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Post by mehewmagic on Feb 11, 2017 12:49:08 GMT
I don't use the word legend a lot but this man deserves it. If you were getting ready to go to a Rovers match between 1966 and 1980 the chances are you'd know one name that would be on the teamsheet nearly every time. He started AND finished 90% of the League games in his Rovers career and his 546 League appearances (620 overall) is surely a record that will never be broken. His name is Stuart Taylor and this is his story... I am a Rock – The Stuart Taylor Story
“I am a rock, I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain,
And an island never cries”
Simon & Garfunkel – 1965
If there was a literal rock in the 134 year old story of Bristol Rovers it has been a man called Stuart Taylor, who, with 546 League appearances holds a record that will never be broken. This is a man who spent his entire professional career with Rovers (627 appearances overall), a man who holds the club record for consecutive League games for an outfield player (207 between 6th September 1968 and 13th January 1973, rising to 251 consecutive games if you add the cup matches), and a man who was ever present in both League and Cup games in four seasons (1969/70, 70/71, 71/72, and 73/74) and who would have had another in 1968/69 if he hadn’t missed a solitary game (which incidentally ended up in a 6-1 defeat!), and yet another in 1978/79 if he hadn’t been rested for the final game of the season.
At this point it strikes me that Rovers supporters have been talking about the wrong Taylor recently…
To give readers an idea of the longevity of his dedication to Rovers, Stuart’s debut saw him in the same side as Ray Mabbutt, whereas his final appearance saw him yoked in central defence with Ray’s son, Gary Mabbutt. In 15 seasons Stuart never made even one solitary appearance as a substitute; not because subs didn’t exist but because he was too busy being on the pitch the majority of the time.
The Simon & Garfunkel version of Paul Simon’s song ‘I am a Rock’ was recorded on 14th December 1965. Just days later Stuart signed professional terms for Rovers. I am not convinced the two events are related but I like the notion they could be.
With Rovers in mid-table security at the end of that season, Taylor was handed his debut on 26th April 1966, just a few days after his 19th birthday. It came at Workington of all places, in front of only 2,557 spectators, the middle visit of only three Rovers voyages to the far flung Borough Park.
A tiny Cumbrian coal and steel town was hardly a fitting place for the birth of a legend, but an Eastville debut followed on the final day of the season, a narrow 2-1 loss to Hull City, and Stuart never looked back.
A first goal came at Grimsby Town in February 1968 and rather surprisingly six more came in the remaining 17 matches of that season, suddenly propelling him into official goal machine territory. Such a return never ensued again but he always knew where the goal was and scored in every season bar two until saying his final farewell.
Fred Ford became Rovers manager in April 1968 and had such belief in youth (and a talent for spotting it) that he chose 19 year old apprentice Larry Lloyd to partner the now first choice Taylor, himself only 18 months senior. From his debut at the start of the 1968/69 season Lloyd played 51 consecutive League and Cup games for Rovers (all but one of them alongside Taylor) before being whisked off to Anfield by Bill Shankly. The fee, £55,000, was a then record for a Rovers player.
Taylor never got his own big move although there was speculation at times. Some clubs apparently concluded that he was ‘too nice’ and in a brutal era didn’t make full use of his exceptional frame.
Stuart however played against nearly all the biggest clubs of the era and at the greatest grounds, usually in front of at least 25,000 fans - Old Trafford, Elland Road, White Hart Lane, Villa Park, St. James‘ Park, Roker Park, Hillsborough, the Baseball Ground, the City Ground, Stamford Bridge, and Goodison Park in front of over 55,000 in 1969, where the canny Shankly had been eagerly watching the young Rovers centre back pairing.
Alas I never got to watch Stuart play although I did get close. As far as I can work out my sole Eastville match was the final game of the 1979/80 season against West Ham United. Stuart’s final game for Rovers had been less than two months earlier, a 3-3 draw against Preston North End in March 1980.
The big man reportedly had an offer to go to Chelsea in May 1980 but instead opted to stay local and become Bath City’s Player-Manager (79 appearances), finishing a very impressive sixth in the Alliance Premier League (the Fifth Tier) in his debut season, but leaving in April 1982 after a harder second season, returning to Rovers to work as a Promotions Manager.
13 other footballers with the surname Taylor have played for Rovers, including two well-known ones from the 1990’s; Gareth ‘don’t mention Wembley’ Taylor and John ‘not Duran Duran’s bass player‘ Taylor (although there was actually a similarity). But if you put all of their Rovers’ league starts together they still come up over 100 short of Stuart’s 546.
After football was over Stuart regularly watched Rovers from the terraces and on 7th March 2015 Stuart, alongside Steve Yates, the best central defender I’ve seen in my days watching Rovers, were worthy recipients of the Harry Bamford Trophy; a recognition of sportsmanship and fair play. Strangely enough it was Bamford’s appearance record that Stuart broke; a record that had stood since Harry’s untimely death in 1958.
Sadly Paul Simon was wrong about the rock though. Rocks do feel pain and islands do cry.
