Matthew Taylor (footballer)
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| Matthew Taylor | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | November 27, 1981 | |
| Place of birth | Oxford, England | |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | |
| Position | Left Back, Left Midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Portsmouth F.C. |
|
| Number | 14 | |
| Professional clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (goals) |
| 1999-2002 2002-Present |
Luton Town F.C. Portsmouth F.C. |
129 (16) 146 (17) |
|
* Professional club appearances and goals |
||
Matthew Taylor (born November 27, 1981 in Oxford, England) is an English football player. He currently plays for Portsmouth F.C. as a left-sided defender and/or attacking midfielder.
Matthew grew up in Abingdon, near Oxford, and was a keen schools and boys football player, winning the Vale of the White Horse Schools Cup in 1995 at under 13 level, and reaching the final of the Oxfordshire County Schools Cup in the same year, with John Mason School. He was a boyhood Tottenham supporter, which has no doubt helped to fuel transfer speculation linking him with a move to White Hart Lane.
He began his career at Luton Town F.C., making his debut at the beginning of the 1999/2000 season. He soon made the left wing-back slot his own and won the Young Player of the Year award in his first ever season as a professional.
His success at Luton came after an initial trial at his local side, Oxford United, who told a young Matthew that due his to his thick set build he was 'too fat' and 'only good enough to go in goal' - a decision they no doubt regret.
His impressive displays led to Portsmouth signing him for £750,000 for the 2002/03 season. He also became a regular for the England U21 side.
Usually playing as a left wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation, his speedy breaks down the left flank in support of the attack were a feature of Portsmouth's play as they lifted the First Division (now Football League Championship) crown in May 2003, earning him the chance to show his skills in the Premiership. As well as being a regular in the team during the season he also scored seven crucial goals in the League.
He continued to be a first team regular during Portsmouth's debut Premier League campaign, and was strongly tipped to become an England international in the future. However, the signing of David Unsworth from Everton, together with injury, limited his first team appearances.
However, towards the end of the 04/05 English Premiership season, Taylor won his place back at left back, fully recovering from his injuries, whilst Unsworth was loaned out to Ipswich Town after failing to impress the new Portsmouth management. Unsworth was subsequently sold to Sheffield United, and replaced by Gregory Vignal.
In the 2005/2006 season, Taylor played as a left wing (midfielder) or at left back for Portsmouth, fitting effectively into a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation. He played 34 games in the FA Premier League, scoring six goals - making him the highest scoring left back in the competition. Two of these were crucial penalties; one in the last minute against Sunderland to secure a 2-1 win, and another in an away game at Wigan Athletic to clinch another 2-1 win and survival from relegation.
His good form has brought alleged interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, but he signed a long term contract with Portsmouth in July 2006. His recent form has been well received by the England manager Steve McClaren who has said he is in his thoughts for the friendly at home to Spain, many other people are also tipping him for the England call up.
Taylor has scored some notable and spectacular left-footed goals from long range. In the 2002-3 season, an equaliser from outside the penalty area against closest rivals Leicester was key to Portsmouth securing the championship. In October 2005, he scored from fully 40 yards in a 4-1 win against Sunderland, spotting the goalkeeper off his line, and winning the BBC's Goal of the Month. On the December 9th 2006, Taylor scored a similar (but more difficult technically) 45-yard wonder volley that is a Goal of the Season candidate against Everton at Fratton Park.
Taylor's wife is called Hannah. They have one child together, Georgia.
[edit] External links
| Portsmouth F.C. - Current Squad |
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1 James | 2 Primus | 3 Stefanović | 4 Johnson | 5 O'Brien | 6 Manuel Fernandes | 7 Thompson | 8 Cole | 11 Pamarot | 14 Taylor | 15 Ashdown | 17 Koroman | 19 Kranjčar | 21 Songo'o | 22 Hughes | 23 Campbell | 25 Benjani | 26 O'Neil | 27 Kanu | 28 Davis | 29 Douala | 30 Pedro Mendes | 32 LuaLua | 35 Jordan | -- Berlin | -- Fordyce | -- Harris | -- Pearce | -- Wilson | Manager: Redknapp |
