Quade Taylor is a former professional who joined us this January after working with Paul Barnes in the past. The 30-year-old – who can play in central defence or midfield – tells us about his journey to this point and his hopes for the coming months at Casuals…
Interview: Dominic Bliss
Image: Stuart Tree
What attracted you to move to Corinthian-Casuals in the middle of a tough season for us?
If I’m being honest, in my current circumstances, where I haven’t been playing football this season for one reason or another, I was big on location. I wanted somewhere I could play that would work around family and work. I live in Clapham Junction, so it ticks the boxes in that sense.
Also, it was a chance to work with Barnesy, who I know well and have worked with a couple of times now, at Dulwich Hamlet and Hastings. So there were no surprises – I know what I’m getting from him. It doesn’t matter whether it’s his best day or his worst day, you know exactly what you’re getting.
Then there’s the club itself and the fans. We are not in the best form or the best position, but you saw last Tuesday night at Raynes Park that the fans are there through thick and thin, after each and every game. Even when they could easily turn on us, they are still encouraging us.
What they have shown us in the short time I’ve been here has been brilliant.
Do you know much about the history of the club?
I do know bits and bobs, because over the years, a few of my friends have played here, and I have played against the club in the FA Cup and pre-season games. So I do know the history, to an extent, but I don’t know the full ins and outs yet.
What’s your football back story?
To begin with, I was at Dulwich briefly, and I played in the first team when I was 17, which got me a move to Crystal Palace straight away. I didn’t break through at Palace, but it was a great experience playing professional football, and then I followed Dougie Freedman to Bolton. I was there for two years and it was completely different. I was in the first-team setup for the whole time, and I eventually made my debut, which was a dream come true for me.
It was an experience where I got a taste of it, and I didn’t fulfil my potential but that has nurtured me to understand the game better and be able to help other players. With the experience I’ve got, I’m an open book and this squad are really good at listening and taking on advice.
Interview: Dominic Bliss
Image: Stuart Tree
What attracted you to move to Corinthian-Casuals in the middle of a tough season for us?
If I’m being honest, in my current circumstances, where I haven’t been playing football this season for one reason or another, I was big on location. I wanted somewhere I could play that would work around family and work. I live in Clapham Junction, so it ticks the boxes in that sense.
Also, it was a chance to work with Barnesy, who I know well and have worked with a couple of times now, at Dulwich Hamlet and Hastings. So there were no surprises – I know what I’m getting from him. It doesn’t matter whether it’s his best day or his worst day, you know exactly what you’re getting.
Then there’s the club itself and the fans. We are not in the best form or the best position, but you saw last Tuesday night at Raynes Park that the fans are there through thick and thin, after each and every game. Even when they could easily turn on us, they are still encouraging us.
What they have shown us in the short time I’ve been here has been brilliant.
Do you know much about the history of the club?
I do know bits and bobs, because over the years, a few of my friends have played here, and I have played against the club in the FA Cup and pre-season games. So I do know the history, to an extent, but I don’t know the full ins and outs yet.
What’s your football back story?
To begin with, I was at Dulwich briefly, and I played in the first team when I was 17, which got me a move to Crystal Palace straight away. I didn’t break through at Palace, but it was a great experience playing professional football, and then I followed Dougie Freedman to Bolton. I was there for two years and it was completely different. I was in the first-team setup for the whole time, and I eventually made my debut, which was a dream come true for me.
It was an experience where I got a taste of it, and I didn’t fulfil my potential but that has nurtured me to understand the game better and be able to help other players. With the experience I’ve got, I’m an open book and this squad are really good at listening and taking on advice.
Since then, you’ve spent time with a few non-league sides, mainly Dulwich Hamlet, which is a club with a strong identity. Similarly, Casuals has always existed as an alternative to the professional ranks and as a place for footballers to fall back in love with the game, which feels like a good fit for you right now. Is that fair?
Yeah, it’s exactly that. You couldn’t have put it any better. This year, I have taken some time away from football and I got a call from Barnesy around the New Year, asking if I wanted to come here.
I wasn’t sceptical about it, I don’t look at the position we’re in and think, “Oh no, that’s not for me.” The decision was more about myself, but since I’ve been here I’ve seen a style of play developing, even if the results haven’t improved. It’s just a couple of areas, like lack of concentration and mistakes, not being able to consistently perform to the level that we want, that’s letting us down at the moment. But there’s definitely huge improvements in the time I’ve been here.
Do you see reasons for optimism?
For sure. One thing with Barnesy and Justin [Fevrier] is that they’re very honest with us and if there’s anybody who is not reaching the standards or being accountable for their performances, they will let them know. If that means bringing in an extra one or two players to raise the competition, then they will do that, and I think the boys understand that. You can see in training now that everyone wants to fight for their place, no one is happy just turning up and being on the bench. They all want to stake a claim and I think that’s the best thing that can happen to us because it pushes everyone to raise their standards, which ultimately should show on the pitch and reflect in results.