MATTY Taylor is excited to face the club that gave him the platform for a successful Football League career.

The striker will be part of the Oxford United side that travels to North Leigh for Saturday’s pre-season friendly (12.30pm).

Taylor, from Kidlington, joined the Millers in 2009, shortly after being released by the U’s for a second time.

READ MORE: Clubs will spend millions and not win promotion, says Oxford United boss

After two prolific seasons he signed for Forest Green Rovers in the Blue Square Premier before spells at Bristol Rovers, Bristol City and now United.

“It was kind of where my story and journey really began to get some traction,” the 32-year-old told the U’s iFollow service.

“I had two really enjoyable years there, I still talk to some of my old teammates now and they are brilliant people who really helped me as a player and as a person at that stage.

“I was in a slight pickle and disappointed when I left Oxford but with hindsight maybe I needed that rocket to make me work even harder for what I knew I wanted to achieve.

“The North Leigh manager was great with me and brought me back to a place where I had belief on the pitch and the time there helped me get used to men’s football.

“The first year was just about enjoying my football, but in the second clubs started to look at me and I was really enjoying my football.

“I signed a new contract there and loved it; I think I would have carried on playing there if Forest Green hadn’t come in for me.

“They offered me a two-year contract and I figured that would give me time to adapt back in to full-time football.”

READ MORE: Matty Taylor's race to 50 goals versus Oxford United greats

Taylor briefly played for Didcot Town before his move to North Leigh in 2009.

The striker scored 40 goals in the 2010/11 season, turning down an offer from Newport County before joining Forest Green.

Taylor won promotion to Sky Bet League Two with Bristol Rovers in 2015 and reached a century of Football League goals in March.

He is United’s tenth-highest scorer of all time, finding the net 58 times since arriving from Bristol City – initially on loan – in 2019.

Taylor’s former club are not doing badly either under former U’s defender Eddie Odhiambo, winning promotion to step three of non-league last season for the first time in their history.

The No 9 added: “I love the fact North Leigh are doing so well at the moment and I can't wait to go back and play there again on Saturday.”