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Ash Taylor
Ash Taylor
from Wikipedia

Ashton John Taylor (born 2 September 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Gibraltar Football League club Europa Point. He began his career with Tranmere Rovers, and during his time there had a loan spell at Colwyn Bay. He later played for Scottish club Aberdeen before moving to English club Northampton Town for two years, after which he re-signed for Aberdeen. Born in England, he has represented Wales at youth international level.

Key Information

Club career

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Tranmere Rovers

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Taylor started his footballing career at Tranmere Rovers as a youth team player at the age of 10.[1] In the summer of 2007, he signed as a first-year scholar at Tranmere Rovers.[2] In January 2009, Taylor signed his first professional contract with the club.[3]

He joined Colwyn Bay on loan in 2009, where he made a total of 14 appearances.[4] Whilst on loan, Taylor scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 win over Lancaster City in the Northern Premier League Division One North in March 2009.[5]

Following his return from Colwyn Bay, Taylor made his first team debut in a League One match against Scunthorpe United, a 1–1 away draw on 2 May 2009, replacing Antony Kay as a substitute in the 89th minute.[6][7]

At the start of the 2009–10 season, Taylor signed a twelve-month contract extension keeping him at the club until 2011.[8] He scored his first goal for Tranmere in a 1–0 win at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup First Round in November 2009.[9] His first league goal came on 26 January 2010, as Tranmere beat Yeovil Town 2–1.[10] In February 2010, Taylor sustained a hamstring injury that kept him out for three weeks.[11] He made his return, in a 0–0 draw against Bristol Rovers on 15 March 2010.[12] After making his return, Taylor continued to make more appearances and went on to make thirty-three appearances. At the end of the season he won Tranmere's "Young Player of The Season" award for the 2009–10 season.[13] On 21 May 2010, he extended his contract by another year, until 2012.[14]

Taylor missed the first the half of the 2010–11 season when he damaged his cartilage in training, requiring an operation that would keep him out of action for "four to six weeks at best and up to three months if the damage to a cartilage requires a full repair." [15] He returned to training and started his rehabilitation process in September 2010.[16] Following his return, Manager Les Parry praised Taylor for his recovery.[17] After being on the bench for three matches since his return, Taylor made his first appearance of the season, in the Football League Trophy Northern Area final, as Tranmere lost 2–0 to Huddersfield Town.[18] After the match, Taylor said he was surprised to have been selected having initially expected to play a reserve match before making his return[19] Following his 50th appearance for the club, Manager Parry said that he believed Taylor had the potential to become the next captain of Tranmere Rovers.[20]

In Tranmere's opening match of the 2011–12 season Taylor scored the equalizer in a 1–1 draw with Port Vale in the first round of the Northern section of the Football League Trophy. With the scores level after extra–time the match went to a penalty shootout where Taylor scored the winning penalty as Tranmere won 4–2.[21] He scored his first league goal of the season, on 17 September 2011, as Tranmere won 2–1 against Wycombe Wanderers.[22] In the second round of the Football League Trophy, Taylor scored Tranmere's first goal in the match against Accrington Stanley, but the game was later abandoned after 39 minutes following a serious injury to Accrington's Tom Bender.[23] In the rematch on 13 October 2011, Taylor scored from a free kick, in a 1–0 win to send Tranmere through to the next round.[24] Taylor's season ended early when he missed the final two league matches due to a calcium problem.[25] Taylor made thirty-seven league appearances during the season, scoring twice. He also played 3607 minutes in all competitions.[26]

On 8 May 2012, Taylor signed a new two-year contract with Tranmere.[27] He scored his first goal of the 2012–13 season in a 2–2 draw against Portsmouth on 7 December 2012.[28] Then, his second goal of the season came on 23 February 2013, in a 5–1 victory over Colchester United.[29] Taylor made forty-four league appearances, missing two others while on international duty with Wales Under-21s.[30][31]

