Dean Lines Up Striker Deal
SUBJECT to a medical, Dean Saunders has reached agreement with former Wales striker Gareth Taylor over a one-year contract.
Having left Doncaster Rovers when his contract finished this summer, the 36-year-old has been having talks with Dean for a few weeks and agreement was finally reached today.
"I'm delighted that we have been able to get Gareth," said the Wrexham boss, who played alongside the forward at Sheffield United.
"He's just the type of experienced player I have been looking for, to play next to the likes of Marc Williams and Obi Anoruo.
"I think it's vital for our younger strikers to have someone like Gareth on the field with them, as he will only help make them better players.
"He is player I have known as a team mate at Sheffield United, so I know his strengths and he's still fit as a fiddle.
"At 6'2" his height makes him a good target man and he thinks about what he's doing.
"At the moment he's away on holiday, but once he returns he'll have a medical and then we'll get the paperwork all signed off."
The boss is still looking to strengthen his forward line over the coming weeks as he prepares the squad to return to training on 1 July.
"I have my eye on several strikers who I could bring in, as I want them to compete with Marc and Gareth for a starting place next season," said Dean.
"Talks are on going, but I won't be rushed, it has to be right for me and the club."
Gareth turning out for Wales
Gareth Taylor started his career with Southampton, but failed to make any first team appearances and was released. Bristol Rovers then signed him and he made his league debut as a centre-back in a 6-1 defeat at Cambridge United in February 1992.
He did not play again until the first match of the 1994-95 campaign, by which time manager John Ward had converted him into a striker. His height meant he was a good target man and was exceptional in the air, scoring 12 goals (most of them headers) in his first full season alongside Marcus Stewart and Paul Miller in attack.
Gareth's brace against Brentford on the final day ensured a Division 2 play-off spot and after a tense away goals victory over Crewe Alexandra in the semi-final, Bristol Rovers made it to Wembley, though they lost 2-1 to Huddersfield Town.
After four goals in seven games at the start of the following season, he was transferred to Crystal Palace for an initial £750,000 rising to an eventual £1.25 million.
After failing to make an impact at the London outfit, two goals in 20 appearances, he was soon made available and signed by Sheffield United, where he made 50+ appearances and scored 24 goals.
This brought Gareth to the attention of Manchester City, who bought him for £400,000 and he made around 40 appearances, scoring9 goals. This led to him being loaned out to various clubs, including Port Vale, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley (who eventually signed him on a free transfer).
His time at Burnley was arguably the best time in his football career, as he played 105 games altogether (scoring 37 goals) making him a favourite with the fans.
This record persuaded Paul Hart to buy him for Nottingham Forest for £500,000. At the beginning of the 2003-04 season, following his recovery from a serious eye injury sustained while still at Burnley, he became a regular in the side when David Johnson broke his leg.
Forest's fortunes took a downturn largely caused by a mass exodus of players during the previous summer. Taylor played a big part in the recovery with some very important goals.
In the unfortunate 2004-05 season, which resulted in relegation, he was made captain by Gary Megson and was top scorer with 11 goals.
With striker Grant Holt being signed to replace him, Taylor suddenly fell out of favour and was allowed to go on loan to Crewe Alexandra, where he enjoyed some success but was unable to prevent them getting relegated.
Gareth's contract at Nottingham Forest expired in the summer of 2006, with the club deciding against renewing it and he was released. At the end of June 2006, he joined Tranmere Rovers on a two-year contract, scoring 9 goals in all competitions in his debut season.
Taylor initially signed for Doncaster Rovers on loan in January 2008 and the deal was made permanent a few weeks later. He scored his first goal in a 2-2 draw against Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium and helped them to play-off success that summer.
Gareth joined Carlisle United on a month-long loan deal in March 2009 and scored on his debut, in a 2-1 win over Crewe Alexandra. He returned to Doncaster at the end of the season, but was told it would not be renewed, despite having played in 17 championship games last season.
He is a former Wales international, who gained 12 caps, qualifying for the national side through his father, and scored his only goal in a 4-0 friendly victory over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in 2004.
