Scunthorpe Alphas

Last updated
Scunthorpe Alphas
Scunthorpe Alphas Logo.png
Founded2018;6 years ago (2018)
League BAFA National Leagues
DivisionNFC 1 North
Location Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, England
Stadium Quibell Park Stadium
ColoursWhite Helmets
Navy Blue and White Jerseys
Navy Blue pants
White socks
Head coachAlex Robson
General managerWarwick Grosvenor
Division titles2022, 2024
Playoff berths2022, 2023, 2024

The Scunthorpe Alphas are an American football club based in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, England that competes in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 1 North, the second tier of British American football. The club play their home games at Quibell Park Stadium and were formed in late 2018 by a consortium of coaches and former players who had previously played together at other local sides. In formation the Alphas became the second American football team to represent Scunthorpe following the Steelers who folded in 1990. [1]

Contents

History

Associate process

The Alphas were formed in 2018 by a consortium of coaches and former players who had previous links to the Sheffield Giants, Lincolnshire Bombers and Doncaster Mustangs, namely founding members Warwick Grosvenor, Alex Robson, Nick Tomaszewski, Mikey Gray and Iain Heron Stamp. [2]

The club had become the first team to represent Scunthorpe since the 'Scunthorpe Steelers' who folded in 1990. [3] The Alphas added American quarterback Derek Yenerall, formerly of Premier League team Bristol Aztecs to their roster for their debut season and played their first game against Etone Jaguars (formerly Coventry Jets) on the 3 August 2019, losing 16–12 in Nuneaton. [4] The Alphas brought American Football back to Quibell Park Stadium for the first time in 19 years when they hosted the Northants Knights on 15 September 2019, in attendance was a crowd of over 400 people. [5]

In February 2020 in preparation for their second season, the Alphas appointed former NCAA LSU Tigers player William Walker Jnr as their new Offensive Line coach. Walker had played under Louis Oubre at McDonogh High School and alongside future NFL players Joe McKnight and Delvin Breaux. [6]

Division Two

The Alphas were made full BAFA members in October 2020. BAFA representative Warren Smart commented "BAFA believes that General Manager (GM) Warwick Grosvenor, aided by Assistant GM Nick Tomaszewski and the Alphas management and coaching squad, has established a sustainable, dynamic and competitive club". [7]

The Alphas made their debut in part of the makeshift 2021 season, with BAFA announcing that the three-tier format would be suspended for one season and replaced by a localised division in order to minimize travel. Scunthorpe were placed in the BAFA Central East with the Nottingham Caesars, Lincolnshire Bombers, Northants Knights and South Lincs Lightning. The Alphas won their debut BAFANL game with a 10–3 victory over the Lincolnshire Bombers with Deivydas Merkelis scoring Scunthorpe's first ever League touchdown. [8]

In 2022 won they NFC 2 South with a 8–0 record before defeating Darlington Steam in the play-off quarter finals, which they won 23–6. The Alphas were eventually defeated in the semi-finals away at the Highland Stags in Invergordon losing 18–8, but were promoted to Division 1 for 2023 as the second placed team in the North.

Promotion to Division One

In 2023 the Alphas started their regular season with a loss away at the Northumberland Vikings 24–13. The Alphas would go on to beat the Lancashire Wolverines, Darlington Steam and the Yorkshire Rams twice. The Alphas ultimately faltered at home to the Vikings 28–0. An 8–2 regular season in their first year in Division 1 would result in two consecutive playoff berths. The Alphas won their first Division 1 playoff game 23–13 away at the Glasgow Tigers on 20 August 2023 before being defeated by the Nottingham Caesars ending their Premier Division promotion bid.

In 2024 the club were re-aligned into the NFC 1 North with the Yorkshire Rams, Sheffield Giants, Chester Romans and the Humber Warhawks. Finishing with a 6-2 record they clinched the divisional title and secured a play-off game against Shropshire Revolution.

