Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Scout Des is producing the goods for Cherries
HIS day job revolves around fruit and veg so it should come as no surprise that Des Taylor has fitted in perfectly with the Cherries.[LNB] Taylor a fresh produce broker by day spends his evenings and weekends tirelessly scouring the country to report back with vital information for Eddie Howe.[LNB] A key part of the club's backroom team, scout Taylor has carried out his duties on an unpaid basis and racked up around 16,000 miles for the cause last term.[LNB] The unsung hero, 47, ran the rule over opposition sides and potential transfer targets, producing reports and assessments on 62 games during the campaign, in addition to watching FA Premier League Academy and non-league matches.[LNB] But despite the arduous nature of the role for little or no financial reward, Midlands-based Taylor enjoys assisting Howe and his team.[LNB] I love the game and, if you want the truth, I saw two young people (Howe and Jason Tindall) with a big, big future in the game and tremendous potential, says Taylor, when asked about his reasons for becoming Cherries' scout.[LNB] I saw Eddie as being, potentially, a guy of the future, working on a limited budget and thrown in at the deep end.[LNB] I didn't expect any financial endorsement at the time and I gave Eddie and Jason my word that I would do last season free of charge as a gesture to them.[LNB] Plus the fact, I love doing it, and the success we've enjoyed has given me a great deal of satisfaction.[LNB] Taylor, who scouted for an agency prior to linking up with Cherries, first met Howe at a match in Barnet in the 2008-09 season and offered to work for the Dean Court outfit.[LNB] Since then, he has been one of the Cherries manager's trusty lieutenants, as Howe explains.[LNB] Des's work last season was absolutely invaluable to us, says Howe. He's a very thorough scout and will go and watch opposition teams and come back with a detailed analysis.[LNB] Without him, we wouldn't have been as successful last season, that's for sure. And he did it all for absolutely nothing. He's a terrific man as well. He's got a great personality and we've all enjoyed him being around us.[LNB] But despite the plaudits and the joy Taylor takes from the success Cherries have achieved under Howe's leadership, scouting certainly seems like a labour of love.[LNB] Outlining one particularly hectic day, Taylor explains: I had to go from where I work in Cheshunt in north London to Morecambe on a Tuesday night.[LNB] I left the office at 2.30pm and got to Morecambe at about 7pm. Then I had to drive from there back home to Stamford (Lincolnshire) and I got there at 10 to one, and had to drive back from Stamford to the office at 4.30am the next morning. So in 24 hours, I travelled about 750 miles, did two jobs and had three hours sleep![LNB] It is tiring work but, as they look to make a successful step up to League One, Cherries will be hoping Taylor's efforts continue to prove fruitful.[LNB]
