Former Brentford striker Robert Taylor said it was a fantastic experience for him to come back to Griffin Park at the weekend.
Robert – known as Bob throughout his career – scored 74 goals in 213 games in just over four years at Griffin Park.
He was the special guest in the Brentford FC Hospitality Lounge on Saturday, October 19, when The Bees beat Colchester United.
Bob joined The Bees from Leyton Orient in 1994 and scored within ten minutes on his debut against Cambridge United.
He became a mainstay in the Brentford side over the next four years, forming a lethal partnership with Nicky Forster that almost got The Bees promoted in 1994/95, finishing as top scorer the following year and then – with Forster, Carl Asaba and Marcus Bent – featuring in a four-man attack that lit up Griffin Park for much of the 1996/97 season.
He left in 1998 after Brentford were relegated and had scored 56 league goals in 173 games, placing him just outside the top ten on the Club’s all-time scoring lists.
Bob moved on to Gillingham and then to Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers and also had spells at Queens Park Rangers and Grimsby Town among others before moving in to management.
His last job was at Diss Town, which he left last year.
“It is nice to be back,” Robert told Bees Player when speaking exclusively to the Club’s premium video service on Saturday.
“I think I only came back once as a player, that was with Gillingham, I only played 20 minutes, got injured and had to go off.
“The ground looks nice and the pitch is lovely.
“When I played here, it was very sandy.
“It is fantastic for me that everyone can remember what I did here.
“I was here for four and a half years and only left because the Club got relegated.
“I wanted to play at a higher level.
“I loved playing here and the fans were great.
“I didn’t want to play in the fourth tier.”
Robert remembered his four and a bit seasons at Griffin Park fondly.
The Bees lost a Play-Off Semi-Final to Huddersfield Town in 1995 and a Play-Off Final to Crewe Alexandra in 1997 before relegation the following year.
“We got to Wembley and lost,” he said.
“We just missed out in the Play-Offs against Huddersfield.
“It was up and down.
“We got relegated at the end.
“It was a bit of a nightmare at the end.
“I remember playing with Nicky Forster, Marcus Bent and Carl Asaba.
“We had a good set of lads and we wanted to play for the Club.
“We just wanted to play football.
“Having people watching you play and appreciate what you do is great.
“I come here today and have people asking for my autograph after being away for 16 years.
“That’s a fantastic feeling.”
Robert couldn’t pick out a career highlight and said just playing professionally was his best moment.
He explained he left Manchester City when they were promoted to the top flight in 2000 because his wife wanted to move and he admitted he should have stayed.
He said he was currently working with children with behavioural problems and doing some coaching but would love to get back in to the professional game.
“The highlight was just being a professional footballer,” said Robert.
“I had a 17-year career.
“Some players only last a couple of years.
“I have coached and been a manager, I like the local football scene and I would love to get involved in the professional game at some point.
“I am proud of what I have done.
“I wish I had stuck it out at Manchester City.”
A full video interview with Robert Taylor is available here for Bees Player subscribers.