John Taylor (goalkeeper)
Encyclopedia
John Taylor is a former English
professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper
. He played in The Football League
for three clubs during the 1970s.
, who he joined from Pwllheli
in July 1970, in a summer that also saw fellow youngsters Alan Groves
, Dave Kennedy
and Brian Woodall
and the experienced Dave Pountney
arrive at the Fourth Division
club. Although he made his debut for Chester against Peterborough United
on 31 October 1970, Taylor managed just seven league appearances in his first two seasons at the club as he acted as reserve to Terry Carling
and then Gordon Livsey.
He finally established himself at the club during the 1972–73 season
, as he recovered from a pre–season injury to play in the final 40 league games of the season. He played in the opening 18 games of the following season, but the signing of Grenville Millington
led to Taylor losing his place and he managed just five more league starts. In the 1974–75 season
(when Chester won promotion from the Football League Fourth Division
and reached the semi–finals of the Football League Cup
), Taylor was restricted to a solitary Welsh Cup
outing against Oswestry Town
as he brought his Chester career to a close. During the season he had a short loan stint with Rochdale
, where he played three games.
After a spell with non-league side Bangor City
, Taylor returned to The Football League
with Stockport County
in November 1975. Just one league appearance was added to his career tally and he joined Worcester City
.
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...
professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
. He played in The Football 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...
for three clubs during the 1970s.
Playing career
Taylor began his professional career with ChesterChester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, who he joined from Pwllheli
Pwllheli F.C.
Pwllheli F.C. is a football club in Pwllheli in North Wales. They are members of the Welsh Alliance League and play at the Recreation Ground. They will be competing in Division Four in the 2009-10 season.-Current squad:-Staff:...
in July 1970, in a summer that also saw fellow youngsters Alan Groves
Alan Groves
Alan Groves was an English professional footballer. He played as a midfielder.Groves joined hometown club Southport from Blowick in December 1968 and went on to play for Chester, Shrewsbury Town and AFC Bournemouth before beginning a long spell with Oldham Athletic in February 1974...
, Dave Kennedy
Dave Kennedy (footballer)
David Kennedy is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger. He made more than 250 appearances in The Football League for Tranmere Rovers, Chester and Torquay United.-Playing career:...
and Brian Woodall
Brian Woodall
Brian Woodall was a professional footballer who played in The Football League for four clubs.-Playing career:...
and the experienced Dave Pountney
Dave Pountney
David 'Dave' Pountney is a former English footballer. He played in The Football League for Shrewsbury Town, Aston Villa and Chester...
arrive at the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
club. Although he made his debut for Chester against Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
on 31 October 1970, Taylor managed just seven league appearances in his first two seasons at the club as he acted as reserve to Terry Carling
Terry Carling
Terry Carling is a former English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played in The Football League for four clubs.-Playing career:...
and then Gordon Livsey.
He finally established himself at the club during the 1972–73 season
1972-73 in English football
The 1972–73 season was the 93rd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League announced that a three-up, three-down system would operate between the top two divisions from the following season, rather than the traditional two-up, two-down system...
, as he recovered from a pre–season injury to play in the final 40 league games of the season. He played in the opening 18 games of the following season, but the signing of Grenville Millington
Grenville Millington
Grenville Rodney Millington was a professional footballer who played in The Football League as a goalkeeper. He enjoyed a long career with Chester City and was voted the club's BBC Cult Hero in 2005. Millington is now an established goalkeeping coach...
led to Taylor losing his place and he managed just five more league starts. In the 1974–75 season
1974-75 in English football
The 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
(when Chester won promotion from the Football League Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
and reached the semi–finals of the Football 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...
), Taylor was restricted to a solitary Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
outing against Oswestry Town
Oswestry Town F.C.
Oswestry Town F.C. was a football club, formerly playing in the League of Wales.The club was founded as Oswestry United in 1860, which meant they were one of the world's oldest football clubs. Matches were latterly played at Park Hall stadium, Oswestry, after a spell at Victoria Road...
as he brought his Chester career to a close. During the season he had a short loan stint with Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, where he played three games.
After a spell with non-league side Bangor City
Bangor City F.C.
Bangor City Football Club are a semi-professional Welsh football club from the City of Bangor. The club compete in the Welsh Premier League, being ever present since the league was founded in 1992....
, Taylor returned to The Football 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...
with Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
in November 1975. Just one league appearance was added to his career tally and he joined Worcester City
Worcester City F.C.
Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at St George's Lane.-History:...
.