Paul Taylor - Of Fossils & Foxes

[Brizzle Fox]

A very distinctive but understated  figure particularly at London away games.  We had a beer with him in Bruges and he seemed like a proper gentleman.  

 

RIP

[Bayfox]

 

Edited 12 December 2017 by Bayfox

[Mike the Metal Ed]

You only have to try and find obscure facts about other clubs to appreciate the work put into OFAF. Thank you Paul for leaving your knowledge with us.

[pleatout]

2 tales.  I knew Paul through others, we were on nodding terms

 

Brighton away was called off, we were already in London when the news came through.  we retired to the pub and looked for another game.  Fulham v Chester  -Simon Morgan was playing for Fulham.  As we walked away after the game - I muttered "I bet we were the only leicester fans there", big fella behind us leans forward "no you weren't" says Paul.

 

Derby, Baseball ground half time.  I went for a pee.  Standing in the queue under the stand I'm next to Paul.  We notice a group of the meanest looking plod Derby can muster.  All riot gear and batons.  They've all got boiler suits on, with black polo neck shirts on underneath.

PT I dare you

Me what?

PT go on i dare you

Me Paul what are you one about? 

PT go over there and whisper in one 'ems ear - all because the lady loves milk tray

 

Always struck me as a gent and obviously a football fan.  Thoughts go out to his family and friends.

[raynes park fox]

Great bloke Paul.

I first met him when I used to go to games  with London branch in the early 90's.

I last saw him a couple of months ago in the parcel yard pre match and caught up over  a beer / dark rum.

Always enjoyed his company and fondly remember many card games on the  long away trips.

Passionate fox who always called it as he saw it and was usually right.

 

Condolences to his partner and his many friends especially London Branch.

Grateful that he saw the title winning  season

[Rob1742]

Admired Paul from afar. His total support for our club, despite the huge distances involved in getting to games was equalled by his exceptional knowledge of everything LCFC.

 

Never spoke to him, but always game a nudge to my boy when Paul passed us, to let him know he was the one who has never missed a game for nearly 30 years despite living in London. 

 

The Foxes and Fossils books are amazing, and it was apt that such a knowledge was involved in them.

 

We have lost one of the clubs most avid supporters. RIP Paul

[SemperEadem]

An account of the funeral taken from Bentleys Roof -

 

Was a really fitting occasion.

He was brought in to a packed chapel with over 100 people there to pay their respects, standing room only at the back. Family flowers and a Leicester City flag draped over the top. I gave him a nod from a well known fellow roofer.

John Hutchinson stood up and spoke a lot about Paul's research and the work that has gone into his legacy Of Fossils And Foxes.

Phil Arnold then recounted some stories of his travels with the London Branch for over 40 years.

Next an ex colleague of Paul's from the BFI stood up and spoke of their time together. I shouldn't have been surprised but was to hear that the hard work and dedication he gave to following Leicester City was exactly the same in his career. 

Finally one of his daughters Kate spoke of their time growing up and of his local pub in Balham, Firefly.

The wake was at a pub in Wandsworth Common, The Hope, where everyone shared stories of how Paul touched so many people's lives. We sang a couple of his favourite songs, When You're Smiling and Tiptoe Through The Trent End, as well as One Paul Taylor.

A number of us then went on to Firefly with his drinking friends and raised a glass of Jameson's in a toast.

Rest in peace Paul, gone but never forgotten.

 

 

 

 

RIP Paul

[los dedos]

It's hard to convey how good Fossils and Foxes was pre internet days. It was almost impossible to find history of players and seasons without long time consuming trips to the library or the mercury.Rip Paul

[KingsX]

I think the Club shop's 50% off sale includes Fossils and Foxes?  The book is huge, packed with facts and good writing and illustrations, and is a steal at 17.50.  A way to treat yourself, obtain a great permanent reference, and salute the memory of Mr Taylor.