Taylor: John Brian (Brian)

1951-1953 (Player Details)

Goalkeeper

Born: Rossington, Nr Doncaster: 07-10-1931

Debut v Birmingham City (a) 22-08-1951

5’10” 11st 3lb (1951)

Taylor began as an amateur on Sheffield Wednesday’s books, and then joined Doncaster Rovers in March 1949. Rovers' first choice 'keeper was the great Ken Hardwick and his deputy was Pat Gillespie, a player who (like Fred Potter of later years) could also play outfield. In the 1949-50 season, when Rovers won the Third Divison (North) championship under Peter Doherty, Hardwick was an ever-present. In July 1950 Rovers signed Alan Wakeman from Aston Villa to be understudy to Hardwick, and seeing no future at Doncaster, Taylor left the club without making the senior side. He went out of League football for a spell with Midland League club Worksop Town but Leeds, anxious to strengthen their squad, signed him in March 1951. Leeds called Taylor back from National Service at York to make his senior debut and he went on to make eleven consecutive appearances that season. But with the return of Harold Searson and Jack Scott, Taylor found himself third choice and in the 1953 close season he went to Non-League Kings Lynn. He came back to League football with Third Division North Bradford Park Avenue in June 1954. Over the next two seasons he was Avenue's first choice goalkeeper, making sixty-six League appearances for the club.