Matty Taylor (footballer, born 1990)

Taylor was born in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, and attended Gosford Hill School and Oxford & Cherwell Valley College.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Russell |title=SCHOOL SPORT: Oxford College are on the ball |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2049516.school-sport-oxford-college-ball/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Oxford Mail |date=16 February 2008 |language=en}} His football career started at Conference Premier club Oxford United, having been in the academy since the age of eight.{{cite book |title=The Official Matchday Programme of Port Vale FC 2022/23 Season - Issue 19 |date=4 March 2023 |page=13 |url=https://pvfc-shop.com/portvale/download/tZLj2IYqZpjuNS1rtign.pdf |access-date=23 August 2023}} He played four games in the 2007–08 season and seven in the 2008–09 campaign. In 2008, he had a loan spell at Southern League Division One South & West club Abingdon United.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldseries.co.uk/sport/4415135.FOOTBALL__Didcot_snap_up_young_United_striker/ |title= Didcot snap up young United striker |publisher=Herald Series |date=2 June 2009 | access-date=5 February 2017 }} In June 2009, he signed for newly promoted Southern League Premier Division club Didcot Town on a free transfer, following his release from Oxford days after helping the team lift the Oxfordshire Senior Cup. In 2009, he moved on to Southern League South & West Division club North Leigh. He was one of the Southern League's top scorers during the 2010–11 season, with a hat-trick against Bridgwater Town taking him to 22 league goals by March.{{cite news |last1=Bushnell |first1=Kieren |title=FOOTBALL: North Leigh hot-shots are good value for money! |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/8948515.football-north-leigh-hot-shots-good-value-money/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Oxford Mail |date=1 April 2011 |language=en}} He went on to score 40 goals in all competitions that season, leaving him with a final total of 80 goals in 92 games for the club, and turned down the offer of a full-time contract from Newport County to sign a new part-time contract with North Leigh in July 2011.{{cite news |last1=Bushnell |first1=Kieren |title=FOOTBALL: Matty signs deal with North Leigh |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/9128562.football-matty-signs-deal-north-leigh/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Oxford Mail |date=8 July 2011 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Former Forest Green striker Matty Taylor ends speculation by signing new contract to stay at Bristol Rovers |url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/14622665.former-forest-green-striker-matty-taylor-ends-speculation-by-signing-new-contract-to-stay-at-bristol-rovers/ |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Stroud News and Journal |date=15 July 2016 |language=en}} He missed the start of the new season with a minor knee injury.{{cite news |last1=Farrant |first1=Nick |title=FOOTBALL: North Leigh striker Taylor is snapped up by Forest Green |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/9244142.football-north-leigh-striker-taylor-snapped-forest-green/ |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Oxford Mail |date=10 September 2011 |language=en}}

In September 2011, Taylor had a trial with Cheltenham Town but went on to sign for Forest Green Rovers.{{cite web |url=http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/team/player-profile/matt-taylor/10 |title=Bristol Rovers FC Player Profiles |publisher=Bristol Rovers F.C. |access-date=6 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120055553/http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/team/player-profile/matt-taylor/10 |archive-date=20 January 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/first-team/2011-12-squad/matt-taylor |title=Forest Green Rovers FC Player Profiles |publisher=Forest Green Rovers F.C. |access-date=6 June 2015 }} Taylor was scouted by the club's academy boss Scott Bartlett, and manager Dave Hockaday said he could become a "big asset" for the club.{{cite news |title=Hockaday backs Taylor to shine |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/av/football/14858723 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 September 2011}} His first goals for the Nailsworth club came in the form of a hat-trick in a 4–1 win over Alfreton Town at The New Lawn.{{cite web|url=http://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/games/match-reports/first-team/2011-12/alfreton-town-home |title=Forest Green Rovers 4–1 Alfreton Town |publisher=Forest Green Rovers F.C. |access-date=6 June 2015 }} He signed a new contract in March 2012.{{cite news |title=Duo commit to Forest Green deals |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/17275308 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 March 2012}} He went on to score ten goals from 32 games as Forest Green finished tenth in the Conference Premier at the end of the 2011–12 season. He scored 11 goals from 47 appearances in the 2012–13 campaign, with Rovers again finishing tenth, and had his contract extended for another year.

