Friends rally round 'devastated' North footballer

Feb 25 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

FRIENDS of North East footballer Martin Taylor last night backed the Premiership star following his tackle that shattered the left leg of Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva.

Taylor, 28, who was born in Ashington, Northumberland, was red-carded after the challenge on the Brazil-born Croatian striker on Saturday.

And in an interview after Birmingham City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger attacked the defender, saying “he should never play football again”.

The statement has since been retracted, but those at Taylor’s schoolboy club Cramlington Juniors were outraged.

Norman Walmsley has been working with the team for 17 years and was there during Taylor’s spell.

And the 62-year-old club secretary yesterday called for a public apology from Wenger – or for him to face disciplinary action from the FA.

He said: “I’m very annoyed about it all. To take the statement back is not enough.

“He has slated that kid. There’s as much danger of Martin’s career ending as there is of Eduardo’s after that comment.

“I’ve known Martin since he was six years old and he doesn’t have a harmful bone in his body.

“I will only be satisfied when Wenger comes out and makes a public apology.”

Taylor grew up playing football with Cramlington Juniors.

He joined the youth academy of Blackburn Rovers in 1997 at the age of 17, but was sold when then-manager Graeme Souness said he lacked an “aggressive physical approach”.

Steve Bruce enlisted his services in 2004, but Taylor, as well as having a three-match ban, now faces a tough test in the spotlight.

Mr Walmsley’s son Marc, 27, said Taylor was devastated by Wenger’s attack.

He said: “It was a freak tackle, no one is to blame over this. I know Martin inside out. We have been friends since the age of four and played football together since we were seven. From an early age he was known as a gentle giant. Martin is totally demoralised.

“You could see by his face when he was walking off the pitch that he was completely gutted. I think he may be planning to go and see Eduardo in hospital.

“He’s never hurt anyone in his life. He’s the most gentle and well-natured person I know.

“He would never have done anything like that in malice.”