DEREK TAPSCOTT - "TAPPY"
(JUNE 30TH 1932 - JUNE 12TH 2008)
It is with deep regret that we have learned of the passing of former Cardiff City and Wales forward Derek Tapscott who died at the age of 75 on Thursday, June 12th 2008.
Cardiff City FC would like to pass on our sincere condolences to everyone who was fortunate to have known 'Tappy'.
Known affectionately as "Tappy", he was born in Barry and played for Barry Town in the Southern League until being signed by Arsenal in late-September 1953 for a fee of £2,750. He made his first-team debut in April 1954, scoring twice in a 3-0 home win over Liverpool. Two days later he was selected by Wales to face Austria the following month - the first of his fourteen Welsh appearances.
In five years with Arsenal, he scored 68 goals in 132 First Division and Cup matches, before being transferred to Cardiff City in September 1958 for £10,000. The Bluebirds manager who signed him was Bill Jones who, as manager of Barry, had transferred him to Arsenal.
"Tappy" was with Cardiff City until the end of 1964/5, helping the Club to win promotion to the old Division One at the end of 1959/60 when he was our top scorer with 21 League and Cup goals. The following season he was again top marksman - this time with 27 goals in all competitions. In total he scored 101 goals, many of them spectacular efforts, for Cardiff City in 234 League and Cup appearances. Two of those goals will be recalled by City fans of that era. On September 24th 1960 he scored the only goal of the game in our 1-0 home win over his former club Arsenal.
It was clear to everyone except the referee that he had put the ball in with his arm. When he was invariably asked about this during the remainder of his life, he would neither confirm nor deny what had happened - he would simply smile and say "What did the referee give?"
The other memorable goal was in the European Cup Winners' Cup Second Round first- leg match when we beat the holders Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in Portugal during December 1964. From a position wide on the right, he mis-hit a cross and the goalkeeper pushed the ball onto the inside of the post and into the net for our second goal. Again in later years "Tappy" would smile, and say that he meant to score!
After leaving Cardiff City in May 1965, he had one season with Newport County before playing for Cinderford Town with whom he had two years.
Brief spells followed with Haverfordwest and Carmarthen Town, before he retired from playing at the age of 39 to concentrate on his sales-career as a sportswear representative.
He continued to maintain an interest in Arsenal and Cardiff City, and despite ill-health which forced him to give up as a very good golfer, he would make the occasional visit to both his former League clubs for matches. He leaves a wife Glenys, two daughters, sons-in-law and three grandchildren. Cardiff City offer our sincere condolences to Derek's family - details of his funeral will be publicised when known.
