Matt Taylor
Striker
Forest Green fought off fierce competition to sign lively front man Matt Taylor on a two year contract in September 2011 from Southern League South & West Division outfit North Leigh.
Matt turned down an offer from Rovers Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Newport County to join Rovers and had also spent time on trial at Cheltenham Town after smashing over 80 goals in two seasons with the Oxfordshire outfit.
He began his career in the youth team at Oxford United before moving to North Leigh and his Forest Green career burst in to life in November 2011 when he netted a spectacular hat-trick in a 4-1 thrashing of Alfreton Town at The New Lawn which earned the nippy forward a standing ovation from the Rovers supporters when he was substituted late on in the game.
With Reece Styche out injured for most of the campaign, Matt grabbed the striking role by the horns and found the back of the net in some key fixtures including wins over Luton Town and Wrexham.
His impressive form saw him selected as a back up member of the England C team squad that would face Italy in February 2011 and in March 2012 he signed an extension to his contract at The New Lawn, tying himself down to a deal that would last until the end of the 2013-14 season.
Sponsored by:
- Home: Paul Kirby Stonewalling
- Away: Paul Kirby Stonewalling
- Third: Louis Corbett
FGR Statistics:
| 2011/12 | Apps(as sub) | Goals | MoM | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 25 (2) | 10 | 3 |
 0
 4
|
| Cup | 3 (3) | 0 | 0 |
0
0
|
| 2012/13 | Apps(as sub) | Goals | MoM | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 33 (9) | 9 | 2 |
0
4
|
| Cup | 3 (3) | 2 | 0 |
0
1
|
