Nottingham Caesars

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Nottingham Caesars
Caesars2016.jpeg
Founded1984;40 years ago (1984)
League BAFA National Leagues
DivisionNFC South 1
Team historyNottingham Hoods (1984–1992)
Nottingham Caesars (1992–)
Location Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
StadiumDavid Ross Sports Village, University of Nottingham
ColoursBurgundy, Gold and White
ChairmanGrant Lawless
Head coachVanden Warner
CaptainWill Hobbs
Division titles6: 1995, 1997, 2003, 2008, 2021, 2023
Playoff berths7: 1995, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2016, 2023

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 David Ross Sports Village at the University of Nottingham in Beeston, Nottingham . 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.

Contents

The club played in the BAFA Premier North in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons before being placed in the second tier of British American Football following a reshuffle of the League structure. They hold six Divisional titles to their name having won their division in 1995, 1997, 2003, 2008, 2021 and 2023. The club reached two Division 1 bowl games in both 1997 and 2003, both ending in defeat.

History

The old Nottingham Caesars logo Nottingham Caesars Logo.jpg
The old Nottingham Caesars logo

The Caesars began play in 1992, in competition with the cross-town Nottingham Hoods. [1] [2] The Hoods saw some success including a conference championship in 1992 under the leadership of import players Mike Grossner and Vic Quirolo. [3] The Hoods stopped play in 1994, and this boosted the Caesars considerably, who then posted an undefeated 10–0 record in 1995. Since then, the Caesars have seen moderate success, with 3 conference championships including a trip to the Britbowl in 1997, ending in defeat to the Redbridge Fire 26–7. [2]

Although the team lost out to the Tamworth Phoenix in the 2008 semi-finals, due to the league reshuffle the team earned promotion and in 2008 played in the BAFL 1 South West Conference. The Caesars struggled in 2009 picking up just two wins, 2010 was even less successful with their only win coming at home to the South Wales Warriors on the last day of the season, however this was enough to keep them in Division 1.

In 2012, the Caesars had a good season with an influx of Rookies joining already established players the "Big C" finished with a 7–3 record and made the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Caesars fell at the quarter-final stage away to the Berkshire Renegades.

In 2013, the Caesars were moved into the National Premier Division and it was a season of transition and adjustment to a higher standard of football. The Caesars finished the season with a 1–9 record. In 2014, the Caesars continued in the National Premier Division and made strides forward providing greater competition against Premiership opponents and making a name for themselves as fierce competitors

In 2015, the Caesars played in the Northern Football Conference and finished with a record of 4 wins, 5 losses and a tie. [4] 2016 season brought a successful season with the club making the playoffs in the newly formed MFC 1. With wins against Peterborough Saxons, Ouse Valley Eagles, Doncaster Mustangs and the Birmingham Bulls they finished the year with a 6–4 record and were eventually beaten in a closely fought game against the Edinburgh Wolves.

2020 Saw a huge Overhaul coming on Offense with new Coordinator, Grant Lawless, bringing in several coaches with him. The season was cancelled though due to COVID-19. However, a good pre season and solid showing against the Hertfordshire Cheetahs in a scrimmage will be a good platform to build upon for 2021.

In 2023, the Nottingham Caesars worked hard in the off-season with a solid recruitment drive of talented coaching staff and players to bolster their roster which marked a cultural shift within the team. The Caesars achieved their first undefeated regular season (10-0-0) in 28 years since 1995, coming top of the NFC South 1 and securing a first round bye in the playoffs. Following a successful semi-final at home vs the Scunthorpe Alphas, the Caesars lost in the final away at the Northumberland Vikings.

Stadium

The Nottingham Caesars play their home games at the David Ross Sports Village based at the University of Nottingham which it shares with the Great Britain Lions National team as their practice facility.

The Caesars previously held their home games at the Harvey Hadden Stadium in Bilborough. The club had been based at the Stadium since the 1980s except a one-year stay at Devon Park, Newark in 1996 and another year at Ilkeston RFC in 2022.

Coaching staff

RoleName
Head Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Vanden Warner
Offensive / Special Teams Coordinator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Grant Lawless
Defensive Coordinator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Holden
Assistant Defensive Coordinator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Simon Hand
Quality Control Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adrian Giles
Quarterback Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Grant Scott
Offensive line coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lloyd Stone Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Eardely Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Allred
Running Backs Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Vanden Warner
Tight Ends Coach Flag of Cyprus.svg Daniil Khazov
Wide Receivers Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Bartley
Assistant Special Teams Coordinator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Grant Scott
Defensive Backs Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Simon Hand Flag of the United States.svg Mike Romano Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Will Hobbs
Linebacker Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stuart Burgess-Lowe Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ashley Matthews
Defensive Line Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Josh Marriott Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Henry Scanlon
Sports Therapist Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Becky Stratfull
Offensive Analysts Flag of the United States.svg Phil Macgovern Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Bryce
Defensive Analyst Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Karl Scott
Film Coordinator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Price
Junior Team Head Coach Flag of the United States.svg Sean Endicott

Roster

Quarterbacks

  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 'Baby' Alex Bladwin
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bailey Man
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Liam Macgovern (C)

Offensive linemen

  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Victor Sogbesan
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Hansen
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Simpson
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Thomas Hunt
  • Flag of Italy.svg Domenico Carroli
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Daniel Nicholls
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jordan McCabe
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Curtis Holmes
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cameron Jones
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Mowbray (C)
  • Flag of Ireland.svg Callum Oliver
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gus Bingham
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Grieve
  • Flag of the United States.svg Tom Gore
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Wildey
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Josh James
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Harry Washburn
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg JJ Moore
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Cantrill

