Hubbry Logo
Lyle TaylorLyle TaylorMain
Open search
Lyle Taylor
Community hub
Lyle Taylor
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Lyle Taylor
Lyle Taylor
Lyle Taylor
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Lyle James Alfred Taylor (born 29 March 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League South club Chelmsford City. Born in England, he plays for the Montserrat national team.

Key Information

Prior to joining Nottingham Forest, he played for Charlton Athletic and AFC Wimbledon. During his time with the Dons, he became their record Football League goalscorer with 44 goals (since surpassed by Joe Pigott).

Taylor started his senior club career at Millwall before spells with Concord Rangers, AFC Bournemouth, Falkirk, Sheffield United, and Scunthorpe United. He has also spent time on loan at Eastbourne Borough, Croydon Athletic, Lewes, Hereford United, Woking, two spells at Partick Thistle, and Birmingham City.

Club career

[edit]

Millwall

[edit]

Taylor was spotted by Millwall whilst playing for Staines Town youth academy, and progressed from the Millwall U18s to the reserve team. In October 2008 he signed a one-month loan deal at Conference National side Eastbourne Borough in order to gain first team experience.[4] In November 2008 his loan was extended by another month.[5] Although he played five games, he had only scored one goal, against Stevenage Borough.[6][7] Eastbourne Borough coach Nick Greenwood decided to end the loan deal, stating Taylor was not ready for Conference starts, as he was still learning his trade.[8]

Concord Rangers and AFC Bournemouth

[edit]

Taylor's contract at Millwall expired on 1 July 2009, after which he signed for Concord Rangers. After scoring 34 goals in his first season for Rangers, Taylor was offered a trial with AFC Bournemouth,[9] and subsequently agreed a two-year deal with the south-coast club.[10] He made his Football League debut the following day, in a 3–3 draw against Notts County. However, Taylor struggled to hold down a regular first-team place and appeared to be surplus to requirements.

On 31 January 2011, Taylor signed a one-month loan deal with Isthmian League side Lewes,[11] a deal which was extended the following month.[12] On 7 February 2011, Taylor scored on his Lewes debut, in a 2–2 draw against Boreham Wood.[13] Despite his initial success, in March 2011, Taylor refused to extend his stay at Lewes any further, describing it as a "big risk".[14] Despite public support from assistant manager Steve Fletcher who insisted he had a future at the club,[15] Taylor failed to break into the Bournemouth team. Taylor then joined Woking at the end of March, agreeing a loan deal until the end of the season.[16]

At the start of the 2011–12 season, and following promising performances in pre-season,[17] Taylor scored a brace against Dagenham & Redbridge in the first round of the League Cup. Still unable to force his way into the Bournemouth first–team, in February 2012 Taylor was allowed to leave on loan once more, agreeing a one-month deal with Hereford United.[18] He scored twice in eight appearances for Hereford before returning to his parent club at the end of his loan spell.[19] Taylor was released by Bournemouth at the end of the season having netted just two cup goals in the two years he was at the club.[20]

Falkirk

[edit]

In July 2012, Taylor signed for Scottish side Falkirk,[21] scoring twice on his competitive debut in the Scottish Challenge Cup, in a 3–0 win over Stirling Albion. Taylor also scored on his league debut in a 3–1 defeat against Partick Thistle on 11 August 2012.[22] After a successful season, Taylor attracted interest from elsewhere, with Falkirk accepting an offer from English League One side Rotherham United, only for Taylor to reject the move as he could not agree personal terms with the club.[23]

Sheffield United

[edit]
Taylor playing for Partick Thistle in 2014

Following the collapse of Taylor's proposed move to Rotherham United, Falkirk accepted another offer, this time from Sheffield United and Taylor duly signed a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[24] Taylor made his debut for the Blades in the opening fixture of the following season, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 home victory over Notts County.[25] Unable to hold down a regular place in the side Taylor did not score for his new employers until mid-October when he netted a brace against Coventry City.[26]

With the arrival of new manager Nigel Clough at United, Taylor continued to find his first team chances limited and was eventually allowed to join Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle on loan until the end of the season.[27][28] Having made his debut for Thistle in a 1–0 away loss to Celtic, Taylor netted his first goal for the Jags in his second game a 2–0 away win against Hearts a few days later.[29] Taylor played 20 games for Thistle in total that season, scoring seven goals, before returning to England in the summer.[30]

Scunthorpe United

[edit]

With first-team opportunities apparently limited at Sheffield United, Taylor joined Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee on 30 June 2014.[31] Taylor made his United debut on 9 August 2014, in a 3–1 defeat against Swindon Town.[32] He made his home debut on 16 August, in a 0–4 defeat against Preston North End.[33] He scored his first goal for the club on 16 September 2014, in a 2–1 win against Coventry City.[34] He scored his second goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Port Vale on 21 October.[35] He played 12 times for United in the league that season, scoring three goals as they finished 16th.

