Quick Facts
Biography
Charles "Charlie" Taylor (birth registered July→September 1921 - November 2013) was a worker at Rowntree's in York (latterly in their fire service department), and an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. He played at representative level for Yorkshire, and at club level for Heworth A.R.L.F.C., and York (Captain), as a centre, or loose forward/lock, i.e. number 3 or 4, or 13. He was assistant-coach at York from 1952 to 1960, including in York's 8-15 defeat by Huddersfield in the 1957 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1957–58 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 19 October 1957, in front of a crowd of 22,531. He served in the Royal Navy on destroyers during the Arctic convoys of World War II, and in the English Channel, and Mediterranean until 1946.
Playing career
Taylor made his first-team début aged-17 for York in the 35-0 victory over Leigh on Saturday 19 November 1938, and played his last match for York on Saturday 20 August 20 January 1951. He played for Yorkshire against Cumberland at Recreation Ground, Whitehaven in 1950. York staged a benefit/testimonial match in Taylor's honour, against a Lionel Cooper XIII, at Clarence Street, York on Wednesday 9 May 1951. Taylor was inducted into the York Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2014, alongside Geoff Hunter, Kevin Harkin, Graham Steadman, and Rich Hayes.
Genealogical information
Charlie Taylor's marriage to Gertrude I. "Renie" (née Ward) (birth registered October→December 1919 in Selby district - 1999 (aged 79–80)) was registered October→December 1941 in Selby district. They were married at Selby Abbey on Saturday 25 October 1941 and he played rugby league for York that afternoon. He and Renie, also a worker at Rowntree's in York, lived on Haley’s Terrace, York. Taylor spent his last 8-years in a care home in Norton-on-Derwent, and died from dementia. They had children: Pauline Taylor (birth registered January→March 1944 (age 72–73) in Selby district), Michael Taylor (birth registered April→June 1946 (age 70–71) in Selby district), and Kevin Taylor (birth registered October→December 1950 (age 66–67) in York district). Charlie Taylor's funeral took place at York Crematorium, Bishopthorpe Road at 12.20pm on Monday 18 November 2013.