THE funeral takes place today of the man who “made history” while in charge during an astounding run of success at a York football club.

Dave Taylor died peacefully at his Rawcliffe home, surrounded by his family, on Christmas Day. He was 72, and had been struggling with cancer for six months.

His death prompted warm tributes from those who remembered his time at Osbaldwick Football Club, where he was manager during the team’s most successful period in the late eighties and early nineties.

“I can’t believe he’s not with us any more,” said former Osbaldwick player Ian Wilson.

“I met him when I was 20 and we had some fantastic times at the club. All I have of him are good memories.

“He used to say it was the players who made it, but it was down to his dedication. We played for the man not the club.

“The club made history and a lot of it was down to Dave Taylor.”

Mr Taylor took up the reins at Osbaldwick, following a spell at the Cross Keys, in 1985 when the team had already won three league titles in a row.

Under his leadership, and that of coach John Bell, the club went on to see an astonishing run of success including two trebles and three doubles.

His son, Steve, 42, who was also a player during the glory years, said: “We were pretty much the most hated team in York. Everyone wanted to beat us, but we were the best.

“Everyone you speak to says it was marvellous to be in the team at that point.

“But football was his life – in fact as a family it was all our lives.”

Tributes have also flooded in to the family home from some of the people who met Mr Taylor during his 50-year career as technician working on AGA stoves – a job from which he never took a day off sick.

A card from one customer said she had known him for 40 years and he had seen her own children grow up.

During the last years of his life, Mr Taylor devoted his time to his family and in particular his grandchildren – his son Steve remembered him as “a fantastic family man.”

He leaves a widow, Jean, sons Ian and Steve, and five grandchildren.

His funeral takes place today at York Crematorium at 2.00pm, when a collection will be taken for the oncology ward at York Hospital, and the McMillan Nurses.


Colleague’s tributes:

John Harrison – York City player during 1970s and 1980s: “He was a proper gentleman and a true family friend and on the field he was a marvellous player one-on-one. We all respected him, even lads from other teams."

John Bell – assistant at Osbaldwick Football Club: “We had a marvellously successful team. Dave was a dedicated lad. We got on really well – it was a good working relationship."

Bobby Mason – former Cross Keys player: “I met him when I was 14. He gave me a lot of confidence and he encouraged me to express myself on the field. It’s a really sad loss."

Neil Sanderson – former Cross Keys player: “He was a massive influence on so many young players. If I could sum him up in a sentence I would say he was great fun, great company and a great man.”