On 2 February 2015, Taylor returned to Partick Thistle for a second loan spell.[36] He scored in his first game back at the club, on 7 February 2015, in a 2–1 defeat against Inverness CT in the Scottish Cup.[37] He scored his first league goal in a 3–1 home defeat against Ross County.[38] Taylor then scored twice in a 2–0 home win over Motherwell on 11 April 2015.[39]

AFC Wimbledon

[edit]

On 14 July 2015, 25-year-old Taylor signed for AFC Wimbledon from Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee.[40] On 1 September, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 loss to Plymouth Argyle in the Football League Trophy.[41] Taylor scored his first league goal in a 2–0 win over Barnet on 3 October 2015[42] and scored a double in a 4–3 away win at Accrington.[43] He continued to score freely as the Dons finished 7th in League Two, ensuring a spot in the play-offs. He played in both semi-final legs of the 3–2 aggregate win against Accrington Stanley, scoring the equaliser in extra-time in the second leg which sent the Dons to Wembley.[44] He scored the opening goal in AFC Wimbledon's 2–0 win over Plymouth Argyle in the 2015–16 League Two play-off final,[45] plundering 23 goals and seven assists in all competitions in his first season for the club, as the Dons gained promotion to League One.

On 30 August 2016, Taylor signed an extended deal with the club.[46] Taylor notched 14 goals and six assists in all competitions in his second season for the club as AFC Wimbledon finished safely in 15th in its debut season in League One in 2016–17.

Taylor scored his 50th goal for the club against Plymouth on 13 February 2018, netting a brace in a 4–2 loss.[47][48] He scored 18 goals and eight assists in all competitions in his third season for the club as AFC Wimbledon battled relegation by finishing in 18th in its second season in League One in 2017–18.

Taylor became AFC Wimbledon's record Football League goalscorer with 44 goals (since overtaken by Joe Pigott),[49][50] and remains the Dons highest scorer during their Football League era with 55 goals in all competitions.[citation needed]

During his time at AFC Wimbledon, Taylor was given the nickname "The Montserratian Messi" by author and AFC Wimbledon fan John Green, on Dear Hank & John, the weekly podcast he co-hosts.[51][52]

Charlton Athletic

[edit]

Taylor signed for AFC Wimbledon's League One rivals Charlton Athletic on 27 June 2018 on a two-year deal.[53]

In April 2019, Taylor was the victim of racist abuse on Twitter from an apparent Bradford City fan following the clubs' recent match. Bradford City said they would investigate the matter.[54]

"We have 15 out of contract - we've got six loans and nine of our own contracted players out [...] Lyle has said that he's not going to play because of risk of injury. He is going to get a life-changing move."

—Lee Bowyer, in an interview with Talksport.[55]

On 1 June 2020, Charlton manager Lee Bowyer confirmed Taylor had refused to sign short term extension with the club to see out the rest of the 2019–20 EFL Championship season, he also refused to see out his existing contract for the next three matches for Charlton Athletic. Following the suspension of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, as he did not want to risk injury.[55] On 2 July 2020, it was confirmed that Taylor had left Charlton after his contract expired.[56]

Nottingham Forest

[edit]

On 15 August 2020, Taylor joined Championship club Nottingham Forest on a free transfer. He signed a contract of undisclosed length.[57] Taylor made his first Forest start in a 1–0 defeat to Huddersfield Town on 25 September 2020.[58] He scored his first goal for Forest in a 1–1 draw with rivals Derby County on 23 October 2020.[59]

Taylor was released by Forest following their 2022–23 season, in which he made no appearances.[60]

Birmingham City (loan)

[edit]

On 27 January 2022, Taylor joined Birmingham City on loan for the rest of the 2021–22 season.[61] He scored against Derby County on his debut for the club,[62] and finished his loan spell with five goals from 14 appearances.[63]

Wycombe Wanderers

[edit]

On 15 November 2023, Taylor joined League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a short-term deal on a free transfer.[64] He departed the club in January 2024.[65]

Cambridge United

[edit]

