Steven Vincent Taylor (born 23 January 1986) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played over 200 games and 13 seasons in the Premier League with Newcastle United.
Early career
Taylor was born in Greenwich, London to a family from Newcastle upon Tyne and moved back to the North East weeks later. He was raised in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside and attended Valley Gardens Middle School with future teammate Peter Ramage. Despite being based in the North-East, Taylor traveled south to the Midlands twice a week, to train on a Wednesday and play for Leicestershire-based junior side Anstey Nomads, until leaving the side at the age of fourteen under strict orders from members of Newcastle's youth staff.
Taylor, then a striker, joined the Newcastle United youth academy after being scouted at Cramlington Juniors, where he played alongside Peter Ramage, and Wallsend Boys Club. At age thirteen, he was switched to defence. He played a key part in helping the U-17's win the old Premier Academy League U-17 title for the 2001–02 season. After finishing his GCSEs at Monkseaton High School, Taylor capped a fine season by joining the academy on a first-year scholarship and signed professional terms when he turned seventeen. The following season, he was sent on a month-long loan to Wycombe Wanderers where he played under his childhood hero Tony Adams and made his league debut in the old Second Division against Notts County in December 2003.
Club career
Newcastle United
Upon returning to Newcastle in the latter half of the season, the teenager was mostly shifting back and forth between the first team and reserves. On 25 March 2004, in the UEFA Cup Fourth Round second leg tie against Mallorca, he came on as a substitute for Andy O'Brien to make his first team debut and held the record as the Magpies' youngest debutant in European competition in the 2000s until it was broken by Andy Carroll in November 2006. Three days later, he made his Premier League debut against Bolton Wanderers and was in the starting eleven as in a less familiar right back role. His debut ended disappointingly as he was out-muscled by Henrik Pedersen in the build up that led to Bolton's match-winning goal. This was his only other appearance for the rest of the season, although he did make the bench on several occasions.
The start of the 2004–05 season was disappointing, as Taylor had a long injury lay-off. He eventually came back to play 22 games for the club, starting 17. During this season, the teenager was largely remembered for a bizarre incident in the 2 April match against Aston Villa where he "saved" Darius Vassell's shot and went down clutching his chest. The referee promptly dismissed him for "deliberate handball" but it was overshadowed by the heated on-pitch argument between Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer which led to their dismissals and Newcastle going down to eight men. Because his dive was inconsequential (the game was beyond Newcastle as both Bowyer and Dyer had been sent off), he achieved cult/comical status with Newcastle fans and many neutrals.
Taylor's first few seasons were marred by various injuries. He missed the latter half of the 2005–06 season after aggravating a shoulder injury sustained while on international duty. Following surgery he was effectively ruled out for entire second half of the season but managed to make a substitute appearance in Alan Shearer's testimonial match on 11 May.
The 2006–07 season was considered the breakthrough season for Taylor. He scored his debut senior goal in a UEFA Cup tie against Celta de Vigo on 23 November 2006. The two sides were deadlocked at 1–1 before his header won the game. He earned the nickname "Forrest Gump" for celebrating by running the length of the pitch. He then scored his first league goal in a 3–1 victory against Blackburn Rovers on 9 December 2006, and began to play more regularly, making 12 starts for Newcastle in defence. Under Sam Allardyce, Taylor was in and out of the starting eleven and there were fears that he would leave after he had rejected the contract extension offered Nevertheless, in November 2007, he was voted the North East FWA Young Player of the Year for his achievements. With the installation of Kevin Keegan as Allardyce's successor, he won back his place and signed the contract at the end of the season.