Former Manchester United youngster Kris Taylor has hailed The Professional Footballers’ Association and outlined the need for young players to continue their education beyond their formative years in the game.
Now 32, Taylor, who has successfully undergone treatment for testicular cancer, recently graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science on a course specifically designed to accommodate the needs of professional footballers.
“From the age of 16 really, I had people like Oshor (Williams) coming into the club recommending various training or educational courses and at the time you listen and think maybe but I’m not ready to do that yet.
“Looking back I just wish that I’d taken that advice on board and done it when I had more time because I didn’t start until I was 26.
“By then you’re starting a family, you’re working and playing part-time so the time you’re allowing yourself to study is very limited.”
Taylor candidly admits that much of his free time as a young player was “wasted” on trivial pursuits, but then he didn’t foresee the route his career was going to take.
A talented left-back or central midfielder, in equal measure, Taylor was capped by England as a schoolboy and was transferred from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Manchester United. At Old Trafford he signed professional terms on his 17th birthday and readily admits that Premier League, Champions League and representative honours were all once in his bucket list.
Those aspirations slowly faded though and as United were sweeping towards another League title (2002-03) Taylor was heading back down the M6 to join Walsall.
“I started off thinking I was going to be a household name and big time player moving to Man United as a youngster,” Taylor said.
“That obviously didn’t go to plan and I went on to various League clubs, Walsall, Port Vale, Hereford and Darlington and then dropped out of the full-time game.
“When you’re there (at Manchester United) your life has to be dedicated to achieve what you want to achieve in football but I also feel that there is a lot of time that you waste as a young player. There is a lot of time spent on PlayStations, at the cinema and out looking round the shops.
“You might not go out drinking like your mates but studying or using your time in a more constructive way wouldn’t necessarily be any sort of hindrance to achieving what you wanted to in football.
“I wish I’d started earlier. As I’ve got older I’ve found myself telling my kids, Daddy is just doing some work, which you don’t want to have to do but you feel is necessary. My message to young players is go and do something that acts as a positive influence or upskills them when they’ve got more time free to commit to it.
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