On 12 January 2024, Taylor joined League One club Cambridge United on a short-term deal until the end of the 2023–24 season.[66]

On 1 May 2024, the club announced the player would be released at the end of his contract.[67]

Colchester United

[edit]

On 2 July 2024, Taylor signed a contract with Colchester United until the end of the 2024–25 season.[68]

Chelmsford City

[edit]

On 7 August 2025, Taylor signed for National League South club Chelmsford City, following his departure from Colchester United on the same day.[69]

International career

[edit]

In March 2015, Taylor was called up to play for Montserrat in their qualification matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, being eligible through his grandparents. He made his full International début against Curaçao on 27 March 2015, scoring his first international goal.[70][71]

Personal life

[edit]

Taylor's brother, defender Joey Taylor, also plays for the Montserrat national football team.[72]

Taylor has also worked as a model and appeared in TV advertisements for the Champions League.[73]

Known for his charity work, Taylor often dyes his hair pink and wears pink boots during the month of October to raise awareness and money for Cancer Research UK. As of 2024, Taylor has raised £78,000 for the charity.[74][75]

Taylor has refused to follow the EFL initiative to take the knee before football matches. In an interview, Taylor described Black Lives Matter as a 'Marxist group' that 'are using racial unrest to push their own political agenda'.[76]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 30 August 2025[63]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Millwall 2007–08 League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008–09 League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Eastbourne Borough (loan) 2008–09 Conference Premier 4 1 1 0 — 0 0 5 1
Croydon Athletic (loan) 2008–09[77] Isthmian League Div. One South 4 0 — — — 4 0
Concord Rangers 2009–10[78] Isthmian League Div. One North 37 23 4 2 — 8[a] 9 49 34
AFC Bournemouth 2010–11 League One 11 0 1 0 0 0 1[b] 0 13 0
2011–12 League One 18 0 0 0 2 2 1[b] 0 21 2
Total 29 0 1 0 2 2 2 0 34 2
Lewes (loan) 2010–11[79] Conference South 6 2 — — — 6 2
Woking (loan) 2010–11[80] Conference South 5 1 — — 2[c] 0 7 1
Hereford United (loan) 2011–12 League Two 8 2 — — — 8 2
Falkirk 2012–13 Scottish First Division 34 24 4 2 2 1 2[d] 2 42 29
Sheffield United 2013–14 League One 20 2 2 0 1 0 2[b] 0 25 2
Partick Thistle (loan) 2013–14 Scottish Premiership 20 7 — — — 20 7
Scunthorpe United 2014–15 League One 18 3 5 1 1 0 1[b] 0 25 4
Partick Thistle (loan) 2014–15 Scottish Premiership 15 3 1 1 — — 16 4
AFC Wimbledon 2015–16 League Two 42 20 1 0 1 0 4[e] 3 48 23
2016–17 League One 43 10 5 2 1 1 1[b] 1 50 14
2017–18 League One 46 14 3 3 1 0 2[b] 1 52 18
Total 131 44 9 5 3 1 7 5 150 55
Charlton Athletic 2018–19 League One 41 21 1 3 0 0 3[f] 1 45 25
2019–20 Championship 22 11 0 0 0 0 — 22 11
Total 63 32 1 3 0 0 3 1 67 36
Nottingham Forest 2020–21 Championship 39 4 2 1 1 0 — 42 5
2021–22 Championship 18 3 0 0 1 0 — 19 3
2022–23 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 57 7 2 1 2 0 0 0 61 8
Birmingham City (loan) 2021–22 Championship 14 5 — — — 14 5
Wycombe Wanderers 2023–24 League One 7 0 1 0 — 1[g] 0 9 0
Cambridge United 2023–24 League One 14 3 — — — 14 3
Colchester United 2024–25 League Two 37 10 1 0 0 0 2[g] 3 40 13
Chelmsford City 2025–26 National League South 7 4 4 8 — 0 0 11 12
Career total 527 171 35 21 11 4 30 20 603 216
  1. ^ Three appearances & five goals in FA Trophy; two appearances & three goals in Essex Senior Cup; one appearance in Isthmian League Cup; two appearances & one goal in Isthmian League Division One North play-offs
  2. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in Conference South play-offs
  4. ^ Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  5. ^ One appearance & one goal in Football League Trophy; three appearances & two goals in League Two playoffs
  6. ^ Appearances in League One play-offs
  7. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

