Peter Thomas Taylor
Encyclopedia
Peter Thomas Taylor was an English
football goalkeeper and more notably, a football manager. His name is closely associated with that of Brian Clough
, with whom he served as assistant manager at various clubs in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Playing twenty years of professional football, he started in the Nottingham Forest
reserves, before making his name at Coventry City
from 1950 to 1955. He then spent six years as Middlesbrough
's first choice 'keeper, making 140 league appearances for the side. He saw out his career with Port Vale
in 1961–62
.
His first management position was at non-league Burton Albion
from 1962 to 1965. Following this he spent nine years as Brian Clough
's number two at Hartlepool United
, Derby County
and Brighton & Hove Albion
. From 1974 to 1976 he was Brighton manager, choosing not to team up again with Clough until 1976, at Nottingham Forest
. The pair enjoyed a highly successful partnership, and were going strong at Forest until Taylor retired in May 1982. Six months later he took the top job at Derby County
, where he remained until his permanent retirement in 1984.
local, Taylor started his career with Nottingham Forest
, though never made a first team league appearance. In 1950 he joined Coventry City
, where he kept goal in 86 league games in five years before moving on to Middlesbrough
. He spent six years with the club, making 140 league appearances. At Middlesbrough, Taylor met Brian Clough
, an up-and-coming young striker. Spotting Clough's potential he helped him achieve a first team place.
In June 1961, Port Vale
paid "'Boro" £750 for his services. Largely unneeded at Vale, Ken Hancock
being a virtual ever-present from 1960 to 1964, Taylor's only appearance was in a 2–1 defeat at Bradford Park Avenue on 3 February 1962. He left on a free transfer for Burton Albion
in May 1962, where he began his management career.
. He created one of the most successful sides in Burton's history, winning the Southern League Cup in 1964. A year later he became Clough's assistant manager at Hartlepools
(now Hartlepool). Before their arrival, the club had been forced to apply for re-election to the Football League four times in the previous six years. The two gradually turned around the club's fortunes, leading them to an 8th place finish in the Fourth Division
.
While Clough inspired and motivated the team, it was Taylor who had the ability to spot talent and potential. Clough once said of his colleague: "I'm not equipped to manage successfully without Peter Taylor. I am the shop window and he is the goods in the back." Taylor himself described their partnership as: "We just gelled together, we filled in the gaps...My strength was buying and selecting the right player, then Brian's man management would shape the player."
. The team they built at Hartlepools was promoted the following year. At Derby, Taylor and Clough proceeded to re-build the side, with Taylor instrumental in signing players such as Dave Mackay and Roy McFarland
. Derby were promoted to the First Division
in 1969. They finished fourth in 1970 and won the League Championship in 1972 – the first in the club's history. Derby reached the semi-finals of the European Cup
the following season, controversially losing to Juventus
. On 15 October 1973, both he and Clough resigned, partially after a dispute with the Derby board over Taylor's crucial but largely undefined role, although numerous reasons were behind Clough and Taylor's resignation. There were protests over this at Derby's next home game against Leicester City
on 20 October 1973, as the Derby fans demanded the reinstatement of both Clough and Taylor.
Brighton on 1 November 1973, though this time with less success. Just after Clough and Taylor were appointed, the team lost 4–0 at home to Walton & Hersham
in an FA Cup
replay and then 8–2 at home to Bristol Rovers
on 1 December 1973. Brighton finished 19th in the final table that season, narrowly avoiding relegation to the old Fourth Division.
Clough left for Leeds United
in July 1974, but Taylor refused to go with Clough and he stayed on at the South coast club for a further two seasons, guiding the team to a 4th place finish in 1975–76.
. A year later Brighton were promoted to the Second Division under Alan Mullery
and in 1978–79 they reached the First Division.
