Friday 4th November 2005

FOREST striker Gareth Taylor has praised Weymouth for helping kick-start his career.

The towering frontman made a handful of loan appearances for the Terras as a teenager on loan from Bristol Rovers in 1992.

Taylor, now 32, went on to enjoy a glittering career at clubs including Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Sheffield United before he joined Forest in 2003.

And having been sold for combined transfer fees of more than £2 million, the Welsh international has fond memories of his time at the Wessex Stadium.

He told Echosport: "I was only with Weymouth for about a month or so but it really helped get my career going and I enjoyed my time there.

`At the time I was a teenager at Bristol Rovers and was playing centre half under manager Malcolm Allison.

"He asked me to go on loan to Weymouth, who were struggling and bottom of the Beazer Homes Premier League.

"Weymouth's manager was Len Ashurst and he signed Notts County goalkeeper Kevin Blackwell, who is now manager at Leeds, and myself on loan to try and turn things around.

"Results picked up over the Christmas period and one of the things that sticks in my memory is a Boxing Day local derby at Dorchester.

"That was a great occasion because nobody gave us much chance but we won 1-0 in front of a big crowd.

`At that point in my career, it was fantastic to be playing first team football and things were going along nicely for me.

"Then after only a handful of appearances, I was recalled from Weymouth and went back to Bristol Rovers for a big FA Cup tie against Aston Villa but couldn't play in the end because of a registration mix-up.

"It's a long time since my loan spell at Weymouth and a lot of water has passed under the bridge since - I've had seven clubs for a start. But despite that, I've still got a lot of time for Weymouth because they helped me get started.

"I keep an eye out for their results every week and I'm pleased things are going well for them at the moment."

Taylor has been denied the chance of playing against his old club tomorrow after receiving a three-match ban following his sending off against Yeovil Town last month.

"It's disappointing not being able to play because I want to be involved in every game I can, especially a cup tie against one of your old clubs," he said.

"The FA Cup is important to us but we know we'll have to be at our best because Weymouth will fancy an upset.

"Garry Hill and his side will have no fear about playing us and I'm sure the tie will be pretty exciting."

Despite his ban, Taylor will be at the City Ground to reunite with Terras skipper Matt Bound, a team-mate as a trainee at Southampton. "Matt and I were good friends at Southampton before our careers went different ways," he said.

"It might sound strange but even at 16-years-old Matt was a man mountain even as a teenager.

"I haven't come across him for a long time so it'll be nice to see him again."