Men in The Middle

Colin Taylor, of 1, Ellershaw Lane, Conisbrough, a member of a well-known local sporting family, is this week’s subject for “men in the middle.” He began his refereeing career at the age of 19, with the Mexborough and District FA and was among the 1^st to take and pass the class I examinations at Sheffield.

Now a referee for the Yorkshire league and a linesman for the Football League, his highest honour to date was in the 1963 – 4 season which he was appointed by the FA to officiate at the FA Youth Challenge Cup match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Every honours match in the Mexborough area, at some time or other, has been played under Mr Taylor’s watchful eye, and he also officiates during the semi finals of Sheffield County cup, Sheffield Senior Challenge Cup and Yorkshire League matches. He has also referred in professional football matches his most recent was earlier this month when he had to stand in for the usual referee during the Notts Forest v. Blackpool match, and he also acts as linesman, his next match being at Elland Road when Leeds are at home to Tottenham this Saturday.

A member of the Mexborough FA and chairman of the Youth Committee of the FA, his working day is spent at the Denaby offices of the N CB where he is a purchasing officer.

Of his career as a referee, he has no regards, and has had then enjoyable time eating and seeing places, and he recommends refereeing to anyone interested in football.

He and his wife, Pauline, have two sons, Russell (6) and Kent (9). Kent goes each week to watch the matches his father referees, and who knows, he may follow in his father’s footsteps one day.