He struggled for form early in the 2013–14 season, being limited to three goals in eight starts and five substitute appearances, and on 31 January was loaned out to fellow Conference Premier club Chester until the end of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25977242 |title=Transfer window: Matty Taylor joins Chester from Forest Green |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 June 2015 }} He continued to train with Rovers in the week as Chester were a part-time club, returning to the Deva Stadium for Chester's weekly training session and for matches.{{cite news |last1=Loveridge |first1=Ashley |title=Forest Green striker Matty Taylor relishing fresh start at Chester FC |url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/10978427.forest-green-striker-matty-taylor-relishing-fresh-start-at-chester-fc/ |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Stroud News and Journal |date=31 January 2014 |language=en}} Having scored six times in seven matches for Steve Burr's side, he was recalled by Adrian Pennock at his parent club.{{cite web |url=http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Forest-Green-Matty-Taylor-recalled-Chester-loan/story-20788881-detail/story.html |first=Pete|last=Orchard|title=Forest Green: Matty Taylor recalled from Chester loan spell |publisher=Gloucester Citizen |access-date=6 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314192550/http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Forest-Green-Matty-Taylor-recalled-Chester-loan/story-20788881-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} He failed to add to his goal tally from another 14 games for Forest Green as the club finished tenth for a third consecutive season. He rejected the club's offer of a new contract.{{cite news |last1=Loveridge |first1=Ashley |title=Forest Green striker Matty Taylor opts to pen deal at Bristol Rovers |url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/11281378.forest-green-striker-matty-taylor-opts-to-pen-deal-at-bristol-rovers/ |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Stroud News and Journal |date=17 June 2014 |language=en}}

On 16 June 2014, Taylor signed a pre-contract agreement with recently relegated Conference Premier club Bristol Rovers, reportedly rejecting offers from former clubs Oxford United and Chester, as well as Mansfield Town and Kidderminster Harriers.{{cite web|url=http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/matt-taylor-signs-1644760.aspx |title=Matt Taylor Signs For Bristol Rovers |publisher=Bristol Rovers F.C. |date=16 June 2014|access-date=6 June 2015 }}{{cite news |title=Striker Taylor joins Bristol Rovers |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27871117 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2014}} He finished the 2014–15 season with 21 goals in 51 games, including one in each of the play-off semi-final matches against former club Forest Green Rovers. He played the full 120 minutes of the play-off final and scored Rovers' second penalty of the shoot-out victory as they secured an immediate return to the Football League.{{cite news |first=Brendon |last=Mitchell |title=Bristol Rovers 1–1 Grimsby Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32679757 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2015 |access-date=3 June 2017}}

Taylor scored his first Football League goal in a 3–1 win over Barnet at the Memorial Stadium on 22 August 2015.{{cite news |title=Bristol Rovers 3-1 Barnet |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/33944522 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2015}} He was nominated for the League Two Player of the Month award for October after scoring four goals.{{cite news |title=Matty Taylor Nominated For League 2 Player Of The Month |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2015/november/matty-taylor-nominated-for-league-2-player-of-the-month/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=www.bristolrovers.co.uk |date=3 November 2015 |language=en-gb}} On 1 December, he scored a 12-minute second-half hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Wycombe Wanderers.{{cite news |title=Bristol Rovers 3-0 Wycombe Wanderers |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/34431703 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 December 2015}} He earned another Player of the Month nomination after scoring four goals and providing two assists in December.{{cite news |title=Matty Taylor Up For December's Player Of The Month |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2016/january/matty-taylor-up-for-decembers-player-of-the-month/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=www.bristolrovers.co.uk |date=5 January 2016 |language=en-gb}} He scored another hat-trick on 1 March, in a 4–1 win over Hartlepool United.{{cite news |title=Bristol Rovers 4-1 Hartlepool United |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35637330 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2016}} He finally won the Player of the Month award for March after scoring eight goals in seven games. Between 8 March and 16 April he scored in eight successive games, including a brace against Crawley Town. On the final day of the 2015–16 season, Bristol Rovers achieved promotion out of League Two by scoring a dramatic winner in the 92nd-minute; Lee Brown scored the decisive goal after Taylor himself hit the post.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34753848 |title=Bristol Rovers 2–0 Carlisle United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 November 2016 |access-date=15 July 2016}} Taylor finished the season with 28 goals and nine assists in 50 appearances. He was League Two's top scorer and was voted onto the PFA Team of the Year.

