:Rhys Taylor
{{short description|Welsh footballer (born 1990)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rhys Taylor
| image = Taylor, Rhys.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Taylor while at Crewe Alexandra in 2011
| fullname = Rhys Francis Taylor{{Hugman|25517|accessdate=25 June 2015}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|4|7|df=y}}
| birth_place = Port Talbot, Wales
| height =
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Manchester United{{Cite news |title=Rhys Taylor |url=http://thechels.info/wiki/Rhys_Taylor#Pre-Chelsea_career |publisher=TheChels.info |accessdate=9 September 2016}}
| youthyears2 = 2005–2007
| youthclubs2 = Chelsea
| years1 = 2007–2012
| years2 = 2009–2010
| years3 = 2010–2011
| years4 = 2012
| years5 = 2012–2013
| years6 = 2013
| years7 = 2013–2015
| years8 = 2015–2016
| years9 = 2015–2016
| years10 = 2016–2018
| years11 = 2018
| years12 = 2018–2019
| years13 = 2019
| clubs1 = Chelsea
| clubs2 = → Queens Park Rangers (loan)
| clubs3 = → Crewe Alexandra (loan)
| clubs4 = → Rotherham United (loan)
| clubs5 = Southend United
| clubs6 = Preston North End
| clubs7 = Macclesfield Town
| clubs8 = Newport County
| clubs9 = → Wrexham (loan)
| clubs10 = AFC Fylde
| clubs11 = → Tranmere Rovers (loan)
| clubs12 = Macclesfield Town
| clubs13 = Bradford (Park Avenue)
| caps1 = 0
| caps2 = 0
| caps3 = 44
| caps4 = 20
| caps5 = 0
| caps6 = 0
| caps7 = 109
| caps8 = 1
| caps9 = 27
| caps10 = 44
| caps11 = 6
| caps12 = 9
| caps13 = 6
| totalcaps = 266
| goals1 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| goals6 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| goals8 = 0
| goals9 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| goals11 = 0
| goals12 = 0
| goals13 = 0
| totalgoals = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2006
| nationalyears2 = 2006–2009
| nationalyears3 = 2008–2011
| nationalteam1 = Wales U17
| nationalteam2 = Wales U19
| nationalteam3 = Wales U21
| nationalcaps1 = 9
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalcaps3 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| club-update = 21:08, 24 January 2019 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Rhys Francis Taylor (born 7 April 1990) is a Welsh former professional footballer who has played as a goalkeeper for Bradford (Park Avenue). He has played for Wales up to under-21 level.
Early life
He attended Glan Afan Comprehensive School, Port Talbot, and later moved to the Richard Challoner School, New Malden. {{citation needed|date=March 2014}}
Club career
Born in Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, Taylor played mainly in the Chelsea Reserves and the Youth Team but occasionally got called to sit on the bench when another goalkeeper became injured. He joined Queens Park Rangers on loan in November 2009 until 4 January 2010.{{cite news
| title = QPR swoop for Chelsea goalkeeper
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/8371239.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 20 November 2009
| accessdate = 4 July 2010}} During the 2009–10 season, he made eight appearances for Chelsea's reserve team as their first choice goalkeeper.{{cite web
|title = Rhys Taylor
|url = http://www.chelseafc.com/page/OnLoanPlayersDetails/0,,10268~2127663,00.html
|publisher = Chelsea F.C.
|accessdate = 4 July 2010
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100820022014/http://www.chelseafc.com/page/OnLoanPlayersDetails/0,,10268~2127663,00.html
|archivedate = 20 August 2010
}}
He joined League Two team Crewe Alexandra for pre-season training in June 2010 and an agreement was made for him to join the club on loan.{{cite news
| title = Gradi awaiting Taylor arrival
| url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11736_6237836,00.html
| publisher = Sky Sports
| date = 29 June 2010
| accessdate = 6 July 2010}}{{cite news
| title = Crewe overcome hitch to sign goalkeeper Rhys Taylor
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/8753600.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 22 June 2010
| accessdate = 4 July 2010}} The loan was initially set to last for two months, with Taylor expected to gain first team experience as a replacement for injured goalkeeper Steve Phillips.{{cite news
|title = Taylor deal nears completion
|url = http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/29062010/63/taylor-deal-nears-completion.html
|publisher = Yahoo! Sports
|date = 29 June 2010
|accessdate = 5 July 2010
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100704180804/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/29062010/63/taylor-deal-nears-completion.html
|archivedate = 4 July 2010
}} The loan was completed on 6 July.{{cite news
| title = Chelsea goalkeeper Rhys Taylor joins Crewe on loan
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/8741795.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 6 July 2010
| accessdate = 6 July 2010}} On 12 July he appeared for Crewe's first team in a friendly match against Quorn,{{cite web | url=http://www.crewealex.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~2090116,00.html | title=Tonight's Teams..... | work=Crewe Alexandra F.C. | date=12 July 2010 | accessdate=7 August 2010 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915032454/http://www.crewealex.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~2090116,00.html | archivedate=15 September 2012 }} earning a clean sheet in Crewe's 4–0 win.{{cite web | url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3282219,00.html | title=Crewe earn flattering win | publisher=Sky Sports | date=12 July 2010 | accessdate=7 August 2010}} The loan period was subsequently converted into a season-long arrangement,{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/8973184.stm | title=Crewe Alexandra extend Rhys Taylor loan from Chelsea | publisher=BBC Sport| date=6 September 2010 | accessdate=8 November 2010}} with Taylor soon establishing himself as first-choice goalkeeper.
