SLIPPY ELEANOR: The August 20 bitch has given her owners lots of fun during her career.

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TONY TAYLOR, whose association with greyhound racing kennels has spanned more than half a century, started as a kennelhand with Bill Kelly at Clapton in 1971 the day that the legendary Dolores Rocket won the Greyhound Derby final before 60,000 racegoers at White City.

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Taylor, a keen sports fan and active ice hockey player in his youth, subsequently worked for Charlie Coyle, Tommy Foster, Randy Singleton and Gunner Smith before being confirmed as a new contract trainer at Catford in June, 1991.

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Taylor was head lad to Gunner Smith and, during a highly successful seven-year spell with the Albourne maestro, he handled such illustrious greyhounds as Lulus Hero, House Hunter, Sambuca, Lord Westlands and Demesne Chance.

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Taylor, who replaced departing Cheryl Miller and moved into her Keston kennels on August 1, 1991, thoroughly enjoyed a 12-year spell at Catford until the closure of the GRA-owned circuit on November 6, 2003.

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Alongside Maxine Locke, John Simpson and John Walsh, he immediately transferred to Wimbledon and regularly supplied 40-50 greyhounds – his principal patron was Robert Brinkley - to the racing strength at Plough Lane prior to a move to the training ranks at Hove in August, 2015.

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A staunch family man, the popular Taylor always has a smile and kind words for his many friends at Hove – I cannot speak highly enough of him and wish him and everyone connected to his kennel all the very best for the future!

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KNOCKARD BOBBY: Tony Taylor's charge has won numerous high-class 285-metre contests at Coral Brighton & Hove Stadium.