
The football career of Brian Clough's trusted managerial partner at Derby and Nottingham Forest started as a goalkeeper at Coventry City in the early post-war years. After the occasional game for Nottingham Forest in the war he signed for City in 1946 and spent nine years at the club. Initially he was understudy to the legendary Alf Wood who played 215 consecutive games in City's goal, leaving Taylor as the regular reserve keeper. In 1951 when Wood left the club Taylor became first choice but had several pretenders to his crown, most notably Reg Matthews. Depite Taylor being the regular custodian in 1953-54 Reg took over the following season and was soon immovable. In 1955 he signed for Middlesbrough and had six years at Ayresome Park and met his future managerial partner Clough. Taylor always recognised his former City boss Harry Storer as a major influence on his and Clough's style of manager.
In 1962 Taylor went into management and after some success at Burton Albion teamed up with Clough at Hartlepool before in 1967 they were offered the Derby jobs. With Taylor selecting and signing the players, which was his great skill, and Clough's man-management talent, they rejuvenated an ailing club winning promotion to Division One in 1969 and lifting the League Championship in 1972. Weeks after clinching the title the dynamic duo were close to becoming Coventry City's management team in succession to Noel Cantwell but were persuaded to stay with the Rams. In 1973 the pair left Derby and were briefly in charge at Brighton before Clough left for Leeds before they were reunited at Forest in 1976. Within a year they were promoted to Division One and won the League the following season followed by two European Cup final victories.
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Taylor left Forest in 1982 after a bust-up with Clough and returned to Derby soon afterwards. Derby were virtually bankrupt and Taylor kept them afloat before finally retiring for good in 1984. He died suddenly in Majorca in 1990 sadly still at loggerheads with Clough.
Penalties faced (5)
1953-54
12 September 1953 v Brighton & Hove Albion A, scored
7 November 1953 v Swindon Town A, scored
21 November 1953 v Brighton & Hove Albion A, scored
26 December 1953 v Ipswich Town A, scored
6 February 1954 v Watford A, scored















































































