Rob Taylor (footballer)

For the former Gillingham and Brentford player, see Robert Taylor (footballer).
Rob Taylor
Personal information
Full name Robert James Taylor[1]
Date of birth 16 January 1985 (1985-01-16) (age 27)[2]
Place of birth Shrewsbury, England[3]
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
Playing position Wingback/Midfielder/Forward
Club information
Current club Port Vale
Number 3
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2004 Redditch United 7 (1)
2004–2005 Solihull Borough 15 (3)
2005–2006 Evesham United 29 (2)
2006–2007 Redditch United 23 (2)
2007–2008 Nuneaton Borough
2008– Port Vale 115 (14)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 2 January 2012 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Robert James "Rob" Taylor (born 16 January 1985) is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He plays on the left flank and is known for his pace and dribbling ability.

A former non-league player with Solihull Borough, Redditch United, Evesham United, and Nuneaton Borough, his career in the Football League began later than most, as he chose to put his education before his football. He signed with Port Vale in August 2008, and after establishing himself in the first team in 2008–09, he played more than forty games in both the 2009–10 and 2010–11 campaigns.

Contents

Playing career

Taylor started off playing in the Southern League with Solihull Borough in 2004–05 and Evesham United in 2005–06. He was relegated in both seasons. He then played in the Conference North for Redditch United in 2006–07 and Nuneaton Borough in 2007–08,[4] where he was a consistently good performer in the division.[5]

Despite several trials at league clubs he chose to put his education first and complete a degree at the University of Worcester.[6] After a successful trial with Port Vale, where he scored in a reserve outing, manager Lee Sinnott signed him up on a two year deal in readiness for the 2008–09 season.[7] He scored on his Vale debut in a 3–1 victory against Luton Town.[8] When Sinnott's replacement Dean Glover took charge of the club, Taylor found himself out of contention and when Glover himself was removed Taylor stated his ambitions to earn himself a first team place under fresh management.[9]

During the start of the 2009–10 season, under new manager Micky Adams, Taylor found himself in the first team and a fan favourite.[10] He played in the League Cup "Sheffield double" defeats of both Championship sides, also scoring past Wednesday.[11] In the following league game against Hereford United he scored a superb goal, that would later win him the club's Goal of the Season award.[12] In August he set himself a target of ten goals for the season.[13] Under Adams, Taylor was utilized in an attacking role, rather than his original role as left-back/left midfielder.[14]

"When he believes in himself, he'll be frightening. He still doesn't quite understand his role yet. He's got to learn when to pass it and when to be nice and positive."
—Manager Micky Adams speaking in September 2009.[15]

He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.[16] On 28 December 2009 he scored his sixth of the season at Grimsby Town's Blundell Park, before getting his second bookable offence, earning him the first sending off of his professional career.[17] To his surprise and delight, his good form earned him a contract extension in January 2010 that tied him to the "Vale" until the summer of 2012.[18][19] Adams said that he gave Taylor the contract to avoid other clubs making attempts to tempt him away from Vale Park.[20]

Taylor found himself in the treatment room after tearing his hamstring in only his second start of the 2010–11 campaign.[21] After recovering earlier than expected he aimed to regain his first team place.[22] On 8 January he scored a brace past Championship side Burnley in Vale's 4–2 FA Cup defeat at Turf Moor.[23] These would be two of only three goals that season, though he ended the campaign with 41 appearances to his name.

He started the 2011–12 season on the bench. After he scored in his first start of the season, a Football League Trophy tie with Tranmere Rovers, he cemented his first team place with a brace against Bradford City in the league.[24]

Style of play

An attacking left-sided player, he is known for his pace and ability to beat defenders.[2]

Personal life

Taylor holds a degree in Sports science from the University of Worcester.[25] He is a Manchester United supporter.[26]

Statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Total
2008–09[27] Port Vale League Two 20 3 0 0 1 0 22 3
2009–10[28] Port Vale League Two 38 8 2 0 3 1 44 10
2010–11[29] Port Vale League Two 36 1 3 2 1 0 41 3
2011–12[30] Port Vale League Two 21 2 2 0 0 0 24 3
Total England 115 14 7 2 5 1 131 19
Career total 115 14 7 2 5 1 131 19
Notes

