Toon's superkid deal Taylor-made Apr 4 2002 By The Evening Chronicle Newcastle United have sealed the signing of one of the top young players in the country - and left several other Premiership clubs disappointed.

The likes of Manchester United and Arsenal have been eyeing 16-year-old central defender Steven Taylor, but he has accepted the offer of a scholarship at St James's Park and will join the club on a full-time basis in July.

Steven, a pupil at Monkseaton High School, has already played regularly this season for the United Academy Under-17s and travelled with the Under-19s to Switzerland and Holland.

He has also represented and captained England Under-16's and he was awarded the Player of the tournament at the Walker's Tournament back in November.

United chairman Freddie Shepherd said today: "Steven is a top player for his age and we are naturally delighted that he has agreed to sign for us.

"We have no doubts that he will complement the other top class players we already have in our Academy and hope that he will have a long and successful career with Newcastle United.

"Given the level of performance being achieved at the Academy, Reserves and the first team, we did not believe at any stage he would sign for anybody else."

Steven, from Whitley Bay, said today: "There has been a lot of speculation about my future but this announcement underlines my commitment to Newcastle United.

"As well as a scholarship, I have also agreed to sign a three-year professional contract when I am 17. Being a Geordie I am delighted my future is with my home-town team."

Taylor's decision to pledge his future to United caps a good fortnight for the club during which first-teamers Aaron Hughes and Andy O'Brien has both signed new five-year contracts.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Answers

Weehaa, now just lets get Caldwell to sign too

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

You see - I'm not the only huge talent to come out of Whitley Bay!!

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

That really is excellent news. As Sudden says, it would really top things off if we could get Gary Caldwell's signature now.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

I think Gary Caldwell will probably be offered a short contract, but it will beat anything Hibs can offer him.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Nice pic on the back of the Ronnie of Uncle Bobby with the lad.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

I'm not the only huge talent to come out of Whitley Bay

lol Jacko - just the best example eh?

Another good signing despite absence of an academy and continuing management incompetence ...

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Great news, and hopefully he'll get to see the fabled new academy and proper training facilities.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Yep, many more smart moves like this one Jonno, and we may be in real danger of actually winning something within my lifetime. ;o{)

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

I was talking to John Brunton from Whitley Bay who organised a tournamnet in Holland (something to do with Whitley Bays twinned town) and he said he asked the council for something towards the cost and the told him that the funds were earmarked for an over 60's bowling trip. He argued that he was keeping youngsters off the streets and occupied but the council had prioritised in favour of the wrinklies knees up.

Anyone wants to donate I'll pass on his details.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

This lad is clearly very highly-rated, and getting him to sign looks a real coup for The Toon. The following is from the Official FA web- site:

04/04/2002 - Top England youngster signs on for Newcastle

Newcastle United have today confirmed that highly rated youngster Steven Taylor has accepted the offer of a Scholarship and will join the Club on a full time basis from July this year.

Steven, an elegant central defender with admiral (?) leadership qualities, has captained England’s Under-16 side this year and was awarded the Player of the Tournament at the Walkers Tournament last November. In the wake of his string of fine performances for the Under-16s, England Under-17 coach Dick Bate also promoted Steven to his squad for last December’s trip to Portugal.

At club level, he has already played regularly this season for the Academy Under 17s and has also travelled with the Under 19s for tournaments in Switzerland and Holland.

A delighted Taylor said: "There has been a lot of speculation about my future but this announcement underlines my commitment to Newcastle United. As well as a Scholarship, I have also agreed to sign a three- year Professional Contract when I am 17. Being a Geordie, I am delighted my future is with my home town team."

Everyone at the F.A. would like to wish Steven the best for both club and country as his promising career continues to develop.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

What with rumours yesterday of "Captain" Seaman subbing for Beckham if he doesn't recover for England's next match and now "Admiral" Taylor with his leadership qualities we certainly are getting all nautical aren't we?

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

My brother's got a great picture of Taylor from when he played on the same school team (at Southridge First).

He's going to keep it for embarrasment purposes in case he makes the first team :)

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

My mother is actually a teacher at Monkseaton High School and, as well as Bridges, has taught also been teaching Taylor.

Apparantly, and these are her words "Thick as a plank but a really nice lad". So there you have it!

Apparantly there has been no doubt about him signing, he's wondered where all the speculation has come from - no doubt it was from these so called BIG clubs stirring the situation.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

What I forgot to mentioned, and it was the main reason I posted, was that he spoke to my mother about a month ago about staying on in education. Apparantly he told her that he wanted to stay on at 6th form (he's in his GCSE year now) and do kind of a cut down course due to his training requirements at NUFC. I'll have to ask her whats happening now!

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Yeah, from what my brother says, I'd agree about him being pretty thick. A canny lad apparently though.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

TJ, how about a Maths scam?

"now Steven, if i take half your wages and you take half, how much is left?"...

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2002