Robert Taylor (footballer, born 1971)

Last updated

Robert Taylor
Personal information
Full name Robert Anthony Taylor [1]
Date of birth (1971-04-30) 30 April 1971 (age 53)
Place of birth Norwich, England
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Watton United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1990–1991 Norwich City 0 (0)
1990 → Mjølner (loan) 5 (1)
1991 → Leyton Orient (loan) 3 (1)
1991 Birmingham City 0 (0)
1991–1994 Leyton Orient 73 (20)
1994–1998 Brentford 183 (58)
1998–1999 Gillingham 61 (33)
1999–2000 Manchester City 12 (5)
2000–2002 Wolverhampton Wanderers 9 (0)
2001 → Queens Park Rangers (loan) 3 (0)
2001–2002 → Gillingham (loan) 11 (0)
2002 → Grimsby Town (loan) 4 (1)
2002–2003 Grimsby Town 1 (0)
2003 Scunthorpe United 8 (0)
2004 Gorleston 3 (1)
2008–2012 Diss Town 3 (0)
Total379(120)
Managerial career
2003–2004 Watton United
2004 King's Lynn (caretaker)
2004–2008 Dereham Town
2008–2012 Diss Town
2013 Mundford
2016 Swaffham Town
2017 Acle United
2019–2021 Watton United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert Anthony Taylor (born 30 April 1971) is an English former professional footballer, licensed football agent and manager.

Contents

As a player he was a forward and was active as a professional between 1990 and 2003. Although featuring for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City, he notably had lengthy and prolific spells with Leyton Orient, Brentford and Gillingham. He notably scored for the Gills at Wembley Stadium in the 1999 Division Two Play-off final against Manchester City, only months before he would join The Blues. Taylor also played professionally for Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers, Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United. He retired in 2003 following a brief spell with non-League side Gorleston, although whilst manager of Diss Town he did make three more senior appearances between 2008 and 2012. Since retiring Taylor has managed at non-League level for Watton United, King's Lynn Town, Dereham Town, Diss Town, Mundford, Swaffham Town and Acle United.

Playing career

Born in Norwich, Taylor played for Watton United's youth team. [2] He was first spotted after playing for Watton United's first team at the age of 15 against Norwich City's reserves in a pre-season friendly. [3]

A forward, Taylor failed to make a first-team appearance for Norwich, making his professional debut in 1991 whilst on loan at Leyton Orient. [4] He spent August and September 1990 with Norwegian side Mjølner to gain further experience. [5] He played five games and scored one goal for Mjølner in the second tier of the Norwegian league during a loan spell that lasted until the end of the season in Norway.

In August 1991, Taylor began a trial with Birmingham City [6] which led to a one-month contract in September, [7] but he made no first-team appearances. [4] He ultimately joined former loan club Leyton Orient, where he scored 20 goals in 81 appearances before moving to Brentford where he scored 74 goals in 208 appearances. [8]

In 1998, he signed for Gillingham for a then club-record fee of £500,000. [9] Playing under manager Tony Pulis Taylor enjoyed the best goal scoring run of his career, totalling 39 goals in 70 games. This included five goals in a single game away to Burnley in February 1999. [10] Taylor played and scored in the 1999 Second Division play-off final against Manchester City. [10]

Taylor remained with the club until November 1999 when he signed for Manchester City for £1.5 million. [11] Playing for the club as it gained promotion from the First Division, he scored 5 goals in 12 appearances. [12] [13]

In 2000, he signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers for £1.55 million on a four-year deal, commenting that City's signings of Paolo Wanchope and George Weah meant his playing time would be limited at the club. [14] He only made 12 first team appearances for Wolves, scoring three goals and suffered with then-undiagnosed circulatory problems in his legs. [4] [11] Whilst at the club he was sent on loan to Queens Park Rangers, Grimsby Town and his former club Gillingham. [4]

Leaving Wolves in 2002 he then signed permanently for Grimsby Town, before ending his professional career with Scunthorpe United. [4]

He also went on to play for non-League club Gorleston. [11] In 2008, while Diss Town manager, he made a brief playing comeback early in the 2008–09 season. [15]

Managerial career

Taylor moved into management with Watton United, King's Lynn (as caretaker manager), [16] Dereham Town, [17] Diss Town, [18] Mundford and more recently Swaffham Town. [19]

In 2019, he returned to Watton United as manager.