References

  1. ^ "search births indexes 1837–2006". Findmypast.com. http://www.findmypast.co.uk/birth-indexes-search-start.action?redef=0. Retrieved 2 May 2009. 
  2. ^ a b c "Name: Robert Taylor". port-vale.co.uk. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10381~43764,00.html. Retrieved 6 August 2011. 
  3. ^ "Port Vale: Tame Shrews and we can endorse our promotion credentials, says Taylor". The Sentinel. 17 September 2011. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Tame-Shrews-endorse-promotion/story-13349913-detail/story.html. Retrieved 17 September 2011. 
  4. ^ White, Andy (15 February 2008). "Taylor Joins Nuneaton". The Non-League Paper. http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/article.asp?aid=2588&iid=61&sud=249. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  5. ^ Brown, Derek (16 April 2008). "Taylor's tilt at league career". Coventry Telegraph. http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/coventry-warwickshire-sport/coventry-warwickshire-non-league-footbal/nuneaton-borough-fc/2008/04/16/taylor-s-tilt-at-league-career-92746-20770957/. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  6. ^ "Worcester Students Aiming for England Universities Selection". worc.ac.uk. 19 December 2007. http://www.worc.ac.uk/about/news/9519.html. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  7. ^ "First summer signings for Sinnott". BBC Sport. 29 April 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7373498.stm. Retrieved 11 August 2008. 
  8. ^ "Luton 1–3 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 9 August 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7541153.stm. Retrieved 11 August 2008. 
  9. ^ "Vale winger Taylor eyes new start". BBC Sport. 22 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8062886.stm. Retrieved 22 May 2009. 
  10. ^ Tideswell, Martin (28 August 2009). "Port Vale Sentinel: Vale serve up a night to remember". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Sentinel-Vale-serve-night-remember/article-1291545-detail/article.html. Retrieved 28 August 2009. 
  11. ^ "Port Vale 2–0 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 25 August 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8205222.stm. Retrieved 28 August 2009. 
  12. ^ Owen, Jon (12 May 2010). "Port Vale: Griffith takes home top accolade". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Griffith-takes-home-accolade/article-2145856-detail/article.html. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 
  13. ^ "Port Vale: Taylor sets scoring target". The Sentinel. 29 August 2009. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Taylor-sets-scoring-target/article-1294870-detail/article.html. Retrieved 29 August 2009. 
  14. ^ Shaw, Steve (14 September 2009). "Port Vale: Taylor out to prove doubters wrong". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Port-Vale-Taylor-prove-doubters-wrong/article-1334304-detail/article.html. Retrieved 14 September 2009. 
  15. ^ "Taylor still developing – Adams". BBC Sport. 14 September 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8253020.stm. Retrieved 14 September 2009. 
  16. ^ "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8277136.stm. Retrieved 27 September 2009. 
  17. ^ Shaw, Steve (29 December 2009). "Port Vale: Taylor hits decisive goal ... then gets his marching orders". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Taylor-hits-decisive-goal-gets-marching-orders/article-1652815-detail/article.html. Retrieved 29 December 2009. 
  18. ^ Shaw, Steve (14 January 2010). "Port Vale: Taylor extends deal until 2012". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Taylor-extends-deal-2012/article-1709377-detail/article.html#StartComments. Retrieved 14 January 2010. 
  19. ^ "Taylor agrees two-year Vale deal". BBC Sport. 15 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8461241.stm. Retrieved 15 January 2010. 
  20. ^ "Port Vale: Taylor aims to repay Vale's faith in his raw talent". The Sentinel. 16 January 2010. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Taylor-aims-repay-Vale-s-faith-raw-talent/article-1717441-detail/article.html. Retrieved 16 January 2010. 
  21. ^ "Blow for Taylor". port-vale.co.uk. 19 October 2010. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2189475,00.html. Retrieved 20 October 2010. 
  22. ^ "Port Vale: Rob Taylor looks to kick-start season". The Sentinel. 20 November 2010. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Rob-Taylor-looks-kick-start-season/article-2916364-detail/article.html. Retrieved 20 November 2010. 
  23. ^ "Burnley 4 - 2 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 8 January 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9341762.stm. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
  24. ^ "Port Vale 3 - 2 Bradford". BBC Sport. 13 September 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14799500.stm. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  25. ^ Shaw, Steve (14 September 2009). "Port Vale: Turnaround for Taylor is proof of a rejuvenated Valiants". http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Match-analysis-Aldershot-1-Port-Vale-1/article-1333955-detail/article.html. Retrieved 14 September 2009. 
  26. ^ Shaw, Steve (23 April 2011). "Port Vale: Taylor already dreaming of Old Trafford date". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Taylor-dreaming-Old-Trafford-date/article-3482007-detail/article.html. Retrieved 23 April 2011. 
  27. ^ "Games played by Robert Taylor in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=49472&season_id=138. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  28. ^ "Games played by Robert Taylor in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=49472&season_id=139. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  29. ^ "Games played by Robert Taylor in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=49472&season_id=140. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  30. ^ "Games played by Robert Taylor in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=49472&season_id=141. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 

External links

Port Vale F.C. – current squad