Taylor Made

SHAUN Taylor has joined the Pilgrims’ youth-team set-up.

Shaun, 50, is the Argyle’s youngsters’ new full-time Professional Development Coach under the Premier and Football League’s Elite Player Performance Plan.

Former Premier League defender Taylor, a Plymothian, will support Head of Youth Kevin Hodges in running the Argyle Academy and take responsibility with Kevin for the club’s Under 18s.

He will also spend time in one-on-one coaching with Academy players.

Kevin said: “I’m just really pleased that Shaun has come on board and he will be assisting me on a day-to-day basis with the Under 18s. 

“I am constantly telling our young players how fortunate they are to have coaches with such a wealth of experience.  Some of our coaches are still playing, whilst others have played at the highest level, and they are able to call upon their experiences to help our youngsters become better footballers.

“Shaun has worked with youth and senior players at Bristol City and Exeter City, and recently he was a first-team coach with Torquay United working alongside Martin Ling.



“Our Academy staffing structure is now complete as required by the Elite Player Performance Plan and we look forward to the new season with real optimism.”

Gary Owers, now assistant to first-team manager John Sheridan, previously occupied the Professional Development Coach position. Gary and Shaun previously worked together seven years ago, when Shaun was Gary’s assistant at Conference National club Forest Green Rovers.

Shaun made more than 600 appearances for Exeter City, Swindon Town and Bristol City after learning his trade in non-league with the likes of St Blazey and Bideford.

He captained Exeter to the Fourth Division championship in 1989-90 before moving to Swindon a year later for £200,000 and was an ever-present as Swindon gained promotion to the Premier League in 1992-93, scoring 13 goals.

He played every game in the Robins’ only season in the top flight, and, after suffering successive relegations, captained them back to the Second Division title.

After helping Bristol City to promotion to Division 1 in 1998, Shaun retired as a player and joined the club’s coaching staff.

Following his spell with Gary at Forest Green, he rejoined Exeter City as youth coach and was later assistant manager at Torquay United.

Although Shaun never played for Argyle, younger brother Craig did, making 98 appearances and scoring eight goals in two spells between 1998-2003.