In a commanding showcase of deaf football excellence, St John’s Deaf Football Club secured a resounding 7-0 win over Barnet DFC in the Disability FA Cup final, cementing their status as a dominant force in the sport. The match highlighted the unique dynamics of deaf football, where communication is visual, and teamwork thrives on instinct and cohesion.
Here, we explore what makes deaf football unique, profile the two finalists, and report on the outcome of a match that underscored the passion and skill at the heart of the game.
Read our interviews with other Disability FA Cup finalists.
What is deaf football?
Deaf football follows the same fundamental rules as mainstream football but incorporates adaptations to ensure accessibility and fairness for deaf and hard-of-hearing players.
Matches are played under standard FIFA laws, with 11-a-side teams on full-size pitches, but players must have a hearing loss of at least 55 dB in their better ear to qualify. One of the key differences lies in communication—referees use visual signals such as flags instead of whistles, and players rely heavily on hand gestures, eye contact, and visual cues for coordination. Hearing aids and cochlear implants are not permitted during official matches to maintain equal conditions for all participants. The game fosters a unique sense of unity and awareness, emphasizing visual attentiveness and non-verbal teamwork.
Deaf football is governed internationally by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), with competitions like the Deaflympics and Deaf Champions League offering elite platforms for showcasing talent.
About the Disability FA Cup deaf finalists
Barnet DFC
Barnet Deaf Football Club (Barnet DFC), founded in 2005, has emerged as a leading force in English deaf football. Competing in the EDF South League and affiliated with Middlesex FA, the club has claimed the EDF Plate Cup four times (2007/08, 2014/15, 2020/21, 2022/23) and reached the EDF Knockout Cup final in 2024/25. They’ve consistently performed well in league competitions and represented England in the Deaf Champions League, showcasing their talent internationally.
Key players include midfielder Tommy Hobson, a seasoned talent with experience across several clubs, Matthew Wheeler, known for his leadership in defense, and Joe Dixon, a centre-back for Barnet and England, and the founder and head coach of YP-Academy, a Sheffield-based business that coaches 200 players on a weekly basis.
St John’s DFC
St John’s Deaf Football Club (St John’s DFC), founded in 1913 in North London, is one of the UK’s most historic and successful deaf football teams. Over the past two decades, they have secured multiple EDF Challenge Cup and League titles, as well as three consecutive Deaf Champions League victories—establishing themselves as a dominant force both domestically and in Europe.
The club has produced several notable players, including prolific forward Abdou Jobe, who impressed with his goal-scoring in recent seasons. The Costi brothers, Memnos and Marios, played pivotal roles in St John’s European triumphs and helped found the Deaf Champions League itself. The late Hüseyin Er was another standout, contributing to club and international successes. Matthew Oaten, with ties to the England Deaf National Team, has also been a key figure. With its rich history and ongoing success, St John’s DFC remains a symbol of excellence and inspiration in deaf football.
Barnet DFC vs St John’s DFC Match Report
The deaf FA Cup final saw St John’s Deaf FC deliver an impressive performance to secure a 7-0 win over Barnet Deaf FC.
The match started with early pressure from St John’s, though two initial efforts were blazed over. They made the breakthrough in the 12th minute when Abdou Jobe burst down the wing and delivered a superb cross that Jamie Clark turned in for 1-0.
St John’s continued to push forward and were rewarded again in the 17th minute as Abdou Jobe fired a right-footed strike into the roof of the net to double the lead. They made it 3-0 in the 25th minute through an incredible effort which saw Hashim Mahmood score directly from a corner, his looping ball catching everyone out.
An excellent team goal was ruled out in the 37th minute due to a tight offside call, but St John’s soon made it four in the 44th minute, Abdou Jobe pouncing on a rebound to head in from close range.
In the second half, Barnet showed glimpses of resistance, including a brave last-ditch tackle from Joe Dixon, but the relentless pressure from St John’s continued. Abdou Jobe turned provider again in the 64th minute, setting up Byron Down for the fifth. Just four minutes later, Jobe completed his hat-trick with a sharp first-time finish from inside the box, who was later named Player of the Match.
Brady Landy capped off the scoring in the 80th minute, wrapping up a dominant 7-0 win for St John’s.
To find out more about deaf football, you can visit the England Deaf Football website.