American football in the United Kingdom

Last updated

The sport of American football is played in the United Kingdom in domestic and international levels. Domestic games in England. Scotland and Wales are operated by British American Football Association who run the BAFA National Leagues for Adult Contact football and British Universities American Football League for the University contact game. Games in Northern Ireland are structured by American Football Ireland who are based in the Republic of Ireland. The UK has played host to games in association with the Americans' National Football League (NFL), including four regular-season NFL games, as of 2021.

Contents

History

Early years

The first game of organised American football to be played in the UK was scheduled to be between US Navy servicemen from the USS Idaho on 23 November 1910, in a match sponsored by the Daily Mirror known as the Silver Cup. However, after the Michigan team pulled out, they were replaced by a team from the USS Vermont. The game, played at Crystal Palace, finished 19–0 to the team of the Idaho. The cup was played for two more times in 1910, won once more by the crew of the Idaho, and once by the crew of the USS Georgia. [1]

During World War II, large numbers of US servicemen stationed in Europe meant that games were regularly played in the United Kingdom. The most prominent game was known as the "Tea Bowl", played at the White City Stadium, between US and Canadian troops. The game, watched by 30,000 spectators, saw the first half played under US rules, and the second under Canadian rules. Canada came out as 16–6 victors, including a 40-yard touchdown reception for Denis Whitaker. [2] A rematch was hastily planned, known as the "Coffee Bowl", and thanks to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tommy Thompson, 50,000 spectators watched the US team cruise to a 18–0 victory. Thanks to the success of the Tea and Coffee Bowl games, a game between the US Army and US Navy was scheduled for 12 November 1944. The match finished 20–0 in favour of the US Army. [3]

Following the war, US forces stationed around Europe formed the USAFE League. The league ran from 1946 until being disbanded in 1993. [4]

1980s: Surge in popularity and foundation of a league system

In 1982, terrestrial broadcaster Channel 4 began showing weekly NFL highlights, and interest in the sport surged, assisted by the problems association football was facing at the time such as hooliganism and decaying stadiums. An estimated 4 million people tuned into Super Bowl XX between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots. [5]

It was around this time that interest in a domestic British league started, and teams were founded primarily in proximity to Air Force bases with a strong American presence, such as RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire. In 1983, the first game between two British teams, the London Ravens and the Northwich Spartans, ended in a 48–0 victory to the Ravens.

In February 1984, a meeting at the Post House Hotel in Bedford saw representatives of 35 teams meet to discuss the formation of an association. 26 teams attended a second meeting, and this saw the formation of two leagues – the British American Football Federation (BAFF) and the American Football League United Kingdom (AFLUK) – and soon there would be over 40 teams competing in fully kitted football. However, in part due to the recession, players and teams struggled for funding.

In 1985, a further conference was scheduled with the aim of merging the existing organisations. However, the two leagues were unable to resolve their differences, and a third league, the United Kingdom American Football Association, was born from the meeting in Birmingham.

Villa Park was the site of the first British championship, between the Streatham Olympians and the London Ravens. 7,000 fans watched the London Ravens become the first British champions. It was in 1985 that the GB Lions played their first ever international game against France, coming away with a 7-0 victory. [6]

Following a study of feasibility, Budweiser announced a £300,000 fund to grow the sport in the UK. [7] In 1986, the Leicester Falcons and the Birmingham Bulls played to determine which team would be Britain's inaugural entry into European competition. The Bulls came out on top in a 32–18 victory.

In the same year, the two leagues would become one after BAFL announced massive losses and began immediate liquidation. 102 teams in 18 divisions found themselves under the Budweiser banner for the coming season. [8] 1986 also saw the first ever official NFL game at Wembley between the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys. [9]

The late 1980s saw a high number of import players brought in from the US. 1989 was also a mixed year for Britball. The GB Lions saw success, winning their first European Championship, but in the national leagues, Budweiser announced the withdrawal of their sponsorship. [10]

1990s

In 1990, the NFL established the NFL Trust, designed to develop the game further. 1990 also saw the NDMA league announce a sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola. [10] 1991 saw the foundation of the World League of American Football, and the UK-based London Monarchs took home the inaugural World Bowl. In the same year, the GB Lions once again won the European Championship.

In 1992, following a demotion to the NDMA Division 2, the pioneering London Ravens folded. The WLAF was suspended until 1995, but returned with the Scottish Claymores representing the UK alongside the Monarchs. [11]

In 1998, the British American Football League (BAFL) was founded to govern the game at a national level. After years of struggling, the team then known as the England Monarchs were replaced in NFL Europe by the Berlin Thunder.

