Matthew James Taylor (born 30 January 1982) is an English professional football manager and former player who played as a centre back. He is currently the manager of EFL League Two club Exeter City.

Playing career Early career Taylor began his career as a goalkeeper playing for Preston North End Boys before being a member of the Everton U17 Academy. He joined Burscough and, alongside brother Joe, played in their 2003 FA Trophy final win 2–1 over Tamworth. The game was played at Aston Villa's Villa Park in front of more than 14,000 spectators and was televised live on Sky; the club had started their FA Trophy campaign that year rated at 400–1 to win the silverware. However, it would be his final game for the club as he and a number of other senior players left the club following the departure of the manager Shaun Teale.

After an unsuccessful trial with Lincoln City in July 2003, he joined Rossendale United before moving to Matlock Town, a club his uncle Neil Fairclough had previously played for, at the end of September. He debuted for the club in the 4–0 victory at Ossett Town on 27 September 2003. and his signing coincided with the club going on a run that took them to the top of the Northern Premier League Premier Division table before eventually finishing as runners-up to Hucknall Town; Taylor was named the club's player of the season.

In June 2004, Matlock Town's manager Ernie Moss moved to Hucknall Town and he swiftly returned to his former club to sign Taylor and also his brother Joe who had been with Worksop Town.

On 31 March 2005, he joined Halifax Town until the end of the season but did not make an appearance for the club.

In August 2005 he joined Guiseley on trial, eventually joining the club permanently for the season.

Taylor combined his playing career with life as a student at Sheffield Hallam University where he played as a centre back, representing the university in the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) championship games, catching the eye of the Team Bath manager Ged Roddy, who picked him to play as a defender in the England Universities team at the 2006 British Universities Games. He joined Team Bath in the summer of 2006 to play as a centre back whilst studying for a Diploma in Fitness Excellence at the University of Bath. Taylor enjoyed a successful season at the heart of the team's defence being named Players' Player of the Year as the team finished runners-up in the Southern League Premier Division, missing out on promotion to the Conference South after losing 1–0 to Maidenhead United in the play-off final.

Exeter City In June 2007 he completed a move to Exeter City. He signed a new contract with the club in December, which would expire in 2010. He featured in the Conference play-off final for Exeter, which was won 1–0 and finished the season with 46 appearances and scored nine goals. He played in the club's first game on their return to the Football League, which finished as a 1–1 draw with Darlington.

Charlton Athletic Taylor signed a two-year contract for Charlton Athletic on 1 July 2011, moving on a free transfer from Exeter City. In August 2011 he was appointed vice-captain by manager Chris Powell. He quickly established himself in the centre of defence alongside Michael Morrison, and scored his first goal for the club in an FA Cup 4–0 away win at FC Halifax, in November 2011. He was released by Charlton at the end of the 2012–13 season.

Bradford City On 1 August 2013, Taylor signed for Bradford City on a two-year deal. He was substituted at half-time on his debut, and later suffered a foot injury. After three appearances for the Bantams and just one league game under his belt, Taylor joined fellow League One club Colchester United on a one-month loan deal on 20 September, scoring once against Bristol City.

Cheltenham Town On 25 July 2014, Taylor joined League Two side Cheltenham Town on a two-year deal, and was made club captain. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with AFC Wimbledon.

Newport County On 6 July 2015, Taylor joined League Two Newport County.

Bath City On 8 February 2016, Taylor signed for National League South side Bath City as a player-coach.

Managerial career Exeter City Taylor was appointed manager of League Two club Exeter City, who he had previously captained, on 1 June 2018 replacing Paul Tisdale. A bright start led to Taylor being nominated for the August 2018 EFL League Two Manager of the Month award. Taylor voiced his disappointment at missing out on the EFL League Two promotion play-offs, the side missing out on a third successive top 7 finish by a single point.

Taylor won the August 2019 EFL League Two Manager of the Month award following a strong start to Exeter's 2019–20 season, with the side winning four and drawing two of their opening six matches. A strong set of results over the festive period meant Exeter finished 2019 in second place, with Taylor himself being named EFL League Two Manager of the Month for December 2019.

With his side ending the month in fourth position after achieving thirteen points from an unbeaten five matches, Taylor was again awarded the League Two Manager of the Month award for February 2022.

Under Taylor, Exeter City won promotion to League One for the 2022–23 season after finishing second in the 2021–22 League Two table.

On 1 October 2022, following a 2–2 draw with Bristol Rovers, Exeter confirmed that they had given Taylor permission to speak to Rotherham United regarding the vacant managerial position.

Rotherham United On 3 October 2022, Taylor was confirmed as the new Rotherham United manager, pending talks. The appointment was made official the following day, with Taylor signing a contract with the EFL Championship club until 2026, and was joined by his assistant, Wayne Carlisle. Taylor guided the club to Championship safety to conclude the 2022–23 campaign.

On 13 November 2023, Taylor was dismissed with the club sitting in 22nd position.

Bristol Rovers On 1 December 2023, Taylor was appointed manager of League One club Bristol Rovers on a three-and-a-half-year contract. A successful first month in charge, including wins over high-flying Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth, saw him nominated for the League One Manager of the Month for December 2023.

On 28 November 2024, Taylor took a leave of absence due to an ongoing family emergency. Having missed two fixtures, he returned to his role the following week, thanking the club's fans for their support. On 16 December 2024, following a 2–0 defeat to Birmingham City that left Bristol Rovers in 20th position, Taylor was dismissed by the club.

Return to Exeter City On 3 March 2026, Taylor returned to manage League One club Exeter City on a short-term contract until the end of the 2025–26 season. Following his first match back in charge that same day, a 1–1 draw with Burton Albion, he said it was unlikely that he would remain at the club long-term. Taylor signed a new contract on 14 May 2026 for the following season.

Playing style Taylor began his career as a goalkeeper, before being converted to a central defender.

Career statistics

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotal DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsExeter City2007–08Conference42821—204692008–09League Two3121010103422009–10League One4652210105072010–11League One282001030322Total1471753307016220Charlton Athletic2011–12League One4102100104412012–13Championship1201010—140Total530311010581Bradford City2013–14League One2000101040Colchester United (loan)2013–14League One5100000051Cheltenham Town2014–15League Two331100020361Newport County2015–16League Two4010000050Bath City2015–16National League South1000—0010Career total245191045011027123

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordExeter City1 June 20184 October 2022Rotherham United4 October 202213 November 2023Bristol Rovers1 December 202316 December 2024Exeter City3 March 2026PresentTotal

Honours Exeter City EFL League Two runner-up: 2021–22

Individual EFL League Two Manager of the Month: August 2019, December 2019, February 2022, April 2022

References

External links