Lyle James Alfred Taylor (born 29 March 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League Two club Colchester United.

He has also spent time on loan at Eastbourne Borough, Croydon Athletic, Lewes, Hereford United, Woking, two spells at Partick Thistle, and Birmingham City.

In October 2008 he signed a one-month loan deal at Conference National side Eastbourne Borough in order to gain first team experience.

[6][7] Eastbourne Borough coach Nick Greenwood decided to end the loan deal, stating Taylor was not ready for Conference starts, as he was still learning his trade.

After scoring 34 goals in his first season for Rangers, Taylor was offered a trial with AFC Bournemouth,[9] and subsequently agreed a two-year deal with the south-coast club.

[14] Despite public support from assistant manager Steve Fletcher who insisted he had a future at the club,[15] Taylor failed to break into the Bournemouth team.

[16] At the start of the 2011–12 season, and following promising performances in pre-season,[17] Taylor scored a brace against Dagenham & Redbridge in the first round of the League Cup.

Still unable to force his way into the Bournemouth first–team, in February 2012 Taylor was allowed to leave on loan once more, agreeing a one-month deal with Hereford United.

[24] Taylor made his debut for the Blades in the opening fixture of the following season, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 home victory over Notts County.

[25] Unable to hold down a regular place in the side Taylor did not score for his new employers until mid-October when he netted a brace against Coventry City.

[26] With the arrival of new manager Nigel Clough at United, Taylor continued to find his first team chances limited and was eventually allowed to join Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle on loan until the end of the season.

[27][28] Having made his debut for Thistle in a 1–0 away loss to Celtic, Taylor netted his first goal for the Jags in his second game a 2–0 away win against Hearts a few days later.

[51] In April 2019, Taylor was the victim of racist abuse on Twitter from an apparent Bradford City fan following the clubs' recent match.

[63] On 12 January 2024, Taylor joined League One club Cambridge United on a short-term deal until the end of the 2023–24 season.

[66] In March 2015, Taylor was called up to play for Montserrat in their qualification matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, being eligible through his grandparents.

In an interview, Taylor described Black Lives Matter as a 'Marxist group' that 'are using racial unrest to push their own political agenda'.