Honoured Glen has more to give!

By Mark Carruthers

Spennymoor Town legend Glen Taylor believes the last 12 months have “revolutionised” a career that has already gone down in Brewery Field folklore.

The former Ashington and Blyth Spartans striker has established himself as one of the greats of the North-East Non-League scene after becoming the Moors record goalscorer throughout two separate spells with the club.

Taylor has become integral after playing his part in a number of promotions that have taken the County Durham outfit into the National League North for the first time in their history – yet there has still been time for new achievements.

The 35-year-old led his club out at Wembley for the first time when they suffered a defeat to Aldershot in last season’s FA Trophy final and he made his first appearance in the first round of the FA Cup when the Moors were beaten by League Two side Barrow in November.

Taylor’s remarkable career brought recognition from the North-East Football Writers Association as they was named as their first ever ‘North East Non-League Personality of the Year’ as a lavish ceremony earlier this month.

Reflecting on the events 2025, Taylor was glowing at the achievements he has racked up but vowed there is still more to come over the final years of his career.

He told The NLP: “The last year has revolutionised my career with Wembley and the FA Cup. I’ve had a long career but without the last 12 months I feel I wouldn’t have had too much to talk about.

“I’ve captained my team at Wembley, I’ve played in the FA Cup first round and I’ve won this award, it’s amazing.

“I know I’m getting on but I’m hopeful in the next couple of years, probably the end of my career, I’ve got targets I want to hit at Spennymoor and I want to get beyond the first round of the FA Cup.

HONOUR: Glen Taylor, right, with his Non-League Personality award and Paul Dixon

PIC: Barry Pells, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation

“I am hopeful I can get another couple of years at Spennymoor, that would take me to 38 and if I stop getting 20 goals a season it’s time to go elsewhere or become a squad player – but I’m still doing it, I’m feeling good and I feel I am still good enough to play at this level.”

Taylor was presented with the award by another North-East Non-League legend Paul Dixon and was recognised alongside the likes of Sunderland defender Dan Ballard and Newcastle United and England Under-21 midfielder Lewis Miley at a dinner held at Durham’s Ramside Hall.

The Moors icon believes his surprise award is recognition for some of the sacrifices he believes go unnoticed by those outside of the Non-League game.

He said: “It said in the programme of the night that the award was going to be announced on the night and one of the lads said I might have a chance – but it was a bit of a shock and I am obviously honoured.

“All I’ve ever done is Non-League, I haven’t been a professional, so maybe it was quite fitting for what has been a long career in Non-League and I’ve done well with Spennymoor.

“There are sacrifices given by Non-League players, people think you just train twice a week and play games but as I’ve said many times you are in the gym on other days and it’s every decision with food and sleep and putting football first, sometimes ahead of family and your job.

“I’ve sacrificed a lot and prioritised football.”