Peter Taylor was born in 1953 in Southend and joined his hometown team as a youngster in 1970. He was deemed good enough to have a decent record for a youngster, playing 75 times in three seasons and scoring 12 goals before a switch to Crystal Palace followed. There he joined a very select group of players who have represented England whilst playing outside of the country's top division, winning four caps between 1975 and 1976.

A big chance came in the form of a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur. The top flight club made their move for a player who was only 23 at the time. He made 123 appearances for the men from White Hart Lane, scoring a very respectable 31 goals before joining Leyton Orient in 1980. His career went downhill from this point onwards, making just 56 appearances in three seasons before being loaned to Oldham and his career as a player ended with 8 appearances at Exeter. It brought to an end a career that had seen an excellent 87 goals in 388 appearances.

Taylor took his first step into management at Dartford and he had a very successful spell at the club, more than doubling their average attendance, winning the Southern Cup twice the club scoring over 400 goals in his four years there, at this point Southend United took him back to Roots Hall, but is spell there was less successful, securing nothing more than a midtable finish.

A spell at Dover Athletic didn't last long as his friend from his playing days, Glenn Hoddle, appointed him as the England Under 21 manager. Taylor had an average first few years before securing qualification for the 2000 Finals with a 100% winning record and not conceded a goal before being sacked by Howard Wilkinson.

Gillingham jumped at the chance to appoint Taylor at it paid off, securing promotion in his only season at the club before moving to Leicester City. Ironically he was the manager when the Foxes lost 2-1 to Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup. Taylor was sacked after just over a year in charge with Leicester at the bottom of the League. He found his way into the England fold and was appointed as caretaker manager, handing the captain's armband to David Beckham.

Brighton and Hove Albion were the next to call on his services, Taylor having yet another success by securing promotion in his first season before quitting because of a lack of financial resources. He quickly joined Hull City and after a mediocre first year, he guided them to successive promotions before joining Crystal Palace. His spell there was miserable and he was sacked after 16 months in charge.

There were rumours that there was a clause in Taylor's compensation deal at Palace that he must not accept another job in the top four divisions and he quickly joined Stevenage, failing to guide them to the Playoffs before resigning and signing for Wycombe Wanderers.

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