Gareth Taylor
Encyclopedia
Gareth Keith Taylor is a Welsh
former footballer who is now working as a coach at Premier League club Manchester City
.
He began his career as a defender
at Bristol Rovers
, having left the Southampton
youth team in 1991. After loan spells with non-league sides Gloucester City
and Weymouth
, he was converted into a striker. He then spent the 1995–96 season with Crystal Palace
(who paid £1.25 million for his services), before a two year spell with Sheffield United
. He transferred to Manchester City in 1998 for a £400,000 fee, and was loaned out to Port Vale
, Queens Park Rangers
, and Burnley
. He moved permanently to Burnley in 2001, and joined Nottingham Forest
for a £500,000 fee two years later. In 2006 he was loaned out to Crewe Alexandra
, before signing with Tranmere Rovers
. In 2008 he switched to Doncaster Rovers
, and joined Conference club Wrexham a year later, following a brief spell on loan at Carlisle United
. He retired as a player in September 2011, and went on to coach at Manchester City.
In addition to an eighteen year career in the Football League
(consisting of 494 league games), he also enjoyed a nine year international career. He won a total of fifteen Welsh caps, and scored once, in a friendly against Scotland
. He was eligible for the national side thanks to his Welsh father.
, Somerset
, Taylor started his career with Southampton
, but failed to make any first team appearances and was released. Second Division
Bristol Rovers
then signed him in 1991. Over the course of the 1991–92 season he was loaned to Gloucester City
, where he played two games without scoring. He made his Football League debut as a centre-back in a 6–1 defeat at Cambridge United
in February 1992. He then had another loan spell, this time to Weymouth
in 1992–93, where he made five appearances without scoring.
He did not play again until the first match of the 1994–95 campaign, by which time manager John Ward had converted him into a striker. His height meant he was a good target man and was exceptional in the air, scoring twelve goals (most of them headers) in his first full season alongside Marcus Stewart
and Paul Miller
in attack. His brace against Brentford
on the final day ensured a Second Division play-off spot. After a tense away goals victory over Crewe Alexandra
in the semi-final, Rovers made it to Wembley, though they lost 2–1
to Huddersfield Town
.
for an initial £750,000 rising to an eventual £1.25 million. He failed to make an impact at the London outfit and only managed 23 appearances and three goals.
in March 1996. In 1996–97 he scored twelve goals, helping the club to the play-off final
, though ironically United lost out 1–0 to Crystal Palace. The following season he hit ten goals. United again reached the play-offs, though went out to Sunderland
at the semi-final stage.
for £400,000 in November 1998. In 1998–99 he again found himself in the play-offs, he was a late substitute in the final
, replacing Lee Crooks
. The 1999–2000 season saw a second successive promotion for the Blues. Taylor didn't play a huge role in the promotion though, instead he joined Port Vale
on a one month loan in January 2000. In March he joined Queens Park Rangers
on loan until the end of the season. Stockport County
were interested in his signature in November 2000, though nothing was to come out of it. He came close to a move to Sheffield Wednesday
in January 2001, but the £100,000 deal did not go through. Instead he joined Burnley
on loan the following month. That season he never made a Premier League game for Man City.
; five days later the loan deal was extended. The loan deal lasted until the end of the season, Taylor having scored four goals in fifteen appearances. He moved to Turf Moor
on a free transfer in July 2001, signing a three year deal. Taylor had a highly successful 2001–02 season with the Lancashire
club, scoring sixteen goals despite suffering an ankle
injury in January. He also performed in the 2002–03 season, bagging seventeen goals in close to fifty games.
, but instead was bought by Paul Hart
's Nottingham Forest
for £500,000. At the beginning of the 2003–04 season, following his recovery from a serious eye injury sustained while still at Burnley, he became a regular in the side when David Johnson broke his leg. Forest's fortunes took a downturn largely caused by a mass exodus of players during the previous summer. Taylor played a big part in the recovery with some very important goals. His first goal for Forest came against his former club Burnley at Turf Moor, where Nottingham Forest won 3–0. He missed the end of the season with a knee injury that required surgery.
