Bob Taylor (footballer, born 1967)

English footballer

Robert Taylor (born 3 February 1967) is an English former footballer who played as a centre forward. Known by supporters as "Super Bobby Taylor", "Super Bob" or simply "Super", Taylor scored more than 250 goals in a professional career that comprised almost 750 games in 20 years. He is West Bromwich Albion's eighth highest goalscorer of all time. He began his professional career at Leeds United, making his debut in 1986 at the age of 19. In 1989, he moved to Bristol City, before joining West Bromwich Albion in 1992. Taylor signed for Bolton Wanderers in 1998 following two successful loans spells at the club, but in 2000 returned to West Bromwich Albion, where he remained for a further three seasons. He then moved to Cheltenham Town before ending his career at non league sides Tamworth and Kidderminster Harriers.

Taylor made his Bolton debut on 10 January 1998 in a 0–0 draw with Southampton. He played four times for the club during his initial month long spell on loan, scoring once. The goal came in the fourth and final game – against Manchester United at Old Trafford – as Taylor helped to earn Bolton a 1–1 draw. The goal against United instantly gave Taylor cult hero status amongst the Bolton faithful. He then returned to West Bromwich Albion, playing in a further nine games and scoring twice, before re joining Bolton Wanderers for a second loan spell, this time for the remainder of the 1997–98 season. During this period he scored two goals in eight games for Bolton, who were relegated from the Premier League on goal difference. When Albion were only prepared to offer him a one year contract, Taylor moved to Bolton permanently in July 1998 for a £90,000 fee. Bolton just missed out on a return to the Premiership by losing 2–0 to Watford in the final at Wembley Stadium. However, when Sam Allardyce arrived as Bolton manager in 1999–2000, Taylor found his chances limited. Aside from his affinity with Albion, he remains a favourite amongst the Bolton support, he returned to the Reebok for teammate and former roommate Jussi Jääskeläinen's testimonial in August 2009.

With West Bromwich Albion struggling near the foot of Division One, manager Gary Megson signed Taylor in a £90,000 deal, making the striker one of four deadline day signings by the club. Taylor's return to the Hawthorns paid off as he scored five goals in eight games, including one in a last day 2–0 victory over Charlton Athletic, to keep Albion in Division 1. His goal against former club Bolton – an overhead kick in a 4–4 draw – was voted as Albion's goal of the season for 1999–2000. The following season (2000–01) then saw Albion exceed all expectations, reaching the Division 1 playoffs, where they lost in the semi final to Bolton. Taylor became the 100th Albion player to be sent off in a first team match when he received a red card against Barnsley on 28 October 2001. Albion struggled in their first season in the Premiership however, with Taylor starting only one game. In March 2003, he expressed his unhappiness at his lack of first team action, saying that he was forced to train with the Albion youth team, and that he hadn't spoken to manager Gary Megson for four months. Albion were already relegated by the time Bob Taylor made his 377th and final appearance for them, in a 2–2 draw against Newcastle United on 11 May 2003. In what was only his second start of the season, Taylor was substituted due to injury after half an hour, but left the field to a standing ovation.

Bob Taylor's testimonial match was played at The Hawthorns on 13 May 2003, in front of 12,000 fans. Taylor then spent a season at Cheltenham Town. He made his Cheltenham debut on 23 August 2003, coming on as a substitute in 3–3 draw away at Hull City. He marked his first start for Cheltenham with two goals in a 4–1 away win at Leyton Orient a week later. He then joined Tamworth in 2004. A highlight of his time at the latter club was a 10 minute 2nd half hat trick in a 3–2 win at Leigh RMI on 6 November 2004. In 2005 Taylor signed for Tamworth for a further 12 months. During 2005–06, Taylor received a conviction for drink driving; Tamworth gave him two weeks leave "to deal with personal matters". Following his release from Tamworth in May 2006, Taylor linked up with Kidderminster Harriers for pre season training and signed a non contract deal with the club in September 2006. He left Kidderminster in January 2007 having made three appearances as a substitute. He subsequently retired from professional football, playing for Turnpike FC in Lichfield Pub League, and has since set up his own promotions company, Super Bob Events.