International

[edit]
As of match played 13 October 2024[81][82]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Montserrat 2015 2 1
2018 2 0
2019 2 0
2021 5 6
2022 2 3
2023 3 2
2024 4 1
Total 20 13
Scores and results list Montserrat's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Taylor goal.
List of international goals scored by Lyle Taylor
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 27 March 2015 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao  Curaçao 1–1 1–2 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 24 March 2021 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao  Antigua and Barbuda 1–0 2–2 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 2–1
4 28 March 2021 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao  El Salvador 1–1 1–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 8 June 2021 Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George's, Grenada  Grenada 1–1 2–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 2–1
7 3 July 2021 DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States  Trinidad and Tobago 1–3 1–6 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification
8 7 June 2022 Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic  Haiti 2–3 2–3 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B
9 11 June 2022 Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic  Bermuda 1–0 3–2 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B
10 3–2
11 8 September 2023 Wildey Turf, Wildey, Barbados  Barbados 1–0 3–2 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League B
12 3–2
13 10 October 2024 Arnos Vale Stadium, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  Bonaire 1–0 1–0 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B

Honours

[edit]

AFC Wimbledon

Charlton Athletic

Nottingham Forest

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lyle Taylor

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lyle James Alfred Taylor (born 29 March 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Chelmsford City in the National League South and captains the Montserrat national team. Born in Greenwich, London, to Montserratian grandparents, Taylor opted to represent the Caribbean nation internationally despite logistical challenges, debuting in 2015 with a goal against Curaçao after a 9,000-mile journey involving 12 flights and two boats. He has since earned 20 caps, scoring 13 goals for Montserrat. Taylor's club career began in non-league football with Concord Rangers before progressing through the English Football League system, where he established himself as a prolific striker. Notable achievements include becoming AFC Wimbledon's record Football League goalscorer with 44 goals during his tenure from 2015 to 2018, a mark later surpassed, and contributing to promotions with clubs like Millwall. Across senior clubs including Wycombe Wanderers, Millwall, Charlton Athletic, Nottingham Forest, and Colchester United, he has scored over 170 goals in competitive matches. His career has also featured disputes, such as refusing to extend his contract with Charlton in 2020 over health risks associated with COVID-19 protocols, prioritizing personal safety amid a family history of heart conditions.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Lyle Taylor was born on 29 March 1990 in Greenwich, London. He grew up in New Cross, a working-class area in South London, as the second of three brothers. Taylor's family heritage traces to Montserrat through his father's side, with his paternal grandparents having originated from the Caribbean island. This ancestry fostered a dual English-Montserratian cultural identity, evident in Taylor's later eligibility to represent Montserrat internationally despite being born and raised in England. His younger brother, Joey Taylor, shares this heritage and has also pursued a football career while representing the same national team.

Introduction to football

Lyle Taylor, born on 29 March 1990 in Greenwich, London, began his organized football involvement through local grassroots clubs in the area. His earliest documented youth affiliation was with Glebe FC, a community-based club in nearby Crayford, where he played and developed foundational skills from a young age until approximately 16 years old. These amateur experiences emphasized basic technical proficiency and physical conditioning in non-professional settings, typical of London's urban youth football scene. Following his time at Glebe, Taylor transitioned to the youth setup of Staines Town around the completion of secondary school, circa 2006, opting for continued football development over alternative post-school paths such as college without structured play. At Staines Town, his performances as a forward drew scouting interest, highlighting his emerging goal-scoring potential in competitive youth matches. Taylor's entry into a professional club's youth pathway occurred when Millwall scouts identified him during Staines Town youth games, leading to his recruitment into Millwall's academy system. He progressed through the under-18 squad, focusing on training regimens that built on his physical stature—standing at 1.88 meters—and aggressive playing style suited to lower-league demands, prior to any senior contracts in 2007. This phase marked the shift from purely amateur environments to structured academy development, though without first-team exposure at that stage.

