Jack Taylor (referee)
| Born | 21 April 1930 Wolverhampton, England |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Other occupation | Butcher | ||
| International | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| FIFA listed | Referee | ||
John Keith "Jack" Taylor (born 21 April 1930) is an English former football referee, famous for officiating in the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final where he awarded two penalties during the first 30 minutes.
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[edit] Refereeing career
Taylor served as a referee for 33 years, taking charge of more than 1,000 games, over 100 international fixtures played in 60 countries; Taylor first refereed at the FIFA World Cup in 1970, taking charge of a group game between Italy and Sweden. He was again selected for the 1974 tournament for which he became most noted (see below).
He took charge of several major club competition finals: Firstly, in 1966, when he officiated the FA Cup Final, followed by the 1971 European Cup Final between AFC Ajax and Panathinaikos, both staged at Wembley Stadium.
Taylor was inducted into the FIFA Hall of Fame on 1 February 1999 in Barcelona.
[edit] 1974 World Cup Final
Taylor was fortunate to be awarded the final between hosts West Germany and the Netherlands since there had been a nomination for Scotland's Bob Davidson to referee the final. However, at the 11th hour, Taylor's appointment was assured for the Munich-staged final.
After just a minute of play he created World Cup history when he awarded a penalty kick, the first ever awarded in a World Cup final. The Netherlands were given a penalty after Uli Hoeneß threw himself into a challenge just on the right edge of the German penalty area, felling Johan Cruyff; it was successfully converted by Johan Neeskens.
A controversial offside was also called that denied Gerd Müller and Germany a goal. According to Gottfried Dienst there was clearly no offside and the goal should have stood.[1]
In the 26th minute, he awarded a second penalty, this time to West Germany, penalising Dutch midfielder Wim Jansen for tripping German left midfielder Bernd Hölzenbein.
Taylor has said of the incidents: "The first penalty wasn't difficult to call. All I remember is thinking it was a 100% correct decision. As the ball went on the spot the whole stadium went quiet. Beckenbauer, the German skipper, came to me and said 'Taylor, you're an Englishman'. The kick went in and there was complete euphoria."
"What really does annoy me is the suggestion that I gave [the second penalty] to even things up. It was a trip or an attempted trip and the laws of the game are that's a penalty."
[edit] Personal life
Taylor grew up above the butcher's shop next to Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux home and played for Wolverhampton Town as a schoolboy.
After closing his butchers' shop he spent two seasons refereeing in Brazil before returning to England to become Commercial Director at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1979. He was sacked in August 1982 when a new consortium took charge of the club. Taylor later became a refereeing coach in South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
[edit] Quote
Nick Owen in his column in the Luton Town programme refers to one of Jack's favourite anecdotes. Jack was hit by a flying penny from the crowd as he left the pitch after one match at Kenilworth Road. It cut his face and he had to have six stitches. Eric Morecambe went to see him to ask if he was OK and to make sure he wasn't going to report Luton. When Jack confirmed he wasn't, Eric said "Good, now can I have my penny back?".
[edit] Notes
- World Cup Final 'changed my life'
- Soccer Refereeing : A Personal View, Jack Taylor (January 1978) ISBN 0-571-11299-4;
- Jack Taylor, World Soccer Referee, David Jones & Jack Taylor (January 1976) ISBN 0-7207-0890-7
[edit] References
Preceded by Rudi Glöckner |
FIFA World Cup final match referees 1974  Jack Taylor |
Succeeded by Sergio Gonella |
| Preceded by European Cup Final 1970 Concetto Lo Bello |
European Cup Referees Final 1971 Jack Taylor |
Succeeded by European Cup Final 1972  Robert Helles |
| Preceded by W. Clement |
FA Cup Final Referee 1966 |
Succeeded by Ken Dagnall |
