0907969542.
  2. Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel. Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 230. ISBN 0907969542.
  • Colin Taylor at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database


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