Club career

Early professional stints (2007–2013)

Taylor joined Millwall's academy setup in 2007 after prior youth experience at clubs including Staines Town, but failed to secure any first-team appearances during his two-year professional contract with the League One side. His limited opportunities led to short-term loans for exposure: in 2008, he featured for Eastbourne Borough in the Conference South with five substitute appearances and one goal, followed by four outings on loan at non-league Croydon Athletic in 2009. Released upon contract expiry in summer 2009 due to insufficient breakthrough at senior level, Taylor's early Millwall period exemplified the instability typical of young prospects navigating lower professional tiers without consistent minutes. Following his Millwall departure, Taylor signed with Isthmian League Premier Division club Concord Rangers in late June 2009, where he immediately established himself as a prolific scorer in non-league football. In the 2009–10 season, he recorded 34 goals across 42 appearances, contributing significantly to Rangers' promotion as Isthmian Premier champions and earning recognition as one of the division's top marksmen. This output attracted attention from higher levels, leading to his transfer to League One side AFC Bournemouth in August 2010 for an undisclosed fee, marking his step up to professional third-tier football. At Bournemouth, Taylor's 2010–11 campaign yielded modest returns with 13 starts and 21 substitute appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals amid competition for places in a squad focused on survival. To gain further experience, he was loaned to Isthmian League club Lewes in January 2011 for an initial one-month spell that was extended, netting two goals in six outings, before a brief March loan to Conference Premier side Woking where he added one goal in seven games. These moves underscored ongoing adaptation challenges at professional level, with limited starts reflecting his journeyman status rather than settled prominence. Seeking regular play, Taylor moved to Scottish First Division club Falkirk in July 2012 on a two-year deal, quickly adapting to the physical demands of Scottish football. He scored twice on competitive debut in a 3–0 Scottish Challenge Cup win over Stirling Albion and tallied 29 goals in 42 appearances during the 2012–13 season, helping Falkirk secure second place and promotion playoffs. His productive tenure ended with a transfer to English League One side Sheffield United in July 2013, drawn by the opportunity for higher visibility rather than any reported disputes, closing his early nomadic phase with a strong goal-scoring foundation in a new league.

Establishment in lower tiers (2013–2018)

Taylor returned to English professional football in June 2014 by signing for Scunthorpe United in League One from Sheffield United. In the 2014–15 season, he made 25 appearances and scored 4 goals for the club, facing adaptation challenges in a competitive third-tier environment. In July 2015, Taylor transferred to AFC Wimbledon in League Two for an undisclosed fee. His debut season proved transformative, with 23 League goals that propelled the team to the play-offs; he scored the opening goal in the final against Plymouth Argyle on May 30, 2016, securing a 2–0 victory and promotion to League One. Over his tenure from 2015 to 2018, Taylor established himself as the Dons' record Football League goalscorer with 44 goals, earning fan favor through consistent scoring in League One after promotion. In the 2017–18 season, he led the club's scoring with 14 League goals amid a relegation battle. As a physical forward, Taylor excelled in hold-up play, leveraging his 6 ft 2 in frame for aerial presence and link-up, though detailed duel statistics from this period highlight modest win rates compared to elite levels.
SeasonClubDivisionAppearancesGoals
2014–15Scunthorpe UtdLeague One254

Championship-level prominence (2018–2021)

Lyle Taylor joined Charlton Athletic on a free transfer from AFC Wimbledon on 27 June 2018. In the 2018–19 League One season, he scored 25 goals in 45 appearances, earning the club's Player of the Year award with 52% of fan votes. His contributions included a brace in a 3–1 victory over Luton Town on 13 April 2019, which marked his entry into Charlton's '20-goals-a-season club'. Taylor played a role in the playoff campaign, assisting the opening goal in the final against Sunderland on 26 May 2019, securing a 2–1 victory and promotion to the Championship. In the 2019–20 Championship season, Taylor netted 11 goals in 22 appearances before the campaign's suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He opted out of resuming training and matches in June 2020, citing risks of injury that could jeopardize a potential transfer, a decision manager Lee Bowyer described as prioritizing personal career security over club obligations. This stance drew fan criticism, with some labeling him disloyal or a "Judas" for refusing to play amid the league's restart protocols, though Bowyer defended it as understandable given Taylor's contract expiry and free-agent status. Taylor's contract expired on 2 July 2020 without extension, ending his Charlton tenure with 36 goals in 67 total appearances. Taylor signed a three-year deal with Nottingham Forest on 15 August 2020. He scored his debut goal in a 1–1 draw against Derby County on 24 October 2020, but managed only four goals in 39 Championship appearances during the 2020–21 season, reflecting limited starts often hampered by fitness issues. This yielded a goals-per-game ratio of approximately 0.10, a decline from his 0.50 rate in the prior Championship outings with Charlton, amid broader team struggles that saw Forest finish 17th. Taylor later acknowledged facing significant fan scrutiny at Forest over his form and commitment, describing it as "really tough" but typical for underperforming players. Injuries and inconsistent integration curtailed his prominence, marking the period's end without sustained impact at the Championship level.