On 23 November 2013, Taylor received a straight red card in the second half against Coventry City after a foul on Franck Moussa, despite that Tranmere won the match 5–1. Afterwards Tranmere Manager Ronnie Moore said he was disappointed with Taylor's challenge and decided against appealing the decision.[32][33] Following his return, it took time for Taylor to score his first goal of the season, it came on 29 December 2013, in a 3–1 victory over Sheffield United.[34] He then scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Preston North End on 8 February 2014. After the match, Taylor expressed his disappointment with the result.[35] Taylor scored his third goal, on 22 March 2014, in a 3–2 loss against Port Vale.[36] With Tranmere in a relegation fight, Taylor remained confident that the club would remain in League One,[37] however on the final day of the season a home defeat against Bradford City and results elsewhere meant they were relegated to Football League Two.[38] At the end of the season, Taylor was among five players to be offered a new contract.[39]

Aberdeen (first spell)

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Taylor signed for Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen on 28 May 2014.[40] He made his debut for the club on 11 July 2014, against FK Daugava Riga in the Europa League first qualifying round second leg.[41] On his league debut in the opening game of the season against Dundee United, he was criticised when his pass back to his goalkeeper was intercepted by Ryan Dow who went on to score as Aberdeen lost 3–0.[42] Taylor scored his first goal for the Dons in a 4–0 win against Livingston in the Scottish League Cup.[43] Taylor began to find his form from then on in and scored his first league goal in a 3–0 win against Hamilton Academical.[44] On 15 January 2015, Taylor extended his contract with the club until 2017.[45] Just a week after signing new contract, Taylor suffered a knee injury and had to be substituted in the 63rd minute during a 3–3 draw against Dundee.[46] As a result, Taylor had a surgery on his knee and was out for two months.[47] After making his return, coming as a substitute in a 4–0 loss against Celtic,[48] Taylor scored his second goal in the next game, in a 2–1 win over Motherwell on 13 March 2015.[49] His third goal later came on 8 April 2015, in a 1–0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[50] Taylor made 37 appearances in all competitions as Aberdeen finished second and qualified for European Football for the second season running. At the end of the 2016–17 season, Aberdeen confirmed that Taylor would be leaving the club after playing a total of 100 league appearances.[51]

Northampton Town

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On 5 July 2017, Taylor signed a three-year contract with EFL League One club Northampton Town.[52] He was one of 3 transfer-listed by Northampton at the end of the 2018–19 season; a further 8 were released.[53]

Aberdeen (second spell)

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On 4 June 2019, Taylor re-signed with Aberdeen on a two-year deal.[54]

Walsall

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On 7 July 2021, Taylor joined League Two side Walsall on a two-year deal.[55] On 14 January 2022, his contract with Walsall was terminated by mutual consent.[56]

Kilmarnock

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Following Derek McInnes appointment as Kilmarnock manager Ash returned to Scotland to join Scottish Championship side Kilmarnock on an 18-month deal. Ash would score the equaliser in the penultimate game of the season against Abroath which Kilmarnock went on to win securing Kilmarnock's return to the Premiership. On the opening game of the 2022–23 Premiership season Ash would score a last minute equaliser against Dundee United at Rugby Park.[57]

Bradford City

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On 16 June 2023, Taylor signed for Bradford City on a free transfer on an initial two year deal.

Gibraltar

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On 5 June 2024, it was announced that Taylor would join Gibraltar Football League side FCB Magpies, scoring on his debut on 11 July in their UEFA Conference League qualifier against Derry City.[58] After one season, he moved to Europa, making his debut on 22 August 2025 against Mons Calpe.[59] He moved again in January 2026, joining Europa Point.[60]

International career

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Taylor represented Wales under-19 in the Milk Cup in 2009.[61]

He was named in the Wales Under-21 squad for the friendly match against Austria on 18 May 2010.[62] Two years later, he was selected again for Wales Under-21 squad for the qualifying match against Andorra[63] where he made his debut, coming on as a substitute in the 57th minute, in a 4–0 win.[64]

