Rhys Taylor

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Rhys Taylor
0Full Name	Rhys Francis Taylor
0Date of Birth	7 April 1990
0Place of Birth	Neath, Wales
0Position	Goalkeeper
0Chelsea career	2005 - 2012
0Debut	n/a
0Games (goals)	n/a
0Other clubs	QPR (loan) Crewe (loan) Rotherham United (loan) Macclesfield Town

Rhys Francis Taylor (born 7 April 1990 in Neath, Wales) is a Welsh Under-21 goalkeeper who formerly played for Chelsea's Youth and Reserve teams.

Contents 1 Pre-Chelsea career 2 Chelsea career 3 International 4 Career Statistics 5 Career honours 6 Post-Chelsea career

Pre-Chelsea career

As a schoolboy, Rhys had spells at a number of clubs, including Manchester United.

Chelsea career

However, he signed for Chelsea at the age of 15 as a schoolboy and became a scholar the following year. After quickly establishing himself in the Academy team, including a run in the Northern Ireland Milk Cup as a 15 year-old, he signed professional terms in 2007 before becoming the first-choice stopper for the Reserve side. Later the same season he was promoted to the first team squad on emergency duties after injuries to both Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini caused a goalkeeping shortage. He didn't get any time on the pitch but began to make a name for himself as a fine young goalkeeper.

2007/08 also proved to be spectacular for Rhys as he started every game in the Under-18 team's run to the FA Youth Cup Final, which the Blues lost to Manchester City. The following season was to prove more frustrating however, as a concussion suffered mid-season caused him to miss six months of action.

In December 2009 Taylor spent a month on loan at Queens Park Rangers, serving as backup to Radek Cerny.

In July 2010, it was announced that he would start the 2010-11 season on loan at Crewe in League Two. He was the club's first choice throughout season, saving four penalties, but accrued his first career red card on January 22nd 2011 in an away fixture at Aldershot Town.

Rhys made a total of 49 appearances during his time at Crewe and returned to Chelsea at the end of the season. He spent the first half of 2011-12 still at Stamford Bridge, after a loan move was scuppered first by his own injury and then by ailments to both Ross Turnbull and Hilario, meaning he was needed as first-team cover.

During the January transfer window, Rhys joined League Two side Rotherham United on loan, replacing Conrad Logan and becoming the club's undisputed first choice in goal. However, he was not signed on a permanent basis and also left Chelsea at the end of his contract in June 2012.

International

Rhys has represented Wales at Under-17 (9 caps), Under-19 (3 caps) and Under-21 level (2 caps), and has been called into the full senior Welsh squad on one occasion for a friendly against Georgia. He remained an unused substitute.

Career Statistics

Youth Team Football

Season	Total
	Apps	Goals
2005-06	2	0
2006-07	12	0
2007-08	12	0

Reserve Team Football

Season	Total
	Apps	Goals
2006-07	?	?
2007-08	8	0
2008-09	8	0
2009-10	8	0
2010-11	0	0
2011-12	10	0

Senior Club Football

Season	Club	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
2007-08	Chelsea	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2008-09	Chelsea	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2009-10	Chelsea	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2009-10	Queens Park Rangers (loan)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2010-11	Crewe (loan)	44	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	49	0
2011-12	Rotherham (loan)	20	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	0

(Statistics accurate as of the end of the 2011-12 season)

Career honours

None.

Post-Chelsea career

After leaving Chelsea Rhys had a trial at Southend United in 2012-13 pre-season but wasn't offered a deal. He joined Preston North End at the beginning of 2013 on a non-contract basis but signed for Macclesfield Town shortly afterwards and remained there until the end of the 2014-15 season, when he then signed for Newport County.