Dec 29 2010 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle
THE latest recruit to Chester FC’s title cause put medals before money to force through a move to the Exacta Stadium.
Experienced Hyde centre-back Michael Taylor has agreed to take a pay cut and drop down two divisions to help the reborn Blues in their bid to rise up the leagues.
Chester boss Neil Young, who yesterday also secured a loan deal for FC Halifax Town winger Scott Metcalfe, said: “Michael is that bit of quality we’ve been looking for.
“The weather held it up but it was a fairly easy deal to do. He’s not dropping down for the money because he’s coming for less than he was on at Hyde.
“He’s coming here because he knows a number of our players and sees what we’re trying to achieve. He wants to be part of it and hopefully he will enjoy the journey with us.”
Taylor, who will vie for a starting position with skipper George Horan and Carl Ruffer, arrives with pedigree.
The 28-year-old Liverpudlian played in the Football League with Carlisle United, Rochdale and Cheltenham Town after starting his career at Blackburn Rovers – and he has also impressed since dropping into non-league football.
Taylor captained Welsh Premier League full-timers TNS in Europe – playing alongside new Blues team-mates Michael Wilde and Steven Beck – and last season led Fleetwood Town into the Blue Square Premier before re-joining Blue Square North outfit Hyde in the summer.
Taylor will go straight into Chester’s squad for the new year double-header away to Prescot Cables on Saturday and at home to Warrington Town on Monday (both 3pm), along with fellow new boy, 22-year-old Metcalfe.
Young, who has sent striker Rob Hopley out on loan to Colwyn Bay, said: “Scott is a winger with bags of pace who will hopefully give us the dimension we lost when Antoni Sarcevic went back to Crewe.”
The table-topping Blues have had six matches postponed in the past month, with Monday’s visit of Durham City being the latest to fall victim to the cold snap.
But with temperatures on the rise, Young is hopeful of a return to action on Saturday against a Prescot side who have appointed former Wrexham defender Dave Ridler as their new manager.
Chester officials are optimistic next Monday’s home match with Warrington will go ahead – and they are calling on fans to assist with the removal of the protective covers which have been lying on the Exacta pitch since before Christmas.
Any supporters willing to help out should get to the ground for 10am tomorrow (Thursday).
For further information call 01244 371376.
Vauxhall Motors have back-to-back Blue Square Bet North games this weekend. They head to Droyslden on Saturday before entertaining Workington on Monday (both 3pm).
Airbus UK Broughton are in Welsh Premier League action at Bala Town on Sunday (2.30pm).