Midfielder explains her ‘special K’
Fans of the Wellington Phoenix could have been forgiven for expecting a new signing to arrive with the surname Taylor at some stage during the A-League Women season.
Midfielder Kate Taylor has been sporting the name “K. Taylor” on the back of her playing shirt throughout every game she has played, even though she is the only Taylor in the squad.
The initial of the first name is usually used to differentiate two players with identical surnames, like Michaela Foster and Rylee Foster.
But the young Football Fern revealed after Wednesday’s emphatic 4-0 win over Adelaide United that she had requested the special K as a tribute to her family for helping her become the footballer she is today.
As well as their number (Taylor is No 3), players can actually choose the name they want displayed on the back of their playing shirts.
It’s why new Costa Rican recruit Youstin Salas, in the men’s team, has Delfín on the back of his – it’s his middle name.
“I felt I was just one of the Taylors that helped me get here,” she explained. “It was more about my family and I thought I’d change it up a little.”
With Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková watching from the stands, Taylor played a vital role in the Phoenix’s biggest win of the season.
She scored the crucial second goal to spark the second-half onslaught, after the Phoenix went into halftime holding a one-goal lead.
The defensive midfielder was back in the starting team for the first time since February 4, after shaking off an injury niggle.
The result has kept the Phoenix in the hunt for a playoff berth but they must win each of their remaining two matches and need a couple of other results to go their way in order to secure a top-six finish.
The Phoenix travel to Australia to play last-placed Canberra United on Sunday afternoon in another must-win match but will be relying on Western United to avoid a defeat against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night as well.