Late yesterday evening, Southampton confirmed that goalkeeper Stuart Taylor would leave the club when his current contract expires at the end of this month.
#SaintsFC can confirm that goalkeeper Stuart Taylor will leave the club at the end of his contract this summer: https://t.co/7zG46feGI2
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 28, 2018
The 37-year-old made the move to St Mary’s Stadium back in the summer of 2016 as a free agent and he has spent the last two years serving as back up and supporting fellow goalkeepers Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy at Staplewood.
During his time with us he didn’t make a single first-team appearance but the club cite his ‘enthusiasm and contribution’ to the squad overall in terms of the part he played behind the scenes.
Whilst he might not have made an impact on the pitch, he certainly had an effect on the fanbase with a cheeky media department led contract reveal last summer as he extended his time at the club.
Are we doing this right? ????✍️ #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/TaByabGqci
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 13, 2017
Reaction to the news was mixed given his lack of game time but plenty of fans wished him well and certainly his efforts at keeping spirits high both on and off the pitch with reference to the Twitter episode above. Keeping that kind of humour alive, plenty were happy to say goodbye in a similar vain.
Man made a mean cup of tea
— Dan ???????????????????????????????????? (@HolyHojbjerg) June 28, 2018
All of us at #SaintsFC wish you every success in the future, Stuart! ???? pic.twitter.com/TcuK4HGJtO
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 28, 2018
Any room for the big man at West Ham?
— Jay (@NorwegianMessi) June 28, 2018
That’s it, summer ruined. You’ve destroyed all hopes of football coming home, I hope you’re happy.
— Scott Winter (@ScottWSFC) June 28, 2018
I presume thats what hes being doing since he arrived here as he certainly was never going ti play
— Tom Forder (@tomforder69) June 28, 2018
First Tadic now this ????????????????
— Laurence Seagrave (@FfsLaurence) June 28, 2018
Now the bloody meltdown can really start ???????????? best of luck Stuart, the contract signing video last year will probably be one of my fave ever saints vids!
— Keith B (@saintbiffa) June 28, 2018