Taft keen to learn from Roberts and Legge
Loan signing George Taft reveals his aims for his time with Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium, whilst telling the interesting story behind his sudden change in hair style.
Taft joined the U’s last month on a six-month loan deal from Burton Albion to bolster the U’s defensive options and made his competitive debut for the club on Tuesday night against Rotherham at the New York Stadium.
The 22-year old tells Cambridge-United.co.uk having settled in, he is looking to learn as much as he can from fellow defenders Mark Roberts and Leon Legge, as well as United boss Richard Money.
“It is amazing to be playing next to two players in Mark Roberts and Leon Legge who have got such great experience. I can learn a lot from both of them, even in training.
"Just being around them is already helping me and will certainly make me a better player and the same goes for the Manager. Richard [Money] is a great manager and I feel he’ll take his time with me to help me improve. I like the style of play that he wants, with three at the back and me playing on the left side of that.
“I like to be involved and helping to link up the ball further up the field, so the system in that regards suits the way I enjoy playing.”
He continued: “I will aim to get as many games as I can to improve my game while I am here at Cambridge.
“That will be hard because with the amount of mates we have coming up, the management will I’m sure mix it around so that everybody in the squad stays fresh.”
Thrown straight into action last month upon his arrival from Burton, Taft was instantly recognisable at the ABAX Stadium in the U’s final pre-season friendly, given his notable height, ability to run with the ball from the back and his long blonde hair.
However supporters that travelled to Rotherham this week may be forgiven for not recognising the 6 ft 4” centre half, with Taft losing the locks and donating them to cancer charity the Little Princess.
He explains the story behind the change in hair style: “I have been growing my hair for over a year and was intending to grow it for a little bit longer out of a style choice.
“But I actually found out on the last game of the season when I played against Cambridge at the Abbey Stadium, that my girlfriend was pregnant, so I really wanted to do something for charity.
“It took some time and patience but I found out about a charity that when you send your hair in they can make wigs for children that have cancer through Leukaemia and other diseases, so I decided to donate my hair to them.”