Within a year of Taylor's arrival, Forest were promoted to the First Division
. In 1977, Taylor and Clough decided to replace John Middleton with Peter Shilton
, whom they purchased for £270,000; Taylor reasoned: "Shilton wins you matches." In their first season back in the top division, Forest emphatically won the Championship, finishing seven points clear of runners-up Liverpool
, conceding just 24 goals in 42 games with Shilton in goal. They also won the League Cup
, with a 1–0 win over Liverpool in the replay
. In 1979, Forest won the European Cup with victory
over Malmö FF
and the League Cup again
. The European Cup was retained a year later
, this time against Kevin Keegan
's Hamburger SV
, though the club were denied a third consecutive League Cup win after a defeat in the final
by Wolves
.
on 8 January 1983 they knocked out Clough's Forest team with a 2-0 win at the Baseball Ground
. They reached the 5th round, being knocked out by Manchester United
1-0 at home. That season, Derby went through a 14-match unbeaten run. However, the following season saw the team struggle again, and Taylor resigned in early April 1984 with the club third from bottom of the Second Division
. There was no money to spend on new players. Derby were almost bankrupt and were rescued at the last minute in late March 1984. However, the team reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup
that season, being knocked out 1–0 in a replay against Plymouth Argyle
by means of a freak goal direct from a corner. The revenue obtained from the FA Cup run almost certainly helped to keep the club afloat.
Although they initially parted on good terms, Taylor's relationship with Clough was finally damaged permanently after a dispute over the transfer of John Robertson from Forest to Derby in May 1983, when Taylor apparently didn't tell Clough, who was on holiday. Clough attacked Taylor afterwards in a tabloid article as being a "rattlesnake
", "a snake-in-the-grass" and said that "We pass each other on the A52
going to work on most days of the week. But if his car broke down and I saw him thumbing a lift, I wouldn't pick him up, I'd run him over".
Clough and Taylor would never speak to one another again. During the final six years of his life, Taylor sometimes wrote newspaper articles giving his view on football. In 1989, a year before he died, Taylor urged Clough in a tabloid article to retire before either a chairman like Longson forced him out or his health suffered under the strain of being a top-level manager, forcing him into premature retirement, which happened four years later.
, Clough apparently did not speak, put the phone down on him and cried heavily. He also, whilst very upset, made a phone call to the Taylor family. Clough attended the funeral eleven days later and dedicated his 1994 autobiography to Taylor saying "To Peter. Still miss you badly. You once said: 'When you get shot of me there won't be as much laughter in your life'. You were right".
He is buried in the churchyard of St Peter's Church in Widmerpool
, Nottinghamshire
.
in March 1993, saying that "I have only one regret today, and that is that me mate isn't here with me". He also paid tribute to Taylor in September 1999 when a bust of himself was unveiled at the City Ground
, saying that he would like the "Brian Clough Stand" to be renamed the "Brian Clough and Peter Taylor Stand" in recognition of the big contribution Taylor made to the partnership.
He was portrayed by Timothy Spall
in The Damned United
, a multi-million pound film released in 2009 based on Clough's ill-fated spell at Leeds United.
In April 2009 Derby County F.C.
announced that there would be a statue of the former Rams managers Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, to be erected at Pride Park Stadium. Clough is already honoured with statues in Nottingham and Middlesbrough. The sculptor Andy Edwards, who also produced the Steve Bloomer
bust unveiled in the stadium, has been commissioned to work on the statue. The Brian Clough and Peter Taylor Monument was unveiled in August 2010.
In October 2009, Taylor's family complained that not enough had been done to recognise his achievements, in particular his daughter, Wendy Dickinson, bemoaned Nottingham Forest having his "contribution... written out of the history".
In January 2010 Wendy Dickinson appealed for help to write a new book about her father. She has asked for former players, fans and neighbours to contact her with anecdotes about her late father.
As an Assistant Manager (alongside Brian Clough
with Derby County
with Nottingham Forest
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
football goalkeeper and more notably, a football manager. His name is closely associated with that of Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
, with whom he served as assistant manager at various clubs in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Playing twenty years of professional football, he started in the Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
reserves, before making his name at Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
from 1950 to 1955. He then spent six years as Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
's first choice 'keeper, making 140 league appearances for the side. He saw out his career with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in 1961–62
1961–62 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1961–62 season was Port Vale's fiftieth season of football in the Football League, and their third season in the Third Division. The season was most notable for the win over Sunderland in the FA Cup, which followed a goalless draw at Roker Park in which the Vale defence prevented Brian Clough...
.
His first management position was at non-league Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
from 1962 to 1965. Following this he spent nine years as Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
's number two at Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
, Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
and Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
. From 1974 to 1976 he was Brighton manager, choosing not to team up again with Clough until 1976, at Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. The pair enjoyed a highly successful partnership, and were going strong at Forest until Taylor retired in May 1982. Six months later he took the top job at Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, where he remained until his permanent retirement in 1984.
