Derek Robert Tapscott was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a forward.
14 Facts About Derek Tapscott
1.
2.
Derek Tapscott is Cardiff City's sixth highest goalscorer of all time.
3.
Derek Tapscott played for Barry Town as a youth whilst continuing his work as a bricklayer.
4.
Derek Tapscott started off with a prolific run in the reserves, scoring thirteen goals in fifteen matches in the London Combination League.
5.
Derek Tapscott went on to score five more goals in as many matches that season.
6.
Derek Tapscott thus left Arsenal in September 1958, moving to Cardiff City, whom he had rejected earlier on in the season.
7.
Derek Tapscott was part of the Cardiff side that played in the club's first ever European competition when they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, including scoring the winning goal against Sporting Clube de Portugal in the second round.
8.
Altogether Derek Tapscott scored 102 goals from a sum of 234 appearances for the club making him Cardiff City's sixth-highest goalscorer of all time.
9.
Derek Tapscott later moved into non-league football with spells at Cinderford Town, Haverfordwest County and Carmarthen Town before retiring in 1970.
10.
However, Derek Tapscott did not go to Sweden for the tournament itself, reportedly after refusing to sign for Cardiff City.
11.
Derek Tapscott was recalled to the Wales squad after the world cup as part of the squad for the 1959 British Home Championship, scoring in the final two matches of the competition in matches against England and Northern Ireland.
12.
In total, Derek Tapscott won 14 caps for his country, scoring four goals.
13.
Derek Tapscott then went on to write his autobiography that was published in 2004 which he entitled Tappy: From Barry Town to Arsenal, Cardiff City and Beyond.
14.
Derek Tapscott died on 12 June 2008, leaving his wife Glenys, two daughters and three grandchildren.