Famous Players – The 1990’s

Ian Taylor

Ian Taylor was working as a forklift truck driver and playing part time for non-league side Moor Green when he was spotted by Vale scout Ray Williams. He was subsequently signed by manager John Rudge for £15,000 in the summer of 1992. Rudge saw him as a potential replacement for midfielder Robbie Earle.

Ian went straight into the Vale first-team and was top scorer at the end of the 1992-93 season with nineteen goals. He was named as the club’s Player of the Season and also included in the PFA Second Division Team of the Season.

The midfielder played in the club’s Autoglass Trophy final win at Wembley in 1993 and then netted sixteen times in his second season to help the Valiants win promotion. He was once again included in the PFA’s divisional Team of the Season.

After attracting the attention of bigger clubs, Taylor was signed by Sheffield Wednesday for £1m in the summer of 1994 but after only 18 games for Wednesday he moved to boyhood idols Aston Villa for another 7 figure fee. His 9 seasons in the Premier league at Villa Park established him as an Aston Villa Legend before he finished his playing career with spells at Derby County and Northampton.