In today's show I speak with former Solihull Barons, Telford Tigers and Nottingham Panthers defenceman Chuck Taylor.
Born in London in 1961 and raised in Saskatchewan, Chuck returned to the UK in 1982 after signing for Gary Newbon's Solihull Barons. Arriving in November following a failed move to Germany, Chuck admits he knew nothing about the UK game and was initially disillusioned with the standard. Alongside fellow import Barry Skrudland, he considered returning to Canada — until chairman Gary Newbon convinced them to buy into his long-term vision for the club. Chuck stayed, and the UK became his permanent home.
Chuck reflects on two formative seasons with the Barons as the team grew into serious contenders, recalling fierce local derbies with the Peterborough Pirates and his outspoken clashes with the BIHA, which often landed him in hot water.
In 1985, following Gary Newbon's departure from Solihull and a change in club leadership, Chuck left to help establish the newly formed Telford Tigers as player/director. His vision was to build a North American-style development system, investing in youth to grow the game. The Tigers finished third in their inaugural season and enjoyed major success in 1987–88, winning the Division 1 Championship. However, promotion to the Premier League narrowly eluded them after a dramatic two-legged playoff loss to the Peterborough Pirates, decided by a late Garry Unger goal.
Chuck later joined the Nottingham Panthers in 1994–95, enjoying two seasons as a player and lifting the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1994. He also discusses the circumstances surrounding the early termination of his Panthers contract and reflects on experiences beyond the UK — including an Edmonton Oilers training camp, facing Wayne Gretzky, rooming with Garry Unger, and gruelling 3,000-mile WHL road trips. The interview concludes with Chuck's candid views on the modern game and the current ownership of the Telford Tigers
