By David Penniall
February 1 2007

15. Kris Taylor

Midfielder Kris Taylor started his career with local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers but left Wolves at the age of 14 when he joined Manchester United and developed through the ranks at Old Trafford and gaining England caps at a number of youth levels before he stepped into the United reserve side.

 

With his first team chances limited at Old Trafford he was allowed to leave The Red Devils and he decided to move closer to home and link up with The Saddlers in February 2003.  He settled in well at the club and became an ever present for the reserve team in the 2003/04 season and he also made 11 first-team appearances including his goal scoring debut against Stoke City in January 2004.

 

He started the 2004/05 season in the side but lost his place in the squad and Kris was allowed to leave Bescot Stadium on loan and he decided to link up with Nationwide Conference outfit Burton Albion in November 2004.  After turning down a chance of a move to Carlisle United to sign him on a permanent deal, he rejoined The Saddlers refreshed and ready to break back into the first team and was rewarded with a new two-year deal at the end of the season.

 

After starting the 2005/06 campaign as a first-team regular, he was allowed to rejoin Burton Albion for the rest of the season in January 2006.  However he returned to Bescot at the end of the Nationwide Conference season to feature in The Saddlers final game of the season against Barnsley.