Tight ends

  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Josh Hutchinson
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Martin (C)
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nathan Hall
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Toby Binstead
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dean Gabriel-Ojo
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Abdul Sherif
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Daniil Khazov

Wide receivers

  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Harrison (C)
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jaidan Abraham
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Elliot Harvey
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joshua Oluwatosin
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Tomlinson
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sam Adair
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bertie Piper
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Thomas Cooper
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joel Meek-Orr
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joel Idusohan
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Scott Barnard

Running backs

  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Wellington Tafireyi
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Babay
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Christian Pole
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Courtney Etienne
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Draper
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Pugh
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sam Fraser (C)
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Wands

Kickers

  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Danny Johns

Defensive linemen

  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aaron Anderson
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joe Jones
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Hutchinson
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Wohi
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Winter
  • Flag of Algeria.svg Karim Hamdi (C)
  • Flag of Ireland.svg Jack Bostock
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jamie Gatley
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Connor Bibbey
  • Flag of Nigeria.svg Theodore Okechukwu
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Xavier Marshall
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Henry 'Hank' Scanlon
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gus Oppong

Linebackers

  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matthew Barnard
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Rice
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Detlaff
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Josh Oldfield
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Jepson
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Danny Johns
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Will Jepson
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andrew Wilkins
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Isaac Saa
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Salmon (C)
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam Oliver
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Boris Gavin
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ryan Forseter
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brandan Duggan
  • Flag of the Republic of China.svg Yung-Ling Wang

Defensive backs

  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sancqon Charlesworth
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Will Hobbs (C)
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Giles
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Premvir Johal
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Sordillo
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Harry Johnson
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sam Pearson (C)
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Freddie Burton
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lucas Cornwall
  • Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Callum Tinson
  • Flag of Ireland.svg Micky Fisher
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Engstrom
  • Flag of Ireland.svg Paddy Fisher
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sam Fisher
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dylan Pole
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Wilson
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cameron Murry
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Romano
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Callum Robey

Team records

As Nottingham Hoods

YearDivisionWinsLossesTiesPercentage
1984Merit Table1001.000
1985 AFLMidlands Division7500.583
1986 BAFLNational League Central Conference9300.750
1987 Budweiser LeagueNational Division Western Conference7300.700
1988 Budweiser LeagueNational Division Midlands Conference4910.270
1989 Budweiser LeagueNational Division Midlands Conference4510.450
1990 NDMANorthern Conference5500.500
1991 NDMAFirst Division Northern Conference9100.900
1992 NDMADivision One Northern Conference9100.900
1993 NDMACentral Conference5300.625
1994 BAFADivision One2800.200

[5]

As Nottingham Caesars

YearDivisionWinsLossesTiesPercentage
1995 BAFADivision Three North East Conference10001.000
1996 BSLDivision Two Northern Conference6400.600
1997 BSLDivision One Northern Conference7120.889
1998 BSLDivision One Northern Conference5500.500
1999 BSLDivision One Northern Conference6300.667
2000 BSLDivision One Northern Conference2600.250
2001 BSLDivision One Northern Conference1700.125
2002 BSLDivision Two Northern Conference7120.889
2003 BSLDivision Two Northern Conference9010.995
2004 BSLDivision One A Northern Conference3610.335
2005 BAFL1A Northern Conference2710.225
2006 BAFL1A Northern Conference01000.000
2007 BAFL2 Central Conference8200.800
2008 BAFL2 Central Conference9010.995
2009 BAFL1 South West Conference2800.200
2010 BAFL1 South West Conference1910.115
2011 BAFANL1 Central Conference6400.600
2012 BAFANL1 Northern Conference7300.700
2013 BAFANLPremier Division1900.100
2014 BAFANLPremier Division1800.111
2015 BAFANL1 Northern Conference4510.445
2016 BAFANLMidlands Football Conference 16400.600
2017 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 South7300.700
2018 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 South4600.400
2019 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 South5500.500
2021 BAFANL*Central East8001.000
2022 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 South7300.700
2023 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 South10001.000
2024 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 Midlands----

Covid-19 Amalgamated League Season*


[6]

Playoffs

YearOpponentW/LScore
2016 BAFANL Edinburgh Wolves Loss22–6
2023 BAFANL Scunthorpe Alphas

Northumberland Vikings

Win

Loss

20-6

34-13

Junior Team

The Nottingham Caesars also field a Junior team in the U19 competition.

YearDivisionWinsLossesTiesPercentage
2015 BAFANL U19North Two4110.750
2016 BAFANL U19South Two3300.500
2017 BAFANL U19North6001.000
2018 BAFANL U19
2019 BAFANL U191 North1400.200
2021 BAFANL U191 Midlands0200.000
2022 BAFANL U191 Midlands4110.750
2023 BAFANL U191 Midlands6001.000

Playoffs

YearOpponentW/LScore
2016 BAFANL U19 Plate Semi London Blitz W12–0
2016 BAFANL U19 Plate Final Highland Wildcats L22–14
2017 BAFANL U19 National SemiEast KilbrideL
2017 BAFANL U19 Plate FinalBirmingham LionsL
2023 BAFANL U19 National FinalLondon BlitzL

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References

  1. "60 seconds with American Football team Nottingham Caesars head coach Barry Boseley". Nottingham Post . 31 October 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Nottingham Caesars". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  3. "Nottingham Hoods". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  4. "Standings 15". dblcoverage.com. Double Coverage. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  5. http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/NottinghamHoods.htm
  6. http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/NOTTINGHAMCAESARS.htm