'I played for Teddy Sheringham in India – it was cold, the food was bad, but we had fun'
Newcastle hero Ryan Taylor swapped the North East for South Asia when joining Teddy Sheringham in India - but his first spell abroad wasn't quite what he was expecting
Ryan Taylor was keen to play abroad as he approached the end of his playing career - but didn't get what he expected in India.
The 39-year-old former Wigan and Newcastle full-back wanted a fresh experience after two spells with Port Vale across 2016 and 2017. That chance came thanks to Teddy Sheringham, who took charge of former Indian Super League outfit ATK Football Club.
Although his spell would only last 11 matches, the memory of his time in Asia has lived long in the memory. Taylor exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: "I really fancied a move abroad. So one day, I'm driving down the road, I can still remember exactly where I was.
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"I'd known Teddy [Sheringham] for a few years at this point; I'd met him in Vegas. Anyway, I was driving down the road and I get a phone call from a number I don't recognise. I pull over."
Taylor then detailed a short conversation between the pair in which they agreed to sort of the terms over a move to Asia.
He then told his wife and kids that he'd sort out their visas while he was there - but told them after returning at Christmas that they wouldn't be joining him.
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He said at the time: "There's just no way you're coming over here. There's nothing to do. The hotel pool is freezing; we do our recovery sessions in it.
"It's not as hot as you think out there, either. You think India and you think, oh, it must be hot out there. But it wasn't. The food isn't good."
Taylor did enjoy his time playing alongside Robbie Keane and working alongside Jussi Jaaskelainen, Kevin Keen and Sheringham.
He also recalled playing in an 80,000 capacity stadium which was attended by only 20,000 fans in an unusual atmosphere.
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Taylor concluded: "But it's such a strange place for football; like, if you get a corner, or a throw-in, they cheer. You're just like 'Jesus Christ, these are easily pleased!'
"I'm sure if a player came to me and said 'I've got this offer in Saudi, and this one in India...' Put it this way, I know which one I'd be choosing!
"It was a good experience, I just don't know nowadays whether there are any English players out there.
"You don't really hear of it anymore; I know a few Spanish players go out there, and South Americans. But you won't really find many English lads out there anymore; I think everyone's trying to jump on that Saudi bandwagon!"