Barnsley’s new town centre bridge is to be renamed the Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge in memory of the former Barnsley FC, Manchester United and England footballer who was tragically killed in the Munich air disaster in 1958 at the age of 26.
Earlier this year we invited residents to submit suggestions for a fitting permanent name for the new pedestrian bridge in the town centre that reflects Barnsley's rich history.
In total more than 1,200 suggestions were made by members of the public. We put the 20 most popular choices before a panel including the Leader of Barnsley Council Sir Steve Houghton, representatives of businesses in the borough and a member of Barnsley’s Youth Council. After much discussion, they agreed between them to name it the Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge.
We’re planning a formal dedication ceremony later this year and details of this will be announced in due course.
Taylor is regarded by those who saw him play as one of Barnsley FC’s greatest strikers and the greatest centre-forward ever to represent Manchester United and England.
Born in Smithies, his career began in his hometown, working at Wharncliffe Colliery during his early teens and playing for Smithies United before being snapped up by Barnsley.
After completing his national service by serving for two years in the Army, Taylor returned to Oakwell and plundered 28 goals in 46 games for the Reds with that exceptional goalscoring prowess capturing the attention of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.
Busby famously paid £1 to Barnsley’s tea lady Lily Wilby to avoid Taylor becoming the game’s first £30,000 player when signing the striker in March 1953. Nonetheless, the £29,999 transfer fee was a club record for United at the time, and shows how much Busby wanted him for the team.
It was a huge investment but one which paid off handsomely as the forward fired the Red Devils to successive First Division titles in 1955-56 and 1956-57. Such was his form that Italian giants AC Milan bid £65,000 for the attacker, an offer which was swiftly rejected by United.
In total, he scored 131 goals in 191 games for the Old Trafford outfit, giving him the best goals-per-game ratio in the history of the club and securing his status as a Manchester United legend.
Inevitably, Taylor’s scoring form also led to him representing England in an international career which was short but spectacular, bagging 16 goals in 19 caps, including two hat-tricks against Denmark and the Republic of Ireland in 1956 and 1957 respectively.
Sadly, his life and his career were cut heartbreakingly short. Taylor was one of eight Manchester United players among the 23 fatalities of the Munich air disaster on 6 February 1958 as the team were returning from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade. Wombwell-born defender Mark Jones, who played his entire career for United, was also among those to lose their lives.
Still beloved in Manchester to this day, Tommy Taylor’s legacy in Barnsley is now secured forever.
Tommy’s niece, Danni Blackley, who lives in Stairfoot, visited the bridge this week and said she was overjoyed it was being named in her uncle’s memory.
“Tommy died before I was born, but everyone in the family has been told his story as soon as they could walk and talk. He was loved by everyone, as a man and as a player. He had fantastic records with Barnsley, Manchester United and England and definitely went down in history.
“I’m so pleased he’s being remembered with this permanent tribute. I use this bridge myself every time I visit Oakwell, so it fills me with pride to see it named after my uncle. Thanks to everyone who suggested him.”
Leader of Barnsley Council, Sir Steve Houghton CBE, said: “I’ve known the story of Tommy Taylor as long as I can remember, and he’s still remembered with huge affection by many Barnsley people. In years to come, those who weren’t born when Tommy was playing, or perhaps those not even born yet, will know of Tommy’s legacy and his place in Barnsley’s history through this bridge.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the survey. We had some fantastic name suggestions, honoring lots of Barnsley individuals from more than 150 years of Barnsley history. I’m delighted with the name we’ve ended up with and I hope Barnsley people will share our pride in it. It is fitting that the bridge leads to and from Oakwell Stadium where Tommy learnt his football trade and started his short but stellar career.”
The bridge opened in December and links The Glass Works Square with the transport interchange and Market Gate car park, providing easy access directly into our vibrant town centre as well as opening more active travel routes for residents and visitors to arrive on foot, bike, wheelchair or scooter.
We’ve referred to it as Market Gate Bridge throughout the planning and construction phase but we’re now pleased to be giving it a permanent new name.
