“The loan was the catalyst really”, an exclusive interview with former Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor

A player who will be remembered fondly by supporters of Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers, Hartlepool born left-back Andrew Taylor amassed over 350 appearances in League football, with a handful of these coming in the Premier League.

I recently tracked down the former Boro left-back on social media and conducted a virtual interview with him, as he spoke openly about his time at the Riverside Stadium, playing for Cardiff and his decision to retire in 2019.

I started the interview by going back to Taylor’s time with Middlesbrough, the team where he came through the academy ranks before making his first-team breakthrough. I asked him how reflected in his time at the Riverside.

“My time at Middlesbrough was fantastic. I spent a lot of years there from initially signing at their school of excellence at 9 years old. The academy taught me the fundamentals of football which give me the tools to have a strong career, but also lots of general life lessons which definetly made me a more rounded individual.”

Another significant chapter in the early days of Taylor’s career came in a loan move to West Yorkshire outfit Bradford City during the 2005-06 season, Taylor explained how important the spell at Valley Parade was to his career.

“My loan to Bradford was probably at a time when I was at a crossroads in my career. I wasn’t sure at that point if I would go on to have a long career in the game or whether I would fall away. The loan was the catalyst really. Learning what 1st team football is all about rather than academy football. I loved it!”

After spending the opening seven years of his senior career in the North East (with the exception of the loan stint with Bradford) Taylor moved to South Wales in 2011 linking up with Cardiff City. I asked him what made that the right time to leave Middlesbrough and how the move to Cardiff came about.

“Yes I felt it was time to move on. I had to option to stay at Boro however I wanted to move away and experience something new. It came about really late in the summer break. Malky Mackay who was my manager whilst on a short loan at Watford was the Cardiff manager and he called me asking if I would go. Once he called me I was always going to go!”

In 2014, after three years in South Wales with the Bluebirds Taylor moved back up North joining Wigan Athletic I asked him if he had a desire to move back nearer to home, and if that played a part in the move.

“After three great years in Cardiff we were keen to move back up North closer to our family. We were about to have our first baby and wanted to be closer to home.”

In 2019 Taylor retired from football after a spell with Bolton Wanderers, I took the opportunity to ask Taylor why that was the right time to retire and if it was a difficult decision to make.

“I retired in the summer of 2019 after a really tough last season at Bolton. Physically I felt great and could have continued, however mentally I was in need of a break from it all. It wasn’t an easy decision but one that I knew was right and I have no regrets about making that call.”

Since his retirement, Taylor has moved into coaching and is currently a coach with Sunderland, I asked him if he was always interested in coaching.

“Yes coaching/managing has always been an interest to me. An opportunity come up to join the 1st team staff at Sunderland and I jumped at the chance. It’s a fantastic club and I’m really enjoying my time here.”

In his career, Taylor played over 100 games in the Premier League for Middlesbrough and Cardiff respectively and has come face-to-face with some of the best footballers of all time. I asked him who was the best and toughest player he’s come up against.

“I’ve been very lucky to play against a lot of top class players. (Cristiano) Ronaldo obviously stands out. The fact he is still arguably the best player around today tells you everything you need to know.”

I wrapped up the interview with Andrew by asking him what was the best moment of his career.

“Again I’ve experienced some great moments in my career such as the cup final against Liverpool and making my professional debut, but for me the moment we got promoted to the Premier League with Cardiff was incredible. We made history for the Club and the City and the night when we finally did it will live with me forever!”

An excellent left-back with a vast amount of experience within the top two divisions of English football it was a real honour to interview Andrew, and I’d like to thank him for his open and insightful answers.

A player with a significant amount of love for the game it was excellent to hear some of the memories he’s taken away from his career, and his passion for his role as a coach with Sunderland.