Daryl Taylor

{{about|the English footballer|the Australian wheelchair basketballer|Daryl Taylor (basketball)}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Daryl Taylor

| image = Daryl Taylor.jpg

| caption = Taylor at Vale Park in May 2022

| fullname = Daryl Shea Taylor{{cite web |title=Aston Villa Player Database |url=http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/1868.html |website=www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com |access-date=28 October 2022}}

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}{{Soccerbase}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|11|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Birmingham, England

| position = Winger

| youthyears1 = 1999–2004

| youthclubs1 = Aston Villa

| years1 = 2004–2006

| years2 = 2005

| years3 = 2006

| years4 = 2006

| years5 = 2006

| years6 = 2006–2007

| years7 = 2007–2008

| years8 = 2008

| years9 = 2008

| years10= 2008–2009

| years11= 2009–2010

| years12= 2010

| years13= 201?–2015

| clubs1 = Walsall

| clubs2 = → Hereford United (loan)

| clubs3 = → Hereford United (loan)

| clubs4 = AFC Bournemouth

| clubs5 = → Bury (loan)

| clubs6 = Tamworth

| clubs7 = Halifax Town

| clubs8 = Kettering Town

| clubs9 = Halesowen Town

| clubs10= Hinckley United

| clubs11= Halesowen Town

| clubs12= Chippenham Town

| clubs13= Sutton Coldfield Town

| caps1 = 30

| caps2 = 5

| caps3 = 10

| caps4 = 0

| caps5 = 4

| caps6 = 23

| caps7 = 21

| caps8 = 2

| caps9 =

| caps10=

| caps11= 10

| caps12=

| caps13=

| totalcaps = 108

| goals1 = 3

| goals2 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| goals4 = 0

| goals5 = 0

| goals6 = 4

| goals7 = 1

| goals8 = 0

| goals9 =

| goals10=

| goals11= 1

| goals12=

| goals13=

| totalgoals = 9

}}

Daryl Shea Taylor (born 14 November 1984) is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger who is now a fitness coach at {{English football updater|ShrewsbT}} club Shrewsbury Town.

A former Aston Villa trainee, he made his senior debut with Walsall in August 2004. He scored in each of his first three appearances. However, he suffered a serious knee ligament injury on loan at Hereford United towards the end of the 2004–05 season. He spent seven months in recovery and rejoined Hereford United on loan in January 2006 but was released by Walsall following the club's relegation from League One at the end of the 2005–06 season. He signed with AFC Bournemouth and was loaned out to

Bury, before dropping out of the English Football League. He spent the 2006–07 season with Tamworth in the Conference and was then with Halifax Town for the following campaign. He spent the remainder of his career with Kettering Town, Halesowen Town, Hinckley United, Chippenham Town and Sutton Coldfield Town. He later became a fitness coach with Mansfield Town, Port Vale and Shrewsbury Town.

Playing career

=Walsall=

Taylor made his first-team debut for Walsall on 7 August 2004, scoring a goal in a 3–2 win over Port Vale at the Bescot Stadium.{{cite news |title=Walsall 3-2 Port Vale |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/3942093.stm |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2004}} He started the next game three days later and scored the opening goal as the "Saddlers" recorded a 2–2 draw at AFC Bournemouth. He also scored in his third appearance, a 5–3 defeat at Oldham Athletic. Despite this start, he never scored again in the English Football League. Manager Paul Merson gave him a one-year contract extension in September 2004.{{cite news |title=Walsallfans.co.uk - Daryl Taylor Signs Up |url=https://thefootballnetwork.net/main/s44/st57927.htm |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=thefootballnetwork.net |date=2 September 2004}}{{cite news |last1=Fudge |first1=Simon |title=Saddlers pair pen deals |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2309807/saddlers-pair-pen-deals |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Sky Sports |language=en}} Taylor joined Conference National club Hereford United on a one-month loan on 24 March 2005, which was later extended into a three-month loan.{{cite news |title=Bulls extend Taylor's loan spell |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hereford_united/4785370.stm |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 March 2006}} However, his loan spell at Edgar Street was curtailed due to a knee ligament injury.{{cite news |title=Cherries sign Daryl Taylor |url=https://bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/cherries-sign-daryl-taylor/ |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Vital Bournemouth |date=6 June 2006 |language=en}} The knee injury required two operations and left him sidelined for seven months.{{cite news |last1=Halford |first1=Brian |title=Taylor aiming to be a Saddlers success |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/taylor-aiming-to-be-a-saddlers-success-15888 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=BirminghamLive |date=9 December 2005 |language=en}}

