Middleton-Patel’s exploits came after left-back Neil Taylor – whose mother is Indian – became the first player of Asian heritage to play for Wales’ men’s side at a major tournament during their historic run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France.
In 2021, Taylor gave his backing to the Professional Footballers’ Association’s (PFA) Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme (AIMS).
The scheme’s strategy is to “develop a sustainable flow of players of South Asian heritage into the professional game” – namely into the Premier League, English Football League and Women’s Super League.
Simone Pound – the PFA’s director of equality, diversity and inclusion – states the scheme has demonstrated “impressive year-on-year growth” – with the programme’s figures growing from just six players in 2019 to more than 140 in 2024.
Speaking on the Football Association of Wales’ Red Wall+ series, 43-cap former defender Taylor said of the initiative: “Originally when we had the conversation, it was about getting participation levels up in the UK.
“Then we actually decided to get some data. What we found out was there’s plenty of participation at grassroots level.
“Where the numbers fall away is from there (grassroots) to academies. So then we got a real idea of what we needed to do.
“The old phrase, ‘you can’t be it if you can’t see it’, I never really believed in it much when I was young. But since I’ve got older and have seen what this has done especially, it does play a big part, and I think there is going to be a shift.
“For our country, the numbers are growing, and they will continue to grow now.”
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