In the unfortunate 2004–05 season which resulted in relegation
, he was made captain by Gary Megson
and was top scorer with eleven goals. For the second year running he underwent a knee operation at the end of the season. Shortly into the 2005–06 season, following a string of disappointing performances from the team, and with rumours that Megson had a deteriorating relationship with the players, he was stripped of the captaincy. With striker Grant Holt
being signed to replace him, Taylor suddenly fell out of favour and was allowed to go on loan to Crewe Alexandra
in January 2006, where he enjoyed some success but was unable to prevent them too suffering relegation. Taylor's contract at Nottingham Forest expired in the summer of 2006; the club decided against renewing it and he was released. Dario Gradi
offered him a deal at Crewe, though as expected Taylor signed elsewhere.
on a two-year contract, scoring nine goals in all competitions in his debut season. He broke his jaw at the start of the season, spending a month on the sidelines. Upon his recovery he said: "I'm enjoying my football now, it's a great club and I'm really loving life at Tranmere", also giving high praise to manager Ronnie Moore
.
on loan on 31 January 2008, but the deal was made permanent on 6 February. He scored his first goal on 5 April, the first equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Huddersfield Town
at the Galpharm Stadium
. He helped the club to promotion from the play-offs
, though was an unused substitute in the final
. The 2008–09
season started poorly for Taylor as he pulled a hamstring. He joined Carlisle United
on a month-long loan deal in March 2009. He scored on his debut, in a 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra
on 3 March. He returned to Doncaster at the end of the season, where he was released from his contract on 7 May.
' Conference National
side Wrexham, leaving the Football League
after eighteen years. Taylor got off to an excellent start with his new club, grabbing a brace in a 3–0 win over Eastbourne Borough
on 8 August. He finished the season with nine goals in 28 appearances – enough to earn him a fresh contract at the end of the campaign. In 2010–11
, the veteran striker hit six goals in 35 appearances. The Dragons earned a play-off spot, though were beaten by Luton Town
at the play-off semi-final stage. Throughout his time at the Welsh club he began taking his coaching badges, and regularly took charge of the reserve side. He retired in September 2011, and immediately took up coaching at Manchester City
.
international. Born in England, he qualified for the national side through his father who was born in Wales
. After a three year absence he was re-called to the squad in August 2001 for the final two 2002 World Cup qualifiers
. He was utilized as a stand-in for John Hartson
, who was troubled with injury. He scored his only international goal in a 4–0 friendly
victory over Scotland
at the Millennium Stadium
in 2004.
, and was given the task of developing young talent in Dubai
.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
former footballer who is now working as a coach at Premier League club Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
.
He began his career as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
at Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, having left the Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
youth team in 1991. After loan spells with non-league sides Gloucester City
Gloucester City A.F.C.
Gloucester City Association Football Club is an English semi-professional association football club currently based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in South West England, via groundshare agreement....
and Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
, he was converted into a striker. He then spent the 1995–96 season with Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
(who paid £1.25 million for his services), before a two year spell with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
. He transferred to Manchester City in 1998 for a £400,000 fee, and was loaned out to Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, and Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
. He moved permanently to Burnley in 2001, and joined Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
for a £500,000 fee two years later. In 2006 he was loaned out to Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
, before signing with Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
. In 2008 he switched to Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, and joined Conference club Wrexham a year later, following a brief spell on loan at Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
. He retired as a player in September 2011, and went on to coach at Manchester City.
In addition to an eighteen year career in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
(consisting of 494 league games), he also enjoyed a nine year international career. He won a total of fifteen Welsh caps, and scored once, in a friendly against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. He was eligible for the national side thanks to his Welsh father.
Bristol Rovers
Born in Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare is a seaside resort, town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which is within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel coast, south west of Bristol, spanning the coast between the bounding high ground of Worlebury...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, Taylor started his career with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, but failed to make any first team appearances and was released. Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
then signed him in 1991. Over the course of the 1991–92 season he was loaned to Gloucester City
Gloucester City A.F.C.
Gloucester City Association Football Club is an English semi-professional association football club currently based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in South West England, via groundshare agreement....
, where he played two games without scoring. He made his Football League debut as a centre-back in a 6–1 defeat at Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
in February 1992. He then had another loan spell, this time to Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
in 1992–93, where he made five appearances without scoring.
