Gary Talbot

Unfortunately Chester FC’s season so far isn’t going that well. However, a great win for Chester away at Ebbsfleet United on Saturday added to the point gained at Guiseley the week before, will hopefully see a change in fortunes. This is Chester FC today. But what of Chester yesteryear? Back in the 60’s for instance Chester had a prolific forward line, ably led by centre-forward Gary Talbot. Who is Gary Talbot though and why is he a Chester legend? All Chester fans of a certain age will remember Gary Talbot. And even those too young will have heard of him. Last month saw Gary celebrate his 80th birthday. This article is a tribute to one of Chester’s greatest legends.

Gary Talbot

The first thing to note about Gary Talbot is what an incredible career he has had, both in the game and away from the game. With regard to his Chester career, Talbot made 183 appearances for Chester scoring an impressive 106 goals (83 in the League). Chester fans in the 1960’s used to sing, “Gary, Gary Talbot, Gary Talbot Is Our King”. And a King he was to Chester fans. His Chester career spanned two spells. Maybe the most surprising aspect of that is that for some reason Chester let him leave in 1967. The 1967/68 season saw Talbot ply his trade for local rivals Crewe Alexandra. Needless to say he banged in the goals for them as well. In all he netted 20 goals for Crewe in 37 appearances as Crewe won promotion from Division Four. An incredible goals to games ratio by anyone’s standards. Included in his 20 goal haul was a goal for Crewe against Chester in a 4-0 win at Sealand Road.

Famous Five

Probably his best spell for Chester was the 1964/65 season when he was part of Chester’s legendary “Famous Five” forward line. Incredibly, all 5 of Chester’s forward line (no 4-4-2; 4-3-3 tactics in those days) scored at least 20 League goals each. Gary Talbot himself bagged 37 goals in total in all competitions for Chester that season. The members of the Famous Five forward line were Jimmy Hughes (outside-right); Mickey Metcalf (inside-right); Gary Talbot (centre-forward); Hugh Ryden (inside-left) and Elfed Morris (outside-left). I was talking to a lifelong Chester fan recently who remembers that season very well. He recalled that before the last game of the season against Doncaster Rovers, one of the Famous Five, Hugh Ryden (inside-left) was on 18 League goals. The game was played at Sealand Road before a crowd of 6,405. That is a sign of the times in itself. Chester finished 8th and so the last game was a dead rubber really, but still a crowd of 6,000+ turned out. The fan I spoke to went to this game and he remembers that Chester created so many chances. They could have won by a bigger margin than the 3-0 final score they enjoyed if it wasn’t for the fact everyone was trying to lay chances on for Ryden. As it happened, Ryden netted the two he needed to take his rightful place in the elite “Famous Five”. Chester’s failure to secure promotion that season obviously wasn’t down to a failure to find the net. It was due a very leaky defence at the other end. A total of 81 League goals conceded meant an 8th place finish.

1964/65 Season Highlights

A huge highlight of that season that will bring a huge smile to Chester fans of all generations occurred on 27th February 1965.

Chester 6, Wrexham 1

Goals from 4 of the ‘Famous Five’ – Humes (3); Talbot, Metcalf and Morris one apiece. And the attendance that day? For a local Chester v Wrexham derby of that generation, a typically big gate of 14,782. In that season Chester also eliminated 2nd Division big boys Derby County in yet another goal fest. Gary Talbot netted twice in a pulsating 6-4 win. Talk about defences being on top!! The four teams promoted that season, Brighton (Champions); York; Oxford and Millwall were all beaten at Sealand Road. So, as well as a leaky defence, you can see that it was Chester’s away form that also let them down that season.

Chester 3, Tranmere 2

Goals by Talbot, Metcalf and Humes saw Chester come out on top before a crowd of 12,076.

Chester 5, Crewe Alexandra 0 

FA Cup 1st Round. Again the Chester fan I was talking to also went to this game. He said he left early about 5 minutes before the end with Chester comfortably winning 2-0. He couldn’t believe it he said when he found out later that in fact Chester had won 5-0. The 5-0 scoreline was remarkable enough in itself, but more incredibly the last 3 goals were scored by Gary Talbot. A hat-trick in just 2 minutes and 57 seconds. At that time it was the fastest recorded hat-trick. The biggest highlight that season however came in the FA Cup 3rd Round. Chester were drawn away to the mighty Manchester United. Remarkably, Chester were 1-0 up at half-time and looked to be quite comfortable. Unfortunately, two goals in the 2nd half by Albert Kinsey and a certain George Best put an end to Chester’s cup exploits. This game presented a link between Gary Talbot the footballer and his other career as a photographer. More on this shortly, but let’s complete our review of Gary’s football career.

