Martin Taylor was cutting his teeth at Rovers 20 years ago. Now his son, Caleb, is looking to make a name in the game.

Martin, ironically dubbed ‘Tiny’, was a towering centre-back who came through the ranks at Ewood Park and went on to spend a number of years in the first-team squad.

He also had spells with Birmingham and Watford among others, racking up more than 100 Premier League appearances before hanging up his boots.

Now, Caleb is aiming to forge a career of his own. The 21-year-old has been in West Brom’s Academy since a young age and made his senior debut in 2021.

“It is funny because my dad is such a relaxed guy, he doesn’t put any pressure on me,” said the youngster. “He is always chilled, and what happens, happens.

“It is always my mum sliding in the comments and saying, ‘Your dad has played in the Premier League and you have got a long way to go!’

“He did have a great career and as I am playing and growing up in the game, I am realising more how much he actually achieved.

Lancashire Telegraph: Martin Taylor in action for RoversMartin Taylor in action for Rovers (Image: PA)

“When I was younger I didn’t really understand how good he was, but as I am trying to prove myself now, I can see it now. He did a lot.

“We do sit for hours and talk about his experiences in the game, and both my parents tell me you should not be surprised by anything in football.”

Taylor – who stands at 6 ft 4 in, like his dad – headed out on loan to Bolton in January. However, he has spent the last month on the sidelines after picking up an ankle ligament injury.

The defender continued: “Even in the transfer window it was a case of, ‘Are you going there, are you going here?’ It was changing all the time, but my parents just helped keep things calm.

“It was quite concerning, to be fair, but I was worried about not getting out on loan more than anything else.

“I could have maybe had four or five months of not playing many games at West Brom and that was the main thing. When I knew Bolton were in, I knew I was definitely going there.”

Taylor had a loan spell at Cheltenham last season and quickly become an important figure at the heart of the Robins’ backline.

“Loan football is so important when you are a young player,” he explained. “I was 18 or 19 when I went to Cheltenham and it was a big thing for me going to a League One team.

“I was really happy with how it went. I got 49 games in over one season, and so I could say ‘that’s the level I need’ so it was a really good time for me and it helped me a lot.”

The youngster’s aim is to eventually break into the first team at West Brom, having been with the Baggies since Under-10 level.

Taylor - who also captained the Under-18 and Under-21 sides - made six first-team appearances this season before heading out on loan, including the feisty local derby against Wolves in the FA Cup fourth round. He even came off the bench against Rovers at the Hawthorns in January.

“Growing up I was ball boy at games, always watching them,” Taylor recalled. “I grew up wanting to make it at West Brom.

“To have played for them now in the league and in one of the biggest games you get, against Wolves, it is massive for me.

“To go back and play regularly would be a massive achievement. It is something I have dreamed of doing.”

The centre-back is highly rated by West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, who has talked him up as a future starter.

Last month, Corberan told the local press: “Caleb is a player I wanted to have working with me but training with one coach has a limitation.

"There is a moment where the player needs to move for new ideas and concepts for game situations. It doesn’t make sense to give him more minutes at under-21s level because he passed this process two years ago.”

He added: “Sometimes you need to take some risks thinking in the future of the club, which is our fans and our players.”