George Taft Explained

George Taft
Fullname:George William Taft[1]
Birth Date:29 July 1993[2]
Birth Place:Leicester, England
Height:1.91m (06.27feet)[3]
Position:Centre back
Currentclub:Mickleover
Youthyears1:–2011
Youthclubs1:Leicester City
Years1:2011–2014
Clubs1:Leicester City
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2011
Clubs2:Kettering Town (loan)
Caps2:14
Goals2:0
Years3:2012
Clubs3:Karlstad BK (loan)
Caps3:12
Goals3:0
Years4:2013
Clubs4:York City (loan)
Caps4:3
Goals4:0
Years5:2014–2016
Clubs5:Burton Albion
Caps5:30
Goals5:1
Years6:2015
Clubs6:Cambridge United (loan)
Caps6:11
Goals6:1
Years7:2016–2018
Clubs7:Mansfield Town
Caps7:13
Goals7:0
Years8:2017–2018
Clubs8:Cambridge United (loan)
Caps8:10
Goals8:0
Years9:2018
Clubs9:Cambridge United (loan)
Caps9:18
Goals9:1
Years10:2018–2020
Clubs10:Cambridge United
Caps10:64
Goals10:3
Years11:2020–2021
Clubs11:Bolton Wanderers
Caps11:1
Goals11:0
Years12:2021
Clubs12:Scunthorpe United (loan)
Caps12:5
Goals12:0
Years13:2021–2023
Clubs13:Scunthorpe United
Caps13:54
Goals13:2
Years14:2023–2024
Clubs14:Worksop Town
Caps14:25
Goals14:1
Years15:2024–
Clubs15:Mickleover
Caps15:0
Goals15:0
Nationalyears1:2010
Nationalteam1:England U18
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2011
Nationalteam2:England U19
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:14:02, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

George William Taft (born 29 July 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre back for club Mickleover.

A graduate of Leicester City's youth academy, Taft failed to break into the first team and was loaned out to Kettering Town, Karlstad BK and York City. In 2014, he joined League Two club Burton Albion on a two-year contract. Taft was capped by England at under-18 and under-19 level, and was a member of the squad for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Club career

Leicester City

Born in Leicester, Leicestershire, Taft started his career at Leicester City in their youth academy.[4] He signed a professional contract with Leicester on 17 March 2011, tying him to the club until June 2013.[4] To gain first-team experience, Taft was loaned out to Conference Premier club Kettering Town in August 2011[5] and after playing seven times had his loan spell extended by a month.[6] He returned to Leicester in October 2011[7] having completed the loan with 14 appearances for Kettering. His first involvement with the Leicester first team was as an unused substitute against Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup third round tie which ended 0–0 on 7 January 2012.[8] In the replay he was also an unused substitute, when Leicester won 4–0.[9]

Taft went on loan to Swedish club Karlstad BK in Division 1 Södra in March 2012.[10] He made 12 appearances, returning to Leicester in July 2012.[11] At the end of the 2012–13 season, Taft signed a one-year contract extension with Leicester.[12] On 29 August 2013, Taft joined League Two club York City on a one-month loan,[13] and made his debut two days later in the a 2–1 away defeat to Exeter City. Having made three appearances for York, he was sent back to Leicester on 23 September 2013 after falling behind David McGurk, Daniel Parslow and Chris Smith in the pecking order for a central defensive berth.[14] Taft was released by Leicester on 9 May 2014, following the club's promotion to the Premier League for 2014–15.[15]

Burton Albion

Taft signed for League Two club Burton Albion on 30 May 2014 on a two-year contract.[16] He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 away win over Oxford United. From that on in the first half of the season, Taft played regularly until he tore his hamstring during a 4–3 defeat to Carlisle United, which kept him out for six to eight weeks.[17] Taft made his return on 17 November 2014, where he came on as a substitute for Stuart Beavon in the last minutes, in a 3–1 win over Wycombe Wanderers. Coincidentally, it was also Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's first match in charge.[18]

On 3 January 2015, Taft scored the first goal of his professional career with a half volley from 12 yards in Burton's 1–0 home victory against promotion rivals Shrewsbury Town.[19] Burton manager Hasselbaink praised Taft saying "George took his goal very well."[20] He dedicated his goal to Richard Mayne, a victim who lost his life in Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.[21] Taft helped the club earn promotion to League One for the first time in its history.[22] In the 2014–15 season, Taft made 34 appearances for Burton and scored once. At the club's award ceremony, Taft was named the club's player in the community.[23]

