Legendary referee Jack Taylor dies aged 82

Former referee Jack Taylor OBE, the first Englishman to officiate a World Cup final, has died aged 82.

Father-of-four Mr Taylor, who was born in Wolverhampton, died at his home in Shifnal yesterday after suffering from pneumonia.

His wife Susan today described her husband, who officiated the 1974 final between West Germany and Holland, as a determined and passionate man.

His wife Susan said: "He was a very determined man who liked things done his way, that's probably what made him a good referee.

"He meant a lot to a lot of people because he helped so many people along the way."

Mr Taylor, a former butcher, magistrate and Wolves' first commercial manager, grew up near to Molineux. His family had run the butchers business for two generations before he took over.

Mr Taylor had four children, Jayne, Penny, Steven and David, and 11 grandchildren.

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Watch Jack Taylor discuss the 1974 World Cup final in an archive video interview here.