Stocksbridge rugby legend retires

STOCKSBRIDGE rugby legend and stalwart Mick ‘Selwyn Froggat’ Taylor is finally retiring after around 40 years of loyal service as player, captain, groundsman and latterly bar steward.

Mick ‘Selwyn Froggat’ Taylor (right)

Having proudly becoming a grandparent recently, with daughter Donna providing twins Freddie and Charlie on February 21, he has plenty to keep him busy.

His love affair with the Piggies began at age 19, when life long buddy Jim Lambert persuaded the bulky teenager that rugby might be a good thing for him and Jim was right, Mick took to the sport like a duck to water and he was hooked.

His development as a tough, no-nonsense prop forward was the cornerstone of many a Stocksbridge victory and the much-vaunted Stocksbridge pack became feared and respected, far and wide.

Mick played an integral part in converting the Old Methodist Church on Manchester Road into the rugby club’s HQ in 1985, whilst also proving a popular and successful first team skipper during the 1987-89 season, and again from 1992-94.

Even after retiring from playing, his love for the club never diminished and he took on the role of head curator, which he did until very recently.

His life and soul attitude has seen many successful rugby tours from Whitby to international venues like Llanwern in Wales and Benidorm in Spain.

The global pandemic has put a hold, albeit temporary, on the plans for a celebration of his time at the club but chairman Andy Bell has declared the ‘party of parties’ when the clubhouse is able to reopen.

From all his team mates, committee colleagues and rugby club members who have had the joy to socialise with him, ‘thanks for the ride Selwyn’, enjoy your deserved and happy retirement.