Josh Taylor ‘even more determined’ to help Hawks win promotion after signing new contract

Josh Taylor has signed a new one-year deal with Hawks. Photo by Dave Haines/Portsmouth News

The 25-year-old tonight agreed a new one-year deal at Westleigh Park.

It was Taylor’s red card in the South play-off semi-final home game against Dartford that proved crucial in ending Hawks’ promotion dream.

Hawks were leading 1-0 when Taylor was sent off towards the end of the first half for lashing out at Elliott Romain after he had been fouled.

Dartford took the initiative and ended up winning 2-1.

‘I’m delighted to be signing this new contract with the Hawks,’ said Taylor.

‘After my personal disappointment in the play-offs, it’s made me even more determined to take the club into The National League this time round.

‘I didn’t feel right leaving the club on the back of the play-off semi-final and us not achieving our common goals for last season.

‘I’ve absolutely loved playing at Havant this year, it’s been one of my best years in football, and I hope next season I can take this club to where it belongs in The National League.’

Taylor was one of manager Paul Doswell’s many signings from Sutton United last summer.

Previously, Doswell had signed him for Sutton in 2017 after the midfielder had completed a football scholarship in America.

Taylor agreed a deal after impressing for Sutton as a trialist in a 5-2 friendly win against Hawks.

Doswell said: ‘Josh is getting better and better every year.

‘I thought he was one of our standout players last season and I was really keen for him to stay at the club, but I understood that clubs at a higher level were trying to sign him.

‘Despite all of our disappointment following the play-off semi-final loss, I fully believe in Josh and that this represents a fantastic deal for the football club.’

Hawks now have 10 players contracted for 2020/21 who were at the club last season - Ross Worner, Anthony Straker, Sam Magri, Benny Read, Craig Robson, Taylor, Roarie Deacon, Bedsente Gomis, Wes Fogden and Andy Drury.

In addition, they also have summer signings Tommy Wright, Godfrey Poku and Joe Iaciofano.