EXCLUSIVE: Salford star Jon Taylor reveals spell from hell on and off the pitch

Jon Taylor has lifted the lid on a two-and-a-half-year journey from hell to get back on the football pitch.

Taylor played just 22 times during the three seasons as he struggled with injuries before joining Salford in the summer. 

It was a terrible time which hit his mental health hard as he excruciatingly endured EIGHT separate operations and feared he could die when he was rushed to hospital with meningitis and sepsis on separate occasions.

Thankfully, the 32-year-old is back to full health and was unveiled as the club’s Community Ambassador last month.

He revealed to SportsBoom.com: “I’ve been through hard times myself, more footballing injuries than anything else. I spent two and a half years out injured and struggled a bit with my mental health.”

“I was in and out of hospital, I had eight operations, I had ulcers, meningitis, sepsis. It was a hard time.”

“Every time I tried to get out on the pitch I realised the surgeries before hadn’t worked so I had to go under the knife again for more surgeries.”

“After one of my operations my ankle got infected and I fell unwell. I was rushed to A&E and I was in hospital for four days with the start of sepsis.”

“Luckily everything was fine, but a few weeks later I felt ill again, went to the doctors and they rushed me to the hospital. I had meningitis and that was another four days in hospital.”

“I think it was from all the surgeries. I think my immune system was really low because of all the operations I was having. Mentally I was struggling a lot as well and it was a recipe for disaster really.”

“It was a big negative circle I was in and I couldn’t get myself out of it. It was tough mentally as well until I started to speak to friends and be brave enough to speak about how I was feeling.”

“It was definitely the hardest time I’ve been through. I saw a councillor who helped me and luckily I’ve come out the other end of it all.”

Taylor Thankful Ammies Gave Him A Chance

Despite his struggles with injury, the Ammies took a chance on Taylor and he wants to repay the faith manager Karl Robinson showed in him on and off the pitch for the club.

“I’m very grateful to the owners and the manager for giving me the opportunity in the first place,” added Taylor.

“I’ve obviously had all my injury problems in the past few years and there might have been clubs who were scared of that.”

“This football club gave me the opportunity and that’s why I want to do as much as I can on and off the pitch. I want to give as much back as possible for this club.”

“I’m really looking forward to the community role. It’s something I really value. I think it’s really important to do work in the community and see if we can make a difference and help as many vulnerable people as possible.”

“I’ve always been a big person in wanting to do more in the community at previous clubs."

"I did a player appearance a few weeks ago and saw how happy it made people and the feeling it gave me I realised it was something I wanted to do more of."

“I want to put as many smiles on faces as possible.”