He did not play again until the first match of the 1994–95 campaign, by which time manager John Ward had converted him into a striker. His height meant he was a good target man and was exceptional in the air, scoring twelve goals (most of them headers) in his first full season alongside Marcus Stewart
Marcus Stewart
William Marcus Paul Tubb) known as Marcus Stewart is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward from 1991 until 2011...
and Paul Miller
Paul Miller (footballer born 1968)
Paul Miller is a retired English football forward. Miller notably played in the Premier League for Wimbledon during the 1993-94 season.-Career:...
in attack. His brace against Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
on the final day ensured a Second Division play-off spot. After a tense away goals victory over Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
in the semi-final, Rovers made it to Wembley, though they lost 2–1
1995 Football League Second Division play-off Final
The 1995 Football League Second Division play-off final was a football match played at on 28 May 1995, to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Second Division to the First Division of The Football League in the 1994–95 season. Huddersfield Town faced Bristol Rovers...
to Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
.
Crystal Palace
After four goals in seven games at the start of the following season, he was transferred to Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
for an initial £750,000 rising to an eventual £1.25 million. He failed to make an impact at the London outfit and only managed 23 appearances and three goals.
Sheffield United
He was soon by Palace, and was signed by Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in March 1996. In 1996–97 he scored twelve goals, helping the club to the play-off final
1997 Football League First Division play-off Final
The 1997 Football League First Division play-off Final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium, London on May 26 1997 at the end of the 1996–97 season. The match determined the third and final team to gain promotion from First Division to the Premiership, and was contested by Crystal Palace,...
, though ironically United lost out 1–0 to Crystal Palace. The following season he hit ten goals. United again reached the play-offs, though went out to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
at the semi-final stage.
Manchester City
He was bought by Manchester CityManchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
for £400,000 in November 1998. In 1998–99 he again found himself in the play-offs, he was a late substitute in the final
1999 Football League Second Division play-off Final
The 1999 Football League Second Division playoff final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium on 30 May 1999, to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Second Division to the First Division of The Football League in the 1998–99 season. Gillingham faced...
, replacing Lee Crooks
Lee Crooks
-Manchester City:As a club trainee, Crooks signed his first professional contract with Premier League club Manchester City on 1 August 1994...
. The 1999–2000 season saw a second successive promotion for the Blues. Taylor didn't play a huge role in the promotion though, instead he joined Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
on a one month loan in January 2000. In March he joined Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
on loan until the end of the season. Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
were interested in his signature in November 2000, though nothing was to come out of it. He came close to a move to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
in January 2001, but the £100,000 deal did not go through. Instead he joined Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on loan the following month. That season he never made a Premier League game for Man City.
Burnley
He scored his first Burnley goal on 13 March in a 1–0 win at WatfordWatford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
; five days later the loan deal was extended. The loan deal lasted until the end of the season, Taylor having scored four goals in fifteen appearances. He moved to Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
on a free transfer in July 2001, signing a three year deal. Taylor had a highly successful 2001–02 season with the Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
club, scoring sixteen goals despite suffering an ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
injury in January. He also performed in the 2002–03 season, bagging seventeen goals in close to fifty games.
Nottingham Forest
He was targeted by Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, but instead was bought by Paul Hart
Paul Hart
Paul Hart is an English football manager and former football defender, who is currently Academy Director at Charlton Athletic. The son of Johnny Hart, a football inside forward and manager, Hart had five-year spells with both Blackpool and Leeds United, while also playing for Nottingham Forest and...
's Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
for £500,000. At the beginning of the 2003–04 season, following his recovery from a serious eye injury sustained while still at Burnley, he became a regular in the side when David Johnson broke his leg. Forest's fortunes took a downturn largely caused by a mass exodus of players during the previous summer. Taylor played a big part in the recovery with some very important goals. His first goal for Forest came against his former club Burnley at Turf Moor, where Nottingham Forest won 3–0. He missed the end of the season with a knee injury that required surgery.