New millennium

In 2005, the last remaining British-based team in NFL Europe, the Scottish Claymores, were replaced by the Hamburg Sea Devils.

Following the collapse of BAFL in 2010, the British American Football Association (BAFA) was founded to govern the National Leagues and the national team.

Domestic leagues

In England, Scotland and Wales, the domestic game is organised by the British American Football Association (BAFA), who operate a series of league competitions as the BAFA National Leagues. The championship game is known as the BritBowl.

Northern Irish teams compete in an amateur island-wide regional competition in Ireland, organised by the Irish American Football League (IAFL).

American football is also one of the sports organised under the umbrella of the British Universities and Colleges Sport, which operates a league competition as the British Universities American Football League.

International teams

The Great Britain national American football team represents the United Kingdom in international competition. There are a number of teams under the GB Lions banner; the Men's Senior team, the Students team, the U-19 team, the women's team and men's, women's and U-19 flag football teams. [12]

National Football League

Various games of the National Football League (NFL), the main professional league for the sport in the United States, have been played in the United Kingdom.

American Bowl

The American Bowl was an NFL pre-season competition held from 1986 until 2005 in various locations around the world. The original Wembley Stadium in London hosted a total of 8 of these games in the 8 seasons from 1986 until 1993, originally being the only venue for the first three years in which the Bowl consisted of only one game, and then as one of the multiple venues as it expanded incrementally from two, three and four games.

Development league teams

Two British teams competed in the NFL sanctioned development league, set up in 1991 as the World League of American Football (pausing in 1993–94), renamed NFL Europe in 1998, before eventually being disbanded in 2007. The London Monarchs competed from 1991 until 1998 (renamed England Monarchs in for their final season). The Scottish Claymores competed from 1995 to 2004.

International Series

The NFL International Series was inaugurated in 2007 to host NFL regular season games outside the United States. Played at the new Wembley Stadium in London (rebuilt and reopened in 2007), the series increased from one to two games for the 2013 season, to three games for the 2014 season, and then to four games from the 2017 season. In 2019, the series moved to the new home of Tottenham Hotspur, although games may still be played at Wembley Stadium.

Potential London franchise

The success of the International Series has led to speculation that London will be chosen as home of an NFL franchise in the future.

Broadcasting

Channel 4 was the first British channel to broadcast American football, in 1982. [13] Coverage of the 1982 season involved broadcasting highlights of one game a week, and culminated in the first ever live broadcast of the Super Bowl in Britain, for which Channel 4 paid NBC £100,000. [14] The sport became so popular in the mid-1980s that the Super Bowl regularly attracted more than 4 million viewers. [15]

Channel 4 ceased coverage of NFL in 1997, before returning in 2010. In terms of free-to-air television, the Channel 4 deal to show 21 games of the 2014 NFL season live (17 regular season games, the three International Series games, and the Super Bowl) marked a high point in terms of number of game shown. [16] Channel 4 opted not to renew its rights from the 2015 season after failing to reach a deal with the NFL. [17]

Since the 2020/21 season, Sky Sports had broadcast Sky Sports NFL. The channel is a full time service and runs for the duration of the NFL season. As well as live and recorded coverage of games, output includes simulcasts of magazine shows from NFL Network such as Good Morning Football and NFL Total Access . [18] The channel broadcasts until early February 2021. This has been repeated in subsequent years.

Sky had first shown NFL coverage in 1995 and over the years Sky had gradually built up its rights after entering the market in 1995 and by 2015, Sky Sports coverage coverage comprised 103 live games, including Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football , plus two or three other daytime Sunday games, as well as the full post-season and the Super Bowl.

Free-to-air coverage is currently seen on ITV which took over the terrestrial coverage of the sport after seven years on the BBC. The deal includes the rights to show two of the three NFL London Games and the Super Bowl in addition to a weekly highlights programme. [19]

Other channels which have previously broadcast NFL games in the UK have been Channel 5, ESPN UK and British Eurosport.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edinburgh Wolves</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Edinburgh Wolves are an American football team based in Edinburgh, Scotland, that competes in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division North, the highest level of British American Football. The team operate from the Peffermill Playing Fields.

