 | |||||||||||||||||
| Established | 1997 | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Based in | Maidstone | ||||||||||||||||
| Home stadium | New Line Learning Academy | ||||||||||||||||
| Head coach | Vacant since 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| League | BAFA National Leagues | ||||||||||||||||
| Division | National Division South Central Conference | ||||||||||||||||
| Current uniform | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The Maidstone Pumas was an American Football team based in Maidstone, Kent. The team were formed in 1997 as a continuation of the former youth team of the same name, and now 2020 they have turned in their colours and folded .
The Maidstone Pumas were first formed as a youth team that was active between 1988 and 1990, finishing as conference champions twice and losing to the Tiptree Titans in the BYAFA playoff final in 1990 the youth team continued for 7 more seasons in the youth league and entered Division Two the British Senior League the following year in 1998. [1] They struggled to adapt and finished bottom of the South East conference, losing all ten of their regular season games and failing to score in six. [2] [3]
They were realigned into the Southern conference for their second season and on their third matchday they won their first senior game, a 27–0 win over the Chiltern Cheetahs. This was followed by a mixture of wins and narrow defeats, which included them completing a double over their local rivals, the Kent Exiles. They eventually finished fifth out of seven teams with a 4–5 record. [4] [5]
They were realigned once again for the 2000 into the five-team Eastern conference along with the Exiles and the Southend Sabres and eventually finished fourth with a 2–6 record. [6] 2001 also saw the Pumas struggle, ending the season with a 1–7 record and only avoiding finishing bottom of their group by virtue of having conceded less points than the Kent Exiles. [7]
It was decided that a period of rebuilding was needed, and so the club took a year out from senior competition in 2002. [1] However, they continued to struggle upon their return to the BSL. In 2003, they finished bottom of the South East conference with a 1–9 record, [8] and failed to win a single match in 2004, losing nine games and drawing one. [9] The Pumas ended both the 2005 and 2006 seasons with a 2–8 record, [10] [11] whilst 2007 saw them lose every one of their ten games. [12] In all, the Pumas lost 17 consecutive games, a streak which was ended on their first matchday of 2008 with a 13–12 victory over the Essex Spartans. [13]
The 2009 season was marred by the death of offensive lineman Alan 'Minty' Newcombe, who collapsed on the sideline during the home match against the East Kent Mavericks on 16 August. [14] [15] His funeral was attended by hundreds of people, including his teammates who wore their team colours at the request of his family. [16]
The 2011 season was a season of rebuilding, the Pumas won one game and had another awarded when the Norwich Devils pulled out of the league. The team lacked a head coach but were guided through the tough season by positional coaches, and the experienced players.
The 2012 season was a difficult one with the team unable to win games and finding themselves in the unfortunate position of having to forfeit the final 2 games of the season.
For 2013 the team have unveiled a new kit and a new Coach, Olly Dracup at the helm as they now find themselves in the National League South Central Conference.
The Pumas left the league in 2014 with a view to rebuild and develop the club.
In 2015 the Pumas played under associate status with the view of rejoining the league competing against other associate teams.
In 2016 the Pumas joined the league again under then HC Oli Dracup. The Pumas with a new squad would play the season ending with a 0–10 record. At the end of the season the clubs HC Oli Dracup would leave the club.
2017 would see the Pumas enter the league with new HC Simon Mackerill. The season would show progression under the new HC as they finished the season 2–8, winning games against the Hastings Conqourors and ending a long-term losing streak. The new-style offence saw the Pumas output improve greatly from previous years.
2018 saw the Pumas aligned to a different conference with some very strong teams and a new structure which saw the teams play in an 8-game season. The Pumas finished the season 1–7. At the end of the season. HC Simon Mackerill announced he was leaving the club.
2019 the Pumas finished the season 0–8 again but did show some development off the field recruiting several players and coaches.
In 2020 the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Season | Division | W | L | T | PF | PA | Final Position | Playoff record | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | BSL Division Two South East | 0 | 10 | 0 | 18 | 367 | 5 / 7 | — | — |
| 1999 | BSL Division Two South | 4 | 5 | 0 | 92 | 96 | 5 / 7 | — | — |
| 2000 | BSL Division Two East | 2 | 6 | 0 | 58 | 193 | 4 / 5 | — | — |
| 2001 | BSL Division Two South | 1 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 135 | 8 / 9 | — | — |
| 2002 | DID NOT COMPETE | ||||||||
| 2003 | BSL Division Two South East | 1 | 9 | 0 | 55 | 195 | 8 / 8 | — | — |
| 2004 | BSL Division Two South East | 0 | 9 | 1 | 32 | 289 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
| 2005 | BAFL Division Two South East | 2 | 8 | 0 | 46 | 300 | 5 / 5 | — | — |
| 2006 | BAFL Division Two South | 2 | 8 | 0 | 64 | 260 | 3 / 4 | — | — |
| 2007 | BAFL Division Two South East | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 301 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
| 2008 | BAFL Division Two South East | 1 | 9 | 0 | 109 | 395 | 5 / 5 | — | — |
| 2009 | BAFL Division Two South East | 0 | 9 | 1 | 44 | 441 | 4 / 4 | — | — |
| 2010 | BAFACL Division Two East | 2 | 7 | 0 | 51 | 304 | 5 / 6 | — | — |
| 2011 | BAFL Division Two East | 2 | 8 | 0 | 72 | 476 | 6 / 7 | — | — |
| 2012 | BAFL Division Two East | 0 | 10 | 0 | 44 | 329 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
| 2013 | BAFL Division Two East | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 423 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
| 2014 | BAFL Division Two East | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 6 / 8 | — | — |
| 2014 | BAFL Division Two East | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
| 2015 | BAFL Division Two East | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
| 2016 | BAFL Division Two East | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
| 2017 | BAFL Division Two East | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
| 2018 | BAFL Division Two East | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
Though based in Maidstone, the Pumas have forged links in the Medway Towns. T
The Pumas have engaged in many charitable activities. At the 'Relay for Life' event, organised by Cancer Research UK, they gave a demonstration of American football and entered a team in the tug of war competition. The team also marshalled at the Breast Cancer Awareness 'Race for Life'. [17]
Maidstone United Football Club is a professional football club based in Maidstone, Kent, England. The team competes in the National League South, the sixth level of the English football league system. The club's nickname is "The Stones" and they play in black and amber.
