Tales of ref Jack Taylor told at funeral

Mourners at the funeral of one of Wolverhampton's favourite sporting sons, referee Jack Taylor, were treated to tales of how much he loved his job as they paid their last respects.

Friend Lee Walker, former football league referee's officer, told the hundreds gathered at St Peter's Collegiate Church yesterday how he remembered receiving a postcard from Mr Taylor when he was at the Munich World Cup in 1974.

He said: "I used to get sent all sorts of postcards from referees all over the world. But this one was typical Jack.

"It said: 'Greetings from Munich. Free to work Saturday for Hartlepool vs Southampton. Yours Jack T.'

"Never mind that he was at a World Cup!"

Mr Walker said he also remembered a story from earlier that year when Mr Taylor was speaking to his wife Sue.

He said: "Jack had said 'Sue, do you know what's the most important thing in my life'. She, perhaps expecting a romantic moment, said, 'what's that my love'. He replied 'refereeing'."

Among the famous faces gathered at the church where Mr Taylor was a choir boy until the age of 27, was current Premier League referee Mike Riley who called Mr Taylor an "inspiration".

He said: "Whenever he was at a game that he was watching and he came down to the changing room and told you you'd done well, you'd walk out feeling over the moon."

Also there was West Ham United legend Sir Trevor Brooking, who said: "He was good company and respected across all areas of the game."

Mr Taylor, who was 82, died at his home in Lower Upton, Shifnal, last month after suffering from pneumonia.

His matches included the 1974 World Cup final between West Germany and Holland in Munich.