Middlesbrough Football Club News

• Nickname:Boro
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35,049

Contrite Taylor sorry for spat

27 Nov 2008 - 07:11:22

Click To Enlarge

Middlesbrough left-back Andrew Taylor has apologised for becoming embroiled in an angry exchange of words with a fan during Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the Riverside Stadium.

Hundreds of supporters saw the 22-year-old react angrily when the fan yelled abuse in his direction after he had been substituted.

Taylor said: "I want to apologise to anyone who was offended by my reaction. It was said in the heat of the moment, as I was feeling angry and frustrated that we were losing and I'd been substituted.

"One of the fans shouted abuse at me and I reacted in a way I shouldn't have. I basically told them to get behind the team, but it's fair to say that I didn't choose my words very carefully.

"I've always had a very good relationship with the Boro fans and I want to keep it that way. I hate losing as much as any fan. I hope the supporters appreciate that.

"If I didn't care about the result or about being substituted then they'd have every reason to worry. I'm proud to play for Middlesbrough and I want to win. Hopefully we can do that on Saturday against Newcastle.

"I'm sure the fans will be right behind us because I know how much it means to them.

"Playing Newcastle means a hell of a lot to the local lads in the squad and we've made sure the other players know exactly how important it is."