Stuart is currently fighting an aggressive case of Lewy Body Dementia with frontal lobe damage that could well have been caused or exacerbated by years of heading heavy balls.
Rovers stalwart, Ray Kendall, related in his memoirs, ‘An Away Game Every Week‘ (Breedon Books, 2001), the story of a dreadful 17 hour journey to Newcastle United in March 1979 where, “the fog, ice and snow was so bad… that we had to have somebody walking in front of the coach to guide the way”. It comes as little surprise that Ray ends the story by remembering that “Stuart Taylor was the great hero of the day, seeming to walk for miles”.
I imagine Mr. Taylor’s battle today will be just like that of 1979, taking on a harsh and challenging journey with the minimum of fuss and his customary gentle determination.
You are the rock.
 
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Post by kernowtoteend on Feb 11, 2017 13:12:19 GMT
I remember the gentle giant well. Always approachable and always a gentleman.
His parents were lovely people and went away on numerous occasions (via Supporters Club coaches). They really enjoyed themselves supporting the team and their son.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2017 13:21:10 GMT
Brilliant....both the man and the write up.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2017 15:12:40 GMT
Great write-up, a true gentleman and one of our all-time greats. Remember talking to him and Dickie Sheppard in the Hawthornes after a away defeat...went out of his way to have a chat about the game, made me one happy young fan.
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Post by stigofthegas on Feb 11, 2017 21:06:59 GMT
Excellent article Mehew. I think that might your best yet.
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Post by mehewmagic on Feb 11, 2017 21:29:46 GMT
Excellent article Mehew. I think that might your best yet. it feels like it. Certainly the most emotional and satisfying, which is a strange combination. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2017 21:42:39 GMT
Is that final pic Stuart Taylor? 🤔
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Post by alvestongas on Feb 11, 2017 22:10:13 GMT
One of Rovers greatest without doubt. Loyal and true Gashead & lovely guy.
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Post by Jester on Feb 11, 2017 22:14:28 GMT
You can forget all of the other Taylors!!! This guy IS and WAS a LEGEND! Honest footballer and a fantastic guy. I had the pleasure of talking with him quite a few times and he was one of the nicest guys you could wish to chat football with......He even liked referees!
Absolutely top post!!
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Post by toddy1953 on Feb 11, 2017 22:45:40 GMT
Post of the year.
What an excellent servant of the club, was certainly a rock in the defence for years. When reading this, it makes me think how lucky I am that I chose to support Rovers & how privileged I have been to see some true legends of our club. UTG
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Post by miamigas on Feb 12, 2017 0:33:47 GMT
I don't have tears in my eyes at the moment because I'm reading this, I've just been chopping onions, alright? This man is a true Gas LEGEND. Went to a Rovers do when I was a kid (just remembered the name of the hotel "The Unicorn"). Graham Day, Frankie Prince, Peter Aitkin et al, all there and as a child was in total awe. Not the likes of Kevin Keegan for me, these were proper football legends. But the main thing I remember about that fantastic evening (fogged by the mists of time) was when I saw and got the autograph off Stuart Taylor, and he spoke to me and said "Hello". Mehew, great post thanks so much for making me feel young again. God them onions are strong. UTG!
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Post by Dr Gas on Feb 12, 2017 1:06:10 GMT
He really is a gentleman and maybe the opinion that he was too nice is the reason that he never played at a higher level. However, there is a belief that Liverpool actually came to watch big Stu, as they were thinking of signing him but were impressed by his younger team mate Larry Lloyd and signed him instead. I wonder if Stuart would have achieved the heights that Larry did if he had gone to Liverpool and been touched by Bill Shankly's magic. But then again, I reckon he would have been irked by playing in red  In my opinion, his niceness and maybe naivety got him into some problems after football, as he was taken for a ride by some unscrupulous people.  I saw him a few times in the Dribuild bar accompanied by his daughter, also a lovely person, and he was always willing and happy to talk to Rovers fans. I well remember attending one of his testimonial events, at Le Mans: He was very humble and seemed to not want to be the centre of attention. He was and is truly Rovers through and through and we supporters should be proud to have such a loyal and distinguished servant. My brother in law has the same disease as Stu: It is a horrible thing. I wish him well in his fight. Your write up is awesome Martin. well done. |
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Post by warehamgas on Feb 12, 2017 10:09:23 GMT
Thank you Martin that was an excellent read. Stuart was my era! As a young gashead I started watching in 1966 and up until 1972 when I went away saw so many of Stuart's games. I remember so many goals from corners he set up in our League Cup runs in 70s. It was simple. Stand at near post get a touch and attacker coming in at far post...goal! No one could ever stop it, fantastic. Sad to hear he is unwell and wish him all the best.
When people talk of legends now it is relatively cheap talk. When people start to argue or disagree over whether a player is a legend it probably means he isn't because with a true legend everybody agrees that he is one. Stuart Taylor is a true legend and no one would disagree.
UTG!
