Webb pays tribute to Taylor

Howard Webb hailed the legacy Jack Taylor left on refereeing as tributes poured in for the former official, who has died 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 a career than lasted more than 30 years.

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.

He left a lasting impression on fellow official Webb, who in 2010 became the first Englishman since Taylor to referee a World Cup final when he took charge of the clash between Spain and Holland in Johannesburg.

Webb said: “Jack was the referees’ referee: he was a cool character who exuded authority.

“The great thing about him was that he always had time to pass on advice and I don’t think my career would have progressed the way it did without Jack.

“I’m very sad that I’ll no longer be able to turn to him for advice and laughter but refereeing in this country is much richer for Jack Taylor.”

Football League chairman Greg Clarke said: “Jack Taylor set the benchmark for refereeing, not just in this country but across the world.”