Paul Taylor in cocaine bombshell

Nov 3 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

CONTROVERSIAL striker Paul Taylor is facing a lengthy ban after testing positive for cocaine.

The 21-year-old, who has experienced a series of disciplinary problems since signing for Chester on a six-month loan from Vauxhall Motors in the summer, failed a random drugs test at City’s training ground on October 6.

He was found to have traces of cocaine in a urine sample provided to FA and UK Sport officials. He has until Wednesday (November 5) to inform the FA whether he would like them to carry out a test on his ‘B’ sample – provided on the same day.

If found guilty by the FA of taking a banned substance, Taylor will be hit with a ban from the game.

His Chester future was already in the balance after he was suspended by the League Two club for failing to board the team coach for a match at Gillingham earlier this month – his third ‘no show’ of the season.

Blues managing director Bob Gray said: “We’ve given him more chances than a dog on a Monopoly board.

“His discipline is totally unacceptable. We’ve given him two or three months’ grace to turn it around, but he hasn’t done so. You can only take so much.”

There is an agreement in place for Chester to sign Taylor from Vauxhall on a permanent deal worth £30,000 in January – but that transfer is now in doubt.

Blues owner Stephen Vaughan added: “We have taken legal advice and our proposed permanent transfer of the player in the January window will not now materialise. I think it is fairly obvious why.

“This latest bombshell has saddened us all at Chester City but we do hope that Paul can get his life back on track and overcome the demons that appear to be affecting him.”

Taylor – a former Manchester City trainee – was spotted by Chester playing for non-league Vauxhall in Blue Square North last season. After a failed attempt to sign the player in January, he moved to the Deva Stadium this summer on loan. He has made 10 appearances this season, most of them from the subs’ bench.