Jason Taylor has admitted that he can’t wait to get started after it was confirmed that he had taken up a role of Player Coach with The Bluebirds under new boss Mark Cooper.
The experienced midfielder has become a popular figure with supporters during his three years at The Progression Solicitors Stadium and has made well over 100 appearances for the Club.
Taylor has always been keen to move into the world of coaching and already holds the UEFA B Licence, while he is awaiting the green light to begin studying for his A Licence.
Although the 34-year-old is eager to gain experience on the coaching side, he has insisted that he has no thoughts of stepping away from playing whilst he maintains his current fitness and drive.
“This just seems a fantastic opportunity for me at a really good time,” Taylor explained.
“It’s something I have always been interested in moving towards, so I feel like this is a great chance for me to make that little step with Barrow.
“I have been working on my coaching qualifications over the last four years in my spare time and on evenings, though COVID-19 put a bit of a stop to it over the last 12 months obviously.
“I am by no means stepping away from the playing side because I still feel great and as long as I feel like that and I have the hunger, I will be putting myself forward to be involved.
“I have always looked after myself and I like to keep myself ticking over and obviously that has paid dividends for me over the years – in fact, funnily enough, I have just come back from the gym now!
“It’s obviously up to the Manager and what he’s thinking but I will be there for both sides now and I can’t wait to get started.
“I am still a player but this gives me the chance to help out on the coaching side whilst learning from the gaffer and his assistant, Richard (Dryden) because they have had great careers themselves.
“I am here for them to lean on me for whatever they need or what they think certain individuals might need so I am really excited by that side of it.”
Taylor revealed that the offer to step up on the coaching side took him by surprise but once he spoke to Cooper and heard more about his plans, he couldn’t wait to get the deal agreed.
Now he’s looking forward to playing his part in the new regime as The Bluebirds look to challenge further up the League Two table after protecting their EFL status last term.
“It came out of nowhere really,” he told us.
“I had a quick chat with the Manager just before he was appointed, and he mentioned it to me so then I went to meet him in person just to pick his brains about everything.
“It just all sounded really exciting and obviously the Manager is already building for next season with the three really good signings we’ve announced this week.
“They all have a good pedigree, there’s a bit of experience and a bit of youth so hopefully they can help us to have a really good season and build on what we did last year.”