Charlie Taylor was a left-sided defender who spent much of his early career in his native Yorkshire. That was followed by a dabble in Scottish football, before he crossed the Pennines and put down permanent routes at Turf Moor. Following the expiry of his contract at Burnley he signed for Russell Martin’s Southampton, that after one season away had just returned to the Premier League. On paper it appeared a wise transaction as Taylor was experienced at that level, as well as costing nothing, but for reasons that remain obscure, Martin was averse to picking him. As the team struggled desperately he started just three League games, to leave much of the fan base scratching their heads. When Will Still was appointed manager in the summer of 2025, it did not signal a change in Taylor’s future, and so he accepted a loan deal at the Hawthorns which took him up to the expiry of his contract with Saints. He then signed a one year contract with Derby County in the ensuing summer.