The British American Football League (BAFL) was the United Kingdom's primary American football league from 1998 until 2010. It was formerly known as the British Senior League (BSL) until 2005. BAFL was the trading name for Gridiron Football League Ltd incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee. Registration number: 2353839. The company went into administration on 1 April 2010, and the company ceased to trade as from this date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hull Hornets</span> Former American Football team based in the United Kingdom (2005–2010)

Hull Hornets were a British American football team based in Kingston upon Hull. Formed in 2005, they competed for five seasons before ending their membership in BAFA in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berkshire Renegades</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

As of 2012 the Berkshire Renegades are an American Football team currently competing in the Division 2 South British American Football League. play their home games at the University of Reading in Reading, Berkshire. First formed in 1985, they competed in the United Kingdom American Football Association, the Budweiser League, the Combined Gridiron League and the British National Gridiron League before folding in 1990. They were reformed in 2005 and entered the BAFL the following year. At the conclusion of the 2009 season, the BAFL ceased to operate and the Berkshire Renegades joined the BAFA Community Leagues. At the conclusion of the 2011 Season the Berkshire Renegades were invited to compete in the BAFA National Leagues Division 1 for the 2012 Season. The team accepted and were placed in Division 1 Central & South. At the conclusion of the 2012 season, the BAFANL decided to re-align the league once again and the Renegades were put in the Premier South division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bristol Aztecs</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The SGS Bristol Aztecs are an American football team based in Filton, South Gloucestershire, England, who operate in the BAFA National Leagues Premiership South Division, the highest level of British American football. They are the south-west's only Premiership team. They operate from the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Filton, and they represent the City of Bristol which is where the team was formed. Founded in 1990, The Aztecs are two-time BritBowl runners-up having missed out on the prize in 1999 and 2004. In 2020 the Aztecs football programme merged with the Filton Academy Pride setup, basing their full Academy setup at the SGS College, which has some of the best facilities in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Blitz (American football)</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The London Blitz are an American football team based in Finsbury Park, North London, England, who compete BAFA National Leagues Premier Division South, the highest level of British American football. They were formed in 1995 and operate from Finsbury Park Athletics Stadium. They are one of the Britain's most successful teams and are five-time BritBowl winners as well as European Champions following their EFAF Cup triumph in 2011. They have also seven divisional titles to their name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Essex Spartans</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Essex Spartans are an American Football team based in Grays, Essex, England. The team has played under the Spartans name since 1998 following a merger between two local teams and currently play in the BAFA National Leagues, Southern Football Conference 2 East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colchester Gladiators</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Colchester Gladiators are an American Football team competing in the South East National League of British American Football League (BAFL). They play their home games at the Corporal Budd VC Gymnasium. The club was first formed in 1983 and entered senior competition in 1985 where they enjoyed a degree of success, winning the Budweiser League Premier Division playoffs in 1988 and only failing to make the post season playoffs on three occasions before the team folded in 1995. They reformed again in 2003 after a high-profile charity reunion match which featured TV presenter Dermot O'Leary. The Gladiators entered the BAFL the following year, gaining promotion in 2006 only to be relegated after just one season. The Gladiators went on to win the 2013 National League title after recording an unbeaten 13–0 season.

The Coventry Jets were an American football team based in Coventry, England.The club ceased to exist in 2018 and dropped out of the BAFA National Leagues with all club assets and teams being moved over to the Etone Jaguars based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincolnshire Bombers</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Lincolnshire Bombers are a British American football team based in North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, England. The team in its current form was founded in 2005. They currently play in the BAFA NFC South 2 for the 2019 season. The original team the Lincoln Bombers were formed in the late 1980s and in 1992 the team was renamed the Lincoln Saints. The Saints were 1993 National First Division champions. Following several mergers with other regional clubs The Saints disbanded leaving the county without an American Football team until the club reformed in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Wales Warriors</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The South Wales Warriors are a British American Football team based in Llanharan, Mid Glamorgan, Wales. They play in SFC 1 West for the 2022 season. The team was formed in 2001 after the Tiger Bay Warriors had disbanded due to the departure of head coach Rob Mota, along with key staff and players, by the remaining players and staff; the staff used equipment, resources and shirts from the folded Tiger Bay Warriors for economical purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dundee Hurricanes</span> Former American Football team based in the United Kingdom (2002–2019)

The Dundee Hurricanes were an American football team based in Dundee, Scotland who played in the BAFA National Leagues.

