ONE of the Busby babes and Barnsley’s most famous sons has been immortalised with the naming of a bridge in his name.
The walkway over the railway towards Oakwell, previously known as Market Gate Bridge, will now be known as the Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge.
Tommy’s niece, Danni Blackley, 59, of Stairfoot is overjoyed with the tribute.
She said: “I am just so happy. And it’s doing my mum, Irene (Tommy’s sister), proud.
“She would be over the moon if she knew this and God willing she’s watching on.
“It’s a fantastic tribute to him for his time in football. He’s just a legend in his field.”
Tommy, along with 22 others, was tragically killed in the Munich air disaster of February 1958, aged just 26.
But this naming will ensure his name lives on.
Danni added: “Football fans will be walking over it on Saturdays and having their pictures taken.
“It’s just an incredible tribute and I am thrilled to bits.
“I do think that although Barnsley has changed over the years, it’s still a close community and I think the naming of the bridge will bring people into town.”
Monk Bretton’s Tommy joined Manchester United from Barnsley for £29,999 in 1953 and quickly established himself as one of the finest strikers of his generation – netting 112 times in 166 games for United and 16 times in an England shirt from just 19 outings.
Teammate Mark Jones, originally from Low Valley, was also killed.