Taylor signed a new contract in July 2016 and stated that if he were to leave the club then Rovers would receive a fee and he could therefore "leave by the front door, with my head held high".{{cite news |title=Matty Taylor Puts Pen To Paper On A New Deal |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2016/july/matty-taylor-puts-pen-to-paper-on-a-new-deal/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=www.bristolrovers.co.uk |date=15 July 2016 |language=en-gb}} He proceeded to score on his League One debut in a 3–1 defeat at Scunthorpe United on 6 August.{{cite web |url=http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36930020 |title=Scunthorpe United 3–1 Bristol Rovers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2016 |access-date= 4 September 2016 }} On 18 October, he scored a second-half hat-trick to earn a point for Rovers in a 3–3 draw with Milton Keynes Dons.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37615027 |title= Milton Keynes Dons 3–3 Bristol Rovers |date=18 October 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=18 October 2016}} He made 33 appearances in the 2016–17 campaign, scoring 19 goals, before his departure in January.

On 31 January 2017, Taylor left Bristol Rovers to join local derby rivals Bristol City, who activated his release clause, reported to be £300,000.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/02/matty-taylor-expected-bristol-backlash-leaving-rovers-for-city|title=Matty Taylor pays price for passion in Bristol with leap to City from Rovers|last=James|first=Stuart|date=2 February 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=5 February 2017|issn=0261-3077}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38808100 |title=Matty Taylor: Bristol City sign striker from local rivals Bristol Rovers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2017 |access-date=31 January 2017 }} Taylor became the first player to move directly from Bristol Rovers to Bristol City since Trevor Morgan in 1987.{{cite news |last1=Gheerbrant |first1=James |title=Taylor joins Bristol City to become first Rovers turncoat in 30 years |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/taylor-becomes-first-bristol-turncoat-in-30-years-kqp7btf5q?region=global%2Cglobal |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=The Times |date=31 January 2017 |language=en}} In October 2017, as part of an interview for the BBC Points West programme, Bristol City manager Lee Johnson described how he received a death threat during the 2016–17 season after signing Taylor. During this episode, Johnson moved house after his family's home address was put online.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41608008|title=A death threat and having to move house – it was tough|date=13 October 2017|publisher=BBC News|access-date=17 December 2017}} On 11 February 2017, Taylor made his first start for Bristol City, in a league match away to Derby County. He scored his first goal for the club in the 14th minute, firing home from close range after teammate Aden Flint saw his header cleared off the line. Taylor would go on to play a key role in City's next two goals, the match eventually ending 3–3.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38864163|title=Derby County 3–3 Bristol City|date=11 February 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=13 February 2017}} On-loan youngster Tammy Abraham was the club's main striker, whilst Lee Tomlin and Aaron Wilbraham provided strong competition up front, which limited Taylor to nine starts and six substitute appearances as the 2016–17 campaign drew to a close; he nevertheless scored two goals and provided five assists.{{cite news |last1=MacGregor |first1=Gregor |title=Matty Taylor to be released: did the striker get fair crack at Ashton Gate? |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/matty-taylor-released-bristol-city-4208251 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=BristolLive |date=9 June 2020 |language=en}}