Personal life

As a child Taylor supported Liverpool, citing Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush as his inspiration. [3]

In 2016, Taylor launched a football agency, TG-Inspire. [20]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leyton Orient (loan) 1990–91 [4] Third Division 31———31
Brentford 1993–94 [8] Second Division 52———52
1994-95 [8] 432321414 [a] 05325
1995–96 [8] 421143412 [b] 15216
1996–97 [21] 43732416 [c] 35613
1997–98 [22] 401312431 [b] 04618
Total1735610812613420874
Gillingham 1998–99 [10] Second Division431610106 [d] 55121
1999-00 [12] 15152221—1918
Total58313231657039
Manchester City 1999-00 [12] First Division 125———125
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2000–01 [23] First Division900033—123
Queens Park Rangers (loan) 2001–02 [24] Second Division30———30
Gillingham (loan) 2001–02 [24] First Division110—00—110
Gillingham total69313231658139
Grimsby Town (loan) 2001–02 [24] First Division41———41
Grimsby Town 2002–03 [25] First Division100000—10
Grimsby Town total510000—51
Scunthorpe United 2002–03 [25] Third Division80———80
Gorleston 2004–05 [26] Eastern Counties League Premier Division3100—0031
Diss Town 2008–09 [15] Eastern Counties League First Division3000—0030
Career total2889513101810199338124
  1. ↑ Two appearances in Second Division play-offs; two appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. 1 2 Appearances in Football League Trophy
  3. ↑ Three appearances, two goals in Second Division play-offs; three appearances, one goal in Football League Trophy
  4. ↑ Three appearances, two goals in Second Division play-offs; three appearances, three goals in Football League Trophy

Honours

As a player

Manchester City

Individual

As a manager

Diss Town

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Nelson</span> English association football player

Stuart James Nelson is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper most recently for Cirencester Town.

Nicholas Michael Forster is an English former professional footballer who was most recently the manager of Staines Town. Forster has also been player-manager at Brentford and manager of Dover Athletic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Newman</span> English footballer

Richard Adrian Newman is an English football coach and former professional footballer who played as a utility player.

Ryan Vincent Peters is an English retired semi-professional footballer who played as a right back. He began his career at Brentford in the Football League and after his release in 2008, he dropped into non-League football and played until his retirement in 2019. He is currently assistant manager at Maidenhead United.

Carl Edward Asaba is an English former footballer who played as a forward in the Football League. He began his career with non-league Dulwich Hamlet, his goalscoring prowess earning him a move to Brentford in 1994. He played for Colchester United on loan, before moving to Reading in 1997. He had successful stints with Gillingham, where he scored 36 goals in 77 league appearances, and Sheffield United, scoring 23 times in 67 league games. He also played for Stoke City and ended his career with Millwall. Returned to involvement in the world of professional football in 2021 via co-commentary for BBC Radio Sheffield and expert analysis for Sheffield United TV live. Appointed ambassador for the Sheffield children's hospital charity in 2020 and has organised charity events via Sarbs Charity Events with events giving people a chance to 'beat-a-Blade' in sporting activities with all proceeds going directly to the Children's Hospital Charity.

Paul Brooker is an English retired professional footballer who played as a winger in the Football League for Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City, Reading and Brentford.

Gavin Glenrick Tomlin is an English former professional footballer. He was a versatile player who could play as a striker, on both left and right wings and attacking midfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Royce</span> English footballer and coach

Simon Ernest Royce is an English football coach and former professional footballer who is goalkeeping coach at Leyton Orient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Craig</span> English footballer

Tony Andrew Craig is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for National League South club Dorking Wanderers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Elder</span> English footballer (born 1985)

Nathan John Elder is an English former professional footballer who is assistant manager of Hythe Town. He played in the Football League for Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Shrewsbury Town and Hereford United.