On 31 July 2015, Taft joined League Two club Cambridge United on a six-month loan.[24] He returned to Burton on 29 October 2015 after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in a league match against Yeovil Town.[25]

Mansfield Town and Cambridge United

Taft signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on 26 May 2016 on a free transfer.[26] On 31 August 2017, he returned to Cambridge United on loan until January 2018.[27] Taft rejoined Cambridge on 29 January 2018 on loan for the rest of the 2017–18 season, following an injury to Leon Legge.[28] He was released by Mansfield at the end of 2017–18.[29]

Taft signed for League Two club Cambridge United permanently on 30 May 2018 on a two-year contract.[30]

Bolton Wanderers

On 20 July 2020, Taft joined Bolton Wanderers on a two-year deal.[31] His debut came on 5 September in Bolton's first match of the season, a 1–2 home defeat against Bradford in the first round of the EFL Cup.[32]

Scunthorpe United (loan)

On 6 January 2021, Taft joined League Two side Scunthorpe United on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.[33]

Scunthorpe United

On 31 January, Taft joined Scunthorpe on a permanent basis.[34]

He was released following Scunthorpe's relegation to the National League North at the end of the 2022–23 season.[35]

Worksop Town

On 28 August 2023, Taft signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Worksop Town.[36]

Mickleover

In May 2024, Taft joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Mickleover.[37]

International career

At international level, Taft represented England at under-18 level one time and scored in his only appearance against Poland on 16 November 2010.[38] He made his debut for the under-19 team against Germany on 9 February 2011, and earned a total of five caps at this level.[38] He was named in the under-20 squad for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup but did not make any appearances.[38] [39]

Style of play

Though primarily a centre back, Taft can also play as a left back.[40] After signing for Burton Albion, manager Gary Rowett praised him for his height.[40] After being promoted from the junior to the senior team of Leicester City, manager Sven-Göran Eriksson said "This is great news. They are very talented young footballers and we have the belief that they will progress."[4] During his loan spell with Kettering Town, he was both played as a centre back and a left back.[6]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leicester City2011–12Championship00000000
2012–13Championship0000000000
2013–14Championship00000000
Total0000000000
Kettering Town (loan)2011–12[41] Conference Premier140140
Karlstad BK (loan)2012Division 1 Södra120120
York City (loan)2013–14League Two3030
Burton Albion2014–15League Two301003010341
2015–16League One000000
Total301003010341
Cambridge United (loan)2015–16League Two1111010131
Mansfield Town2016–17League Two130000010140
2017–18League Two00001010
Total130000020150
Cambridge United (loan)2017–18League Two28110291
Cambridge United2018–19League Two372101020412
2019–20League Two271101010301
Total9243020301004
Bolton Wanderers2020–21League Two1000103050
Scunthorpe United (loan)2020–21League Two5000000050
Scunthorpe United2020–21League Two0000000000
Career total181630701002016