During the 2017–18 season, Bristol City reached the semi-finals of the EFL Cup and Taylor scored in the victories against Premier League opponents Stoke City and Crystal Palace,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41647095|first=Neil|last=Johnston|title=Bristol City 4–1 Crystal Palace|date=24 October 2017|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41235275|title=Bristol City 2–0 Stoke City|date=19 September 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=19 September 2017}} as well as setting up the 93rd-minute winner in the quarter-final victory over cup holders Manchester United.{{cite web |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-manchester-united-carabao-3665494 |title='Greatest night of my life': Bristol City fans celebrate 'Korey Smith Day' two years on from Manchester United win |first=Max |last=Baker |date=20 December 2019 |access-date=5 July 2020}} However, he was limited to just four starts in the Championship as Johnson preferred to use Famara Diédhiou and Bobby Decordova-Reid. He was again restricted mainly to appearances off the bench in 2018–19, contributing four goals and five assists from ten starts and 23 substitute appearances in the league. Johnson looked to move Taylor on in the summer of 2019 after the acquisition of Benik Afobe and Antoine Semenyo's elevation to the first team.{{cite news |last1=Piercy |first1=James |title=Matty Taylor signs for Oxford United from Bristol City |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-matty-taylor-signs-oxford-3226480 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=BristolLive |date=19 August 2019 |language=en}}

On 19 August 2019, Taylor joined Oxford United – by now in League One – on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2019/august/matty-taylor-signs/ |title=Taylor joins Oxford United On Loan |publisher=Oxford United F.C. |date=19 August 2019 |access-date=19 August 2019}} He made his debut the following day in a 4–2 defeat to Burton Albion,{{cite news |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/17849640.oxford-united-2-brannagan-47-forde-56-burton-albion-4-buxton-30-fraser-61-70-84/ |first=David |last=Pritchard |title=Oxford United 2 (Brannagan 47, Forde 56), Burton Albion 4 (Buxton 30, Fraser 61, 70 & 84) |newspaper=Oxford Mail |date=20 August 2019 |access-date=24 August 2019}} and scored his first goal in a 6–0 win at Lincoln City on 21 September. On 25 September, he scored a goal and provided an assist in a 4–0 win over Premier League West Ham United at the Kassam Stadium in the third round of the EFL Cup.{{cite news |last1=McNulty |first1=Phil |title=Pellegrini takes blame for shock defeat |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49736856 |access-date=2 February 2023 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2019}} Oxford were eliminated at the quarter-finals by eventual winners Manchester City, with Taylor scoring Oxford's goal in a 3–1 home defeat.{{cite news |last1=McNulty |first1=Phil |title=Sterling double sends Man City into semis |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50738362 |access-date=2 February 2023 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2019}} He was named as the EFL League One Player of the Month for February, having scored seven goals in as many games, helping Oxford to make a late push for the play-offs.{{cite news|date=13 March 2020|title=Sky Bet League One: Manager and Player of the Month winners|publisher=English Football League|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2020/march/sky-bet-league-one-manager-and-player-of-the-month-winners/|access-date=25 December 2020}} He finished the COVID-affected 2019–20 season as top scorer for the club, scoring 17 goals in 37 games. United reached the play-off final, losing 2–1 to Wycombe Wanderers behind closed doors at Wembley Stadium.{{Cite web| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53316283| title = Oxford United 1–2 Wycombe Wanderers| publisher=BBC Sport| access-date = 21 July 2020| date = 13 July 2020| first = Adam| last = Williams| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200713213540/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53316283| archive-date = 13 July 2020| url-status = live}}

