Matty Taylor said thank you to Swindon Town’s fans for embracing him during his stay at the club.
After his final game finished in victory over Notts County, Taylor was given an incredible reception by the fans around the ground as he retires from playing after a fantastic 20-year career.
The match itself finished 3-1 to the Robins who condemned County to their first ever relegation out of the Football League – a brace from Theo Robinson and a goal from Kaiyne Woolery sealed victory after Kane Hemmings had put the visitors ahead.
Taylor reflected on the day and his time at the club:
“I’ve enjoyed the two years that I’ve had here immensely – I think I must say thank you to the fans because I haven’t been here very long and they’ve embraced me.
“Listening to the reception I got there, it’s warming and touching and it makes the day really special me and my family.
“I hope the club goes forwards – recruitment will be key this summer. Next season, I just hope it’s a positive one for the fans because I think they want to come out but they need to be given something to hold on to. Hopefully, Richie and the coaching staff can give the fans something to shout about.
“It’s opened my eyes even more so to the ‘dark side’, as it’s called, of coaching. I’m not very good at doing nothing – that’s something I’m acutely aware of.”
The veteran midfielder was asked about his relationship with the fans and said it is more about the effort you put in than anything else:
“There’s no point pulling on a shirt and not wanting to play for it – I’ve been doing what I had done for the 20 seasons previous and giving my all. That’s the type of person I am.
“I would imagine if you were to ask football fans what they want from their players, they accept mistakes but what they want to witness every Saturday is them going out and giving 100%.
“I have no regrets about what I’ve done because at points I’ve over-achieved. You can’t have what-ifs so it’s all about looking forward and embracing the next challenge.”
