FORMER England semi-professional international James Taylor is chewing over an offer to join Southern League South & West new boys Winchester .

The vastly experienced ex- Havant & Waterlooville, AFC Totton and Gosport Borough targetman will get another runout for the promoted Sydenhams Premier champions at home to Saints Under-21s tonight (7pm), having already featured for a half against Salisbury City last week.

At nearly 38, Southamptonbased Taylor has aspirations to move into coaching where he already makes his living with the Itchen College academy.

He also guided Sholing ’s under-11s – featuring his eldest son Ethan – to triple trophy success last term.

He has been sounded out about the possibility of doing some coaching work for his old Totton boss Stuart Ritchie at Havant & Waterlooville, where he will forever be known as ‘Super Jim’ for his goalscoring exploits as a Hawk.

But Taylor, who intends to make up his mind about next season after a family holiday next week, said: “I would think I would start the season with Winchester.

“I’m 38 this year, but I’m still fit enough to play. I’d never met (Winchester boss) Guy Butters before, but I like what he’s got to say.

“I had a half against Salisbury, playing up front alongside Michael Charles who I’ve played with before at Basingstoke. Charlesy and I had a good season together.

“He’s a lot quicker than me and gets in behind defenders while I hold things up and flick things on.

“Hopefully we’d do well together for Winchester.”

 

If Taylor does sign for City, he will be reunited with his former Havant boss Mick Jenkins, who has joined the management team at the Denplan City Ground.

“Mick’s officially on board now,” confirmed Winchester owner Paul McCarthy. “He’s been with us on and off for the last six weeks and is a very good coach.

“Mick takes no prisoners and brings that bit of hardness that our lads probably need.

“I’ve been after Mick for about six months.

“He’s got great connections and good experience at a higher level and with that comes the whole situation of moving the club on – commercially as well as footballwise.

“Mick can go in and speak to people whereas we wouldn’t get in the front door.”

Winchester have added Lymington Town’s Brazilian midfielder Carlos Alberto Geteski to their ranks and the feelers are now out for Eastleigh ’s transfer-listed midfield man Danny Smith who, in 2004, captained Winchester to FA Vase glory.

Winchester’s scheduled friendly against Gosport Borough was postponed due to heavy rain on Saturday, but McCarthy is confident of getting tonight’s game on against Martin Hunter’s Under-21s, who won 2-1 at Sholing last week.

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