Don’t be a charlie like Harry, Charlie
Rumour has it that, having ungratefully bitten the hand that’s fed him for so long, left-back turned militant striker Charlie Taylor is now rubbing salt into freshly-opened wounds by considering overtures from Galatasaray – a club which makes our old friends and foes the Pride of Devon seem positively adorable.
The Istanbul club are rightly held in contempt and derision by Leeds United fans, for their attitude and actions at the time of the murders by their fans of Kevin Speight and Chris Loftus the night before a UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000. No respect was shown, the home side wore no black armbands, and the Galatasaray club sought cynically to manipulate the tragedy to their own advantage by demanding the return leg be played elsewhere than at Elland Road.
When Harry Kewell joined the Turkish club some years later, it was literally hard for United fans to believe that a man who played for Leeds in that semi-final, and experienced the hatred of the savage and uncivilised Galatasaray fans, could ever consider wearing their colours. It was a sick, horrible nightmare, surely, rather than some bizarre reality. But Kewell really did make the move, with some weasel words about wanting to build bridges (nowt to do with money, of course) – and he’s been despised by Leeds fans ever since.
Now, Fotospor, a Turkish news source, have suggested that Taylor is a possibility for the Galatasaray squad next season, though they acknowledge that the hostility between the two clubs could be a stumbling block. But, as ever with these matters, it’d likely be down to the player himself if there is a genuine interest from Turkey.
Memo to Charlie Taylor: don’t be a silly boy. Get yourself to that Premier League subs bench you’ll be occupying next season and stay there, counting your money. There’s no need to court hatred having already earned contempt. Look at your history books and do the right thing.
One ex-Leeds player at that awful club was bad enough. Two making the same ridiculous and selfish decision would look a bit too much like taking the piss.
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Could he really be that silly? Surely not, but I guess blind greed and foolish advice could make for a very dumb young man. Don’t do it Charlie you’ll regret it.
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That would be the final kick from Taylors agent meaning Leeds Utd. would not get a penny for the player.
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Is it likely that Taylor would really not consider a move to anywhere that rocks up with a wad of Turkish Lira.No its not.To have the brass neck not to turn out for his swansong at Wigan,scruples dont come in to it.His Mr Twenty percent couldn,t give a monkeys where he plays.The moneys the motive,already!! Will he go?Too bloody right he would.
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i think like most people do, that Charlie has been ill advised especially by his parents ,surely they should have said sit down with the club and try and sort something out about a new contract and should have told the agent to butt out on this one for a while, if this is true about interest from Turkey and his agent encourages Charlie to take up the offer well it just beggars belief.
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Broad agreement here, apart from an occasional troll called Paul who is a complete tit anyway and never makes the cut.
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There’s a really mashed-up article on FXC News that has badly conflated the Taylor and Jansson stories – it’s worth reading just to see how news can be scrambled these days. Yes, I agree with everyone on here that Taylor is so filled with bile over being forced to stay out his contract that he will rub his hands at the prospect of signing for Galatasaray and hitting his former club with a double whammy. I don’t know how Monk can keep saying what a nice lad he is – does he seriously believe he can persuade him to sign a new contract by flattery ? He wouldn’t have stayed even if we’d been promoted, such is his contempt for everything Leeds United.
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That is rather my feeling too.
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Hi Everyone,
I’m a 26 year old Galatasaray fan. I was around 10 when this tragedy happened and I still remember that day like yesterday. I want everybody out there to know that not everybody (at least not me) here in Turkey are happy and proud of what happened that day. I’m ashamed of the fact that no black armbands were worn that day too. It’s impossible to truly put myself in the shoes of the two victims’ relatives and friends. My nationality does not require me to bear hostility towards another. This is just wrong. I’m so sorry for the tragic death of two fans and wish that the two clubs will hopefully find a way to end this hostility.
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I’m sure not everyone is happy about it, and I’m glad to hear what you say. But there have been many incidents of violence since, and the throat-slitting gestures etc – it’s just something that seems to be in your club’s DNA.
Personally, I feel the issues are too bitter and serious to hope for any real reconciliation, and the attitude of many of your fans doesn’t help. I’m afraid I shall always hate Galatasaray, and shall view any Leeds player who chooses to join that club as lacking in taste and loyalty. But I’m glad you contributed here and I am grateful for your conciliatory words. Thank you.
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You never know how fortunes change. As fans we should make it absolutely clear to Mr Taylor that he should say his prayers at night and hope beyond hope he never has to play against Leeds at any time in his career. He should know well and truly that Elland Road to him would be entering the gates of hell. If he was my son, I would have a very, very serious talk with him. I hope he falls flat on his face.
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Why does Taylor merit contempt ? Because he didn’t put the same value on playing for the team as we do supporting it ? But is it reasonable to expect of any player that he will ? When a player is no longer valued by the club any loyalty he may have felt counts for nothing. Whereas we can be loyal as long as we want. What role does the suspension of monetary considerations play in our disapproval ? To be reminded that football is also a market place jars and causes anger. Or is the feeling that Taylor has simply not shown gratitude for the opportunity afforded him by the club and with their support its fans ? Finally is anger fuelled also by base considerations of envy – an emotion that may flourish when too many are in a jam ?
The ‘Charlie Taylor’ question appears to highlight some unique features of football. After all we’d hardly despise an employee of our favourite store if she withdrew her labour just on the day we had to be fitted for a wedding dress. Or would our judgement depend on our estimate of the employee’s grievance ? Camus was right: we learn about life from football – and about ourselves.
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Long question, short answer. He refused to play while under contract.
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Not really the kind of response I was looking for. Have you never withdrawn your contracted labour ?
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As a matter of fact, I haven’t – but I would, as part of a democratic protest against exploitation of some sort. Not sure a one-man withdrawal of labour when asked simply to do your job is a comparable situation.
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Glad to see Taylor is being shown the contempt he deserves. His attitude after all Leeds did for him is childish petulance. Ok, he will probably sign for Burnley (excuse me while i guffaw!) , and that’s all he deserves. He will sign for a smaller club and bitterly regret it when he’s on the subs bench if we draw Burnley in the F. A. Cup. Any player who claims to be white and would not kneel on a nail for us can go to hell! MOT
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