Chris Taylor was a hugely reliable goalkeeper who was given the unenviable job of replacing from Des Gallagher as number one; arriving in summer 1998 and taking up his place between the Boro’ sticks for the next two-and-a-bit seasons. It wasn’t the easiest time to come to us either. The 1997-8 campaign had been less than ideal in the league, with Cloughie’s men far off a pace we were mainly setting in the previous two seasons. And it was a time when eras were coming to an end too; Dessie being one of the last few to taste title success in 1996.
That Taylor wasn’t able to achieve success at Boro’ is no reflection on the stopper. On more than one occasion, the Midlands-born player came to our rescue with stunning saves and commanding performances. It was clear that Boro’ had the goalkeeping department sussed. But things hadn’t quite clicked in other areas of the pitch – and a change of manager on no less than four occasions during Taylor’s tenure also didn’t help matters. In the end, it was the man who brought him in – Paul Fairclough – who’d also be the man to allow him on his way.
Chris Taylor: After Boro’
Cloughie’s decision to bring in – or bring back – Paul Wilkerson in summer 2000 put Taylor’s career on at Boro’ on notice. Honestly, we still don’t know quite why there was a need to sign Wilko. But there we are. During that 2000-1 campaign, the two actually shared the number one spot. Not that it would last. In summer 2001, Taylor left Broadhall Way. Perhaps it was for the security of regular first team action. Perhaps otherwise. Either way, it saw the stopper – surprisingly – step down a level to sign for Boreham Wood.
After a brief time there and at Bedford Town before 2001 was out, Taylor started gravitating towards home; the goalkeeper turning out for the likes of former club Bromsgrove Rovers and Halesowen Town.