Playing career
A NottinghamNottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
local, Taylor started his career with Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, though never made a first team league appearance. In 1950 he joined Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, where he kept goal in 86 league games in five years before moving on to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. He spent six years with the club, making 140 league appearances. At Middlesbrough, Taylor met Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
, an up-and-coming young striker. Spotting Clough's potential he helped him achieve a first team place.
In June 1961, Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
paid "'Boro" £750 for his services. Largely unneeded at Vale, Ken Hancock
Ken Hancock
Kenneth Paul Hancock is an English former footballer. During his career he made 241 appearances for Port Vale and 163 appearances for Ipswich Town. He is the younger brother of Ray Hancock.-Playing style:...
being a virtual ever-present from 1960 to 1964, Taylor's only appearance was in a 2–1 defeat at Bradford Park Avenue on 3 February 1962. He left on a free transfer for Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
in May 1962, where he began his management career.
Management career
In October 1962, Taylor was offered the manager's job at Burton AlbionBurton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
. He created one of the most successful sides in Burton's history, winning the Southern League Cup in 1964. A year later he became Clough's assistant manager at Hartlepools
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
(now Hartlepool). Before their arrival, the club had been forced to apply for re-election to the Football League four times in the previous six years. The two gradually turned around the club's fortunes, leading them to an 8th place finish in the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
.
While Clough inspired and motivated the team, it was Taylor who had the ability to spot talent and potential. Clough once said of his colleague: "I'm not equipped to manage successfully without Peter Taylor. I am the shop window and he is the goods in the back." Taylor himself described their partnership as: "We just gelled together, we filled in the gaps...My strength was buying and selecting the right player, then Brian's man management would shape the player."
Derby County
In May 1967 both men left to join Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. The team they built at Hartlepools was promoted the following year. At Derby, Taylor and Clough proceeded to re-build the side, with Taylor instrumental in signing players such as Dave Mackay and Roy McFarland
Roy McFarland
Roy Leslie McFarland is an English football manager who was also a player, notably at Derby County where he played 434 league games helping him to earn 28 caps for England.-Playing career:...
. Derby were promoted to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 1969. They finished fourth in 1970 and won the League Championship in 1972 – the first in the club's history. Derby reached the semi-finals of the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
the following season, controversially losing to Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
. On 15 October 1973, both he and Clough resigned, partially after a dispute with the Derby board over Taylor's crucial but largely undefined role, although numerous reasons were behind Clough and Taylor's resignation. There were protests over this at Derby's next home game against Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
on 20 October 1973, as the Derby fans demanded the reinstatement of both Clough and Taylor.
Brighton and Hove Albion
The two then took over at Third DivisionFootball League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
Brighton on 1 November 1973, though this time with less success. Just after Clough and Taylor were appointed, the team lost 4–0 at home to Walton & Hersham
Walton & Hersham F.C.
Walton & Hersham F.C. is an English football club located in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One South. They play in a red and white home kit at Stompond Lane....
in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
replay and then 8–2 at home to Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
on 1 December 1973. Brighton finished 19th in the final table that season, narrowly avoiding relegation to the old Fourth Division.
Clough left for Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in July 1974, but Taylor refused to go with Clough and he stayed on at the South coast club for a further two seasons, guiding the team to a 4th place finish in 1975–76.
Nottingham Forest
On 16 July 1976, Taylor resigned as manager and joined once again with Clough, who had by this time moved on to Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. A year later Brighton were promoted to the Second Division under Alan Mullery
Alan Mullery
Alan Patrick Mullery MBE is a former English football player and manager. After enjoying a successful career with Fulham and in the 1960s and 1970s, he became a manager working with several different clubs. He is now employed as a television pundit...
and in 1978–79 they reached the First Division.
Within a year of Taylor's arrival, Forest were promoted to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
. In 1977, Taylor and Clough decided to replace John Middleton with Peter Shilton
Peter Shilton
Peter Leslie Shilton OBE is a former English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He currently holds the record for playing more games for England than anyone else, earning 125 caps....
, whom they purchased for £270,000; Taylor reasoned: "Shilton wins you matches." In their first season back in the top division, Forest emphatically won the Championship, finishing seven points clear of runners-up Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, conceding just 24 goals in 42 games with Shilton in goal. They also won the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, with a 1–0 win over Liverpool in the replay
1978 Football League Cup Final
The 1978 Football League Cup Final was the eighteenth League Cup final, and was contested between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The initial match resulted in a 0–0 draw at Wembley Stadium on 18 March 1978...
