Gareth started his career with Southampton, but failed to make any first team appearances and was released. Bristol Rovers 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.

His 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, although they then 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. He failed to make an impact at the London outfit and only managed 20 appearances and 2 goals. He was soon released and was signed by Sheffield United, where he made 50+ appearances and scored 24 goals.

Manchester City then bought him for £400,000 and he made around 40 appearances but only managed 9 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 in his football career, as he played 105 games and scored 37 goals, making him a favourite with the fans.

This persuaded Paul Hart to buy him for Nottingham Forest for £500,000 in 2003 and he became a regular in the side when David Johnson broke his leg. Forest's fortunes took a down turn, largely caused by a mass exodus of players during the previous summer, but 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 their scorer with 11 goals.

Shortly into the 2005-06 season, 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.

His contract at Nottingham Forest expired in the summer of 2006; 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 on 31 January 2008, the deal becoming permanent later on. He scored his first goal on 5 April, the first equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium.

A move to Carlisle United, on a month-long loan deal, followed in March 2009. He scored on his debut, in a 2-1 win over Crewe Alexandra, but returned to Doncaster at the end of the season and was released.

Dean Saunders was keen to capture his former international team mate and signed him to a one-year contract in the summer of 2009.

Although born in England, he qualified for the national side through his father and scored his only international goal in a 4-0 friendly victory over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in 2004.

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