Honours

Burton Albion

2014–15[42]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Bolton Wanderers . English Football League . 10 . 19 September 2020.
  2. Web site: George Taft . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 9 July 2019.
  3. Web site: George Taft . Cambridge United F.C. . 9 July 2019 . 3 September 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170903114839/https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/george-taft/ . dead .
  4. News: Deals for Leicester youngsters Adam Smith & George Taft . BBC Sport . 17 March 2011 . 25 January 2015.
  5. News: Kettering Town's Leon McKenzie expecting play-off push . BBC Sport . 23 August 2011 . 10 December 2016.
  6. News: Kettering Town extend loan for Leicester's George Taft . BBC Sport . 16 September 2011 . 10 December 2016.
  7. News: Kettering Town sign ex-Lincoln defender Moses Swaibu . BBC Sport . 27 October 2011 . 10 December 2016.
  8. Web site: Leicester: Results/matches: 2011/12 . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 3 September 2017.
  9. News: Owen . Phillips . Leicester City 4–0 Nottingham Forest . BBC Sport . 17 January 2012 . 10 December 2016.
  10. News: Swedish side take on Leicester City youngster George Taft . Leicester Mercury . 24 March 2012 . 10 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150125132646/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Swedish-Leicester-City-youngster-George-Taft/story-15609804-detail/story.html . 25 January 2015.
  11. Web site: Thank you George Taft! . Karlstad BK . sv . 10 July 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150505055329/http://new.karlstadbk.nu/thank-you-george-taft/ . 5 May 2015.
  12. Web site: Youngsters rewarded for progress . Leicester City F.C. . 1 May 2013 . 3 September 2017.
  13. News: York City sign Leicester City defender George Taft on loan . BBC Sport . 29 August 2013 . 10 December 2016.
  14. News: Dave . Flett . Relieved York City manager Nigel Worthington hails wide rot-stoppers . The Press . York . 23 September 2013 . 23 September 2013.
  15. Web site: Leicester City retained list 2014/15 . Leicester City F.C. . 9 May 2014 . 26 January 2015.
  16. News: George Taft: Burton Albion sign defender as Hussey exits . BBC Sport . 30 May 2014 . 10 December 2016.
  17. News: Taft suffers injury blow . Sky Sports . 22 October 2014 . 10 December 2016.
  18. News: Chris . Osborne . Wycombe Wanderers 1–3 Burton Albion . BBC Sport . 17 November 2014 . 10 December 2016.
  19. News: Burton Albion 1–0 Shrewsbury Town . BBC Sport . 3 January 2015 . 10 December 2016.
  20. News: Taft wins Hasselbaink praise . Sky Sports . 3 January 2015 . 10 December 2016.
  21. News: Peter . Warzynski . Footballer George Taft dedicates his first ever goal to MH17 plane crash victim Richard Mayne . Leicester Mercury . 5 January 2015 . 10 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150721023727/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Footballer-George-Taft-dedicates-goal-MH17-plane/story-25807696-detail/story.html . 21 July 2015.
  22. News: Morecambe 1–2 Burton Albion . BBC Sport . 18 April 2015 . 10 December 2016.
  23. News: Burton Albion awards handed out . Burton Mail . 30 April 2015 . 10 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923195340/http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Burton-Albion-awards-handed/story-26412482-detail/story.html . 23 September 2015.
  24. Web site: U's agree six month loan for Taft . Cambridge United F.C. . 31 July 2015 . 3 September 2017.
  25. Cambridge United F.C. . CambridgeUtdFC . 659659788897357824 . 29 October 2015 . RM: George Taft has unfortunately torn his ACL and returns to Burton to complete his recovery. . 3 September 2017.
  26. News: Defender George Taft joins Mansfield from Burton on a free transfer . BBC Sport . 26 May 2016 . 10 December 2016.
  27. News: Michael . Vaughton . Transfer deadline day: Loan return to Cambridge United for George Taft . Cambridge News . 31 August 2017 . 3 September 2017.
  28. Web site: U's complete George Taft loan until end of the season . Cambridge United F.C. . 29 January 2018 . 9 July 2019.
  29. News: Mansfield Town release Rhys Bennett and six others transfer-listed . BBC Sport . 10 May 2018 . 11 May 2018.
  30. News: George Taft: Cambridge United sign former loanee defender on two-year contract . BBC Sport . 30 May 2018 . 30 November 2018.
  31. News: George Taft: Central Defender become Wanderers' third new signing of the Summer . Bolton Wanderers FC . 20 July 2020 . 20 July 2020.
  32. https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/report-bolton-wanderers-1-2-bradford-city/ BWFC.co.uk: "Report: Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Bradford City"
  33. Web site: George Taft joins on loan until end of the season . Scunthorpe United FC . 7 January 2021.
  34. Web site: Taft completes permanent move to Scunthorpe . Bolton Wanderers F.C. . 31 January 2021.
  35. Web site: Players update. www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk. 4 May 2023. 6 May 2023.
  36. Web site: Tigers sign George Taft!. www.worksoptownfc.com. 28 August 2023. 31 August 2023.
  37. Web site: Taft Joins Sports. mickleoverfc.com. 27 May 2024. 4 July 2024.
  38. Web site: George Taft . The Football Association . 25 January 2015.
  39. Web site: World Cup squad announced . The Football Association . 29 June 2011 . 25 January 2015 . 7 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220607203523/https://www.thefa.com/england/archived/mens-u20s/news/2011/world-cup-squad-announced . dead .
  40. Web site: Burton Albion sign George Taft . The Football League . 30 May 2014 . 9 July 2019.
  41. Web site: G. Taft: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 9 July 2019.
  42. Book: John . Anderson . Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2015–2016 . 2015 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-1-4722-2416-3 . 94–95.