Reliable full-back secures his Saddlers' future...
THE SADDLERS have handed Andy Taylor a new 18-month contract as manager, Dean Smith, secures the future of another key player.The 26 year-old full-back arrived at Banks’s Stadium at the end of August and has put in some consistent and reliable displays in the back-line since then.
“I’m really pleased that Andy has agreed this deal,” said manager, Dean Smith. “He will be the first to admit that he came here with a lot of questions in his own mind having been out injured for a long period during his time at Sheffield United.
“But he has gone on to become a valuable member of the team here and has gradually built his fitness levels back up again.
“He’s an experienced lad who has really helped the youngsters around him. He has put in a consistent level of performance for us and is also a great character and personality to have around the football club.
“This is another important piece of the jigsaw in place.”
Taylor began his career with Blackburn Rovers where he came through the ranks of his hometown club and earned recognition from England at Under-19 and 20 level along the way.
During his time at Ewood Park he had loan spells at QPR, Blackpool, Crewe, Huddersfield and Tranmere, who went on to sign him on a permanent basis.
His displays for Rovers prompted a switch to Sheffield United in the summer of 2009 for an undisclosed fee and having established himself in The Championship, injury halted his progress.
He was released by The Blades during the summer of 2012 after over 40 senior games for the club and eventually arrived at Walsall where he was thrust straight into the starting line-up for our Capital One Cup clash at Queens Park Rangers earlier in the season.