Matty Taylor is back at The New Lawn and is aiming to help FGR achieve promotion back to the third tier of English football.

Rovers’ latest signing played for the club between 2011 and 2014, racking up 96 appearances. Now, the prolific forward has returned to Rovers with one target in his mind.

Taylor is no stranger to promotion, having gone on to achieve back-to-back promotions with Bristol Rovers after leaving FGR in 2014. 

“It’s a forward-thinking club”, he said. “It always has been from when I was here before.

“The Football League is where Dale planned to take the club all those years ago when I was here, that’s what we were trying to do. 

“The group that I was in couldn’t get promotion back then, but I always keep an eye on my previous clubs’ results. It was nice to see the club firstly get into the Football League, and then to League One.

“It must have been disappointing last season, but we want to bounce back - and I want to be part of achieving promotion.”

Taylor missed the pre-season friendlies against Coventry City and Everton Under-21s as he continues to work his way to full sharpness. While he is behind much of the squad in terms of fitness, Taylor believes he'll hit the ground running once he's up to speed.

“I will be working hard in the next few weeks to get fitter and stronger and start the season well.

“I’m 33 but I still feel good, I’ve played a lot of games throughout my career.

“I am obviously a few weeks behind the rest of the lads, but once I get up to speed, I will be ready to go.

“I have been doing one-to-one sessions with a really good friend of mine who is a good coach.

“It may take me a few more weeks to get up to speed, but I want to play every game this season. I’ve never changed as a person."