Help ensure lasting commemoration for Spider who played in first international

Colin and Alex Taylor are descendants of Joseph Taylor who played for the Spiders shortly after they were formed in 1867, won Scottish Cup medals in 1874, 1875 and 1876, captained the Glasgow side and was one the 11 players from the club chosen to face England in November 1872 when the first recognised international match between rival countries occurred.

Born in Dunoon in December 1850, Joseph joined Queen’s Park in 1870 after moving to Glasgow and he established a reputation as a speedy defender during his seven years in the club’s colours.

Joseph faced the ‘Auld Enemy’ four more times and was the captain of Scotland side that won 3-0 in 1876 before also captaining his country against Wales in the same year with that game ending in a 4-0 triumph.

The six times capped full-back retired in 1877 and then served as President of Queen’s Park for a year.

Joseph passed away in October 1888, at just 37 years old, leaving a widow and 4 children before being laid to rest in Cathcart Cemetery.

Colin and Alex, who are amongst a small group of known surviving relations of a player from that first ever international, attended the commemoration of the 1872 game last November and that led to an invite to the recent 150th Heritage Match between Scotland and England at Hampden by the Scottish Football Association.

During that visit they laid a wreath at Joseph’s grave and they are now looking to ensure that a proper lasting memorial is established.