There are several cases in football where a footballer ultimately fails to reach his true potential as a player, with primary reasons being devastating injuries, discipline issues, or a cruel twist of fate. This article will be looking back at the career of Manchester United's legendary Centre-forward Tommy Taylor, who unfortunately bid farewell before showcasing the best of his footballing abilities.
Before the United years
Born in Smithies ( near Barnsley, Yorkshire ), Tommy Taylor was one of 6 children born to Charles and Violet Taylor. He began his football career by playing for a team at the colliery where he worked. It was 2 years later that he joined Barnsley, which became his first professional football club.
Taylor made his debut for the club at age 18, in a convincing 3-1 victory over Grimsby Town. It was in the next match however, where he began to show the immense talent in him. The Englishman scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers. As the 1950–51 campaign ended, Taylor scored an impressive 7 goals in 12 appearances. It is also worth mentioning that Taylor simultaneously carried out national service in the British Army along with his football career.
A magical stint at Manchester United
Tommy Taylor's exploits for Barnsley meant that several First Division clubs were keen to sign the player. Despite scoring 28 goals in 46 games for the club, Taylor failed to reach the First Division with Barnsley. This ultimately spelled the end of his time at the club.
It was in March 1953 that First Division Champions Manchester United signed Taylor for a £29,999 transfer fee, which made him one of the most expensive British players at the time. The centre-forward joined United despite interest from several other clubs like Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Life at United began on a fantastic note, as Taylor managed to score a brace on his debut. As the 1952–53 season ended, Taylor recorded impressive figures of 7 goals in just 11 games. This was the beginning of great things to come, as Taylor was instrumental in United's First Division title victory in the 1955–56 and 1956–57 campaigns. He managed to score in United's 1957 FA Cup final as well, but lost the match 2-1 to Aston Villa. The loss had also denied them a historic double at the time. Taylor was also at his very best during the 1956–57 Euro Cup, as he helped United progress till the semis. They were the Football League's first entrants into Europe's premier club competition as well back then.
Tommy Taylor has established himself as such a top figure for Manchester United by this time, to the extent where manager Matt Busby rejected a then world-record £65,000 bid from Inter Milan for the player.
Taylor's brilliant talent was seen in the international scene as well, with many seeing the young Englishman to eventually replace fellow international Nat Lofthouse. He had a short yet impressive stint with the national side, which saw him score 16 goals in 16 appearances.
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Heartbreaking demise
The Munich air disaster is one of the most heartbreaking events in football history, and Tommy Taylor one of the eight Manchester United players who died in the Crash. Football lost one of its most promising youngsters at age 26 on 6th February 1958. He was also recently engaged to fiancée Carol at the time.
Football lost one of its most shining stars before it could glow to its full potential, but the memories and legacy of Tommy Taylor will forever live in each and every football fan.
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