Derek Robert Tapscott (30 June 1932 – 12 June 2008) was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a forward. Tapscott played for Barry Town, Arsenal, Cardiff City, Newport County, Cinderford Town, Haverfordwest County and Carmarthen Town. He also featured for the Welsh national team. Tapscott is Cardiff City's sixth highest goalscorer of all time. Early life 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 teammate Jim Fotheringham. Club career Arsenal Tapscott played for Barry Town as a youth whilst continuing his work as a bricklayer. He was eventually signed by manager Tom Whittaker of Arsenal for £4,000 in October 1953. This move came about after he spent time on trial at the club's North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. He started off with a prolific run in the reserves, scoring thirteen goals in fifteen matches in the London Combination League. After such 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. The young Welsh inside forward became a regular in the following 1954–55 season as he missed only five matches. Despite not being played as a centre forward he was the club's top goal scorer within the 1955–56 and 1956–57 seasons with 21 and 27 goals, respectively. His club form saw him play and start in a London XI side which won by 1-0 against a Basel XI in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup on 4 May 1956. Tapscott played for the Gunners in Manchester United's last ever domestic match before the Munich air disaster in February 1958 - a 5-4 win for