Exciting update!!

Thanks to all of our kind donations and contributions we have managed to complete “phase one” and we are really pleased to announce that Joseph Taylors headstone has been lifted, a new concrete base laid, and the stone had been re-set vertically and the fleur de Lys restored to its place at the top of the headstone!

This has been possible thanks to your generous support for this project .

“Phase two” will be to erect a separate small marble wedge with gold lettering

giving a brief history of Joseph’s playing career with Scotland and Queen’s Park .

So we are once again asking for your generosity to help us finish this project and create a fitting memorial for this key pioneer of Scottish and Queen’s Park football.

Thanks so much - the Taylor family

Joseph Taylor (16 December 1850 - 4 Oct 1888) was a Scottish footballer who played for Queen's Park and the Scotland National Team.Joe was born in Dunoon, where he gained a reputation as a sprinter in local sport. He came to Glasgow for work and joined Queen's Park F.C. in 1870. With Queen's Park he won the Scottish Cup in 1874, 1875 and 1876. After retirement in 1877, he subsequently was appointed their Club President.He also played for the Scotland National Team between 1872 and 1876 where he played in the first 6 international games. He went on to captain Scotland against England in 1875 and 1876.

The headstone on his grave in Cathcart Cemetery is now 135 years old and the effects of weathering on the sandstone are evident. The environment in which the headstone is situated means that water ingress is cracking the engraving, but more importantly, the stone has begun to lean forward, meaning that it is becoming more dangerous.

We will have the stone removed and reset on a new base, but as the wording cannot be fixed, then we will add a granite wedge in front of the headstone which will briefly outline his achievements. A QR code will be added so visitors can read of his life-- a Scotland Captain, a Queen's Park captain, prsent at the foundation of 3rd Lanark Rifle Volunteers to name a few.

Joseph died at the age of 37 in 1888, leaving a widow and 4 children and we would like him to be remembered in perpetuity.

Thank you for reading.