Matthew Taylor

Luton Town

Taylor was born in Oxford, Oxfordshire. He began his career at Second Division Luton Town, making his debut as a 17-year-old at the beginning of the 1999–2000 season. He soon made the left wing-back slot his own and won the Luton Young Player of the Season award in his first ever season as a professional, before he won the Player of the Season award in 2000–01. However, despite having an excellent season, he couldn't prevent Luton being relegated to the Third Division. The 2001–02 season saw Luton win promotion as Third Division runners-up, with Taylor scoring 11 league goals and being named in the PFA Third Division Team of the Year.

Portsmouth

His displays led to interest from Premier League clubs, but he instead decided, in July 2002, to sign for First Division team Portsmouth for £750,000. The fee was set averting the need for a tribunal, causing Luton manager Joe Kinnear to lament: "at least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask". Usually playing as a left wing-back in a 3–5–2 formation, his speedy breaks down the left flank in support of the attack were a feature of Portsmouth's play as they won the First Division title in May 2003. As well as being a regular in the team during the season, he also scored seven goals in the League. An injury picked up in the later stages of the previous season meant that Taylor was unavailable for the start of Portsmouth's first Premiership season. After returning to fitness, Taylor struggled to win his…

Early years

Taylor completed his coaching badges during his playing career and spent time working alongside Luton Town's under-15 and under-16 teams while at West Ham United. Taylor was named interim manager at Swindon Town when David Flitcroft left for promotion rivals Mansfield Town on 1 March 2018. His sole game in charge on 9 March was a 3–0 home loss to Cheltenham Town. He transitioned into a player-coach role following the appointment of Phil Brown as manager. Taylor was appointed head coach of Tottenham Hotspur Under-18s upon his retirement from football in 2019.

Walsall

On 19 May 2021, Taylor was appointed at League Two club Walsall, succeeding Brian Dutton at the turn of the month. After losing 1–0 on his debut at Tranmere Rovers on 7 August, he gained his first win by the same score at home to Stevenage on the fifth matchday, three weeks later. The Saddlers went unbeaten in October, winning and drawing an equal share of their six games; this earned Taylor a nomination for EFL League Two Manager of the Month, alongside the Exeter City manager of the same name. Taylor was relieved of his duties at the club on 9 February 2022. The club had been approaching a play-off place before the turn of the year, but seven consecutive defeats left them four points above the relegation zone.

Shrewsbury Town

On 26 June 2023, Taylor was appointed head coach of League One club Shrewsbury Town on a contract of undisclosed length. He was their first…

As of end of 2018–19 season

Portsmouth

Football League First Division: 2002–03 West Ham United

Football League Championship play-offs: 2011–12 Burnley

Football League Championship: 2015–16 Individual

Luton Town Young Player of the Season: 1999–2000 Luton Town Player of the Season: 2000–01 PFA Team of the Year: 2001–02 Third Division, 2002–03 First Division PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2001–02 Second Division Swindon Town Player of the Season: 2017–18