It is with deep regret to report that former fans favourite, Sammy Taylor, sadly died on Wednesday 6th November 2013. He was aged 80.
Sammy was signed from Falkirk in 1955, making his Preston North End debut on the 27th August 1955, at Deepdale v Newcastle United in a 4-3 win.
During his first season at Deepdale he was understudy to regular wingers, Tom Finney and Angus Morrison.
Sammy scored his first North End goal at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
The following season he made the left wing spot his own, taking over from Morrison.
On the 2nd February 1957 he became the first winger to score a league hat trick for Preston North End since Vince Farrell in 1931.
Sammy’s threesome was in a 7-1 win over Portsmouth.
Sammy was to score regularly and grabbed another couple of hat tricks, versus Chelsea in a 5-2 win and against Birmingham in an 8-0 rout.
Sammy managed to score double figures in three of his six seasons at Deepdale.
Upon relegation in 1961 the fleet footed winger was transferred to Carlisle United, helping the Cumbrians to promotion in his first season.
Sammy Taylor had played 166 games for North End, scoring 48 goals, an amazing return for a winger.
His £8,000 transfer fee proved to be a real bargain.
After over 100 appearances for Carlisle the 31 year-old signed for Southport in 1964.
Sammy, never without a smile, was one of the first ex-North Enders to join the Preston North End Former Players Association and was very proud to be a part of the Club’s history.
Our condolences go to his wife, Jean, and family.