Former Sheffield United star Andy Taylor savours his FA Cup reunion with a "special" football club

Bradley’s Bar, billed by AFC Fylde as the ‘next generation in sporting entertainment’, was the unlikely setting for Andy Taylor’s epiphany.
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It was there, surrounded by supporters watching the FA Cup draw on television, that the defender admitted he realised how special Sheffield United are.

“Within an hour or so of the balls coming out of the hat, I was getting messages from people there saying they were looking forward to seeing me,” he remembers. “It’s been a long time since I was at the club but people like John Garrett, Kev Cookson and Sue (Beeley) from the community section sent texts through to my phone. That, for me, said everything about the spirit of the place.”

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Sunday’s third round tie at Bramall Lane is a big deal for Fylde, who have reached the third round for the first time in their history. It is personally significant for Taylor too, given the three years he spent there before heading to Walsall in August 2012.

Andy Taylor plays against Sheffield United for Walsall ©2016 Sport Image all rights reservedAndy Taylor plays against Sheffield United for Walsall ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
Andy Taylor plays against Sheffield United for Walsall ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved

With a career threatening injury curbing his progress at United - he spent 14 months recovering from a ruptured knee ligament - the full-back’s time in South Yorkshire was tinged with sadness and regret.

But as he traces his journey through the game since, it becomes apparent that Taylor, who joined the Conference club earlier this term, still holds United in the highest regard.

“I made so many great friends there,” he says, “People I’m still in touch with and can hopefully meet up with again.

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“Fingers crossed my old team mate Morgs (Chris Morgan) will be there. We spent a lot of time in the treatment room together back then unfortunately. But what a top bloke he is and United is full of really good people. That’s why my wife and I, who have got three kids now, are going to be staying in the area afterwards and showing them around some of the places we like and used to go.”

Edison, Elyse, Evelyn and Erika, Taylor’s partner, are scheduled to join Morgan in the stands as Chris Wilder’s squad, eighth in the Premier League table, do battle with Jim Bentley’s side. The visitors also have two more former United players at their disposal - Danny Philliskirk and Mark Yeates - which, Taylor hopes, can give them an extra edge.

“It was funny because, on the night of the draw, the club wanted a few players to go down to the bar at the ground and watch it with the fans,” he explains. “It was a massive event because Fylde have never been this far in the competition before.

“Some of them were asking me beforehand who I wanted. I told them that anyone from the top-flight would be great but that, because of my connection, United would be brilliant.

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“It was the first time, over the years, that I’ve ever really had a preference and so it was great when that came out.”

Relegated from the Championship during his enforced and lengthy absence, United parted company with Taylor after losing to Huddersfield Town in the League One play-off final. Eight seasons later, and following two promotions under Wilder, they are now rubbing shoulders with the game’s elite.

“I’m delighted to see United doing what they’re doing now,” he says. “The people there, the fans and others behind the scenes, deserve it because, as I know, the club has been through some difficult times in the not so distant past.

“I was so proud to be at United because it’s a huge name and I was looking forward to really kicking on.

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“Unfortunately things didn’t really work out like that because of the injury. That really disappointed me but, looking back, I was lucky to be somewhere like United because what happened could have finished me off. They looked after me though and gave me the best of everything.

“So to see them doing what they’re doing now, well, it’s just brilliant. And, like I said, I think that’s a reward not only for the lads there now but also everyone who stuck by them. Long may it continue. And I’m sure it will.”

Taylor, previously of Blackburn and Tranmere Rovers, moved to Fylde after a difficult spell with Oldham, where boardroom politics and other matters beyond his control contributed to what he readily admits, without going into too much detail, was the toughest chapter of his career.

“It was so testing, doing everything properly, training and eating right because I’m a professional, yet knowing I wasn’t going to be playing no matter what,” Taylor says. “It was a really tough summer for me because I hadn’t kicked a ball since Christmas and then Fylde came in for me. It was a great opportunity to get back playing again and one I was really pleased to get.”

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Despite finding themselves 21st in the Conference, Fylde have ambitions of gaining EFL status. Bentley’s appointment, although his first task is to steer them clear of relegation, represents a step towards achieving that aim. Previously of Morecambe, Wilder spoke in glowing terms about his rival’s achievements at the Globe Arena during United’s pre-match media conference.

“We’ll be going there as big underdogs but determined to give it our best shot,” Taylor, noting how Barnet, another non-league outfit, knocked United out last term, says. “If we do that, then who knows what might happen? But what we do know is, whoever they play, that we’re going to be up against some real talent. I really can’t wait.”