UP
One of Harry Taylor's 1908 to 1909 Hull FC representative Cap's which is in the possession of his grandson John Taylor who has kindly given me a photograph of the cap
Hull Daily Mail article
Saturday next, 03 Nov 1906 will be made memorable in the football history of Hull. It is on that day that Harry Taylor one of the greatest full-backs of this or any other time will take the benefit which he so richly deserves.
For nine years practically, Taylor has held the responsible position of Hull FC custodian and in many a hard fought game he has stood out conspicuous many times almost alone. Unflinching courage, coolness, resource, cleverness and consistency are qualities which Taylor possesses in a marked degree and when he flings his jersey off for good, it will be a sorrowful day for Hull football.
His devotion to the game and his loyalty to the club which brought him out have caused him to rush in when angles would fear to tread and the result has been that he has received more hard knocks than the average man. There has scarcely been a match day during his brilliant career when he has been altogether free from bruises or injuries of some description, but although suffering he has ry continued playing at top level football for a further 5 seasons giving loyal service for 14 years.
Harry Taylors Hull FC club record is 364 matches played, 9 tries, 5 goals.
Ho, Harry Taylor you are a good un heart and hand
Youre a credit to the city and to all your native land
May your pluck be never failing your eye be ever true
Good luck to you Harry Taylor and a bouncing beano too.
From the collections on his retirement for his long loyal service to the club Harry was presented with a Dresser
Badges taken of Harry Taylors County and international shirts and in possession of his grandson John Taylor
Harry Taylor wrote this article to the newspaper.
I FLATTER myself that I have a right to speak on Hull Football. You see I was born and bred in Hull and at 19 years of age and I joined the Hull FC.
I began with the B team in 1896_97 season and played my first game for the A team against Heckmondwike, then selected into the first team during my first season. For 14 seasons I played for Hull FC and was never dropped once.
In my second season I was capped for my county, Yorkshire and in 19 successive matches I played fullback for them. I played five times against each of the following counties, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumberland, twice against Durham.
I captained the international match against New Zealand and Australia and lost the post on a spin of the coin in another one, and altogether I can claim to have captured as many of the honours obtainable in the Northern Union football as most men know.
So far as county football is concerned, I do not expect that any player will beat my record in my lifetime, at least. He will have to play 20 successive games for his county to do so and that will take a bit of doing as most folks will agree.
From Rugby to Soccer
It will be said it is strange that an old Northern Union player should become a trainer to a Soccer club. But my affection for the Soccer game did not commence when I got the post of trainer to the Tigers. If I giver no better proof of that than the statement that I witnessed the English Cup Final upon eleven successive occasions and also one replayed final at Everton.
The record would have been bigger but for the fact that twice I was prevented for attending once owing to playing myself in a Northern Union Cup Final and on the last occasion I was too busy to go. I was very disappointed this season, I had fully made up my mind that I would attend another Cup Final this time as an official trainer. But the tigers tripped up at Newcastle and I didnt forget to let them know how disappointed I was in the affair. I dont think I could be better suited with a job than the one I have got just how.
The players give me no trouble and the officials have proved themselves to be the best of masters. The team has never been beaten because they have been out of condition, but they have suffered vile luck through getting players injured. We started with a crash of cymbals and headed the league table for the first eight matches, getting twelve points out of a possible sixteen, and scoring thirteen goals to five. Then cam the slump, and at Christmas time eleven clubs had passed over our heads. By march it looked as if we were going to go to zero points Then it was that Mr. Chapman took over the Management of the team as well as the secretarial duties. Things could not have looked blacker than they did at that time. However, he made out a fresh prescription which proved very effective. It killed the germ that was diseasing our constitution and we finished the season smiling after all.
Of course when things are going the wrong way a team gets very little credit. But make no mistake about it, the Tigers had a sufficiently good team last season, but luck was against them. How many teams could have afforded to lose three such players as Chapman, Temple and Best, as we had to suffer owing to their being injured. Why Temple alone has goal-average of 17 goals per season, and chapmans experience provided a strong stay for our young forward line. It was the absence of this old head in my opinion, that caused the Tigers on eight occasions to lose both points of the several games. But away with these dull reflections. What are the prospects for the future.
Thats what we are concerned with, well, they were never brighter. Young MacDonald has turned out to be another Stanley Smith and though Sheffield United have got Fazackerley, Sheffield Wednesday believe we have a better man left in Stevens. And the Tigers are not denying that fact.
Again we have got Halligan at a cost of 600 pounds from Wolves. Billy can play center forward or either of the inside positions. Fenwick is more that promising as a centre forward or either of the inside positions. Patsy O'Connell is a prince of Centre Halves and it is principally his persuasive efforts that caused Halligan to come to Hull City in preference to a certain celebrated First League club.
They should work well in double harness. MQuillian is absolutely great and it is an open secret that he would have brought in a bigger sum than did Fazackerly if the Tigers could have been persuaded to part with him. His pal Nevins is not so polished perhaps, but they make an ideal pair.
As regards goalkeepers we are remarkably well off. A better pair cannot be found in the second division and both have to keep his place
Great Britain Captain
In 1908 Harry Taylor was selected to be the first Great Britain captain with players selected from England, Wales and Scotland the three tests matches against New Zealand.
The first Test at Headingly, Leeds winning 14 points to NZ 6,
The second Test Stamford Bridge London losing 6 points to NZ 18
The Third Test Cheltenham losing 5 points to NZ 8.
Harry Taylor Former Yorkshire and Northern Union International Full-Back, has died at his home in Lascelles Avenue, Withernsea, in January 1949, he was 71. Mr. J. W. Smith ex President of the Northern Union League said, I consider Harry Taylor the finest Full-Back he ever saw in the Northern Union.
below is the England Test match played at Wigan where Ferguson from Oldham was the captain.