Daniel James Boxall is an English former professional footballer who played as a right back for Brentford, Bristol Rovers, Oldham Athletic and Crystal Palace. After two seasons in Ireland with Dublin City, he returned to England in 2006 to play non-League football and retired in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Wood (footballer)</span> English footballer

Samuel James Wood is an English professional footballer who plays for Cray Wanderers. Wood is a left-sided and right-sided player who can play either at full back or on the wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Akinde</span> English footballer (born 1989)

Job Ayo Akinde, known as John Akinde, is an English professional footballer who plays for National League club Braintree Town.

Stephen Thomas Hughes is an English retired footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League for Brentford. After his release in 2004, he dropped into non-league football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Bidwell</span> English footballer (born 1993)

Jake Brian Bidwell is an English professional footballer who plays as a left back for EFL Championship club Coventry City. He began his career in the academy at Premier League side Everton and was capped by England at age-group level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Norris</span> English association football player

Luke Michael Norris is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League Two club Tranmere Rovers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Nugent</span> English footballer

Ben William Nugent is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Cambodian Premier League club Angkor Tiger.

Jack Elliott Bonham is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL Championship club Stoke City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Vassell</span> Northern Irish association footballer (born 1993)

Kyle Thomas Vassell is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for and captains Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock. Born in England, he represents the Northern Ireland national team.

Joshua David Rees is an English professional footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge as a midfielder.

References

  1. ↑ "Robert Taylor". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "Brentford | News | Where Are They Now? | Where Are They Now? | WHERE ARE THEY NOW?". brentfordfc.co.uk. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  3. 1 2 "BBC – Norfolk – Junior Football – Robert Taylor interview". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robert Taylor at Soccerbase
  5. ↑ "Boss ready to fill defensive hole". www.dissexpress.co.uk. 21 January 2010. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "New style suits Ian". Sports Argus. Birmingham. 31 August 1991. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Tattum, Colin (31 August 1991). "Blues bid is £675,000 short". Evening Mail. Birmingham. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2013). The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. pp. 479–481. ISBN   9781906796723.
  9. ↑ Deepdale, Ian Winrow at (17 May 1999). "Gills equal to the task". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 "Games played by Robert Taylor in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 Ivery, Daniel (27 December 2012). "Where are they now? Robert Taylor". birminghammail. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Robert Taylor in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  13. 1 2 "Football Club History Database – Manchester City". fchd.info. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  14. ↑ "TAYLOR SIGNS FOR WOLVES". Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  15. 1 2 "football.mitoo". football.mitoo.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  16. ↑ "Banana skin alert". www.lep.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  17. ↑ "Dereham Part Company With Management Team – News – Soham Town Rangers FC". www.pitchero.com. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  18. ↑ "Football: Taylor named Diss manager". www.dissexpress.co.uk. 18 April 2008. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  19. ↑ "Thurlow Nunn League Swaffham Town appoint former Manchester City striker as their new boss". Watton and Swaffham Times. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  20. ↑ "www.tg-inspire.co.uk". TG-Inspire. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  21. ↑ "Games played by Robert Taylor in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  22. ↑ "Games played by Robert Taylor in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  23. ↑ "Games played by Robert Taylor in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  24. 1 2 3 "Games played by Robert Taylor in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  25. 1 2 "Games played by Robert Taylor in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  26. ↑ "football.mitoo". football.mitoo.co.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  27. ↑ Sewell, Albert (1996). News Of The World Football Annual 1996–97. Hammersmith, London: Invincible Press. p. 352. ISBN   9780002187374.
  28. ↑ "SUPER BOB TO LAUNCH LEGENDS LOUNGE". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  29. ↑ "SEASON REVIEW: Diss Town". www.dissexpress.co.uk. 3 June 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  30. ↑ "Football Club History Database – Eastern Counties League 2010–11". fchd.info. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.