Tributes Paid To Jack Taylor

Tributes have been paid to Wolverhampton-born Jack Taylor OBE, who has died at his Shropshire home at the age of 82.

"Jack Taylor set the benchmark for refereeing, not just in this country but across the world, and in later life he applied the same levels of integrity, commitment and sheer love of the game to his other roles in football.

"Very few people in football can match the contribution made by Jack Taylor and fewer still have managed to do it whilst retaining the respect and admiration of absolutely everyone they have come into contact with.

"He will be greatly missed by everybody at The Football League and its clubs and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

"The club offers its sincere condolences to Jack's wife Sue and the rest of the Taylor family, and his many friends both inside the game and out."

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• Wolves

Sad to hear of the death of referee Jack Taylor, who officiated the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final - http://t.co/bXrh0RHr

From @SeppBlatter on Twitter: ( 7:39 pm, Fri 27 Jul 2012)

There will be a minutes applause at tomorrow's friendly with Wolves following the sad passing of World Cup Ref and great man, Jack Taylor

From @WFCOfficial on Twitter: ( 7:12 pm, Fri 27 Jul 2012)

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• Walsall

Former referee Jack Taylor OBE, has died at his Shropshire home at the age of 82.

Described by the Football League as "perhaps the finest English referee of all time", Taylor officiated in more than 1,000 matches during his 30 year career.

He also took charge of more than 100 international fixtures, including the 1974 World Cup final between West Germany and Holland in Munich, where he made history by awarding the first-ever penalty in a World Cup final.

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