Halton Spartans

Last updated

Halton Spartans
Founded2014;11 years ago (2014)
League BAFA National Leagues
Division NFC 1 Central
Team historyRuncorn Spartans (2014)
Halton Spartans (2015–)
Location Widnes, Cheshire
Stadium DCBL Stadium
ColoursBlack Helmets
Green and Black Jerseys
Black Pants
Head coachHusam Farraj
General managerDave Quinn
Playoff berths2: (2018, 2019)
‹ The template Infobox American football team is being considered for merging. ›
Halton Spartans
Current uniform
Halton Spartans jersey 2017.jpg

The Halton Spartans are an American football team based in Widnes, Cheshire, England, who compete in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 1 Central, the second level of British American football. They are currently homeless. Formed in 2014 as the Runcorn Spartans the club were elected to the League the following year and went on to win the NFC 2 West title in 2019 earning promotion to Division 1.

Contents

History

Initially named the Runcorn Spartans, they were formed in early 2014. The organisation changed their name to their current guise, the Halton Spartans to better represent their recruitment area. They were also more likely to play in nearby Widnes than Runcorn. [1]

Ahead of the 2015 season, Double Coverage, a site that covers American football in Britain made their annual predictions. Only one writer, Richard Penwright, predicted that the Spartans would win their division. [2] This kick-started the "#InRichWeTrust" campaign on Twitter and Facebook. [3] They won their first competitive game, away to the Crewe Railroaders, 24-15. [4] The Spartans went on to complete their first season within the BAFANL with a 5-5 record. It was also noted how well managed the Spartans were for a young britball programme, most obviously for their ability to be able to draw a sizeable crowd for an amateur sport, with numbers varying from 300 to 600 at their peak. [5]

Before the start of the 2017 season, offence coordinator Chris Henry left the Spartans due to work commitments outside of football. Halton recruited Jason Smith to take over, then head coach of Staffordshire Surge. [6] The Spartans endured a disappointing campaign in their third season which ultimately left them with their first ever losing record finishing 4-6. Offence Coordinator Jason Smith left the Spartans midway through the season via mutual consent, with safety Doug Laughton taking the role after retiring from playing at the end of that season. [7] [8]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Halton Spartans - History". Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "DC Writers Pre-Season Picks". Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  3. ↑ "Double Coverage - What We Learned: National Leagues Week 2". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  4. ↑ Morse, Peter (15 April 2015). "Crewe Railroaders slip to opening day defeat". crewechronicle. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  5. ↑ "Drawing a crowd with the Halton Spartans". Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  6. ↑ "Halton Spartans Announce Coaching Staff for #Britball17 – Double Coverage". Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  7. ↑ "Halton Spartans seeking to enhance coaching staff – Double Coverage". Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  8. ↑ "BAFA NL NFC 2 South".
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