Blades-Mad feature former Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers defender Andy Taylor in our player-profiles section.
DoB: 14 March 1986
POB: Blackburn
Height: 5ft 11inch
Debut: 07/08/2009 at Middlesbrough (0-0)
Clubs: Blackburn Rovers (2004-08, 0 (0 + 0), Queens Park Rangers (loan, 2006, 1 (2) + 0), Blackpool (loan, 2006, 3 (0) + 0), Crewe Alexandra (loan, 2006, 6 (0) + 0), Huddersfield Town (loan, 2007, 7 (1) + 0), Tranmere Rovers (loan, 2007-08, 12 (1) + 1), Tranmere Rovers (2007-09, 67 (1) + 2), Sheffield United (2009-??).
Taylor made a permanent switch to Bramall Lane in July 2009 following a nominal fee paid to Tranmere Rovers under then Blades manager Kevin Blackwell.
He started his career with local club Blackburn Rovers, progressing through the youth and reserve team outlets, though never managed to make a first team appearance.
However, whilst with the Ewood Park club he represented England at both Under 19 and Under 20’s respectively.
In January 2006, at the peak of reaching a starting role at Rovers he was drafted out on loan to Queens Park Rangers, making his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 victory over Southampton; he replaced former Blade Georges Santos on the 78th minute!
His spell at Loftus Road was short lived and he made just three appearances before returning to Lancashire on 13th February before joining Blackpool on loan until the end of the season.
The following season he once again spent time away on loan, Crewe Alexandra and Huddersfield Town both handing Taylor an opportunity to gain experience at League One level.
In November 2007 he joined Tranmere Rovers initially on a two month loan spell before his deal was made permanent; he had made his debut at Doncaster Rovers in a 0-0 draw. He netted his first goal of his career in early January 2008 in a 4-3 defeat at Crewe Alexandra.
The 2008-09 seasons’ campaign was a season of upset for Tranmere Rovers, for the past two seasons they had battled successfully against relegation – but this season would see Rovers almost make the play-offs.
They were in fact, in the top six going into their last game at Scunthorpe United with the Iron just one point and a place behind their opponents with also a game in hand. They battled out a 1-1 draw with the Glanford Park club winning the last sixth spot and eventually promotion whilst Rovers would have the pleasure of League One football for at least another year.
He netted in their 4-3 home defeat to Colchester United; Mark Yeates on the score sheet for the U’s; and in a 0-0 draw at Stockport County was sent off for a second bookable offence.
That summer he made an undisclosed move to Bramall Lane and played in the 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough on the opening day of the season.
He had initially joined as cover for Gary Naymsith, however he spent the majority of the season injured, allowing Taylor to make 26 appearances in the Championship.
However the 2010-11 seasons has seen him drop down the pecking order with the arrival of Stephen Jordan (from Burnley).
Updated: December 2010