Decline and lower-league returns (2021–present)

In January 2022, Taylor joined Birmingham City on loan from Nottingham Forest until the end of the 2021–22 Championship season. He made 14 appearances and scored 5 goals, but the team suffered relegation to League One amid defensive frailties and inconsistent form across the squad. Returning to Forest in summer 2022, Taylor featured minimally thereafter, hampered by persistent fitness concerns that limited his availability and contributed to his release in June 2023 at age 33. Without a club for much of the 2023–24 season, Taylor signed a short-term deal with League One side Wycombe Wanderers in November 2023. He appeared in 9 matches without scoring, reflecting challenges in regaining match sharpness after over a year without regular league football. In January 2024, he moved to fellow League One club Cambridge United on another short-term contract until season's end, where he recorded 3 goals in 14 appearances amid ongoing adaptation issues. Taylor signed with League Two's Colchester United on 2 July 2024 for the 2024–25 campaign. Despite turning 35, he emerged as the team's top scorer with 10 goals in 27 league starts, demonstrating clinical finishing before a calf injury sustained in April 2025 sidelined him for the remaining fixtures. The injury, while not requiring surgery, underscored recurring physical vulnerabilities linked to his age and prior deconditioning periods. On 7 August 2025, following his Colchester departure as a free agent, Taylor transferred to National League South club Chelmsford City. At 35, he has started strongly, netting 2 goals in his first 2 matches of the 2025–26 season, signaling a pragmatic shift to lower-tier football where reduced physical demands align with his experience as a goal poacher. This journeyman phase highlights the toll of cumulative injuries and advancing age on a career once marked by Championship scoring prowess, though his leadership in team environments has been noted by prior clubs.

International career

Montserrat national team

Taylor qualified to represent Montserrat through his grandparents' heritage. He earned his first cap on 27 March 2015 in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Curaçao, entering as a substitute and scoring his debut international goal in a 2-1 defeat. This appearance marked the beginning of his role as a key attacking figure for the team, despite Montserrat's status as one of CONCACAF's weaker nations, consistently ranked near the bottom of the FIFA standings with infrequent victories. Taylor assumed the captaincy around 2018, leading the side in subsequent CONCACAF Nations League and World Cup qualifying campaigns. Under his leadership, Montserrat secured notable results against regional peers, including a 1-0 victory over Belize on 14 October 2018 in Nations League qualifying, where Taylor played the full match, and a 3-2 win against Bermuda on 12 June 2022 in Nations League B, in which he scored twice. Additional highlights include an equalizing goal in a historic 1-1 draw with El Salvador on 24 March 2021 during World Cup qualifiers, ending a long winless streak, and a penalty-conversion winner against Bonaire on 10 October 2024 in Nations League B. These outcomes underscore rare successes amid broader struggles, with Montserrat's overall win rate remaining low—fewer than 10% of matches since Taylor's involvement yielding victories—yet his contributions elevated the team's offensive output. As of October 2025, Taylor has amassed 21 caps for Montserrat, scoring 13 goals and providing 1 assist, making him the nation's all-time leading scorer. His goals, often against comparatively stronger opponents like Curaçao and El Salvador, represent personal milestones that have incrementally raised Montserrat's profile in CONCACAF competitions, though the demands of international duty have occasionally coincided with club form dips, as evidenced by limited starts in domestic leagues following call-ups. Taylor has expressed that the familial bond with the "Emerald Boys" outweighs such trade-offs, prioritizing national representation over potential career optimizations available through higher-tier club focus. Despite these efforts, systemic challenges persist: Montserrat's minnow status limits development infrastructure, resulting in reliance on diaspora players like Taylor for competitive edge, with team successes hinging disproportionately on his finishing prowess rather than collective depth.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Lyle Taylor is married and has at least three children, including a daughter born on the afternoon of 16 May 2019. That day coincided with Charlton Athletic's League One play-off semi-final second leg against Doncaster Rovers, in which Taylor started and scored both goals in a 2–1 win, securing advancement to the final despite the recent family event. Taylor's younger brother, Joey Taylor (born 18 August 1997), is also a professional footballer who has represented the Montserrat national team, earning over 20 caps as a defender or for clubs in non-league and divisions. Family health considerations contributed to Taylor's decision in June 2020 to of Charlton Athletic's participation in the EFL's Project Restart amid the , alongside risks of career-ending injury with his contract expiring.

