Taylor has established himself as one of Non-League’s most prolific marksmen in a decade-long second stint at the Brewery Field, which has seen him become the club’s all-time record goalscorer.
Two promotions have followed and a first appearance in the FA Cup first round should have been racked up when Taylor was part of the Spenny side that saw off Lincoln United in a fourth qualifying round tie in October 2016.
However, the Moors frontman suffered an injury in that win that limited him to a place on the bench and that was where he remained as his side suffered a 3-2 defeat.
Frustration
Now, in the latter years of his career, Taylor has enjoyed something of an Indian summer, captaining Spennymoor in their first ever FA Trophy final appearance earlier this year in a defeat to Aldershot Town.
And an FA Cup first round appearance is finally on the cards after Graeme Lee’s men saw off West Auckland Town, Chadderton and Billericay Town to set up next Saturday’s first round home tie with League Two club Barrow.
Taylor’s wait to end years of frustration is almost at an end.
“I missed the MK Dons game because I got injured in the fourth qualifying round and I was gutted I couldn’t play down there,” he told The NLP.
“As you’re getting older as a footballer, you don’t want to miss those opportunities and to get back to the first round is amazing.
“I do think we can beat Barrow if we are at the top of our game, but for any Non-League footballer, to get to the first round, it’s a big thing, and I feel as a football club, we are ready for it.
“I’ve always said I’ve done well individually and had plaudits, but I’ve never felt I’ve done much as part of the team.
“We didn’t get over the line against Aldershot, but to say I was captain of my club at Wembley is something nobody can take away, and now there is a nice milestone with an FA Cup first round appearance where I’ll lead the team out.
“Hopefully it doesn’t stop there and we can get into the second round.”
Spennymoor Town captain Glen Taylor after his side’s FA Trophy final defeat against Aldershot Town (photo David Nelson)
Impressed
The tie will also see former Moors midfielder Isaac Fletcher return to his old club just over nine months after he swapped life at the Brewery Field for Barrow.
Fletcher scored 13 goals and provided nine assists during the first half of the 2024/25 season to earn his big move to the EFL.
The midfielder has continued to impress in League Two with six contributions in 19 appearances for Barrow and Taylor admits he has been impressed with his former team-mate’s rise up the football food chain.
“His first half-season at Spennymoor, he was quiet, but he went away and did a lot of work in pre-season behind the scenes, and he came back flying,” he added.
“He rightfully got a move to the EFL and it will be nice to see how he’s doing.
“It’s always nice to see players moving on from Spennymoor and doing well and it’s not different with Fletch because he’s done so well.”