. In 1979, Forest won the European Cup with victory
1979 European Cup Final
The 1979 European Cup Final was a football match held at the Olympiastadion, Munich, on 30 May 1979, that saw Nottingham Forest of England defeat Malmö FF of Sweden 1–0.-Background:...
over Malmö FF
Malmö FF
Malmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
and the League Cup again
1979 Football League Cup Final
The 1979 Football League Cup Final took place on 17 March 1979 at Wembley Stadium. It was the nineteenth Football League Cup final and the thirteenth to be played at Wembley. It was contested between Nottingham Forest and Southampton. Forest were the hot favourites to win being the holders of the...
. The European Cup was retained a year later
1980 European Cup Final
The 1980 European Cup Final was a football match held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, on 28 May 1980, that saw Nottingham Forest of England defeat Hamburg of Germany 1–0. In the 21st minute, John Robertson squeezed a shot past Hamburg keeper Rudolf Kargus for the only goal of the game, to...
, this time against Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
's Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
, though the club were denied a third consecutive League Cup win after a defeat in the final
1980 Football League Cup Final
The 1980 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 1979–80 Football League Cup, the 20th season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in The Football League...
by Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
.
Return to Derby
Taylor retired in May 1982 after Forest finished 12th in the league and were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Wrexham, but took over as manager of Derby six months later in November of that year, to the great surprise of most people in the game. At the time Derby were going through serious financial problems and were bottom of the table, but he steered them to a mid-table position by the end of the season. In the third round of the FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
on 8 January 1983 they knocked out Clough's Forest team with a 2-0 win at the Baseball Ground
Baseball Ground
The Baseball Ground was a stadium in Derby, England. It was first used for baseball as the home of Derby County Baseball Club from 1890 until 1898 and then for football as the home of Derby County from 1895 until 1997. It was commonly referred to as the "BBG".As the name suggests, the stadium was...
. They reached the 5th round, being knocked out by Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
1-0 at home. That season, Derby went through a 14-match unbeaten run. However, the following season saw the team struggle again, and Taylor resigned in early April 1984 with the club third from bottom of the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
. There was no money to spend on new players. Derby were almost bankrupt and were rescued at the last minute in late March 1984. However, the team reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
that season, being knocked out 1–0 in a replay against Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
by means of a freak goal direct from a corner. The revenue obtained from the FA Cup run almost certainly helped to keep the club afloat.
Rift with Clough
It appears that the relationship started to fracture in the Autumn of 1980 when Taylor published With Clough by Taylor, an autobiography which was largely based on Taylor's work with Clough. He did not consult with or tell Clough that he was writing the book at the time.Although they initially parted on good terms, Taylor's relationship with Clough was finally damaged permanently after a dispute over the transfer of John Robertson from Forest to Derby in May 1983, when Taylor apparently didn't tell Clough, who was on holiday. Clough attacked Taylor afterwards in a tabloid article as being a "rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous snakes of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus of the subfamily Crotalinae . There are 32 known species of rattlesnake, with between 65-70 subspecies, all native to the Americas, ranging from southern Alberta and southern British Columbia in Canada to Central...
", "a snake-in-the-grass" and said that "We pass each other on the A52
A52 road
The A52 is a major road in the East Midlands, England. It runs east from the junction with the A53 at Newcastle-under-Lyme near Stoke-on-Trent via Ashbourne, Derby, Stapleford, Nottingham, West Bridgford, Bingham, Grantham, Boston and Skegness before terminating on the east Lincolnshire coast at...
going to work on most days of the week. But if his car broke down and I saw him thumbing a lift, I wouldn't pick him up, I'd run him over".
Clough and Taylor would never speak to one another again. During the final six years of his life, Taylor sometimes wrote newspaper articles giving his view on football. In 1989, a year before he died, Taylor urged Clough in a tabloid article to retire before either a chairman like Longson forced him out or his health suffered under the strain of being a top-level manager, forcing him into premature retirement, which happened four years later.
Death
Peter Taylor died suddenly whilst on holiday in Costa De Los Pinos, Majorca, aged 62 on 4 October 1990. When told of Taylor's death by Ron FentonRon Fenton
Ronald Fenton is an English former footballer, coach and manager. He played as an inside forward and made nearly 200 appearances in the Football League....