Personal life

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He attended South Wirral High School and grew up in Eastham, Wirral.[4] In 2014, he was engaged to model India Lea and planned to marry in Italy before his contract with Aberdeen began.[65]

Career statistics

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As of match played 28 May 2023 [66]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tranmere Rovers 2008–09[67] League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2009–10[68] League One 33 1 5 1 2 0 1[a] 0 41 2
2010–11[69] League One 26 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 27 0
2011–12[70] League One 37 2 1 0 0 0 3[a] 2 41 4
2012–13[71] League One 44 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 47 2
2013–14[72] League One 42 3 1 0 3 0 1[a] 0 47 3
Total 183 8 9 1 6 0 6 2 204 11
Aberdeen 2014–15[73] Scottish Premiership 32 3 1 0 2 1 2[b] 0 37 4
2015–16[74] Scottish Premiership 37 4 1 0 1 0 6[b] 0 45 4
2016–17[75] Scottish Premiership 31 2 5 0 2 0 6[b] 0 44 2
Total 100 9 7 0 5 1 14 0 126 10
Northampton Town 2017–18[76] League One 45 6 2 0 1 0 4[c] 1 52 7
2018–19[77] League Two 33 0 0 0 1 0 2[c] 0 36 0
Total 78 6 2 0 2 0 6 1 88 7
Aberdeen 2019–20[78] Scottish Premiership 14 1 4 0 0 0 2[b] 0 20 1
2020–21[79] Scottish Premiership 31 1 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 32 1
Total 45 2 4 0 0 0 3 0 52 2
Walsall 2021–22 League Two 11 1 0 0 1 0 3[c] 0 15 1
Kilmarnock 2021–22 Scottish Championship 11 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 3
2022–23 Scottish Premiership 32 4 2 0 7 0 0 0 41 4
Total 43 7 3 0 7 0 3 0 53 7
Career total 460 33 25 1 21 1 32 3 538 38
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in EFL Trophy

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ashton John Taylor (born 2 September 1990) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Europa in the Gibraltar Football League. Born in Bromborough, England, Taylor began his career with Tranmere Rovers, where he made over 180 appearances between 2009 and 2014. He later played for Aberdeen (twice), Northampton Town, Walsall, Kilmarnock, and Bradford City before moving to Gibraltar with FCB Magpies in 2024 and joining Europa in 2025. Eligible to represent both England and Wales through his heritage, he earned caps for Wales at under-19 and under-21 levels. As of 2025, Taylor also serves as head coach of the Gibraltar under-19 national team.

Background

Early life

Ashton John Taylor was born on 2 September 1990 in , , and grew up in the nearby village of Eastham on the . Taylor attended South Wirral High School, where he developed an early interest in football amid the region's strong local football culture, including proximity to clubs like Tranmere Rovers. Despite being English-born, Taylor held dual nationality and qualified for Welsh international eligibility through family heritage, later representing at youth levels.

Youth career

Taylor joined Tranmere Rovers' youth team at the age of 10, having grown up in the Wirral area which influenced his choice of the local club. In January 2009, the 18-year-old signed his first professional contract with Tranmere, valid until June 2010, after progressing through the youth ranks as a central defender or . Later that year, Taylor was loaned to in the UniBond Division One North to gain first-team experience. During his spell, he scored a in a 4–1 victory over Lancaster City that helped Colwyn Bay secure the points after falling behind. The loan provided Taylor with valuable physical and competitive toughening in , preparing him for challenges upon his return to Tranmere.

Club career

Tranmere Rovers (2009–2014)

Taylor made his professional debut for his boyhood club Tranmere Rovers on 2 May 2009, substituting into a 1–1 League One draw away at Scunthorpe United on the final day of the 2008–09 season. Having progressed through the club's youth ranks after signing a in 2007 and turning professional in January 2009, he quickly became a regular fixture in the defense. In the 2009–10 season, Taylor featured prominently amid Tranmere's battle against relegation from League One, helping secure survival with a 18th-place finish; his performances earned him the club's Young Player of the Season award, as voted by supporters. He extended his contract in May 2010, committing until 2012, and continued to develop as a reliable centre-back over the following years. Across his five full seasons at Tranmere from 2009 to 2014, Taylor amassed 204 appearances and scored 11 goals in all competitions, often captaining the side in the latter years and contributing to consistent mid-table finishes in League One until the club's decline. Tranmere's relegation to League Two was confirmed on 3 May 2014 following a 1–2 home defeat to Bradford City on the final day, which coincided with the expiry of Taylor's contract and paved the way for his free transfer departure.

