HAVING mixed with the likes of Phil Neville and Eric Cantona, former Rochdale star Jamie Taylor is hoping to get back in the big time with the help of Ramsbottom.

The striker came through the ranks at Manchester United with Phil Neville before being released at 16.

He moved into the Third Division with Rochdale and got the chance to play against Reds legend Cantona in a behind-closed-doors friendly after the Frenchman had been banned from all action following the infamous kung-fu kick.

Since then, Taylor admits, things haven't gone to plan as he has moved down the leagues into North West Counties Division One.

Now the 24-year-old hopes this will provide the stage for him to start making his way upwards again.

So far it is not going too badly with six goals in the three months he has been at the Riverside.

"It is going okay but I would love to get back into the League," he admitted.

"I look back and I have a lot of regrets. I let myself down and I don't know why I did things the way I did."

He got his grounding at United but it was the four seasons at Spotland he enjoyed the most.

The Heywood lad worked under managers Dave Sutton and then current Burnley coach Mick Docherty and was one of the up-and-coming youngsters at Spotland.

"I remember I scored a hat-trick against Hartlepool, that was superb. It was in the season I made my debut. I was just 17 and I couldn't believe it. It was the best ever.

"I also remember playing against Cantona in the behind-closed-doors friendly. He didn't speak to us but it was brilliant. A great experience."

He was widely tipped as the next big thing, with rumours of Liverpool showing an interest in him and seemed to have the world at his feet.

But he was hampered by injury and played in fits and starts throughout his four seasons there before he was released by former Chorley player Graham Barrow who took over as boss.

"I was gutted but Graham was relying on more experienced players so I was released. He just didn't want me to be there and I couldn't believe it.

"One of the coaches at Rochdale at the time told me to ring Steve Heighway at Liverpool as they had always shown an interest in me. I never did and I will never know why."

He wrote off to all the League clubs but was told they had their quota of players for the season so he dropped into the UniBond League with Altrincham.

"I had a great season there and scored around 15 goals. I got the Supporters Player of the Year," he said proudly.

"Then the manager John King moved to Bangor City in the League of Wales and I decided to go with him. I lasted about three months because of the travelling.

"It was difficult as I was working in Manchester and struggled. Then I packed in, I became disillusioned."

He started to get his taste back for football after playing for the Pig and Whistle on Sunday in the amateur league.

His boss knew Mike Kelly, manager of Ramsbottom, and he was recommended to him.

Since then Taylor has enjoyed his football, playing as a striker and in midfield, and is hoping to make the step back up towards the big time.

"I know what I want to do now. I know I have made mistakes but I want to go back into the League.

"I don't know if it is possible but as long as I still think I can do it then I will give it a go.

"I am enjoying my time at Ramsbottom, they are a great set of lads and I am getting back to fitness.

"I have regrets and I would love another chance."

Ramsbottom make the trip to Atherton Collieries tomorrow.