Taylor Moore was named EFL Player in the Community 2025 on Sunday for his work supporting mental health this seasonSport

Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter

12:00, 01 May 2025

Bristol Rovers defender Taylor Moore wins EFL Player in the Community 2025(Image: James Marsh/Shutterstock)

Taylor Moore has insisted that there is more to come from him in regards to his community work supporting mental health after the Bristol Rovers defender was named EFL Player in the Community 2025 at last weekend’s EFL Awards.

Despite the major disappointment of relegation on the pitch, off it Moore was able to celebrate his outstanding efforts alongside the Bristol Rovers Community Trust this season being recognised on a national level.

The centre-back’s ‘5k Your Way’ initiative has seen fans from both sides of Bristol, with the 27-year-old once a player of Bristol City, partake in covering five kilometers on foot, be that a walk, jog or run with emphasis on engaging in conversations about mental health and speaking openly.

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It has been an instant hit with Moore following up his League One Community Player award with the grand prize on Sunday.

“That kind of did put a smile on my face and it was very emotional, not that I do that to win any awards or to win anything like that, you do it to obviously make an impact on people’s lives,” the defender exclaimed.

“It was a fantastic evening, although I turned up in a blue suit to a black tie event, that was incredibly embarrassing. I’ve got a massive gash on my forehead as well, which is also embarrassing, so if you’re gonna stand out, do it properly. And then I cried on stage as well. So all three combined together is something that you kind of go through the emotions of it and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved in the community this year.

“We have a great team here at the club within the Community Trust and yeah, we’ve got a lot of work to do. We are not just satisfied with what we’ve done at all. I know the pitch comes first. The football club comes first, but also having an impact, like I said, on people’s lives is something that means a lot to me.”

Moore has previously gone on record to explain that his desire to help those struggling with their mental health stemmed from an incident involving his mother last year, who is thankfully doing better now.

The defender was visibly emotional on stage when receiving his award with clips going viral across social media and receiving widespread love and support.

“Obviously I went there because I was nominated, but I didn’t actually expect to win the award,” Moore confessed. “But all of a sudden now you are sharing your heartfelt story in front of a room of 900 people also being broadcasted by Sky.

“I’ve probably told that story 50 times or given the reasons as to why I started what I did in the community and not once has it made me emotional at all. And then just there on stage in front of everyone, and even when you’re talking you’ve obviously got your thoughts in your mind and I’m thinking of my brothers. I’m thinking of my mum. I’m thinking of the dog that we’ve got her that’s made her better as well, and all these things going through your mind. It was just the reception that everybody gave me in the room as well it just made me emotional.

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“When my bottom lip started to go, I was like no and then I just couldn’t stop it. I tried holding it in but I think everyone kind of knew that that did come from the heart and it is raw emotion. It’s been an emotional week anyway, so that probably didn’t help. But I was proud to say what I said because it really did come from the heart.

“The reaction’s been amazing from both sides of the city and I think when it comes to mental health and stories like that, colours don’t matter, right?”

Although the football season for Rovers concludes on Saturday with a trip to Blackpool, there will be one final meet up this term on Sunday ahead of plans to keep things going next campaign, with Moore adding: “We’re going to continue with that, as of Sunday.

“We’ve got another one coming up so I’m proud to be launching that and yeah, it’s been a disastrous and very bad season, but if I can end it on a little bit of a positive note by doing something positive with the community, then that’s a win for me.”

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