Steven Taylor Bio Send To Friend  

Steven Taylor has grown from a player of great to potential to be a vital player for Newcastle United - and one they can hope to build their future on.

Such had been his performances, that by the time he returned from the European Under-21 Championships in the summer of 2007 he was being linked with moves to bigger teams in the Premier League. Newcastle stopped that talk in Mat 2008 by granting him a new contract to keep him at St James' Park until 2012.

During a torrid and eventful 2007/8 season, Taylor was a shining light for the Magpies, playing well under both Sam Allardyce and Kevin Keegan as the Toon eked their way to Premier League safety.

Although he came through the ranks at Newcastle, it was Wycombe Wanderers who provided him with his professional debut in December 2003.

Taylor, who actually began his career as a striker, was a rock as he made his debut as a fresh-faced 17-year-old in a 1-1 relegation scrap at Notts County. He played six games in his loan spell.

He earned his first team debut upon his return to Newcastle, as a substitute in a 3-0 UEFA Cup win at Mallorca.

During the 2004/05 season that Taylor first produced his legendary, 'Platoon'-esque attempts at disguising a handball on the line against Aston Villa. The ref wasn't conned and produced the red card.

He was ruled out of the second half of the 2005/06 season with a serious shoulder injury suffered on England Under-21 duty and he was sorely missed.

A player with huge determination and a will to succeed, Taylor showed that very lionheart spirit during the European Under-21 Championships in the summer of 2007.

After damaging ankle ligaments in the final minute of the semi-final against Holland, he played on through extra-time despite after the Dutch levelled and even scored from the spot. He could barely walk.