On 2 January 2012, Taylor moved to Rotherham United on a one-month loan deal.{{cite web |url=http://www.themillers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10360~2563404,00.html |title=Millers land 'keeper |publisher=Rotherham United F.C. |date=2 January 2012}} He made his debut the same day in a 3–0 win over Bradford City, despite not even training with the squad prior the match. On 31 January 2012, Rotherham extended Taylor's loan deal until the end of the season.{{cite news|title=Rotherham United extend Rhys Taylor's loan from Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16821538|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2012|accessdate=25 February 2012}}
Taylor returned to Chelsea at the end of League Two season after a successful spell at the club, playing 20 games. On 1 June 2012, he was released with Salomon Kalou, José Bosingwa and Marko Mitrović. He never made a professional appearance for the Premier League side.{{cite news|title=Blues keeper set for exit|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/7729960/Blues-keeper-set-for-exit|publisher=Sky Sports|date=4 May 2012|accessdate=20 July 2013}}
Following his release from Chelsea, Taylor joined Southend United on a free transfer{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerfame.com/transfer/13932/rhys-francis-taylor|title=Rhys Taylor transferred from Chelsea to Southend United on a free transfer|publisher=Soccerfame|date=14 March 2014|accessdate=14 March 2014}} before joining Preston North End on non-contract terms.{{cite news|title=One in, one out at Deepdale|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8394759/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=13 January 2012|accessdate=20 July 2013}} But after twice on the bench as an unused substitute, Taylor left Preston to join Lower League side Macclesfield Town as cover for the injured Lance Cronin and was given number 40 shirt.{{cite news|title=Murphy, Gorman, Evans & Taylor join Macclesfield Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21284186|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2013|accessdate=20 July 2013}} Days after signing for the club, on 1 February 2013, Taylor made his debut for the club, in a 4–0 win over Ebbsfleet United, also keeping a clean sheet on his debut.{{cite news|title=Ebbsfleet Utd 0–4 Macclesfield|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21191854|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 February 2013|accessdate=20 July 2013}} Since his debut, Taylor established himself in the first team as the club's first choice goalkeeper and remained there for the remainder of the season. Ahead of a new season, Taylor signed a new contract with the club.{{cite news|title=Macclesfield Town: Rhys Taylor returns to Conference Premier club|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23101016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 June 2013|accessdate=20 July 2013}}
In May 2015 Taylor signed for League Two club Newport County.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32927914 Taylor joins Newport] He made his debut for Newport on 1 September 2015 in the Football League Trophy first round match versus Swindon Town. On 29 October 2015 Taylor joined Conference national team Wrexham on loan until January 2016, subsequently extended to the end of the 2015–16 season. Taylor finally made his league debut for Newport County on 7 May 2016 versus A.F.C Wimbledon in the final match of the 2015–16 season. He was released by Newport on 10 May 2016 at the end of his contract.[http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/football/newportcounty/14482407.Newport_County_release_8_players/ Newport release 8]
On 6 August 2016, Taylor joined National League North side AFC Fylde on a one-year deal.{{Cite news |title=Coasters secure Taylor deal |url=http://www.afcfylde.co.uk/coasters-secure-taylor-deal/ |publisher=AFC Fylde |date=6 August 2016 |accessdate=9 September 2016}}
International career
Taylor was called up to the Wales under-21 squad at the age of 17 in 2008. He was subsequently identified by manager Brian Flynn to be one of the country's most promising future prospects.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/7963039.stm|title=Flynn's fledgling factory|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 March 2009|accessdate=19 July 2010|author=Peter Shuttleworth}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 24 April 2018}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Chelsea
| title = Squad stats: 2007/08 | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=536&teamTabs=stats&season_id=137 | publisher = Soccerbase | accessdate = 24 April 2015}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008–09{{cite web
| title = Squad stats: 2008/09 | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=536&teamTabs=stats&season_id=138 | publisher = Soccerbase | accessdate = 24 April 2015}} |Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2009–10{{cite web
| title = Squad stats: 2009/10 | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=536&teamTabs=stats&season_id=139 | publisher = Soccerbase | accessdate = 24 April 2015}} |Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Queens Park Rangers (loan)
| title = Squad stats: 2009/10 | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2093&teamTabs=stats&season_id=139 | publisher = Soccerbase | accessdate = 24 April 2015}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| Crewe Alexandra (loan)
|2010–11{{Soccerbase season|48375|2010|accessdate=24 April 2015}} |44 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2Appearances in Football League Trophy | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| Rotherham United (loan)
|2011–12{{Soccerbase season|48375|2011|name=Rhys Taylor|access-date=24 April 2015}} |League Two |20 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 0 | ||||
| Preston North End
| title = Squad stats: 2012/13 | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2054&teamTabs=stats&season_id=142 | publisher = Soccerbase | accessdate = 24 April 2015}} |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="4"|Macclesfield Town
|2012–13{{soccerway|rhys-taylor/61066|accessdate=25 November 2017}} |18 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | ||||
| 2013–14
|Conference Premier |45 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15
|Conference Premier |46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!109 | 0 | 6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 115 | 0 | ||
| Newport County
|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|48375|2015|name=Rhys Taylor|access-date=25 June 2015}} |League Two |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Wrexham (loan)
|27 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2Appearances in FA Trophy | 0 | 29 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|AFC Fylde
|34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 36 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18
|National League |10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| Tranmere Rovers (loan)
|National League |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!250 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 265 | 0 |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [http://www.skysports.com/football/player/0,19754,11668_359648,00.html Sky Sports profile]
- {{ESPN FC|113605}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Rhys}}
Category:Sportspeople from Port Talbot
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen
Category:Wales men's youth international footballers
Category:Wales men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:Southend United F.C. players
Category:Preston North End F.C. players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:Newport County A.F.C. players
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players
Category:Bradford (Park Avenue) A.F.C. players