10/11/23: AFC Rushden & Diamonds are delighted to announce the signing of 19-year-old winger Cairo Taylor from Spartan South Midlands League Division One side Wellingborough Whitworth.

After spending time with Northampton Town as a youngster, Cairo moved on to Whitworths, where he has spent the last 2-and-a-half seasons, scoring 23 times in 88 appearances across all competitions. This season, whilst appearing for Whitworths, he has also been involved with Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division leaders Real Bedford.

Cairo has been on the Club’s radar for some time and Assistant Manager Tom Lorraine spoke of his delight at bringing the young winger into the group: “Cairo has got bags of potential. He’s tall, strong, quick and importantly for us at the moment he’s direct. We’ve had him involved with the group at training last week and he carries the ball very well. As we can see over the past few years, he’s clearly got an end product and we’re hoping he can make that step up and pick up where he left off at Whitworths.”

Cairo is available for selection for this weekend’s tie in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division against Anstey Nomads.

02/07/24: We got him! The Club are thrilled to confirm that despite interest from elsewhere, Cairo Taylor has agreed to re-join the Diamonds ahead of the 2024/25 season. One of Michael Harriman’s first signings – joining from Step 6 side Wellingborough Whitworth in November 2023 – Cairo made the transition to Step 4 look like light work. His 8 goals in 26 games only tell half the story, as his overall contribution to the Great Escape was huge. We can’t wait to see him in white again this year!

Cairo commented: “It was an eventful ride last season. I joined Rushden when we were at rock bottom with four points and we ended up finishing really strongly in the league and having success in the Hillier Senior Cup. For me personally, it was a good start. We did everything we could to give our supporters and ourselves the best chance of retaining our Step 4 status. It will be exciting to see what we can achieve during a full season with a clean slate. The Club is growing and trying as hard as it can to be successful for its supporters and everyone involved and I am excited to be a part of.”