Quick Facts
Biography
Charles James "Charlie" Taylor (born 18 September 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Championship club Leeds United. His primary position is at left back but he can also play as a winger. He is a former England under-19 international.
Club career
Early career
Born in York, North Yorkshire, Taylor attended Tadcaster Grammar School and played in the junior teams at Leeds United before signing as a scholar with the club upon leaving school in the summer of 2010. During his first year in the youth team, Taylor was a regular for the under-18s, and in the second half of the 2010–11 season established himself in the reserve team, featuring in nine games. While playing for the under-18s against Newcastle United he scored a goal which would be awarded the LFE's 2010–11 Academy & Youth Alliance Goal of the Season in April 2011, with LFE chief executive Alan Sykes describing it as an "incredible strike". He capped his first year as a scholar by turning professional after signing a three-year contract at the club in May 2011. The length of the contract reflected the club's value of the player with fellow youngsters Alex Cairns and twins Lewis and Nathan Turner earning only one-year deals initially.
Senior debut and loan moves
At 17 years of age, Taylor made his first team debut for Leeds as a second half substitute against local rivals Bradford City in the League Cup on 9 August 2011. He made his Championship debut for Leeds at left back on 10 September against Crystal Palace, replacing the suspended Aidy White. He gained an assist for Ross McCormack's goal who scored the opener of the game in Leeds' 3–2 victory. Despite a promising debut, Taylor was dropped for the following game against Bristol City with White coming back into the side. Taylor was named as an unused substitute in the 3–0 loss against rivals Manchester United in the League Cup on 20 September 2011. His appearances in the senior team would lead Taylor to being called up to the England under-19 squad the following month for the Limoges Tournament.
Taylor joined League Two outfit Bradford City on an initial one-month loan on 1 January 2012 in order to gain further first team experience. Bradford decided against extending the loan after it expired, having made four appearances.
Taylor joined hometown club York City, who were newly promoted to League Two, on an initial one-month loan on 30 August 2012. He made his debut two days later in a 3–1 home victory over Oxford United. Despite being second to Jamal Fyfield in the left-back pecking order, the loan was extended for a second month on 28 September 2012. Having made five appearances for York, Taylor returned to Leeds on 26 October 2012, shortly before the expiration of the loan.
He joined Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian Thistle on loan until the end of the 2012–13 season on 25 January 2013.
Fleetwood Town (loan)
On 18 October 2013, Taylor joined Fleetwood Town on a one-month loan after being signed by manager Graham Alexander. Taylor made his debut for Fleetwood Town on the same day, playing in a 2–0 defeat against Southend United. After impressing in his first month at the club, on 6 November, Taylor's loan was extended until January 2014. After extending Taylor's loan, manager Graham Alexander announced his delight in being able to keep Taylor, with Taylor earning rave reviews for his performances. On 17 December, his loan was extended to the end of the season.
Taylor's form helped Fleetwood Town qualify for the play-off's with a fourth-placed finish in League Two. Fleetwood Town semi-final opponents were Taylor's old club York City, with Taylor revealing in an interview on 10 May that he wanted to prove people wrong at his former club. On 13 May, it was reported that Taylor had impressed new Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino who was looking at offering Taylor an extended three-year contract, with Taylor's current contract due to expire.
After helping guide Fleetwood Town to the League Two play-off's final against Burton Albion, on 20 May Taylor signed a three-year contract extension at his parent club Leeds United. The deal would keep Taylor at the club until 2017.
On 26 May, Taylor started the League Two play-off final against Burton Albion. Fleetwood gained promotion with a 1–0 victory after a goal from Taylor's team-mate Antoni Sarcevic.
Leeds return
2014–15 season
On 1 August, Taylor was assigned the number 21 shirt for the 2014–15 season. Taylor made his first start for Leeds since returning from loan on 12 August 2014, starting the League Cup match against Accrington Stanley. Taylor replaced Stephen Warnock in Leeds' 1–0 victory against Bolton Wanderers on 30 August.
After the then captain Stephen Warnock suffered an injury in a league game against Derby County on 30 December 2014, Taylor came back into the starting lineup on 4 January 2015 in Leeds' FA Cup 1–0 defeat against Sunderland. The form of Taylor coming into the side saw regular left back Warnock sold to Derby.
After impressing at left back, Taylor was played as a left winger for Leeds under Coach Neil Redfearn as part of a new 4-2-3-1 formation, with Gaetano Berardi filling in the left back slot. Taylor scored his first goal for Leeds in a 4–3 loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
On 9 April, after rumoured Premier League interest in Taylor and teammates Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt and Sam Byram, head coach Neil Redfearn challenged Leeds United's owners to keep a hold of their home grown talents.
Taylor scored his second goal for the club on 25 April in a 2–1 win against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. On 2 May 2015, Taylor was also nominated for Young Player Of The Year Award, but missed out to Lewis Cook.
2015–16 season
On 19 September 2015, Taylor scored the winner for Leeds against MK Dons in a 2–1 victory, with an impressive solo goal running from his own half before scoring a left footed shot.
On 19 April, Taylor was nominated for the Leeds United player of the year award, alongside Mirco Antenucci, Liam Bridcutt, Gaetano Berardi and Lewis Cook.
On 30 April 2016, at the clubs annual Player Of The Year Awards, Taylor was named The Fans Player Of The Year for the 2015–16 season. On the same day Taylor also won the Yorkshire Evening Post's Player Of The Year Award.
After being linked with several Premier League sides including Liverpool, West Brom and Stoke City, on 15 June 2016, Leeds owner Massimo Cellino revealed he had approached Taylor's agent about extending Taylors contract, however he said upon a possible contract extension Charlie is going to be a problem, I think his agent is the same as Sam Byram. Taylor doesn't return the call.
2016–17 season
On 2 August 2016, with speculation still linking Taylor with a move to the Premier League, Leeds announced they had rejected a transfer request from Taylor to leave the club, with the club advising that Chairman Massimo Cellino had said Taylor would not be sold. On 22 August, After Leeds' 2–0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday Taylor proclaimed I am contracted until the end of this season, so if they (Leeds) do not want to sell me, then I am under contract. It is up to them and their decision and if they keep me, then I will be until then.
Taylor stayed at the club, and despite speculation on his long term future at the club, Taylor was an impressive performer as his performances at Left Back helped Leeds reach 5th place and the playoff positions at Christmas 2016. On 29 December 2016, Taylor missed his first Leeds game after 52 consecutive starts, in the match against Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw after picking up an achilles injury against Preston North End in the previous game.
International career
In October 2011, Taylor made his debut for the England under-19 team, playing in two of the three games in the Limoges Tournament to help England earn a win in the overall tournament. His debut came as a substitute against Portugal, before starting against Ukraine.
Career statistics
- As of match played 17 December 2016
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Leeds United | 2011–12 | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Championship | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2014–15 | Championship | 23 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 25 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16 | Championship | 39 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 43 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17 | Championship | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 25 | 0 | ||
| Total | 86 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 97 | 3 | |||
| Bradford City (loan) | 2011–12 | League Two | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| York City (loan) | 2012–13 | League Two | 4 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Inverness Caledonian Thistle (loan) | 2012–13 | Scottish Premier League | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | |
| Fleetwood Town (loan) | 2013–14 | League Two | 32 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
| Career total | 132 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 156 | 3 | ||
Honours
Fleetwood Town
- League Two play-offs: 2013–14
Individual
- Leeds United Player of the Year: 2015–16