Billy Taylor (sportsman)

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William Taylor (1896-1986) was a football and cricket player. He played as Billy Taylor for Durham City, Crook Town and Norwich City before playing First Division football for Sheffield Wednesday F.C. from 1919-1922. He spent the subsequent years playing for Doncaster Rovers, and Mansfield Town, rejoining Doncaster in 1925 to play in the Third Division North, scoring 5 goals in only 19 appearances. During this time he also joined the staff of the LNER (later British Rail) at the Doncaster Railway Engineering Works where he spent most of his working career.

He also played cricket for teams in the North of England. He was a good all-rounder and an excellent batsman. He played latterly for some 15 years in the Doncaster Works Athletic Club first team.

During the First World War he served with the Durham Light Infantry and became a commissioned officer. He was decorated for bravery in carrying out a successful daylight patrol into the German trenches at the Battle of Arras on the Somme and for digging out men in his section under heavy shellfire. During the Second World War Major Taylor commanded the 1000 strong Doncaster Works Home Guard.

In 1920 he married Jean, the daughter of Dr.Robert Steel of Crook, Co.Durham, and they had two sons.

He is remembered as an outstanding all-round sportsman and gentleman.