MATTY Taylor says he is not ready to sit on the bench when he makes a decision on his next club.
The 33-year-old striker will leave Oxford United this month after the club decided against handing him a new deal.
Across four seasons, he netted 64 times for his hometown side, cementing his status as one of the club’s greats.
Only eight players have scored more for United than Taylor, however like the rest of the team, he struggled during the 2022/23 campaign.
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After scoring six times before the end of January, he joined Sky Bet League One rivals Port Vale on loan in the closing hours of the mid-season transfer window.
After bagging four goals in 14 appearances for the Valiants prior to his U’s exit, Taylor is looking for his next challenge.
One thing he is clear on though is that a subordinate role is not on his radar.
“I think you’re in the wrong sport if you’re signing places and being happy with not playing,” said Taylor.
“Personally I don’t think I’ve got this far from not having that attitude.
“I know my body and what it’s capable of. If I was 36 or 37, and knew I didn’t have 90 minutes in me every week, then it’s a different story.
“I’d love to play as much as possible and you’ve got to bring in a squad of players who all want that shirt.
“I’m not naive enough to know that managers do have a rough idea of their starting XI but I want to play.
“If Liam [Manning] wanted me to stay and be a third choice striker, I’d have backed myself to be playing.”
The transfer window is now open and #oufc are already up and running with the addition of Ruben Rodrigues, but where else might the U’s look before the window shuts at 11pm on September 1?https://t.co/WF23fcYy4k
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) June 14, 2023
Discussing his future, Taylor added: “I’m speaking to a few people, it’s been quite chilled really.
“I left it in my agent’s hands, that’s his job and what he’s good at.
“I’ve been away and took the kids away, and then I get back again on the 19th.
“I’m sure in the next few weeks, we’ll start hearing things and it’ll be time to get sorted because there’s plenty in the tank.”
After progressing through the United academy and making seven appearances for the first team, Taylor had spells with Didcot Town, North Leigh and Forest Green Rovers.
Spells in the Football League with Bristol Rovers and Bristol City followed, before Taylor rejoined the U’s, initially on loan, in August 2019.
He said: “From the day I walked in to the day I left, it’s been a pleasure to put the shirt on.
“It’s something I dreamed about growing up as a kid.
“If you’d have said to me I’d have played so many games for Oxford and scored so many goals, I’d probably have laughed.
“I’m just really proud of the achievements and it would have topped it off if we’d have got promoted – that’s the only thing that bugs me, but that’s football.
“I was just a young lad from Kidlington wanting to play for Oxford and I managed to do it.”
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About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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