He rejoined Hereford United on loan on 12 January 2006.{{cite news |title=Taylor back as Brady moves on |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/5716614.taylor-back-as-brady-moves-on/ |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Hereford Times |date=12 January 2006 |language=en}} He featured 11 times for Graham Turner's "Bulls", before returning to end the season with Walsall. He played 13 games for Walsall in the 2005–06 season, who were relegated out of League One. He was released by manager Richard Money in May 2006.{{cite news |title=Daryl Taylor to depart |url=https://walsall.vitalfootball.co.uk/daryl-taylor-to-depart/ |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Vital Walsall |date=12 May 2006 |language=en}}

=Later career=

Taylor joined Bournemouth on a month-to-month deal on 6 June 2006.{{cite news |title=Bournemouth pick up winger Taylor |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/5052370.stm |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2006}} Assistant manager Richard O'Kelly had previously tried to sign Taylor whilst he was coaching at West Bromwich Albion. This time he succeeded in bringing in Taylor, who turned down an opportunity in New Zealand and offers from Conference and League Two clubs.{{cite news |last1=Perrett |first1=Neil |title=Football - Taylor's Top Test |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/824804.football-taylors-top-test/ |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Bournemouth Echo |date=8 July 2006 |language=en}} He was loaned out to Bury and had a goal ruled out for offside on his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Torquay United at Gigg Lane on 9 September 2006.{{cite news |title=Wrong calls prove costly |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/wrong-calls-prove-costly-1043441 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=14 September 2006 |language=en}} He started two games and made three substitute appearances for the "Shakers", but manager Chris Casper decided not to extend his loan deal.{{cite news |title=Shakers release Taylor |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/shakers-release-taylor-1044675 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=15 February 2007 |language=en}}

Taylor signed with Conference side Tamworth after an unsuccessful trial with Burton Albion in October 2006.{{cite news |title=Lambs' double deal in bid to hit jackpot |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/lambs-double-deal-bid-hit-3976511 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Business Live |date=27 October 2006 |language=en}} He scored four goals in 23 league games for Tamworth in the 2006–07 season. On 7 June 2007, it was reported that Taylor had moved on from the "Lambs" and joined Halifax Town, with manager Chris Wilder looking to add pace to his team.{{cite news |title=Halifax boss Wilder signs winger |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/6731811.stm |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=7 June 2007}} However, Tamworth confirmed that Taylor had in fact not signed for Halifax Town, who had been misinformed by an agent.{{cite news |title=Misleading reports |url=http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/newsDetail.asp?secID=1&newsID=622 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Tamworth Football Club |date=11 June 2007 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165155/http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/newsDetail.asp?secID=1&newsID=622 |url-status=dead }} However, the transfer would eventually go through and Taylor spent the 2007–08 season at The Shay, scoring one goal in 23 games for the "Shaymen".

He played nine games for Southern League Premier Division club Halesowen Town, but also received "seven-day approaches" from Hinckley United manager Dean Thomas and Hednesford Town in September 2008.{{cite news |last1=Live |first1=Birmingham |title=Daryl Taylor boosts Halesowen Town's promotion chase |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/daryl-taylor-boosts-halesowen-towns-86432 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=BirminghamLive |date=5 March 2009 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Shelton |first1=Greg |title=Plenty to gain from tough cup tie |url=https://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/3702472.plenty-to-gain-from-tough-cup-tie/ |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Halesowen News |date=25 September 2008 |language=en}} Two months later he tore his hamstring playing in the Conference North for Hinckley United and was ruled out of action for three months.{{cite news |title=Knitters striker Daryl Taylor facing 12 weeks out |url=https://www.hinckleytimes.net/sport/football/football-news/knitters-striker-daryl-taylor-facing-6036185 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Hinckley Times |date=20 November 2008 |language=en}} He returned to Halesowen Town in March 2009, with manager Morell Maison stating that "Daryl has fallen out of the pro game and that left him disillusioned but he is still only 23".{{cite news |title=Halesowen Town hope to put spark back into Taylor |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/halesowen-town-hope-to-put-spark-86676 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=BirminghamLive |date=7 March 2009 |language=en}} He scored one goal in ten games for the "Yeltz" during the 2010–11 season. He made his debut for Chippenham Town in the FA Trophy on 16 October 2010.{{cite web |title=Trophy replay for Rebels and Bluebirds |url=https://www.sloughtownfc.net/reports/4662 |website=Slough Town FC |date=16 October 2010 |access-date=15 March 2021 |language=en}}

