Robert “Bobby” Taylor Obituary, Death – Bobby was a true Angels icon. He was one of just nine players to make over 400 appearances for the club during a run that began with a scoring debut on 22nd August 1964 at the Angel Ground against Cambridge City and lasted six seasons, making 405 games and scored 116 goals. During this time, Bobby made a total of 405 appearances for the Angels.
It was also against Cambridge City in 1970 when he made his 400th appearance, making the coincidence perfect. Bobby began his career as an amateur with Fulham before moving on to Crystal Palace in 1954. During his time with Crystal Palace, he made two appearances in the Football League. In 1956, he made the move to Gillingham, where he spent the next three seasons, during which he played 31 games and scored five goals.
He played his final season in the Football League with Millwall before making the switch to the non-league for Dartford in 1961. In 1964, he became an inside forward for Tonbridge, and in his debut season with the team, he scored 37 goals. At the tail end of his tenure with the Angels, he played in a larger variety of positions, including half-back and winger, among other things.
Taylor was characterized as “A clever, stockily built, inside forward and a good opportunist” by the late Brian Cheal. He signed for the club after spending three seasons at Dartford and having previous experience in the Football League at Gillingham and Millwall. Bobby was a member of the Tonbridge teams that won the Kent Senior Cup in 1965 and the Kent Floodlight Cup in 1967. Both of these victories earned Bobby honors for his former club. Everyone here at Tonbridge Angels is deeply saddened by what has happened to Bobby’s family, and our prayers are with them as they go through this challenging time.
