Arthur H Taylor

Born in Market Rasen in 1860, Arthur played for Bedford as well as Luton Wanderers and Excelsior before joining the newly formed Town club in 1885.

A left-half of skill and power with a tremendous shot he was also a leader on the field and gave ten years service to the Town becoming one of the early heroes and awarded a benefit for his troubles.

Living in Bedford throughout his time playing for the Town there is, intriguingly, a brief mention in the club’s minute book in 1886 that he be paid 5 shillings (25p) as expenses for an away game at Dulwich. This was totally against FA rules and pre-dated the well documented switch to professionalism by five years.

After retiring, Arthur continued to live in Bedford and worked as a ‘body maker at a motor works’. He passed away in Bedford in 1926.