Student in the Spotlight: Luke Taylor

Love sport? Chair of a society? Or just getting involved with something new? We're going to be picking one DMU student each week as our ‘Student in the Spotlight’, to celebrate their successes, achievements and discover a bit more about them and what they're up to!

This week we’re joined by Luke Taylor, a third-year Film Studies student and chair of DSU’s men’s football squad as well as first team captain. Let’s find out a bit about him!

Tell us a little about your sporting background and how you got involved within sport.
I’ve been involved in sport for as long as I can remember. I was about 5 or 6 when I first started playing football, and it probably thanks to one of my best friends having a love for the sport. My dad was also a massive influence for me, who has had an Ipswich Town season ticket throughout my whole life, so I became more and more interested until I started playing for a local side call Woodbridge Woodpeckers. I tried my hand at most sports in fairness, and PE was always my favourite subject in school. I particularly remember having tennis lessons, but tennis wasn’t for me. Football was the only sport I really became passionate about. I’ve been obsessed with it ever since.

Luke in action against the University of Leicester during last year's Varsity match.

How have DMUFC progressed since you have been at DMU?
The most obvious way DMUFC have progressed is in terms of size. When I joined the club there was just 4 teams. Last year there were 5, but this year we have expanded to a colossal 7 teams. It just goes to show how quickly DMU is developing. We have also received lots of funding and support from the university and DSU, which has helped us to make improvements to our facilities. In January we celebrated the opening of our new pitch at Beaumont Park, where the club should have a permanent home by the start of the next academic year.

Any stand out personal/team successes since you have been at DMU?
So far I have two personal favourites from my time at DMU. Firstly was in last year’s 1^st team varsity, where I captained the side and got to lead my team out of the tunnel and on to the pitch. Secondly was at last year’s AGM, where the club voted me in as chairman. I’m even more excited to be able to lead my team out this year, as captain and chairman, off the back of a league title win. Winning this year’s league has definitely been my highlight team success. The team spirit this year has been phenomenal, we have worked unbelievably hard from the very start of the season, and the results show that. Now we turn our focus to varsity, as we plan to keep our 100% win rate going.

Why should students join DMUFC?
DMUFC is a fantastic club to be a part of. Anyone is welcome to come and join us, whether you play or not, we host a range of social events that are good fun to come along to. If you are looking to play, then great! You can expect the highest levels of enthusiasm, commitment and professionalism. All of our teams strive to be the very best, which is something we pride ourselves on. There is a great sense of community within DMUFC. Joining this club is an opportunity to make friends that you’ll keep for the rest of your life, and make memories you’ll never forget.

What is next for you?
I want to teach English in secondary schools. Next year I have been accepted to carry out a PGCE. I’ve known that I want to work with young people for quite a while now, so I’m extremely pleased that my application was successful. I’m hoping that in a couple of years, if my results and training all goes to plan, I will achieve my goal and start my career in teaching.

Thanks Luke, and good luck from all at DSU!

To find out more about sports at DSU, click here.