Aberdeen (first spell, 2014–2017)

Taylor joined on 28 May 2014, signing a three-year contract as a from Tranmere Rovers. His prior defensive experience at Tranmere facilitated a swift adaptation to Scottish football, where he quickly became a regular in the centre-back position under manager . During his first spell, Taylor made 100 appearances and scored 10 goals across all competitions. His debut goal came on 23 September 2014 in a 4–0 victory over , opening the scoring with a header. He contributed significantly to the team's defensive solidity, helping secure second-place finishes in the for the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons. Taylor also played a key role in the club's consistent campaigns, featuring in semi-final runs each year: a 2–1 loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2015, a 3–2 extra-time defeat to Rangers in 2016, and a 2–0 setback against Celtic in 2017. Taylor's contract expired at the end of the 2016–17 season, after which he departed Pittodrie as a amid interest from several English clubs.

Northampton Town (2017–2019)

On 5 July 2017, Ash Taylor signed for club Northampton Town on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee following his release from . His experience in the , where he had made over 100 appearances, was cited by the club as a key factor in his recruitment to bolster the defense. Taylor quickly established himself in the Northampton lineup during the 2017–18 season, making 45 league appearances and scoring 6 goals as the team mounted a late surge to secure survival in League One with a 20th-place finish. His commanding presence at the back, including several crucial headed goals from set pieces, contributed to a more solid defensive record in the latter half of the campaign, helping the Cobblers avoid relegation by just six points. However, Taylor's form dipped in the 2018–19 season amid broader team struggles, with only 33 league appearances and no goals as endured a dismal run, culminating in a 23rd-place finish and relegation to League Two. This poor individual and collective performance led to manager placing Taylor on the transfer list on 6 May 2019, alongside two teammates, as part of a overhaul.

Aberdeen (second spell, 2019–2021)

Taylor re-joined on 4 June 2019, signing a two-year deal as a following his departure from Town. His familiarity with the club from his previous spell facilitated a smooth reintegration into the squad under manager . During the 2019–20 season, Taylor played a key role in the team's defensive setup as finished third in the , securing qualification for the . Over his second spell, Taylor made 45 appearances and scored 2 goals across all competitions, contributing to the club's consistent top-four finishes and European campaigns. In the 2020–21 season, however, his involvement was hampered by injuries, including a thigh issue that sidelined him for over three months in the prior campaign and a brief back injury. The season was further disrupted by the , which led to matches behind closed doors, player isolations, and financial strains on the club, ultimately contributing to Aberdeen's decision not to renew Taylor's contract in May 2021.

Walsall (2021–2022)

On 7 July 2021, Walsall signed defender Ash Taylor on a two-year contract following his release from Aberdeen, with manager Matt Taylor describing the move as a "huge coup" for the League Two club. Taylor, known for his defensive versatility across centre-back and right-back roles from previous spells at Tranmere Rovers and Aberdeen, made 11 appearances during the 2021–22 season, including starts in league and cup matches. His limited involvement was hampered by a hamstring injury in October 2021 that sidelined him for several weeks, alongside struggles with match fitness and form after the summer transfer. During his time at , Taylor scored once, netting the opener in a 1–3 group stage defeat to Rovers on 14 September 2021. Despite occasional showings of his aerial presence and ball-playing ability, he failed to establish himself as a regular starter, featuring in just eight league games amid competition from other centre-backs like and . Taylor's contract was terminated by mutual consent on 14 January 2022, after six months at the club, leaving him as a . The decision was described by Walsall's management as amicable, allowing the 31-year-old to pursue opportunities elsewhere while freeing up squad space.

