The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the passing of former centre and interstate representative, Ron Taylor, who passed away during the week, aged 91.
Ronald Kenneth Taylor, was born in 1932 at St. Peters (Sydney), and played his junior football with The Celebrity club in the City, which were part of the Eastern Suburbs district. He represented Easts in the Presidents Cup competition in 1952, and was also graded by Easts in the same year, where he played in lower grades.
Mr Taylor made his first grade debut for Easts in round one, 1953, against Parramatta at Cumberland Oval. He managed to play in 16 first grade matches for the Tri-colours before injuries forced his early retirement at the end of the 1954 season. He dislocated his shoulder and gave the game away, until his father talked him into trying out with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. While playing for Easts he represented Sydney against the touring American All Stars in 1953, scoring a try, and City Seconds also in 1953, scoring a try and four goals.
Mr Taylor came out of retirement in 1957, making his Rabbitohs first grade debut in round two against Norths at North Sydney Oval, earning himself Rabbitohs first grade player number 441. He played in 39 grade games for Souths, of which 35 were in first grade (one game as captain), scoring four tries and 20 goals. While at Souths he also represented City Firsts in 1958, scoring a try, and game one of the interstate series against Queensland, also in 1953, which the Blues won by 25-14.
Jack Gibson was the best man at his wedding, and Ron repaid the favour by being one of the groomsmen at Jack's wedding. The pair met when they both played their junior football with the Celebrity club and then became lifelong friends.
His father, Joe Taylor, won the Golden Slipper Stakes, the richest horse race in the world at the time for two-year-old thoroughbreds at Rosehill Racecourse, in 1962 with a horse called Birthday Card.
On behalf of everyone connected to the Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Ron Taylor.
