Born and growing up in the county of Essex, Tommy Taylor was a skilled and highly intelligent defender with a knack for perfectly timing his tackles rather than lunging into them.
PART ONE
Tommy Taylor´s footballing path started in the unpretentious, working-class confines of Leyton, East London. There, Leyton Orient, a side playing in the lower tiers of English football, gave the talented youngster his first taste of the professional game in 1966.
What Leyton Orient lacked in top-flight permanence, they more than made up for in personality. Brisbane Road, their long-time home since 1937, became synonymous with gritty football, loyal support, and a strange ability to generate drama in even the most mundane of league fixtures. The club was — and still is — a beating heart of the Leyton community, and despite the arrival of West Ham United’s shadow just a few miles away, Orient maintained a fan base fuelled by local pride, generational loyalty, and a deep love of the underdog.
Furthermore, the swinging 1960s brought a series of notable players through the turnstiles — the likes of Malcolm Musgrove, Peter Allen, and Stan Charlton gave Orient fans plenty to shout about, and it was into this fertile ground of old-school values and working-class heroism that Taylor would make his way.
As a product of Essex football, Taylor’s arrival at Leyton Orient was timely, and his early steps were taken under the sound guidance of coaches who demanded toughness, positional discipline, and above all, commitment to the badge. Orient may not have offered the dazzle of the big boys down the road, but what they lacked in glitz, they made up for in grounding.
PART TWO
In 1970, Tommy Taylor made a significant move, one that would mark the next chapter in his career as he signed for West Ham United. At the time, the Hammers were building a reputation as one of the strongest teams in English football, with manager Ron Greenwood at the helm and a squad boasting household names like Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst. Taylor’s arrival at Upton Park was seen as a major coup. A solid and dependable centre-back, he brought composure and leadership to the defensive line.
Tommy Taylor’s tenure at West Ham United proved to be a fruitful one, as he became an integral part of the squad that captured the FA Cup in 1975. That victory, which saw the Hammers defeat London rivals Fulham 2-0, was a highlight not only in Taylor’s career but also in the club’s illustrious history.
Despite playing in an era where the likes of Hurst and Moore were dominating the international scene, Taylor quietly cemented his place as a stalwart of the team. Though he didn’t grab the headlines as much as his more famous teammates, his contribution was undeniable.
However, football is a results business, and Taylor’s time at West Ham would eventually come to an abrupt end. As new faces arrived at the Boleyn Ground club, including the talented Alvin Martin, Taylor found himself relegated to the sidelines. This marked the beginning of a series of moves that would see him test himself in various leagues, each presenting new challenges and opportunities.
After falling out of favour at West Ham, Tommy Taylor took the bold decision to move across the Atlantic to play for Team Hawaii in the North American Soccer League (NASL). This was a time when the NASL was experiencing a surge in popularity, attracting big names from Europe and South America. Taylor’s spell in Hawaii was a brief but memorable one, lasting just a few months during the summer of 1977.
While the NASL offered Taylor the chance to experience a different style of football and lifestyle, it also provided him with a fresh set of challenges. The North American game was fast-paced and full of flair, a stark contrast to the more tactical and physical nature of English football. Taylor, however, adapted quickly and showcased his leadership, even captaining the side during his short stay. Yet, as with many players of his generation, the allure of European football was never too far from his mind.
Taylor’s time in North America was followed by a return to England, where he rejoined Leyton Orient in 1979. His second spell at the club came after losing his place in the West Ham side to Alvin Martin. By then, Taylor had become something of a seasoned campaigner, having experienced the highs of an FA Cup win and the challenges of international football. At Orient, he would go on to play for several more seasons, demonstrating the reliability and durability that had characterised his earlier years.
In addition to his time at Orient, Taylor spent a brief period in Belgium with Beerschot, further underlining his adaptability. Playing in a foreign league added another layer of experience to his career, and it is no surprise that Taylor’s approach to the game was deeply influenced by his international adventures. Beerschot, with its strong traditions and passionate fanbase, offered Taylor a different perspective on football, one that further sharpened his skills both on and off the pitch.
PART THREE
After finally hanging up his boots, Tommy Taylor made the transition from playing to coaching, a move that would define much of his post-playing career. He initially took on the role of youth coach at Charlton Athletic before moving to New Zealand, where he spent three years in football management. His time in New Zealand marked the first of several managerial stints, and he soon returned to his native England to further his career in coaching and management.
By the late 1980s, Taylor was a well-established figure in English football management. He joined Maidstone United as a coach in 1989, before eventually managing the team in the early 1990s. In 1993, he became the youth team manager at Cambridge United, eventually taking over the first-team role in 1995. Taylor’s leadership skills were put to the test at Cambridge, where he oversaw a period of transition and development.
Yet, in 1996, Taylor’s career came full circle when he returned to Leyton Orient, this time as manager. His tenure at Orient was marked by steady improvement, though it was not without its challenges. Taylor managed the club for five years, gaining respect for his steady hand at the helm during turbulent times. However, in 2001, he moved on, taking on a new role with Darlington in 2002 before moving to Farnborough Town the following year. His managerial career continued to evolve as he took on positions with various clubs, each time demonstrating his adaptability and experience.
In 2009, Taylor made a dramatic departure from the English football scene when he was appointed as the manager of the Grenada national football team. This move was symbolic of Taylor’s belief that football could transcend borders, and his tenure with the Grenada national team would be one of the more unconventional chapters in his career. Under Taylor’s guidance, Grenada made their debut in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, marking a milestone in the team’s history.
Taylor’s time with Grenada was challenging but rewarding, as he sought to build a competitive team in a region where football was not yet as entrenched as it was in Europe. He also worked hard to bring in players with Grenadian heritage, such as Blackburn Rovers’ Jason Roberts, Leeds United’s Jermaine Beckford, and Southampton’s Bradley Wright-Phillips. Taylor’s tenure with the Grenada national team ended in 2010, but it was another illustration of his desire to push boundaries and explore new frontiers in football management.
As Taylor’s career progressed, he continued to take on new challenges, both as a manager and in off-field roles. He spent time as Director of Football at CD Torrevieja in Spain before moving to Belper Town and then to PS Kemi Kings in Finland in 2013. Though Taylor’s managerial career was far from glamorous, it was marked by a continuous drive to learn, adapt, and make an impact, no matter the level.
In 2019, Tommy Taylor took on the role of Director of Football at Histon, a position that, while not involving the day-to-day managerial responsibilities, still saw him heavily involved in the operations of the club. His ability to adapt to the changing nature of football, from the physicality of the pitch to the intricacies of management, continued to serve him well, even in the twilight of his career.