The 'Cornwall Monarchs' are an American Football team currently competing BAFA National Leagues South West. They played their home games at Newquay Sports Centre, Newquay, Cornwall. They were formed in 2005 as the Cornish Sharks and In their first season in the BAFL, the Sharks recorded a 7 wins to 3 losses record and finished second in their conference, but lost their playoff quarter-final to the eventual divisional champions, the Norwich Devils. Head Coach Brian Smallworth stepped down from the Cornish Sharks for personal reasons in September 2019 and the club reformed as Cornwall Monarchs, based at Newquay Sports Centre for the 2020 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Warriors</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The London Warriors are an American football club based in Thornton Heath, London, England, they compete in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division South, the highest level of British American football. They operate from Selhurst Sports Arena and were formed in 2007 as the London Cobras, but changed their name to Warriors a couple of years later.

The Peterborough Saxons were a British American Football team based in Thorney, Cambridgeshire. They played in the BAFA Nation League's Midlands Conference Division One for the 2016 season but dropped out the League after one regular season game. The senior team was first formed in 2001 as the East Midlands Saxons and entered senior competition the following year. Particular seasons of note are 2008, 2012, and 2015, where the Saxons have won a significant number of games, achieved the play-offs or final, and achieved promotion. The Saxons folded in 2016 following an opening day defeat to the Nottingham Caesars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nottingham Caesars</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Nottingham Caesars are an American football team based in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, who operate in the BAFA National Leagues NFC South 1, the second level of British American football. They are based at the Harvey Hadden Stadium in the Bilborough area of the city. The team is affectionately known by its players and fans as "The Big C" and was formed in 1984 initially as the youth team of the Nottingham Hoods before later splitting off to form its own adult side.

The BAFANL are the primary American football domestic League competition in Great Britain. The League is run by the British American Football Association to coordinate contact football within England, Scotland and Wales. The top level is the Premier Division and the BritBowl is the annual final championship game.

The Tiger Bay Warriors were a Junior American flag football team established in Cardiff in 1993. After initial success, and rising to the senior level, a loss of key players halted the momentum and the team folded in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chester Romans</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Chester Romans are an American Football team based in Chester, Cheshire, England, who compete in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 1 South, the second level of British American football. The club operate from Cheshire County Sports Club and were formed in 1986, making them one of the oldest surviving teams in the UK. They are five-time Divisional champions and operate an affiliated youth team called the Flintshire Romans for ages from 8 to 19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandwell Steelers</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Sandwell Steelers are an American football team based in Walsall, West Midlands, England, that competes in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 1 South, the second level of British American Football. They operate from Walsall Rugby Club and were formed in 2013. The Steelers earned promotion to Division One in their second ever season an have won 3 Division titles in their 5 years as a BAFA League team. In 2019 they were promoted to the Premier Division North beating Northumberland Vikings in the NFC 1 Bowl game. The club also operate a selection Youth, Junior and Women's American Football teams.

References

  1. ↑ BritballNow. "The early years of football in the UK – BritballNow". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Part 4: WWII – Tea Time in London". The History of the NFL in the UK. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Part 5: Coffee and Violence in London". The History of the NFL in the UK. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  4. ↑ BritballNow. "US Military Football in the UK – BritballNow". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Many Britons stuck in the '80s when it comes to NFL". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  6. ↑ BritballNow. "1985 GB Lions". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Matthews, Kieran (30 December 2015). "Is American Football about to take Nottingham by storm?". Notts TV News – The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  8. ↑ BritballNow. "1983 to 1987 - boom time". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  9. ↑ TheFA. "A History Of American Football At Wembley". wembleystadium.com. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  10. 1 2 BritballNow. "1988 to 1991 - money continues to pour into the game". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  11. ↑ BritballNow. "1992 to 1995 - the decline begins". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "International Overview". britishamericanfootball.org. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "Channel 4's NFL coverage reaches UK free-to-air record of 21 live games". The Guardian. 2 September 2014.
  14. ↑ United Press International (29 January 1983). "British newspapers and television presented a guide to 'Football American-style'".
  15. ↑ "American football kicks off a revival NFL chiefs spend 1m to increase British audience". The Herald. 17 January 2003.
  16. ↑ "NFL Set for Record Live Coverage on U.K. Free TV". The Hollywood Reporter. 3 September 2014.
  17. ↑ Broadcast (29 July 2015). "C4 unable to reach new NFL deal".
  18. ↑ "NFL and Sky Sports unveil 'Sky Sports NFL' as part of five-year partnership". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  19. ↑ "ITV and NFL announce new three year partnership". ITV press release.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.