In the unfortunate 2004–05 season which resulted in relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
, he was made captain by Gary Megson
Gary Megson
Gary John Megson is an English former football player and is currently manager of Sheffield Wednesday.He has previously managed Norwich City, Blackpool, Stockport County, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers...
and was top scorer with eleven goals. For the second year running he underwent a knee operation at the end of the season. Shortly into the 2005–06 season, following a string of disappointing performances from the team, and with rumours that Megson had a deteriorating relationship with the players, he was stripped of the captaincy. With striker Grant Holt
Grant Holt
Grant Holt is an English footballer, currently playing in the Premier League for Norwich City. He plays as a striker and is club captain....
being signed to replace him, Taylor suddenly fell out of favour and was allowed to go on loan to Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
in January 2006, where he enjoyed some success but was unable to prevent them too suffering relegation. Taylor's contract at Nottingham Forest expired in the summer of 2006; the club decided against renewing it and he was released. Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi MBE is an Italian-born English football manager and former player, who was serving as manager of the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy. He is a former manager of Crewe Alexandra, with whom he has been associated for almost thirty years.Gradi is notable for his 24-year first spell as manager...
offered him a deal at Crewe, though as expected Taylor signed elsewhere.
Tranmere Rovers
At the end of June 2006, he joined Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
on a two-year contract, scoring nine goals in all competitions in his debut season. He broke his jaw at the start of the season, spending a month on the sidelines. Upon his recovery he said: "I'm enjoying my football now, it's a great club and I'm really loving life at Tranmere", also giving high praise to manager Ronnie Moore
Ronnie Moore
Ronald David "Ronnie" Moore is an English football manager and former player. He is considered one of the greatest Rotherham United players of all time, and is also considered the best manager Rotherham United have ever had, becoming a club legend. and went on to manage the Millers for seven years...
.
Doncaster Rovers
Taylor initially signed for Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
on loan on 31 January 2008, but the deal was made permanent on 6 February. He scored his first goal on 5 April, the first equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
at the Galpharm Stadium
Galpharm Stadium
The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:...
. He helped the club to promotion from the play-offs
Football League One play-offs
The Football League One Playoffs are a series of playoff matches, contested by the teams finishing from 3rd to 6th in the NPower Football League One table to determine the third spot for promotion to the second tier of English football, the Championship....
, though was an unused substitute in the final
2008 Football League One play-off Final
The 2008 Football League One play-off Final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2008, at the end of the 2007–08 season. The match determined the third and final team to gain promotion from League One to the Championship, and was contested by Doncaster Rovers, who had finished...
. The 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season started poorly for Taylor as he pulled a hamstring. He joined Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
on a month-long loan deal in March 2009. He scored on his debut, in a 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
on 3 March. He returned to Doncaster at the end of the season, where he was released from his contract on 7 May.
Wrexham
In June 2009, Taylor signed a one year contract with Dean SaundersDean Saunders
Dean Nicholas Saunders is a former Wales international footballer who played as a striker in a professional career which lasted from 1982 until 2001. He is the manager of Doncaster Rovers....
' Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Wrexham, leaving the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
after eighteen years. Taylor got off to an excellent start with his new club, grabbing a brace in a 3–0 win over Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
on 8 August. He finished the season with nine goals in 28 appearances – enough to earn him a fresh contract at the end of the campaign. In 2010–11
2010–11 Football Conference
The 2010–11 Football Conference season was the seventh season with the Conference consisting of three divisions and the thirty-second season overall. The Conference covers the top two levels of Non-League football in England. The Conference National is the fifth highest level of the overall...
, the veteran striker hit six goals in 35 appearances. The Dragons earned a play-off spot, though were beaten by Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
at the play-off semi-final stage. Throughout his time at the Welsh club he began taking his coaching badges, and regularly took charge of the reserve side. He retired in September 2011, and immediately took up coaching at Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
.
International career
Taylor is a former WalesWales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
international. Born in England, he qualified for the national side through his father who was born in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. After a three year absence he was re-called to the squad in August 2001 for the final two 2002 World Cup qualifiers
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification....
. He was utilized as a stand-in for John Hartson
John Hartson
John Hartson is a former Welsh international footballer who played as a striker, best known for his spells with West Ham and Celtic. Hartson also featured prominently for Wales, earning 51 caps until his international retirement in 2006...
, who was troubled with injury. He scored his only international goal in a 4–0 friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
victory over Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in 2004.
Coaching career
In September 2011, Taylor was appointed as a coach at former club Manchester CityManchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, and was given the task of developing young talent in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
.
Honours
with Manchester City- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
play-off winner: 19991999 Football League Second Division play-off FinalThe 1999 Football League Second Division playoff final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium on 30 May 1999, to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Second Division to the First Division of The Football League in the 1998–99 season. Gillingham faced... - Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
runner-up: 1999–2000