About Mid Somerset RTC
A football academy built on passion, purpose, and a genuine belief that every talented child deserves a chance.
Built to Win
A track record that speaks for itself.
Developing Boys and Girls Into the Next Generation of Footballers
Mid Somerset RTC exists to give young players across Somerset the environment they need to grow, as footballers and as people. We provide academy-level coaching, high-level competition, and genuine exposure to professional pathways, all while making sure every child still has a genuine love for the game.
Through the Junior Premier League pathway, we bridge the gap between grassroots football and elite academy environments, giving talented boys and girls access to life changing opportunities. Every session is built on the same standards used by professional clubs, delivered by coaches who are genuinely invested in seeing every child succeed, both on the pitch and off it.
Where It All Began
Paul Taylor
Founder & Academy Director · JPL Allstars National Lead
Paul is the owner and founder of Mid Somerset RTC, and football has been his life since he was five or six years old, kicking a ball around in the local parks. He was fortunate enough to play academy football as a youngster, and that early taste for the game set him on a path into coaching. Over a 25-year career in professional and academy football, he's worked for the Football Association, Bristol City, and other academies at senior and head coach level, learning from some of the best in the game.
Eight years ago, Paul founded Mid Somerset RTC because he could see there were genuinely talented footballers all across this part of the world who weren't getting the environment they deserved. He wanted to build that environment himself: one where the best young players could be challenged, developed, and made better. Alongside running the academy, he now serves as National Lead for the JPL All Stars programme across London and the Southwest.
But what drives him hasn't changed since he was that kid in the park. It's seeing young people thrive, develop, and fall in love with the game the way he did. Fifty years on, he's still here, still coaching, and still loving every single minute of it.
Our Coaching Staff
Experienced, qualified, and passionate about developing the next generation.
What We Stand For
Everything we do comes back to three principles.
Welcome & Informed
Every parent and player should feel completely at ease from first contact. We're open, honest, and always happy to answer questions, with no pressure, just clear information whenever you need it.
Development First
Results matter, but development matters more. We measure success by how much each player grows, technically, physically, and as a person, because that's what creates life-changing footballers, not just good ones.
Life-Changing Opportunities
From competing in the Mid Cup in Spain to touring the Netherlands, and representing Mid Somerset on the international stage, we open doors that most academies never could, giving every player experiences that go far beyond the pitch.
Think Your Child Has What It Takes?
We'd love to find out. Apply for a trial today and take the first step toward becoming part of the Mid Somerset RTC family.