SpotlightBBC SportUnverified source· 10 Sept 2026
Taylor plots Wales deaf football revival as head coach
Once a Swansea youth prospect, James Taylor now wants to turn Wales into a deaf football force.
A. Taylor
coach
Role
Wales Deaf men's head coach
Previously
Wales Deaf forward
Condition
Total deafness in left ear
Youth club
Swansea City
What happened. James Taylor has moved from player to head coach of the Wales Deaf men's team after a review led to a backroom restructure. He wants to make Wales a force in deaf football despite a 7-1 defeat by England in his first game in charge.
- Wales Deaf were re-established in 2023 and drew with England before beating Scotland and Ireland.
- They lost all four group games at the 2024 EuroDeaf Championships in Turkey.
- Taylor's deafness in his left ear stopped him reaching his professional potential.
“It's probably one of the reasons that let me down in the professional world”
— James Taylor
Wales face England in Llandarcy on Friday, 11 September, Taylor's next chance to build momentum.
Read the full story at BBC Sport →
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