On 31 July 2020, he signed a three-year permanent deal with Oxford.{{cite news |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/18620020.matty-taylor-signs-three-year-deal-oxford-united/ |title=Matty Taylor signs three-year deal at Oxford United |date=31 July 2020 |newspaper=Oxford Mail |first=David |last=Pritchard |access-date=1 August 2020}} He was again the club's top scorer in the 2020–21 season with a total of 19 goals in 52 appearances, including a strike against Blackpool in the play-off semi-final, which ended in a 6–3 aggregate defeat.{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=Jay |title=Blackpool reach final after Oxford draw |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57110428 |access-date=2 February 2023 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2021}} He scored 22 goals in 46 games in the 2021–22 campaign, though this time Oxford missed out on the play-offs after an eighth-place finish. On 22 October 2022, he was sent off in a 2–1 home defeat to Peterborough United.{{cite news |title=Oxford 1-2 Peterborough: Jack Taylor and Kwame Poku set Posh to victory as Matty Taylor sees red |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/oxford-united-vs-peterborough-united/469107 |access-date=2 February 2023 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=22 October 2022 |language=en}}

He was deemed as surplus to requirements by head coach Karl Robinson after Ateef Konaté and Tyler Smith were signed in the January 2023 transfer window to compete with Gatlin O'Donkor, Kyle Joseph, Billy Bodin, Sam Baldock and Marcus Browne for a starting place.{{cite news |last1=Rice |first1=Liam |title=Matty Taylor completes late deadline day move to League One rivals |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/23290496.oxford-uniteds-matty-taylor-joins-port-vale-deadline-day-loan-move/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |newspaper=Oxford Mail |date=31 January 2023 |language=en}} On 31 January, Taylor joined League One rivals Port Vale on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{cite news |title=Deadline Day {{!}} Striker Matty Taylor joins the Vale on loan from Oxford United |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/january/deadline-day--striker-matty-taylor-joins-the-vale-on-loan-from-oxford-united/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |publisher=Port Vale F.C.|date=31 January 2023 |language=en-gb}} He had scored six goals in 29 games during the first half of the campaign, including a brace in a 4–0 win over the Vale.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale beat transfer deadline to sign Matty Taylor from Oxford |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/port-vale-sign-matty-taylor-8097224 |access-date=1 February 2023 |publisher=StokeonTrentLive |date=31 January 2023 |language=en}} The move reunited him with Darrell Clarke, his former manager at Bristol Rovers, who needed reinforcements up front following injury concerns to James Wilson, Ellis Harrison and Jamie Proctor; as well as previously under Clarke, Taylor had been good friends with Harrison for many years and was pleased to finally become a teammate.{{cite news |title=Port Vale sign Oxford United striker Taylor |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64477668 |access-date=1 February 2023 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2023}}{{cite news |title=First Words {{!}} Matty Taylor |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/february/first-words--matty-taylor/ |access-date=4 February 2023 |publisher=Port Vale F.C. |date=2 February 2023 |language=en-gb}} He made his debut at Vale Park two weeks later as a substitute, after having recovered from an impact injury picked up at Rovers.{{cite news |last1=Chadwick |first1=Owen |title=Matty Taylor {{!}} "We want to get firing and start to win more games" |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/february/matty-taylor-pre-exeter-city/ |access-date=17 February 2023 |publisher=Port Vale F.C. |date=17 February 2023 |language=en-gb}} It took him six games to score his first goal at Port Vale, though he was praised for his "clear know-how and understanding of the level".{{cite news |title=Vote for your Reels in Motion Player of the Month for March |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/march/vote-for-your-reels-in-motion-player-of-the-month-for-march/ |access-date=28 March 2023 |publisher=Port Vale F.C. |date=28 March 2023 |language=en-gb}} Taylor's contract with Oxford was not renewed at the end of the 2022–23 season; head coach Liam Manning stated that "Matty Taylor is a club legend and has been here in two spells since he was just a kid, so I am sure the fans will join us in thanking him for everything he has done for the club".{{cite web |url=https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2023/may/retained-list-2023/ |title=U's Announce Summer Departures |date=10 May 2023 |publisher=Oxford United F.C. |access-date=10 May 2023}}

On 17 July 2023, Taylor rejoined Forest Green Rovers, now in League Two.{{cite news |title=Striker Taylor returns to Forest Green |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66227032 |access-date=17 July 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 July 2023}} He scored two goals in 18 games in his second spell for the club.{{cite news |title=Taylor Joins Cheltenham |url=https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/taylor-joins-cheltenham |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=fgr.co.uk |date=1 February 2024}}

