Taylor continued to add new players to the squad as the aim for 1954–55 was to gain promotion back to the First Division.

In the FA Cup Stoke were involved in one of the longest cup ties as their third round encounter with Bury went on to a fourth replay with Stoke finally winning 3–2 after 9 hours and 22 minutes of football.

[1] He added the Wolverhampton Wanderers left back Jack Short to his squad in the summer of 1954.

[1] Things looked to be improving when Stoke started the 1954–55 season in fine form winning five out of six.

[1] Taylor was fortunate to be able to field a settled side but the form rate was not maintained and promotion was missed, albeit by a narrow margin, Stoke taking fifth spot just two behind promoted Birmingham City and Luton Town.