Oldham Athletic have founded a brand-new deaf football club

Danny Jones Danny Jones Oldham Athletic new deaf football team

Oldham Athletic FC have just started a brand-new team for deaf players ahead of the upcoming 2026/27 season.

A dedicated side built around footballers with hearing impairments, it’s an uplifting show of accessibility by the Greater Manchester side.

While this is by no means a first, and we’re proud to say that there are multiple deaf football teams across the region and North West at large, having an EFL club of this stature and history get behind the initiative is a deeply moving development and statement of intent when it comes to helping key causes.

Officially confirmed this past weekend, OAFC are set to join the North League of the deaf football pyramid imminently.

Writing alongside the social media post, the Latics said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of Oldham Athletic Deaf Football Club.

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“Oldham Athletic Deaf Football Club is a brand-new team that will provide deaf and hard of hearing players with the opportunity to represent the club and compete under the Oldham Athletic badge, competing in the North League of the Deaf football pyramid.”

Once again, they are not the first local outfit to develop a deaf football programme, with the likes of Radcliffe FC, Manchester Futsal, the Deaf Rhinos in Rochdale, and Greater Manchester Deaf FC all having helped pave the way for this particular sector of the beautiful game.

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Even Man United have worked with squads of deaf footballers in the past.

In yet another recent display of their grassroots work in action, Frank Rothwell’s community-driven club have also reaffirmed their commitment to developing more pathways for young talent:

Circling back to the new deaf football team, the statement goes on to read, “The new team marks another important step in OACT’s commitment to ensuring that football is accessible and inclusive for everyone across the borough.

“Through the creation of Oldham Athletic Deaf Football Club, the Trust aims to provide a welcoming environment where players can develop their skills, enjoy the game, and experience the pride of representing Oldham Athletic.”

If you or someone you know might be interested in getting involved with Oldham’s new deaf football team, you can find out more about the wider project in their full announcement HERE.

As for the mainline men’s team, you can see the highlights from their most recent pre-season game against nearby opponents and old Lancashire rivals, Bolton Wanderers, down below.

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Featured Images — Oldham Athletic Football Club (publicity picture)

Andy Burnham announces ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant School exam hall / classroom

The Prime Minister will unveil a fundamental change to the education system today with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes.

Andy Burnham says he is ‘determined’ to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic path to ensure there are no so-called ‘dead ends’ for young people coming out of the education system by providing them high-quality alternative routes that are valued and respected by students, parents, and employers alike.

The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with ‘valuable’ early access to technical skills, work experience, and connections with local employers.

Building on successful local initiatives – such as the MBacc, launched by Andy Burnham here in Greater Manchester when he was Mayor – the new technical routes will mean young people can develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in areas like engineering, healthcare, and digital technology.

It will aim to ‘skill them up’ with the specific knowledge and capabilities that local employers need. 

School exam hall / classroom
Andy Burnham has announced ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system / Credit: MChe Lee (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons

So, how will it all work then? Well, when students enter Year 10, they will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, Maths, and Science – with a high-quality technical education that’s linked to the jobs available in their area.

During these courses, students will be able to spend time with employers and gain valuable real-world experience.  

Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges, and employers will work together to shape these new technical education pathways, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system.

To support this, the Government says it will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work, and will also change the way school performance is measured so that inspectors recognise the schools support young people to develop the skills, experience, and confidence employers want.

This way, no matter whether young people choose university, an apprenticeship, further education, or direct entry into a skilled profession, they will able to see a clear route from education into employment.

“For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected,” explained Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

“The whole school system has been built around it and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications.

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“I want an education system based on parity between academic and technical which gives all young people a clear path in life.

“From today, Britain will value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap.”

Featured Image – MChe Lee (via Unsplash)

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