On 1 February 2024, Taylor returned to League One on a two-and-a-half-year contract with Cheltenham Town in a move that again reunited him with manager Darrell Clarke, who had reportedly made him his number one priority for the transfer window.{{cite news |title=Cheltenham sign Taylor, Nuttall, Shepherd & Thomas |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68175568 |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Jon |title=Striker joins Robins from Forest Green |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-bristol-city-bristol-rovers-9072820 |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=Gloucestershire Live |date=1 February 2024 |language=en}} He scored on his debut at Whaddon Road, a 3–1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, and also scored in the following game to secure a 1–0 victory at Cambridge United.{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Jon |title=Matty Taylor on move to Cheltenham Town and dream start |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-bristol-city-bristol-rovers-9095336 |access-date=12 February 2024 |work=Gloucestershire Live |date=12 February 2024 |language=en}} He scored four goals in eight games before being sidelined with a hamstring injury.{{cite news |last1=Obrey |first1=Malachi |title=Taylor injury offers fresh blow to Robins survival hopes |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/matty-taylor-injury-absence-offers-9168619 |access-date=9 April 2024 |work=Gloucestershire Live |date=15 March 2024 |language=en}} He recovered to finish the campaign with seven goals, though this was not enough to prevent the club from being relegated into League Two.{{cite news |last1=Rice |first1=Liam |title=Matty Taylor's seventh goal since February not enough to deny relegation |url=https://www.heraldseries.co.uk/sport/24284069.cheltenham-town-relegated-league-one-stevenage-defeat/ |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=Herald Series |date=28 April 2024 |language=en}} On 15 February 2025, he came off the bench to score a brace at Whaddon Road, securing a 3–2 home win over Barrow.{{cite news |title=Five of WhoScored's top performers in Sky Bet League Two |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/february/17/five-of-whoscored-s-top-performers-in-sky-bet-league-two/ |access-date=19 March 2025 |work=EFL |date=17 February 2025 |language=en}}

On 21 May 2014, Taylor scored two goals for England C in a 2–2 draw with Sparta Prague B in a behind closed doors friendly match in which no caps were awarded.{{cite news |last1=Badcock |first1=Matthew |title=England C warm-up with draw at Sparta Prague |url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2014/may/21/sparta-prague-2-2-england-c-report-210514 |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=www.thefa.com |date=21 May 2014 |language=en}} He scored in a 4–2 defeat to Hungary U19 seven days later.{{cite news |title=England C suffer harsh lesson in Budapest against Hungary |url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2014/may/27/hungary-4-2-england-c-match-report-270514 |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=www.thefa.com |date=28 May 2014 |language=en}}

{{updated|match played 26 April 2025}}

{{notelist}}

Bristol Rovers

• Football League Two third-place promotion: 2015–16{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017 |year=2016 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3395-0 |pages=90–91}}
• Conference Premier play-offs: 2015

Individual

• Football League Two Player of the Month: March 2016{{cite web|title=Matty Taylor named Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Month|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/april/matty-taylor-named-sky-bet-league-2-player-of-the-month/|date=8 April 2016|publisher=English Football League|access-date=19 November 2022}}
• Bristol Rovers Player of the Year: 2015–16{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
• PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16 League Two{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36106596 |title=PFA awards: Leicester and Spurs dominate Premier League team |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 April 2016 |access-date=3 January 2018}}
• EFL League One Player of the Month: February 2020

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{{Cheltenham Town F.C. squad}}

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{{Bristol Rovers F.C. Player of the Year}}

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Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Kidlington

Category:Footballers from Oxford

Category:English men's footballers

Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Oxford United F.C. players

Category:Abingdon United F.C. players

Category:Didcot Town F.C. players

Category:North Leigh F.C. players

Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players

Category:Chester F.C. players

Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players

Category:Bristol City F.C. players

Category:Port Vale F.C. players

Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Southern Football League players

Category:English Football League players

Category:21st-century English sportsmen