Kilmarnock (2022–2023)

Taylor joined on 14 January 2022, signing an 18-month contract that ran until the summer of 2023, following his release from . His arrival provided defensive reinforcement during the club's push for promotion from the . In the latter stages of the 2021–22 season, Taylor quickly integrated into the squad, making 12 appearances and scoring three goals, including a vital equaliser in the 78th minute against on 22 April 2022, which helped secure a 2–1 victory and clinch the Championship title for automatic promotion to the . His contributions from set pieces and aerial presence were instrumental in the promotion campaign. During the 2022–23 Scottish Premiership season, Taylor established himself as a key defender, starting in the opening match against Celtic on 14 August 2022 and featuring in 41 appearances across all competitions, where he scored four goals. Notable strikes included a headed winner in a 2–1 comeback victory over on 27 2022, marking Kilmarnock's first league win of the campaign, and another header against his former club in October 2022. Taylor's prior experience across English and Scottish leagues bolstered his leadership in the backline. His contract expired in June 2023, after which he departed for Bradford City.

Bradford City (2023–2024)

On 16 June 2023, Ash Taylor signed for Bradford City on a two-year deal following the expiry of his contract at . His recent experience, including 's promotion to the in 2022, was highlighted as a key factor in his recruitment to bolster the League Two side's defensive options. During the 2023–24 season, Taylor featured primarily as a squad player, making 12 appearances in League Two without scoring any goals. Across all competitions, he recorded 17 appearances and two assists but no goals. Bradford City finished ninth in League Two, missing the playoffs by seven points. On 16 May 2024, Taylor's contract was terminated by mutual consent, allowing him to pursue new opportunities abroad.

FCB Magpies (2024–2025)

On 5 June 2024, Ash Taylor signed a one-year contract with Gibraltar National League club , marking his first move outside the English and Scottish football leagues after a veteran career spanning over a decade. The 33-year-old centre-back brought extensive experience from clubs like Tranmere Rovers, , and , providing defensive stability to the ' squad as they prepared for both domestic and European competitions. Taylor made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut on 11 July 2024 during a Conference League first qualifying round match against Derry City, where FCB Magpies secured a 2-0 victory at the Europa Sports Complex. His goal, a header from a set-piece in the second half, contributed to the home side's advantage heading into the second leg, which they won in extra time to advance to the next round. This European exposure highlighted Taylor's aerial prowess and set-piece threat in his new environment. During the 2024–25 season, Taylor featured in 17 appearances for FCB Magpies, scoring 1 goal overall, primarily in the Gibraltar National League while also participating in European ties. His contributions helped the team navigate the domestic campaign and continental qualifiers before his contract concluded in June 2025.

Europa (2025–present)

In the summer of 2025, Ash Taylor joined in the on a one-year contract following his departure from FCB Magpies. Taylor made his debut for Europa on 22 August 2025, starting in a 1–0 away victory against in the 2025–26 . As of November 2025, he has made six appearances for the club across league matches, accumulating 457 minutes played without scoring any goals. His prior experience in has aided a smooth transition, allowing him to contribute defensively to Europa's campaign in the Premier Division. As of November 2025, the team is in fifth place after nine matches with seven wins. Taylor's role as a centre-back has been pivotal in key fixtures, including full 90-minute outings in wins over and , as Europa eyes a title challenge that could secure a spot in the Conference League qualifiers for the 2026–27 season.

International career

Wales U19

Taylor earned his first call-up to the under-19 squad in 2009, drawing on his impressive youth performances at Tranmere Rovers that showcased his versatility as a defender and . He went on to make three appearances for the team that year, without scoring any goals. During this period, Taylor featured as a key defender in the Milk Cup tournament in , contributing to ' youth international efforts in the prestigious junior competition.