Dartford Football Club is a semi-professional association football club based in Dartford, Kent, England. As of the 2023–24 season, the club participates in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football.
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.
Berkshire Renegades are an American Football team currently competing in the BAFANL SFC 2 Central. play their home games at the University of Reading in Reading, Berkshire.
The Southern Sundevils were an American football team who competed in the Southern Conference of British American Football League (BAFL) Division One. They played their home games at the ROKO Leisure Centre in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Russ Hewitt was the current general manager and head coach. Russ had been with the team since its inception as a player on the youth team and has progressed through the Senior level and since retiring from player was involved in the management and coaching side of the organisation. Many former Sundevil members have coached or played for national sides, with some going on to trial and play for professional or semi-professional teams.
The Cambridgeshire Cats are an American football team based in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England who compete in BAFA National Leagues Premier Division South, the top level of British American football. They play their home games at Coldham's Common in Cambridge. The club was first formed in 1984, entered senior competition in 1985 and won two divisional titles in the 1990s as well appearing in the playoffs a further six times before folding in 1998. They reformed once again in 2002 and re-entered senior competition, gaining promotion in 2003 only to be relegated two seasons later. Most recently, they won the South East Conference of Division One before losing to the Solent Thrashers in the playoff final.
The Essex Spartans were an American Football team based in Grays, Essex, England. The team 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.
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 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.
The Plymouth Admirals were an American Football team who competed in the British American Football League (BAFL) up until 2010. They played their home games at the Parkway Sports Club in Ernesettle, Plymouth. Formed in 1984, the Admirals were one of the longest established American football teams in the United Kingdom. They enjoyed a fair degree of success, spending a number of years in the top division, figuring in post-season playoffs on eight occasions, and winning the BNGL Premier Division playoffs in 1991.
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.
The East Kent Mavericks are an American Football team based in Canterbury, Kent. First formed in 2001 as a flag football team, they are the BAFA National Leagues D2 National Champions, D2 SFC Conference Champions and D2 SFC East Division Champions.
The London Warriors are an American football club based in Thornton Heath, London, England. They compete in the BAFA National League 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 the Warriors a couple of years later.
The Bedfordshire Blue Raiders were an American Football team competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA National Leagues (BAFANL). They entered the British American Football League in 2008 as one of five expansion teams, and play their home games at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium.
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.
The Hertfordshire Cheetahs are an American football team based in Watford, including a senior kitted team (contact) competing in the BAFA National Leagues (BAFANL), Under 16 and under 19 kitted teams (contact) a women's kitted team and The Hertfordshire Cheetahs Flag Football 11U, 14U, and 17U Flag football (non-contact) teams playing in the BAFA Youth Flag Football League. Currently all teams train and host their home games at Sun Postal Sports & Social Club, Bellmount Wood Avenue, Watford, WD17 3BN. The senior team was first formed in 1986 and entered a senior competition the following year, making them the third-longest continuously competing team in the United Kingdom behind only the Birmingham Bulls and Glasgow Tigers. During their history, the Cheetahs have reached the Divisional Playoff final on four occasions: in 1997, 2004, 2005 and 2018.The 2018 final was their first championship victory beating the Portsmouth Dreadnoughts for division 2 honours. After winning the Thames Valley div 2021 SFC1 West 2022 the Cheetahs won it all in 2023 SFC1 West SFC1 Conference and finally took National honours against the Northumberland Vikings in over time. After a 13-0 season they earned promotion to the Premier league in 2024
The original Maidstone United was an English football club from Maidstone, Kent, which existed from 1897 to 1992. The club played in the Football League Fourth Division from 1989 until their demise in 1992. During their time in the Football League Maidstone played their games at Dartford's Watling Street ground. The club also played in various amateur leagues and the Southern League, which was the major semi-professional league in southern England until the formation of the Alliance Premier League in 1979.
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.
The Ouse Valley Eagles are a British American Football team based in Bedford, United Kingdom. They play their home games at the Bedford Athletic Rugby Club. They are a member of the BAFA National Leagues Division 2, playing in the southern football conference.
