Derek Tapscott
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Derek Robert Tapscott | ||
| Date of birth | 30 June 1932 | ||
| Place of birth | Barry, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 12 June 2008 (aged 75) | ||
| Place of death | Cardiff, Wales | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Inside right | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1949–1953 | Barry Town | 57 | (28) |
| 1953–1958 | Arsenal | 132 | (68) |
| 1958–1965 | Cardiff City | 194 | (79) |
| 1965–1966 | Newport County | 13 | (1) |
| – | Cinderford Town | ||
| – | Haverfordwest County | ||
| – | Carmarthen Town | ||
| National team | |||
| 1954–1959 | Wales | 14 | (4) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Derek Robert Tapscott (30 June 1932 – 12 June 2008) was a Welsh former professional footballer and Wales international.
Born in Barry, to Florence and Stanley, Tapscott was one of sixteen children. As a child he began attending High Street Junior School in August 1936 where he remained until leaving school at the age of 14. Having left school, he worked as a delivery boy for a local butcher and later an assistant to a television repairman before becoming an apprentice bricklayer at the age of 16.
In October 1950, he was called up for his national service, joining 4 Training Regiment of the Royal Engineers. Despite this, Tapscott was regularly granted permission to return to South Wales on match weekends to play for Barry Town. Within three months of his conscription, he became a member of the drill staff and was later promoted to Corporal. During his national service, Tapscott served alongside his future Arsenal team mate Jim Fotheringham.
Tapscott played for Barry Town as a youth whilst continuing his work as a bricklayer, before being signed by Tom Whittaker for Arsenal for £4,000 in October 1953, having previously spent time on trial at their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. After a prolific run in the reserves, scoring thirteen goals in fifteen matches in the London Combination League, he made his first-team debut against Liverpool on 10 April 1954 and scored twice. Tapscott went on to score five more goals in as many matches that season.
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