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Post by mehewmagic on Feb 12, 2017 15:03:28 GMT
Post of the year. What an excellent servant of the club, was certainly a rock in the defence for years. When reading this, it makes me think how lucky I am that I chose to support Rovers & how privileged I have been to see some true legends of our club. UTG Ditto. made me think how fortunate we are to be part of a genuinely decent club who most other fans like. And had many decent people at the club like Mr. Taylor. I was a rugby fan and 'choose' Rovers instead. So glad I did. And so glad I don't support a PL club. We have something special. It's not always perfect of course, but underneath there is certain something that cannot be bought. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2017 15:30:23 GMT
Post of the year. What an excellent servant of the club, was certainly a rock in the defence for years. When reading this, it makes me think how lucky I am that I chose to support Rovers & how privileged I have been to see some true legends of our club. UTG I like to think Rovers chose me, rather than me choosing them... |
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Post by bs9trymer on Feb 12, 2017 16:03:27 GMT
Thank you Martin that was an excellent read. Stuart was my era! As a young gashead I started watching in 1966 and up until 1972 when I went away saw so many of Stuart's games. I remember so many goals from corners he set up in our League Cup runs in 70s. It was simple. Stand at near post get a touch and attacker coming in at far post...goal! No one could ever stop it, fantastic. Sad to hear he is unwell and wish him all the best. When people talk of legends now it is relatively cheap talk. When people start to argue or disagree over whether a player is a legend it probably means he isn't because with a true legend everybody agrees that he is one. Stuart Taylor is a true legend and no one would disagree. UTG! I agree with you totally about Stuart,a great club player,and a legend. Later in the 70s he set up a few goals from corners with a back header from a Bobby Gould corner looping over the keeper and being smashed in by David Williams amongst others. The Barry Daines video is worth watching,Stuart scares him into scoring the funniest own goal (yet another corner) when Totts played at Eastville in the league. |
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Post by mehewmagic on Feb 13, 2017 19:50:42 GMT
Thank you Martin that was an excellent read. Stuart was my era! As a young gashead I started watching in 1966 and up until 1972 when I went away saw so many of Stuart's games. I remember so many goals from corners he set up in our League Cup runs in 70s. It was simple. Stand at near post get a touch and attacker coming in at far post...goal! No one could ever stop it, fantastic. Sad to hear he is unwell and wish him all the best. When people talk of legends now it is relatively cheap talk. When people start to argue or disagree over whether a player is a legend it probably means he isn't because with a true legend everybody agrees that he is one. Stuart Taylor is a true legend and no one would disagree. UTG! I agree with you totally about Stuart,a great club player,and a legend. Later in the 70s he set up a few goals from corners with a back header from a Bobby Gould corner looping over the keeper and being smashed in by David Williams amongst others. The Barry Daines video is worth watching,Stuart scares him into scoring the funniest own goal (yet another corner) when Totts played at Eastville in the league. what video is that mate? |
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Post by aghast on Feb 13, 2017 20:55:16 GMT
I agree with you totally about Stuart,a great club player,and a legend. Later in the 70s he set up a few goals from corners with a back header from a Bobby Gould corner looping over the keeper and being smashed in by David Williams amongst others. The Barry Daines video is worth watching,Stuart scares him into scoring the funniest own goal (yet another corner) when Totts played at Eastville in the league. what video is that mate? |
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Post by lympstonegas on Feb 14, 2017 7:41:34 GMT
He really is a gentleman and maybe the opinion that he was too nice is the reason that he never played at a higher level. However, there is a belief that Liverpool actually came to watch big Stu, as they were thinking of signing him but were impressed by his younger team mate Larry Lloyd and signed him instead. I wonder if Stuart would have achieved the heights that Larry did if he had gone to Liverpool and been touched by Bill Shankly's magic. But then again, I reckon he would have been irked by playing in red In my opinion, his niceness and maybe naivety got him into some problems after football, as he was taken for a ride by some unscrupulous people. I saw him a few times in the Dribuild bar accompanied by his daughter, also a lovely person, and he was always willing and happy to talk to Rovers fans. I well remember attending one of his testimonial events, at Le Mans: He was very humble and seemed to not want to be the centre of attention. He was and is truly Rovers through and through and we supporters should be proud to have such a loyal and distinguished servant. My brother in law has the same disease as Stu: It is a horrible thing. I wish him well in his fight. Your write up is awesome Martin. well done. Started watching Rovers in 1967 so grew up watching Stuart Taylor and he was always a favourite. I do also believe the story actually was Liverpool came to see Stuart and ended up signing Larry Lloyd instead and that Larry always recognised the support Stuart gave him in those early days that enabled him to have such a fabulous opportunity. A true gentle giant a true gent and a true legend. PS don't forget keeper Laurie Taylor of that time who I also enjoyed watching then. |
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Post by bs9trymer on Feb 14, 2017 18:26:28 GMT
I have dug out the programme from Stuarts testimonial match against Ipswich at Eastville in 1977.
Andy Lochead makes a comment "As a player,I had many battles against Stuart and what always impressed me was his composure.I used to kick him up dale and down and never once knew him to get ruffled.He is a great lad and deserves a good testimonial for,despite our rivalry on the field,we were always good pals after a game"..Andy Lochead was a tough player and I think thats a good tribute to Stuart Taylor.
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