Former Blackpool skipper Andy Taylor was named as a substitute for AFC Fylde‘s National League clash with Chesterfield tonight within hours of signing on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old defender, pictured, put pen-to-paper on a short term deal after training with the Coasters in recent weeks following his summer departure from Oldham Athletic.
Since kicking off his career with hometown club Blackburn, Taylor has topped 300 appearances in the Football League, 15 of which came last season in League Two with the Latics.
After stints with QPR, Crewe, Huddersfield, Tranmere and Sheffield United, Taylor spent four years at Walsall, making 159 appearances.
This was followed by two seasons at Bloomfield Road from 2016/17 to 2017/18, where he was briefly on loan a decade earlier. Taylor made 45 appearances during Blackpool’s promotion-winning campaign but managed only seven during the following campaign in League One.
Taylor told fans in a statement on the club’s website that he’s been “itching” to sign for Coasters boss Dave Challinor.
“I’ve been in with the group for a couple of weeks and have played a reserve game,” said Taylor. “So I’ve been itching to get the deal done and get back to playing.
“I spent a bit of time with Doncaster in pre-season but that didn’t materialise. Since then it’s been about keeping myself fit, being in the gym and out running.
“I’ve always described myself as an attacking left-back. I enjoy getting forward and look to make things happen in the opposition box.”
“First and foremost I’m a defender, of course, so I pride myself on looking after that left side. I’m here to work hard and enjoy my football, so whatever I can bring to the group is great.”
Bradford’s City’s on-loan keeper Sam Hornby made his full debut for the Coasters on Tuesday night. He arrived on Monday in a loan deal running until January 2020.
Hornby joined City in the summer on a free transfer from Port Vale after making 11 appearances in League Two. His arrival follows a host of summer signings.
Images courtesy of afcfylde.co.uk
