Robert Taylor

Personalia: Born: 30/4 1971 Birthplace: Norwich Nationality: Scottish (0/0) Height: 6`1" (184cm) Weight: 13st. 8lb (79kg) Position: Forward League Appearances: Season: Club: Games: Goals: 1989-1991 Norwich 0 0 1990-1991 Leyton Orient (loan) 3 1 1991-1992 Birmingham City 0 0 1991-1994 Leyton Orient 73 20 1993-1998 Brentford 173 56 1998-1999 Gillingham 58 34 1999-2000 Manchester City 16 5 2000-2001 Wolverhampton Total: 324 116

Robert was brought to Maine Road by Joe Royle to strengthen the attack in City's challenge for promotion to the Premiership. The Gillingham striker had impressed officials from many clubs, including Spurs, Wolves and Hearts, but after a lengthy tug of war he signed for City at the end of November 1999.

Gillingham signed Robert from Brentford during the summer 1998, for £500.000, and City tripled his value 16 months later when he joined the Blues in a deal worth £1.5 million.

Robert played against City in the play-off final in May 1999, when he nearly kept the Blues down with a goal four minutes from time. He described City's comeback this way: "City broke my heart at Wembley in May - I was not able to watch the video until 6 months later."

Robert described him signing for City as a dream come true: "It was a rough six weeks or so wondering if the move to City would ever take place but I never lost hope and so the dream finally became true. It was the chance I had been waiting for. I have always wanted to test myself at a higher level and clubs don't come much bigger than Manchester City. Watford, Spurs and Hearts all expressed an interest recently but ever since I discovered that Joe Royle wanted me I have had my eyes firmly fixed on joining City. I went to one of the games before the deal was completed and the atmosphere was something else. The place had Premiership written all over it."

25/7 2003: Former Wolverhampton and Manchester City striker Robert Taylor has announced his retirment from the game. The 32-year-old has struggled with a series of injuries for the last few years and he has decided to call it a day.

Provided by: Svenn A. Hanssen, svenn@hanssen.priv.no