A former member of the New Zealand under-19, under-23 and senior men's soccer squads with Masterton connections will be playing for Wairarapa United next season.
Andrew Taylor has been in England for the past seven years where he has been a member of the Hull club, but he intends to shift with his family in March next year to Masterton.
It will be something of a homecoming for him as his parents, Dave and Maureen Taylor, still reside here.
In talks Taylor had with Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley earlier this week he intimated a keenness to play for Wairarapa United in the Capital division one competition in 2005, and to be involved with coaching at any level where he could be of assistance.
Keinzley was understandably delighted at the news, saying that players with Taylor's skill and experience seldom became available to clubs operating in smaller centres like Wairarapa.
"It's a huge boost for us both on and off the field," he said. "He (Taylor) is the sort of guy you can build a team around, he'll be so valuable in so many ways."
Keinzley described Taylor as an "attacking fullback". He recalled him playing in Wairarapa as a teenager and being a prolific goal scorer despite operating in the defence.
"He was never afraid to push forward and to have a crack at goal if the opportunity arose, "Keinzley said. "He was very strong on defence but he offered a lot more than that."
After leaving Wairarapa Taylor joined up with the Wellington-based Miramar club and became an important cog in their national league line-up.
New Zealand selection soon came his way and he was part of a national under-19 team which contested a World Cup qualifying tournament. From there he progressed to the New Zealand under-23s and then to the New Zealand senior men's squad.
For Hull Taylor has been playing at a level of soccer similar to that of New Zealand's national league and Keinzley says his interest in the sport appeared as strong as ever.
"He seemed very enthusiastic about playing for Wairarapa United and obviously we're looking forward to having him," he said.
Taylor is unlikely to be the only newcomer of note in the Wairarapa United line-up for next season.On a recent visit to Fiji Keinzley talked to some of the leading players there about the prospect of coming to Masterton and he is optimistic about that happening.
Most of the regulars in this year's Wairarapa United squad are also available to play again they are already participating in training programmes aimed at enhancing their fitness levels.
Many of them struggled in that area this year and Keinzley is intent on avoiding a repeat next time around.
Another problem this year was the lack of depth in the goalkeeping department but help is on its way.
A player who has been labelled one of the best 'keepers ever to have come out of the Wairarapa in Phil Athow has agreed to provide tuition for those filling that role for the Wairarapa United premier or reserve teams next season..
A further plus on the coaching front is the appointment of last season's Wairarapa United skipper Paolo Frisone as a coach of their reserve side in 2005.He is also likely to play for them.
United to gain former NZ rep
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