Public initiatives and health advocacy

Taylor has conducted an annual "Pink October" campaign since at least 2018 to support Cancer Research UK, dyeing his hair pink, wearing pink boots during matches, and encouraging donations during October, designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The initiative stems from personal family experiences with cancer, prompting Taylor to prioritize awareness and fundraising through visible personal commitments rather than isolated events. Clubs employing Taylor have incorporated the campaign into matchday activities, such as Charlton Athletic turning The Valley stadium pink for a 2018 fixture against Oxford United and providing pink kits, or Colchester United designating a 2024 home game with pink warm-up tops for players. In 2021, while at Nottingham Forest, the effort raised £28,000, aided by sponsorship from UK Meds, marking his most successful year to that point through combined bucket collections, merchandise sales, and public visibility. As a Montserrat international, Taylor has advocated extending cancer awareness efforts to his heritage community, urging influential figures there to leverage their platforms for broader conversations on the disease's impacts, as stated in a ZJB News interview tied to his national team duties. This reflects a consistent emphasis on practical visibility and community leverage over performative gestures, with no documented criticisms of insincerity in available reports.

Career statistics

Domestic club statistics

Lyle Taylor has amassed 531 appearances, 175 goals, and 58 assists across domestic club leagues as of October 2025.
ClubAppearancesGoalsAssists
AFC Wimbledon1505520
Charlton Athletic673614
Nottingham Forest6181
Falkirk42298
Colchester United40132
Partick Thistle36126
AFC Bournemouth3421
Sheffield United2520
Scunthorpe United2542
Cambridge United1432
Birmingham City1451
Wycombe Wanderers900
Hereford United821
Chelmsford City640
Notable peaks include 21 goals for Charlton Athletic in the 2018–19 season. All figures represent league matches only.

International statistics

Taylor has earned 20 caps for Montserrat, scoring 14 goals across CONCACAF competitions as of his most recent appearance in October 2024. He has captained the team in multiple fixtures, including recent Nations League and World Cup qualifying matches. His goals include braces against Antigua and Barbuda (24 March 2021, World Cup qualifier), Grenada (9 June 2021, World Cup qualifier), Bermuda (12 June 2022, Nations League), and Barbados (9 September 2023, Nations League), contributing significantly to Montserrat's qualification efforts despite the team's overall challenges in regional play. The following table summarizes his appearances and goals by competition:
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
FIFA World Cup qualifiers117
CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers32
CONCACAF Nations League65
Total2014

Honours

Club honours

AFC Wimbledon
EFL League Two play-offs winners: 2016 Charlton Athletic
EFL League One play-offs winners: 2019

