Chris Taylor (footballer, born 1986)

Christopher David "Chris" Taylor (born 20 December 1986) is an English professional footballer who is contracted to Bolton Wanderers. He primarily plays as a midfielder. Born in Oldham, he played for his hometown club Oldham Athletic on a professional level from 2005 until his departure in 2012, after rejecting a new contract with the club.

Career

Oldham Athletic

Taylor, who is a lifelong Oldham fan, signed a professional contract with his hometown club,where a scout colin shaw scouted him and where he had been a trainee, on 1 August 2005. He made his debut for the club in a 3–0 home win over Nottingham Forest in the 2005–06 season, during which he made a further thirteen league appearances. In the 2006–07 season he made 51 appearances.

On 3 March 2007, Taylor scored his first professional goal in a 1–1 draw with Carlisle United. After waiting 51 games for his first goal, Taylor then scored twice in a 4–0 demolition of Doncaster Rovers in his next game. He then made it four goals from three games with a goal against Leyton Orient in his next game. In April 2007 he signed a new three-year contract until summer 2010.

On 2 June 2008, the Oldham Chronicle reported that Oldham had, the week before, rejected a bid for Taylor by Championship club Blackpool. Newly promoted Doncaster Rovers were also linked with a possible offer and it was claimed that Oldham had placed a £500,000 price tag on Taylor.

Early in Oldham's 2008–09 campaign, Taylor scored a double in a 2–0 victory over Leeds United. Several weeks later on 20 September, he scored another double in a 3–3 draw with Hartlepool United. On 18 March 2009, he signed a new contract for Oldham, extending his contract with the club until 2012. After signing the deal Taylor told the club website: "Everyone knows Oldham is where I want to be, I love playing for this club. "There has always been speculation but all I want is to play for Oldham." His season was cut short, however, when he picked up an ankle injury during a morning training session on 21 April. On 26 April, Taylor was named to League One's Team of the Year, along with teammate Neal Eardley.

On 8 June 2009, both the Oldham Chronicle and Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Leeds United were preparing to make a bid of over £500,000 for Taylor.

2009/2010 proved to be a difficult season for Taylor, injuries massively hindered a season in which he struggled to find the form with which he had impressed in the previous season and managed only a single goal. However, with Paul Dickov installed as manager at the start of the 2010/11 season, Taylor was given a more advanced role and along with the club made an impressive start to the campaign. Following an impressive first half of the season in which he managed 6 goals, Scunthorpe United made a bid for Taylor believed to be around £250,000 in January 2011. The bid was rejected by Oldham.

A poor second half of the season saw Oldham's play-off push fall away in 2011, yet the season proved a successful one individually for Taylor as he finished as the club's top scorer with 11 league goals.

Millwall

On 31 May 2012, Taylor signed a one-year contract for Millwall on a Bosman free transfer from Oldham after spending his entire career with The Latics.

Blackburn Rovers

On 16 May 2013, it was revealed that Taylor would be signing for Blackburn Rovers at the end of his contract with Millwall. He signed on 1 July 2013. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Derby County coming as a 63-minute substitute for Joshua King, putting in a superb cross for Leon Best's equaliser. He scored his first goal for the club three days later in the League Cup against Carlisle United. Taylor scored both of Blackburn's goals in the FA Cup third round against Charlton Athletic, in a game that Blackburn went on to win 2–1. He also scored in the next round as Blackburn knocked out Premier League team Swansea City. Taylor's first league goal for Blackburn came in a 3–2 defeat to Brentford on 17 March 2015.

Bolton Wanderers

On 1 July 2016, upon the expiry of his Blackburn contract, he made the short move to join Bolton Wanderers on a Free Transfer, becoming Phil Parkinson's first signing since taking over as manager of the Wanderers.

Career statistics

As of match played on 21 March 2015

Honours

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 2009