St.Helens R.F.C. have been saddened to learn of the passing of Saint #878, Frank ‘Frankie’ Taylor, aged 74.
Born and bred in Wigan, Frank made his debut for the Saints First Team against Castleford on the right wing at Wheldon Road on 8th September 1971. Brian Glover was his centre.
Although he could play with equal effectiveness as a winger and centre, he is best remembered for his exploits on the flanks, both for the ‘A’ Team and as a valued squad member for the First Team, who were a powerful combination in those days in the backs.
One of his 6 games in his debut season, 1971-72, was a league match against Batley at Mount Pleasant which the Saints won 14-7, but with a complete Reserve team. They were due to face Warrington in a Challenge Cup semi-final replay three days later.
Frank made 12 appearances, mostly on the right wing in 1972-73, scoring six tries. The following year he was brought in against Hull KR at Craven Park and scored a key try in Saints 14-9 success. At the start of the 1976-77 season, he found himself at full-back at Central Park against Wigan in a Lancashire Cup first round match that Saints lost 37-5. The visitors had put out a reserve team as a result of a players’ strike! It was his 36th and last game for the First Team. He also crossed the whitewash for 8 tries during his senior career.
Although he was a lifelong Wigan fan, Frank still maintained his membership of the Saints Past Players Association and could look back on a career at Knowsley Road when he played with and against, the very best. He played in a Championship semi-final in 1973 and was on the bench when Saints beat the visiting Australians 11-7 at Knowsley Road on 13th November that same year. Frank was also a member of Coach Billy Boycott’s triumphant ‘A’ team that won the Lancashire Combination, losing just 2/20 matches, in 1975-76.
After his playing days were over Frank set up a local amateur team based in Downall Green. He was a jovial character who had a very successful career in the Civil Service which eventually relocated him over the Pennines to Ilkley. Frank loved sport and was a former Chairman and President of the local Ben Rydding Cricket club for over two decades.
Saints Heritage Society were delighted to greet Frank when he was so proud to receive his Heritage Number Certificate on one of our Open Days.
Everyone at St.Helens R.F.C. sends their condolences to Frank’s family at this sad time.
