Essex Leopards (1994–2003)

Last updated

Essex Leopards
League BBL
Established1994
Folded2003
HistoryLeopards
1994-1997
Greater London Leopards
1997-2002
Essex Leopards
2002-2003
ArenaBrentwood Centre
Location Brentwood, Essex
Team coloursTeal, Black and White

The Essex Leopards, or just Leopards as they were more commonly known, was a British basketball team competing in the British Basketball League. Established in 1994, the Leopards franchise was one of the most successful teams of the 1990s, dominating the domestic scene with local rivals London Towers.

Contents

Originally playing out of the London Arena as Leopards and later Greater London Leopards, the team was moved to Brentwood in 1999, and in 2002 the name was changed to the Essex Leopards. [1] For financial reasons the team decided to "sit out" the 2003–04 season of the BBL and while every effort was made to find a buyer for the franchise, the Leopards soon folded completely.

Season-by-season records

SeasonDivisionTierRegular SeasonPost-SeasonTrophyCupHead Coach
FinishPlayedWinsLossesPointsWin %
Leopards
1994-95 BBL 16th362313460.638Quarter FinalsPool StageSemi Finals Billy Mims
1995-96 BBL 14th362313460.638Quarter FinalsPool StageQuarter Finals Billy Mims
1996-97 BBL 11st36288560.777Runners UpQuarter FinalsWinners, beating Sheffield Billy Mims
Greater London Leopards
1997-98 BBL 11st36297580.806Quarter FinalsSemi FinalsQuarter Finals Billy Mims
1998-99 BBL 18th361917380.527Quarter FinalsPool StageRunners Up Billy Mims
1999-00 BBL S 15th341123220.323Did Not QualifyQuarter FinalsQuarter Finals Bob Donewald
2000-01 BBL S 12nd342410480.705Semi FinalsQuarter FinalsRunners Up Bob Donewald
2001-02 BBL S 14th321616320.5001st RoundSemi FinalsLast 16Chris Pullem
Essex Leopards
2002-03 BBL 110th401129220.275Did Not QualifyPool StageQuarter Finals Mike Taylor

New team

This was not the end though, as in 2004 a merger took place between Ware Rebels and Leopards Alive (an organisation of supporters of the defunct Greater London Leopards), and renamed as the Essex & Herts Leopards. In 2006, the team was renamed again to London Leopards, and currently play in EBL Division 1, the league below the BBL.

See also

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References

  1. "BBL duo opt for change". 3 October 2002.