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Lyle Taylor Gives Honest Answer To Charlton Athletic Fans After Refusing To Play

Lyle Taylor Gives Honest Answer To Charlton Athletic Fans After Refusing To Play

Taylor will be walking away on a free at the end of this season...

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Lyle Taylor has given his thoughts on the way his Charlton Athletic career is ending and hopes fans can find it in their hearts to not "hate' him.

It was revealed earlier this week that a number of Addicks players would not extend their contracts to finish the Championship season.

One of those players is Taylor and he told Sky Sports News that he didn't want to risk injury ruining a transfer and the chance 'he has worked and dreamed of'.

Image
PA

"I've sat in my living room staring at a blank TV screen for hours on end these last few weeks. I've not eaten or slept properly," the 30-year-old began. "I've been up 'til 5am listening to the birds chirping thinking about it.

"Then I finally came to the decision together with the manager [Lee Bowyer] that he has openly spoken about. He said to me 'Lyle I can see how cut up this has made you'. But this is a time nobody has had to deal with before - lockdown has been difficult for everyone.

"I'm gutted at the way it's finishing, but I don't expect people to care. I know that once the damage is done it's irreparable and I don't really expect any sympathy."

Taylor is Charlton's top scorer this season and he went on to explain his concerns stem from a knee injury he suffered earlier in the campaign.

"That's my honest reasoning. I know it won't sit well with people but it's been a very had decision to make.

"I want to play to keep this team in the league; we have worked so hard to get here. But there is something in the back of my head that says if you get a serious injury the chance you have worked and dreamed of since you were six-years-old is gone. I'm not 26 or 27 - I'm 30 years old. The way I play, it puts me in positions that I could get seriously injured at any time."

He finished by admitting he knows he won't be remembered fondly at The Valley, but hopes people can 'not hate him' for his decision.

Image
PA

"I know I won't be remembered at Charlton like I did at Wimbledon: that was someone who went out there giving everything and had to be dragged off the pitch after giving my all in every game.

"I might be remembered as a money-grabber or a let-down, but I would like to think some people will look beyond that and remember the good times I shared with the manager and my team-mates and Charlton Athletic.

"Hopefully the Charlton fans can look on it more fondly than with hatred or disgust."

Do you agree or disagree with Taylor's stance?

Let us know in the comments below.

Featured Image Credit: PA & Sky Sports