Meet the Player – Jonny Taylor (Llay Welfare)

Llay Welfare striker Jonny Taylor. Most photos courtesy of Cefn Druids FC – with thanks

With 30 club goals for Llay Miners Welfare already this season Jonny Taylor is in scintillating form.

The former Wrexham AFC striker, who has played in Europe for Cefn Druids, spoke to Grassroots North Wales about his career.

Full Name

Jonathon Taylor (JT)

Date of Birth

12/5/1989

Occupation

Plasterer

Teams you have played for

Wrexham, Burnley, Shrewsbury Town, Bradford Park Avenue, Flint Town United, Buckley Town, Mold Alexandra, Gresford Athletic, Cefn Druids, Llay Welfare

Position

Centre Forward

Most memorable game played in

Would have to be the away leg in the Europa League for Cefn Druids v FK Trakai (July 5, 2018) Druids drew 1-1 at home and lost 1-0 in Lithuania. Jonny came on as a second half substitute in Trakai.

Biggest highlight of football career so far

Representing Wales at under-15 and U16 level

Jonny (stripes) in action against Barry Town United

Best goal scored

Wouldn’t say it’s my best but my most meaningful would have to be my header against Ireland in Dublin

Strengths to your game

Holding the ball up and goal scoring

Weaknesses

I’d have to say my weakness is my pace now I’m at this age and I pick up 1 or 2 too many yellows

Best team-mate played alongside

Neil Ashton

Hardest opponent faced

Micah Richards or Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (FK Trakai)

Biggest influence in football

Niall Quinn

Funniest team-mate

Jonny with Naim Arsan

Just because of how funny he is drunk which doesn’t take a lot, I’d have to say Naim Arsan

Favourite away ground

Caernarfon. Great set up there and a great support. Cracking club

Tell us what it was like playing for Cefn Druids in Europe

Playing in the Europa League was an unbelievable experience, it’s something that will stay with me forever and can’t be taken away.
Dream of it growing up, but never think it will happen.
We had a great season that year at Druids under Huw Griffiths, he brought in some class lads from all over and there were 4/5 of us local lads to which it probably meant that bit more to actually qualify for such a stage with a team in your home town.
We went 1-0 up in the home leg through James Davies who just couldn’t stop scoring at the time and it was an amazing feeling to be leading the tie.

We drew that night 1-1 and to still be in the tie travelling to Lithuania was awesome and we went out there and believed we could do a job.
We lost 1-0 out there through a penalty scored by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov who by the way was untouchable!
He played for Everton in the Premier League and Russia so that’s the type of quality we were up against and were unlucky to lose the tie 2-1 on aggregate in my opinion. Massive crowd out there and a good number travelling over for Druids too. It was a fantastic experience.

How do you see Llay Welfare’s prospects for the rest of the season?

Jonny in action for Llay (photo includes credit to his sponsors)

If I’m honest we lost the first 3 in the league (tier 3 Ardal North West) this season.
All ifs and buts I know but if we hadn’t dropped them points there I believe we go on to win the league or definitely challenge!
We’ve got a great young side here and back at the club that means so much to me with it being my home village. I do believe that we can have a great end to the season and top 4 is a realistic aim now for sure.

Do you think Wrexham can win promotion this season?

Pffttt!! Head saying one thing and my heart another!
I’m a massive Wrexham fan, it’s the club I’ve grown up watching and the club I support and love. I’d like to think we can bring one or two in in January and go win it.
I personally think with the money we’ve spent and lads we’ve brought in we should be winning it. I’m going to say YES we will win the league!!!

What are your remaining football ambitions?

Probably got 6/7 years left playing if I’m lucky! Winning a trophy at Llay will be a great way to go out for me.

RANDOM QUESTIONS

Best country visited

Dubai

Favourite chocolate bar

Boost

Best after-match venue

The Welly

Best film seen

The Business

Favourite song

Photo of Liam GALLAGHER and Noel GALLAGHER and OASIS, L-R:Tony McCarroll, Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, Paul ‘Guigsy’ McGuigan – posed, group shot (Photo by Michel Linssen/Redferns)

Live Forever – Oasis