Oxford United are delighted to announce the appointment of Luke Taylor as the club’s new Head of Athletic Performance.
Luke is a familiar face at the club having helped establish a thriving Sports Science department within the Academy from 2011 to 2014. He then left for a role with the English FA, working with the England set up at all levels including World Cups and the Euros.
In 2019 he teamed up with Des Buckingham to work with the New Zealand national team before returning to work with the FA. Most recently he has spent the last three seasons with the Welsh Women’s side as Head of Physical Performance, in their most successful World Cup qualifying campaign to date, but as he explains, the chance to return home was too good to turn down
“I am from Marston and this is my home” he said. “I was very fortunate to work with the Academy and get the opportunity to work with the club I grew up watching- my brother has a season ticket in the North Stand and my dad has a box level with the 18-yard line!
“I got a fantastic grounding here and have then gone off and learned so much working with the FA, with the New Zealand side in international football and then with the Welsh FA. When Des rang me and asked what I was up to it was perfect timing- my two daughters were born in Oxford and it’s a chance to come home and let them grow up in an amazing city.
“I’ll work with Chris Short and Dwayne Peasah aiming to maximise performance in every aspect of the club; in terms of what the players eat, how and when we train in the gym and on the grass. How we plan rehab to get our players firing for the end of season run in and collaboration with Des and the coaching team to ensure training effectively prepares the squad for every game we play”
“ I worked with Amy Cranston when we were both with the Academy and she has done a great job with the medical side of things so working alongside her is something I’m looking forward to, as is building the connection the club has with Brookes University who I have also enjoyed working with. The whole staff group here are brilliant and have been so welcoming. Now I can’t wait to get started.”
We welcome Luke back to the club and at the same time wish Harry Routledge good luck as he leaves his role as Head of Performance for pastures new. We thank him for his hard work and wish him well for the future.