Gerry Taylor (b1946)
GERRY Taylor was what was euphemistically known as ‘hard’. His nickname was ‘Bites-yer-legs’ in deference to Leeds United strong man Norman Hunter.
Sleaford-born Gerry signed for Grantham from Sleaford Town having previously been on the books of Lincoln City as well as playing Sunday League football for Sleaford Rangers.
His day job was with poultry processors G W Padley, at Anwick.
He made his Grantham debut in the October 1970 league fixture at Long Eaton United and scored his first goal for the club the following month at The City Ground, Nottingham, in the FA Cup second replay tie against Gainsborough Trinity.
Only two days later Gerry played in the club’s first ever victory over a Football League side in the Cup, when Stockport County came away from London Road with a 2-1 defeat. Just to cap an interesting first couple of months with Grantham he then appeared in the following round against Rotherham United.
The end of that first season saw a Midland League Championship medal and Gerry also played in the first leg of the League Cup final, although Andy Crawford took his place in the return match against Arnold. The 1971/72 season saw another league title for the club, and for Gerry there was an appearance in the FA Trophy Quarter-Final tie against Yeovil Town, but the County Cup Final in May saw Crawford once more replacing him.
As Grantham progressed into the Southern League, he finished that first season having missed only four games, with another League title winner’s medal, plus an appearance in the FA Cup First Round against Bradford City. A year later he played in both the Cup ties against Rochdale and January 1974 saw his appearance in the biggest game in the club’s history as Second Division leaders, Middlesbrough, came to London Road for a Third Round Proper tie.
He continued to make many appearances over the next couple of years, although by comparison highlights are hard to find and Gerry himself was injured just before the FA Cup game against Port Vale in November 1975.
His prominence in the side then continued to the 1978/79 season, when the team won the Southern League, Division One North Championship, while the club’s entrance into the Northern Premier League coincided with Gerry’s promotion to club captain. His final goal came in the September 1980 FA Cup replay against Long Eaton United, while the end of that year saw his appearance in the Redmayne Trophy tie against Nottingham Forest.
However, his last appearance for Grantham was at one of the lowest points during that era, the February 1981 7-0 defeat at Marine. It was a sad end to such a long career with The Gingerbreads.
Compiled with help of Jon Barnes
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