Gary Talbot – Playing Style

Unfortunately, there isn’t any video evidence that I can come up with to show Gary Talbot’s playing style so I am reliant on what others have told me. Gary Talbot was a big, burly, powerful centre-forward who packed a powerful shot. In his day he was arguably the best header of a ball in the whole Football League I have been informed. A great target man who always managed to ‘make the ball stick’, Talbot was the ideal focal point of the attacking line-up. As well as his own impressive goal return he was the perfect foil for all those around him. After his return from Crewe, Talbot only managed one more season for Chester before retiring in April 1969. In true style however he went out with a bang as he ended up the season as the 4th Division’s top scorer with 22 goals.

Gary Talbot The Photographer

Gary Talbot was not only a talented footballer. He was also a very talented photographer. On occasions the two careers overlapped. As I mentioned above, Gary played in the FA Cup tie against Manchester United in 1965. The Manchester United captain at the time, Pat Crerand, recognised Talbot as much as a photographer as a footballer. This was because Talbot had been seen many times at Old Trafford photographing games. Although Manchester United knocked Chester out of the FA Cup, Gary Talbot wasn’t to be denied a Wembley appearance that season. That season’s final was between Liverpool and Leeds United. Talbot was assigned the task of photographing the Leeds United team at Hendon Hall in the build up to the final. He didn’t only photograph them though. He also trained with the squad in that week’s build up to the final. As he wasn’t required to take any photographs on the day of the match, the Leeds players provided him with a very special pre-match treat. They allowed Gary to travel with them on the team coach to Wembley. Not only that, he was also allowed to watch the game from the Leeds bench. He was held in such high esteem.

Royalty, Hollywood and More

As well being a popular and well recognised photographer in the world of football, Gary Talbot was also well known with famous people from a variety of backgrounds. From a young Princess Diana to having a pint with Hollywood legend James Mason in the Falcon pub, Talbot has mixed with some real iconic world figures. He even helped beautiful Hollywood actress, Jayne Mansfield, to protect her modesty. Talbot was assigned the task of photographing Mansfield at the annual Blackpool lights switch on. Unfortunately for Mansfield, the strap on her dress snapped. Not to worry, Gary Talbot to the rescue. He managed to find a safety pin and successfully pinned her dress to ensure her modesty prevailed. One of Gary Talbot’s other passions is golf. How many of us can say we have played a round of golf with rock icon Alice Cooper though? Also, how many of us have enjoyed a leisurely stroll through Dublin photographing playwright legend, Noel Coward. Or, how about a night out clubbing with West Indies cricket superstar Brian Lara? Not all Talbot’s photographs of famous people were from the world of Royalty, sport or the entertainment industry. His chilling shots of Moors Murderers, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley leaving Chester Assizes Court in 1966, were syndicated around the world.

From Photographer To Footballer To Photographer

Initially football was a hobby to Gary as he already had a blossoming photography career to enjoy. He worked as a staff photographer for national newspaper, the Daily Mail until the football bug grabbed him. He resigned his job with the Daily Mail to pursue his footballing dreams with Chester. Instead of this ending his photography career, it served to open even more doors for him. As training with Chester only lasted two hours from 10am to 12pm, he could devote time to his new found freelance photography opportunity. Subsequently he went on to open his own studio in Grosvenor Road, Chester. Hence him being a regular in the nearby Falcon pub.

Gary Talbot-What A Fascinating Life

When you look at Gary Talbot’s careers, either one of them would provide you with plenty of satisfying opportunities. Taking photographs of Royalty, world leaders, Hollywood stars, music icons, sheikhs and sporting superstars would be enough for any photography enthusiast. But aside from that, being on the same football pitch as Bobby Charlton, George Best and Pat Crerand et al would have been an incredible experience in itself. Not only that, what about sharing the bench at a Wembley Cup Final with huge footballing icons? Scoring a 3 minute, record busting hat-trick in an FA Cup tie is a massive achievement on its own. Finishing as club and divisional top goal scorer is another huge feather in the cap. So, when you stand back and look at both of his careers then you can’t help but admire and respect a truly great man.

A Normal Bloke

I would never claim to know Gary Talbot but it is right when people say that he is a normal, down to earth guy. When he had his studio in Grosvenor Road he used to occasionally pop in to the Falcon ‘early doors’ after work. As it was one of my local pubs at the time I used to see him in there from time to time. And as fellas do, fellas now and then just pass the time of day by chatting about key, worldly matters. In other words, football. So, after the normal “alright, mate” point of recognition, a brief conversation may have followed along the lines of, “Did you see the match last night?” And so began a normal conversation with a normal bloke. He never offered to take my photo though!! I wonder why? Well done Gary Talbot on everything you have achieved. You have without doubt had a career to be so very proud of alongside a career to be so very proud of. A Chester FC legend if ever there was one. ****UPDATE**** Some very sad news to report. Gary Talbot sadly passed away on 22nd December 2019 after a battle against lung cancer.

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