Meet Peter Taylor's 'other half' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Meet Peter Taylor's 'other half'

7:50am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(4)

Sky once mocked up a Mr & Mrs style head-to-head with Peter Taylor and Junior Lewis.

The light-hearted contest was to find out how much they really knew about each other.

Lewis didn’t score many but then again the questions weren’t strictly based on football.

When it comes to matters on the field, they have become the perfect match.

I’ve worked with him at every level from the Conference right up to the Premier League and been lucky enough to get promotion at a lot of those clubs

Junior Lewis

City are the EIGHTH club where the pair have worked together.

A relationship that began as manager and player at Dover Athletic 15 years ago has continued via Gillingham, Leicester, Brighton, Hull, Stevenage, Wycombe and now Valley Parade.

Lewis said: “When I was at Dover, I remember him recommending me for a trial at Watford. I knew then he could see the ability I had.

“Peter then went off to the England under-21s but when he came back to club management, he signed me again.

“I’ve worked with him at every level from the Conference right up to the Premier League and been lucky enough to get promotion at a lot of those clubs.

“I know how the manager works and how he likes things done from playing for him and working under him as a coach.”

Taylor has stressed that the arrival of Lewis would not affect his confidence in Wayne Jacobs. The manager has already made it clear that, should he stay on next season, City’s long-term number two would be offered the chance to keep his role as well.

Lewis also insists that he is no threat to Jacobs and has been grateful for his support since joining the club. He added: “I’m here as first-team coach to take training with the gaffer and Wayne.

“I’m going to help Wayne learn how the gaffer operates and he’s been fantastic since I’ve been here. Wayne has welcomed me with open arms and we get on really well.

“He knows the place inside out as well as the players and obviously he knows football in this area.

“I’m learning all the time but all footballers will say that. Even the gaffer will say you never stopping learning, no matter what age you are.”

One thing Jacobs didn’t have to point out was the size of the club. Lewis is well aware of the potential.

“You only have to look at the following they get,” he said. “And I know there is more support out there if we can progress in the next few years.

“You look at the following we took to Rotherham recently and the crowd for my first home game against Darlington. To get 11,500 against the team bottom of the league is fantastic.

“At the moment I’m here to the end of the season. It’s the same position as Peter.

“I hope it will go on beyond that but we’re just concentrating on getting as many results as we can.

“We want to have a strong finish and hopefully take that confidence into next season.”