Wales U21

Ash Taylor earned a call-up to the under-21 squad based on his strong performances for Tranmere Rovers in the , marking a progression from his prior experience with the under-19 team. He made his sole appearance for the side on 29 February 2012, substituting into a qualifying match against at in Newport, which won 4–0. Taylor played the final 33 minutes without scoring, contributing to the defensive effort in the comfortable victory. Further opportunities at this level were limited due to his club commitments.

Achievements and honours

Club achievements

During his early career with Tranmere Rovers in the 2009–10 League One season, Ash Taylor was part of the team that secured survival in the division on the final day, beating Stockport County 3–0 while results elsewhere confirmed their position by a single point. In the 2021–22 season with , Taylor contributed to the club's promotion to the by winning the title, sealed with a 2–1 victory over in which he scored the equalizing goal in the 78th minute. With FCB Magpies in the 2024–25 season, Taylor won the Rock Cup, Gibraltar's domestic cup competition.

Individual awards

During his time at Tranmere Rovers, Ash Taylor was voted the club's Young Player of the Season for the 2009–10 campaign, recognizing his breakthrough performances as a promising defender in the Football League. This accolade highlighted his development through the club's and his contributions during a season where he began establishing himself in the first team. Up to 2025, no other major individual honors have been recorded in Taylor's professional career.

Personal life

Family

Taylor was born on 2 September 1990 in , on the in , where he grew up in the family home during his early life. Born in , Taylor represented at the under-21 level and qualifies for through a . In 2015, Taylor was married to model and fitness instructor India Lea, whom he credited with supporting his professional discipline through shared fitness routines. As of November 2025, the couple has no publicly reported children, and no further updates on their family life have been disclosed in reputable sources.

Public profile

Ash Taylor maintains a low-key public profile centered on his professional football career, with limited media engagements primarily related to his club transfers and performances. He primarily communicates with the public through platforms, including (@ashtaylor02) and X (@ashtaylor02), where he shares content focused on match updates, training sessions, and promotions for his clubs in . In June 2024, upon signing a two-year deal with FC Bruno's Magpies, Taylor announced the move on , expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity: "Absolutely delighted to sign for @BrunosMagpies a new adventure begins for me". This transition to marked a notable shift in his career, covered in sports outlets, though he has not participated in extensive interviews beyond brief statements. Following his departure from Bruno's Magpies in April 2025, Taylor reflected on the season's achievements, including the Rock Cup win, via a post, noting it as a fulfilling chapter. He joined in July 2025. As of November 2025, he has no major endorsements, sponsorships, or reported controversies, maintaining a professional image aligned with his on-field role.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Ash Taylor has made a total of 520 appearances and scored 41 goals across all club competitions throughout his professional career as of November 2025. This cumulative figure encompasses his time at multiple clubs in , , and , including league matches, domestic cups, and European qualifiers.

Breakdown by Club

ClubYearsAppearancesGoals
Tranmere Rovers2009–201420411
2014–2017, 2019–202117813
Northampton Town2017–2019887
2021–2022503
2022–2023454
Bradford City2023–2024351
Bruno's Magpies (Gibraltar)2024–2025201
(Gibraltar)2025–present60
Total2009–202562640
The above table summarizes appearances and goals in all competitions, with Tranmere Rovers representing his formative years in League One and League Two, where he established himself as a reliable centre-back. At , Taylor contributed significantly during two spells, featuring in matches, ties, and qualifiers, amassing his highest goal tally at a single club. His subsequent moves to lower-tier English clubs like Northampton Town and involved consistent defensive contributions in EFL competitions, while his time in Scotland with included promotion playoffs. In recent years, following a stint at Bradford City in League Two, Taylor transitioned to , playing for Bruno's Magpies in the 2024–25 season across the , , and Conference League qualifiers, before joining for the 2025–26 campaign.

International statistics

Ash Taylor represented Wales at the youth international level, earning one cap for the under-21 team in 2012 during qualifying. He made his debut in a against on 10 September 2013, though sources confirm only one appearance. Taylor also earned three caps for the Wales U19 team. Taylor has not earned any senior international caps for as of November 2025.

References

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