, Clough apparently did not speak, put the phone down on him and cried heavily. He also, whilst very upset, made a phone call to the Taylor family. Clough attended the funeral eleven days later and dedicated his 1994 autobiography to Taylor saying "To Peter. Still miss you badly. You once said: 'When you get shot of me there won't be as much laughter in your life'. You were right".
He is buried in the churchyard of St Peter's Church in Widmerpool
Widmerpool
Widmerpool is a village and civil parish in Nottinghamshire, about 10 miles south, south east of Nottingham and some 7.5 miles north east of Loughborough. It sits just over a mile west of the A46 and, as one of Nottinghamshire's oldest settlements, enjoyed that proximity to that road when it was...
, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
.
Legacy
Clough paid tribute to Taylor when he was awarded the freedom of the city of NottinghamNottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
in March 1993, saying that "I have only one regret today, and that is that me mate isn't here with me". He also paid tribute to Taylor in September 1999 when a bust of himself was unveiled at the City Ground
City Ground
The City Ground is a football stadium in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been home to Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, and has a capacity of 30,602 ....
, saying that he would like the "Brian Clough Stand" to be renamed the "Brian Clough and Peter Taylor Stand" in recognition of the big contribution Taylor made to the partnership.
He was portrayed by Timothy Spall
Timothy Spall
Timothy Leonard Spall, OBE is an English character actor and occasional presenter.-Early life:Spall, the third of four sons, was born in Battersea, London. His mother, Sylvia R. , was a hairdresser, and his father, Joseph L. Spall, was a postal worker...
in The Damned United
The Damned United
The Damned United is a 2009 British sports drama film directed by Tom Hooper and adapted by Peter Morgan from David Peace's bestselling novel The Damned Utd, a largely fictional book based on the author's interpretation of Brian Clough's tenure as manager of Leeds United...
, a multi-million pound film released in 2009 based on Clough's ill-fated spell at Leeds United.
In April 2009 Derby County F.C.
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
announced that there would be a statue of the former Rams managers Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, to be erected at Pride Park Stadium. Clough is already honoured with statues in Nottingham and Middlesbrough. The sculptor Andy Edwards, who also produced the Steve Bloomer
Steve Bloomer
Steve Bloomer was an English footballer and manager who played for Derby County, Middlesbrough and England during the 1890s and 1900s. Bloomer remains a legend at Derby County and the club anthem, Steve Bloomer's Watchin', is played before every home game...
bust unveiled in the stadium, has been commissioned to work on the statue. The Brian Clough and Peter Taylor Monument was unveiled in August 2010.
In October 2009, Taylor's family complained that not enough had been done to recognise his achievements, in particular his daughter, Wendy Dickinson, bemoaned Nottingham Forest having his "contribution... written out of the history".
In January 2010 Wendy Dickinson appealed for help to write a new book about her father. She has asked for former players, fans and neighbours to contact her with anecdotes about her late father.
As an Assistant Manager (alongside Brian CloughBrian CloughBrian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
)
with Derby County
-
- League ChampionshipFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
:- Champions 1971–72
- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
:- Champions 1968–69
- League Championship
with Nottingham Forest
-
- European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
:- Winners 1979, 1980
- European Super Cup:
- Winners 1979
- Runners up 1980
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
- Runners up 1980
- League ChampionshipFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
:- Champions 1977–78
- Runners up 1978–79
- League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
:- Winners 19781978 Football League Cup FinalThe 1978 Football League Cup Final was the eighteenth League Cup final, and was contested between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The initial match resulted in a 0–0 draw at Wembley Stadium on 18 March 1978...
, 19791979 Football League Cup FinalThe 1979 Football League Cup Final took place on 17 March 1979 at Wembley Stadium. It was the nineteenth Football League Cup final and the thirteenth to be played at Wembley. It was contested between Nottingham Forest and Southampton. Forest were the hot favourites to win being the holders of the... - Runners up 19801980 Football League Cup FinalThe 1980 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 1979–80 Football League Cup, the 20th season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in The Football League...
.
- Winners 1978
- FA Charity ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
:- Winners 19781978 FA Charity ShieldThe 1978 FA Charity Shield was the 56th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Football League and FA Cup competitions. The match took place on 12 August 1978 at Wembley Stadium and played between 1977–78 Football League champions Nottingham...
- Winners 1978
- European Cup