Gareth Taylor

Infobox Football biography
playername = Gareth Taylor


fullname = Gareth Keith Taylor
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1973|2|25
cityofbirth = Weston-super-Mare
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=2
currentclub = Doncaster Rovers
clubnumber = 10
position = Defender, Striker
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1990–1991
1991–1995
1995–1996
1996–1998
1998–2001
2000
2000
2001
2001–2003
2003–2006
2006
2006–2008
2008–
clubs = Southampton
Bristol Rovers
Crystal Palace
Sheffield United
Manchester City
→ Port Vale (loan)
→ Queens Park Rangers (loan)
→ Burnley (loan)
Burnley
Nottingham Forest
→ Crewe Alexandra (loan)
Tranmere Rovers
Doncaster Rovers
caps(goals) = 000 00(0)
047 0(16)
020 00(1)
086 0(24)
048 00(9)
004 00(0)
006 00(1)
015 00(4)
080 0(32)
090 0(19)
015 00(4)
049 0(10)
012 00(1)
nationalyears = 1995–2006
nationalteam = Wales
nationalcaps(goals) = 014 00(1)
pcupdate = 15:23, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 15:23, 31 July 2008 (UTC)|

Gareth Keith Taylor (born 25 February 1973 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset) is an Anglo-Welsh footballer currently playing as a striker for Doncaster Rovers

Club Career

Early Career

Taylor started his career with Southampton, but failed to make any first team appearances and was released. Bristol Rovers then signed him, and he made his league debut as a centre-back in a 6–1 defeat at Cambridge United in February 1992. He did not play again until the first match of the 1994–95 campaign, by which time manager John Ward had converted him into a striker. His height meant he was a good target man and was exceptional in the air, scoring 12 goals (most of them headers) in his first full season alongside Marcus Stewart and Paul Miller in attack. His brace against Brentford on the final day ensured a Division 2 play-off spot and after a tense away goals victory over Crewe Alexandra in the semi-final, Bristol Rovers made it to Wembley, though they lost 2–1 to Huddersfield Town.

Crystal Palace and Sheffield United

After four goals in seven games at the start of the following season, he was transferred to Crystal Palace for an initial £750,000 rising to an eventual £1.25 million. He failed to make an impact at the London outfit and only managed 20 appearances and 2 goals. He was soon released and was signed by Sheffield United, where he made 50+ appearances and scored 24 goals.

Manchester City

Manchester City then bought him for £400,000 and he made around 40 appearances but only managed 9 goals. This led to him being loaned out to various clubs, including Port Vale, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley (who eventually signed him on a free transfer). His time at Burnley was arguably the best time in his football career. He played 105 games altogether (scoring 37 goals) making him become a favourite with the fans.

Nottingham Forest and Tranmere

This persuaded Paul Hart to buy him for Nottingham Forest for £500,000. At the beginning of the 2003–04 season,following his recovery from a serious eye injury sustained while still at Burnley, he became a regular in the side when David Johnson broke his leg. Forest's fortunes took a downturn largely caused by a mass exodus of players during the previous summer. Taylor played a big part in the recovery with some very important goals. His first goal for Forest came against his former club Burnley, at Turf Moor where Nottingham Forest won 3–0.

In the unfortunate 2004–05 season which resulted in relegation, he was made captain by Gary Megson and was highest scorer with 11 goals.

Shortly into the 2005–06 season, following a string of disappointing performances from the team, and with rumours that Megson had a deteriorating relationship with the players, he was stripped of the captaincy. With striker Grant Holt being signed to replace him, Taylor suddenly fell out of favour and was allowed to go on loan to Crewe Alexandra, where he enjoyed some success but was unable to prevent them getting relegated.

Taylor's contract at Nottingham Forest expired in the summer of 2006; the club decided against renewing it and he was released. At the end of June 2006, he joined Tranmere Rovers on a two-year contract, scoring 9 goals in all competitions in his debut season.

Doncaster Rovers

Taylor initially signed for Doncaster Rovers on loan on 31 January, 2008, the deal was made permanent on 5 February for an initial fee of £80,000 + VAT. He scored his first and last goal on April 5, the first equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium. Gareth was recently released from his contract following a career threatening cruciate ligament damange to his left knee.

International Career

He is a former Wales international. Born in England, he qualified for the national side through his father who was born in Wales and scored his only international goal in a 4–0 friendly victory over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in 2004.

External links

* [http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10329~5859,00.html Gareth Taylor player profile] at doncasterroversfc.co.uk
* [http://www.crewealex.net/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10414~5859,00.html Gareth Taylor player profile] at crewealex.net

It is widely known around certain internet circles that Gareth is madly in love with a certain princessy Forest girl. Or it might be the other way round.