Style of play

Taylor was a pacey right-sided winger who struggled to fully recover from a knee injury sustained early in his career.{{cite web |title=Daryl Taylor Profile |url=https://bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/daryl-taylor-profile/ |website=Vital Bournemouth |access-date=15 March 2021 |language=en |date=12 July 2006}}

Coaching career

Taylor was promoted to assistant manager at Sutton Coldfield Town by manager Neil Tooth following Ross Thorpe's departure in September 2013.{{cite news |last1=Watters |first1=David |title=Tooth turns to Taylor - The Pitching In Northern Premier League |url=https://www.thenpl.co.uk/tooth-turns-to-taylor-16169 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=www.thenpl.co.uk |date=18 September 2013 |language=en}} He joined Mansfield Town as the club's new strength and conditioning coach in 2015, where he remained until a backroom reshuffle in September 2019.{{cite news |title=Three backroom staff depart |url=https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2019/september/three-backroom-staff-leave-stags/ |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=www.mansfieldtown.net |date=19 September 2019 |language=en-gb}} He joined Port Vale as a sports science and fitness coach in March 2021.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Ten major questions and answers in full from Port Vale fans' forum |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-fans-forum-shanahan-5142322 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=12 March 2021 |language=en}} He left the club following a backroom restructure under new manager Darren Moore in May 2024.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Trying to keep season-ticket holders in a huge summer |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/trying-to-keep-season-ticket-holders |access-date=14 May 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=13 May 2024}} In July 2024, he was appointed as the fitness coach at Shrewsbury Town.{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury Town appoint fitness coach for new season |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2024/07/24/shrewsbury-town-appoint-fitness-coach-for-new-season/ |access-date=6 October 2024 |work=Shropshire Star |date=24 July 2024 |language=en}}

Personal life

His younger brother, Corey Blackett-Taylor, turned professional at Aston Villa in 2016.{{cite news |title=Former Saddlers Brother Joins Walsall On Loan From Aston Villa |url=https://walsall.vitalfootball.co.uk/former-saddlers-brother-joins-walsall-on-loan-from-aston-villa/ |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=Vital Walsall |date=31 January 2019 |language=en}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|EFL Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Walsall \|2004–05{{Soccerbase season\|id=38602\|season=2004\|accessdate=1 July 2019}}	League One	19	3	1	0	0	0	2{{efn\|name=efl\|Appearance/s in the Football League Trophy.}}	0	22	3
2005–06{{Soccerbase season\|id=38602\|season=2005\|accessdate=1 July 2019}}	League One	11	0	1	0	0	0	1{{efn\|name=efl}}	0	13	0
colspan="2"\|Total !30	3	2	0	0	0	3	0	35	3
rowspan="3"\|Hereford United (loan) \|2004–05	Conference National	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
2005–06	Conference National	10	0	0	0	0	0	1{{efn\|name=fat\|Appearance/s in the FA Trophy.}}	0	11	0
colspan="2"\|Total !15	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	16	0
AFC Bournemouth \|2006–07{{Soccerbase season\|id=38602\|season=2006\|accessdate=1 July 2019}}	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bury (loan) \|2006–07	League Two	4	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	5	0
Tamworth \|2006–07	Conference National	23	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	26	4
Halifax Town \|2007–08{{Soccerbase season\|id=38602\|season=2007\|accessdate=1 July 2019}}	Conference Premier	21	1	1	0	0	0	1{{efn\|name=cns\|Appearance/s in the Conference League Cup.}}	0	23	1
Kettering Town \|2008–09{{Soccerbase season\|id=38602\|season=2008\|accessdate=1 July 2019}}	Conference Premier	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Halesowen Town \|2010–11{{cite web \|title=Daryl Taylor Profile {{!}} Aylesbury United FC \|url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/daryl-taylor#playingcareer \|website=www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk \|access-date=15 March 2021}}	Southern League Premier Division	10	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	1
colspan="3"\|Career total !105	9	6	0	1	0	5	0	117	9