Tonbridge Angels Football Club are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Robert “Bobby” Taylor, aged 89, on Tuesday, 12th September.

Bobby was a true Angels legend, one of only nine players to make over 400 appearances for the club in a spell that began with a scoring debut on 22nd August 1964 at the Angel Ground against Cambridge City and lasted six seasons amassing 405 appearances, scoring 116 goals. In perfect symmetry he made his 400th appearance in 1970 also against Cambridge City.

Bobby’s career started as an amateur with Fulham before joining Crystal Palace in 1954 where he made two Football League appearances. In 1956 he moved on to Gillingham for three seasons making 31 appearances and scoring five times. He ended his Football League career at Millwall before moving into non-league with Dartford in 1961.

He joined Tonbridge in 1964 as an inside forward scoring 37 goals in his first season. Towards the end of his Angels career he played in a wider range of positions including half-back and winger.

The late Brian Cheal described Taylor as: "A clever, stockily built, inside forward and a good opportunist" who signed for the club after three seasons at Dartford and having had Football League experience at Gillingham and Millwall. 

Bobby won honours with Tonbridge, being part of the Kent Senior Cup winning team of 1965 and the Kent Floodlight Cup winning team of 1967.

All at Tonbridge Angels share Bobby’s family’s deep sadness and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.