Individual accolades

Taylor won the PFA Bristol Street Motors Fans' League One Player of the Year award for the 2018–19 season while at Charlton Athletic, recognizing his 28 goals in 45 league appearances that helped secure promotion to the Championship. He also received Charlton's Player of the Year award for the same season, polling 33% of the fan vote ahead of runner-up Aiden McGeady. Earlier, during his loan at Falkirk in the 2012–13 Scottish First Division, Taylor was nominated for the PFA Scotland Second Division Player of the Year award alongside candidates including Chris Erskine and Michael Tidser. Taylor holds Montserrat's all-time scoring record with 13 goals in 20 international appearances as of 2025.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.com/lyle-taylor/profil/spieler/104495
  2. https://fbref.com/en/players/3e80e04e/Lyle-Taylor
  3. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37417589/striker-takes-12-flights-two-boats-score-international-debut
  4. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/115915-lyle-taylor
  5. https://www.coludata.co.uk/player/lyle-taylor
  6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c7291y34xv0o
  7. https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2020/07/12/report-nottingham-forest-lyle-taylor/
  8. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lyle-taylor/profil/spieler/104495
  9. https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/5b337ac479a90/lyle-taylor-becomes-charltons-first-summer-signing
  10. https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/8724315.cherries-model-behaviour-for-striker-taylor/
  11. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/12-flights-2-boats-9000-5471669
  12. https://www.worldsoccer.com/world-soccer-latest/gold-cup-within-reach-408013
  13. https://livinginmontserrat.wordpress.com/2019/02/07/lyle-and-joey-taylor-gold-cup-big-match-preview-part-3-9/
  14. https://www.scefl.com/headline-grabbing-glebe
  15. https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-is-lyle-taylors-millwall-fc-connection-after-he-makes-public-premier-league-claim/
  16. https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/afcw-one-to-watch/
  17. https://m.aiscore.com/player-lyle-taylor/wv78xid5e0i2krj
  18. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/birmingham-city/lyle-taylor-16070/league-appearances_a43025/
  19. https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/8335861.concord-rangers-striker-lyle-taylor-joins-bournemouth/
  20. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23346380
  21. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/28090158
  22. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33522044
  23. https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sheffield-united-took-a-gamble-on-lyle-taylor-didnt-get-what-charlton-afc-wimbledon-did/
  24. https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/players/156937/lyle-taylor
  25. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44631482
  26. https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/5ccf22171b314/lyle-taylor-named-201819-player-of-the-year
  27. https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/5cb485e36ab29/lyle-taylor-joins-illustrious-20-goals-a-season-club
  28. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/26/charlton-athletic-sunderland-league-one-playoff-final
  29. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53264710
  30. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/01/three-charlton-players-including-lyle-taylor-unwilling-to-continue-season-lee-bowyer-injury
  31. https://fanbanter.co.uk/lyle-taylor-im-a-judas-because-i-refused-to-play-for-my-club-ahead-of-transfer-no-loyalty-in-football/
  32. https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2020/august/lyle-taylor-signs-for-nottingham-forest/
  33. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/nottingham-forest/lyle-taylor-16070/league-appearances_a41375/
  34. https://fbref.com/en/squads/e4a775cb/2020-2021/Nottingham-Forest-Stats
  35. https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/nottingham-forests-lyle-taylor-reacts-to-fan-criticism/
  36. https://www.fotmob.com/players/156937/lyle-taylor
  37. https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/lyle-taylor-lifts-lid-difficult-8851125
  38. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67960859
  39. https://us.soccerway.com/player/taylor-lyle/OzCsk1XJ/
  40. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0jzdpz2577o
  41. https://therealefl.co.uk/2025/08/01/10-goal-striker-reflects-waiting-on-colchester-united-deal/
  42. https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2025/april/17/bittersweet-news-for-taylor/
  43. https://chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/lyle-taylor-is-a-claret/
  44. https://footystats.org/players/montserrat/lyle-taylor
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.us/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/2528370
  46. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6303521/Lyle-Taylor-captaining-Montserrat-chooses-play-pink-hair.html
  47. https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/5bc45e27839db/lyle-taylor-stars-for-montserrat-as-they-beat-belize-in-concacaf-nations-league-qualifying
  48. https://www.concacaf.com/nations-league/news/taylor-on-target-as-montserrat-take-down-bermuda/
  49. https://inside.fifa.com/en/news/taylor-not-even-wembley-compares-to-playing-with-my-montserrat-family
  50. https://www.concacaf.com/nations-league/news/el-salvador-maintains-lead-montserrat-earns-victory-in-league-b/
  51. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lyle-taylor/nationalmannschaft/spieler/104495
  52. https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/48163058?page=6
  53. https://www.castrust.org/2020/06/lyle-taylor-last-impressions-count/
  54. https://ashfordunitedfc.com/welcome-to-united-joey-taylor/
  55. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joseph-taylor/profil/spieler/347281
  56. https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2020/october/lyle-taylor-launches-pink-october-for-cancer-research-uk/
  57. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgq8zykznwpo
  58. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24629148.lyle-taylor-goes-pink-raise-money-cancer-research-uk/
  59. https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/5bb9dc7066198/the-valley-to-go-pink-as-part-of-lyle-taylors-cancer-research-uk-campaign
  60. https://www.facebook.com/colchesterunitedfc/posts/-tomorrow-is-our-match-dedicated-towards-lyle-taylors-pink-october-campaign-wher/1046584077479206/
  61. https://businessinthemidlands.co.uk/nottingham-forests-lyle-taylor-nets-milestone-cash-for-cancer-boosted-by-club-sponsor-uk-meds/
  62. https://zjbradio.com/montserratian-footballer-calls-on-people-with-influence-to-assist-in-cancer-awareness/
  63. https://www.transfermarkt.com/lyle-taylor/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/104495
  64. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24629034.colchester-united-striker-lyle-taylor-gets-montserrat-call/
  65. https://chelmsfordcityfc.com/player/lyle-taylor/
  66. https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/5ceaccf53c160/play-off-final-report-charlton-2-sunderland-1
  67. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48324840
  68. https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/5cefbc9f33e79/lyle-taylor-wins-player-of-the-year-award
  69. https://www.vertumotors.com/news/charltons-lyle-taylor-wins-league-one-fans-player-of-the-year-award/
  70. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22304789
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.