The return of a former City captain to St James' Park opened an interesting debate on fans forum Exeweb this week: Will Matt Taylor get a rousing reception?

It seems a somewhat startling question when you look at the bare facts. I mean, Taylor arrived at Exeter as a complete unknown and by the time of his departure, he had helped the club to two promotions and a stable position just outside the League One play-offs, chipped in with numerous – and sometimes vital – goals and wore the captain's armband with great distinction. It is a sad state of affairs when it even has to be asked whether he would get a rousing reception.

The general consensus is that he will. When he arrived as an unknown from Team bath, many were quick to dismiss his signing. "A Southern League oil tanker" was one of the more harsh comments made on his arrival in Devon, while many were unhappy that his arrival was seen as a direct replacement for Chris Todd, the then captain of the team, who shed tears of disappointment at Wembley when the Grecians lost to Morecambe.

It was perhaps Taylor's background that had fans frowning. The early years of his career were spent as a goalkeeper and he was a member of he Burscough side that had won the FA Trophy at Wembley. Not until he went to University did he make the unusual transition from shot-stopper to shot blocker.

It did not take long for Taylor to make his mark though. He was a scorer on his debut, a 4-1 win at Altrincham, and none months later, his goal line clearance was a key moment in City's 1-0 win over Cambridge at Wembley which won them promotion back to the Football League.

Taylor's leadership qualities led to him being handed the captaincy as City achieved back-to-back promotions in 2009 and as Exeter geared themselves up for a season in league One, question marks arose over whether he had what it takes to play at that level.

Any doubts were soon dispelled as Taylor played a crucial role in helping Exeter stave off relegation that season. And he was the scorer of crucial goals in the season's climax, none more so than in a must-win last day showdown with Huddersfield where he atoned for an earlier own goal with Exeter's equaliser in a 2-1 win.

His last season at the Park was perhaps his most frustrating as a back injury took its toll, while Taylor was also hit hard by the tragic death of his friend and team-mate, Adam Stansfield. His improvement and consistent performances during his time at Exeter had not gone unnoticed with clubs soon showing an interest. Swindon Town and Huddersfield were two such known admirers, but when his contract expired, it was Charlton Athletic who won the race for his signature.

Taylor is the perfect role model of what can be achieved through sheer hard work. What he lacked in pace, he made up for in sheer determination and his will to win. It is no surprise that his departure is a reason Exeter have struggled this year.

Now, Taylor is an ever-present in an Addicks side topping the League One table and with the meanest defence in the league. It seems only a matter of time before the Championship is the Mancunian's next step. So if you even have to think about whether or not to applaud Taylor on his return, perhaps take all that into account. It's not half bad for a Southern League oil tanker.