The Alphas have a regular season record of 16–2 over their first two official seasons in the league.

Youth team

The Alphas introduced several levels of Youth team football in 2020 and in turn appointed former Great Britain Lions youth coach Richard Scott as their new U19 Head Coach. The Alphas will also run a U16 team with coaches Ryan McEntee and Patrick Galvin on board to work under coach Scott. [9]

In 2022, Scunthorpe Alphas saw the selection of 2 members of the Scunthorpe Alphas selected to represent the Great Britain U17s Team in LT Dominic Norbron and WR Jay Robinson.

Stadium

Quibell Park Stadium Quibell Park, Scunthorpe (geograph 793104).jpg
Quibell Park Stadium

The Alphas play their home games at Quibell Park Stadium, the former home of the Steelers. Quibell Park is a purpose-built athletics and cycling velodrome stadium that has an American football field in the centre. The Alphas also use the adjacent field for practice making the Quibell Park complex their home for both training and match days.

Club Staff

RoleName
Head Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Robson
Offensive Coordinator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nicholas Bagnall
Defensive Coordinator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Robson
Special Teams Coordinator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Robson
Offensive line coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Warwick Grosvenor
Defensive line coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Warwick Grosvenor
Assistant Offensive line coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Wayne Dempsey
Assistant Offensive line coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lloyd Jones
Assistant Defensive line coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joe Hickson
Running Backs Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Owen Yarwood
Wide Receivers Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Bagnall
Linebackers Coach Flag of Poland.svg Nick Tomaszewski
Performance Director Flag of the United States.svg Eric Biesel
U19 Head Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Scott
U16 Head Coach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Warwick Grosvenor
U14/U11 Head Coach Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg Cardin Smith
Team Physio Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Skye Sellars
Team Physio Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Robinson
Medical Assistant Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Pauline Marsden
General Manager Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Warwick Grosvenor
Assistant General Manager Flag of Poland.svg Nick Tomaszewski
Marketing Manager Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Noble
Sponsorship Manager Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Handley
Gameday Manager Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Hannah Goodley-Jones
Assistant Gameday Manager Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Justine Robson
Equipment Officer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Handley
Club Photographer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Dixon
Club Videographer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Patrick Axe
Gameday Commentator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jay Robinson
Gameday Commentator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mikey Gray
Gameday Commentator Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charlie Wilson

[10]

Current Roster

Scunthorpe Alphas training at night Scunthorpe Alphas night training.jpg
Scunthorpe Alphas training at night

Quarterbacks

  • 6: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lewis Colver
  • 7: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Sison
  • 13: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reece Page
  • 15: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Will Swales

Running backs

  • 1: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Paddison
  • 14: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jamal Alvaranga
  • 21: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nathaniel Wyse
  • 30: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Leyton Gower
  • 33: Flag of Poland.svg Sacha Lukianczuk
  • 40: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Amit Singh

Wide receivers

  • 8: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam Woodall
  • 9: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lewis Truman
  • 17: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ryan Wakeling
  • 81: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matthew Hill
  • 88: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg TJ Bhunu

Tight ends

  • 10: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Bagnall
  • 84: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Thomas Noon
  • 87: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Daniel Walker
  • 89: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Coombe

Offensive line

  • 60: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Handley
  • 62: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Fear
  • 64: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joe Bradley
  • 65: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Noble
  • 70: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Beynon
  • 72: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martin Brearley
  • 73: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dominic Norbron
  • 74: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Toby Wilcock
  • 75: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jacob Brown
  • 77: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Thomas Brunt
  • 78: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sam Troth
  • 79: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cam Dwyer

Defensive line

  • 43: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sean Kirkwood
  • 45: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Denzel Boye
  • 50: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Laurence Lowish
  • 54: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ollie Dixon
  • 55: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Sowerby
  • 68: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lucy Clelland
  • 90: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joe Hickson
  • 91: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ezra Paxman
  • 92: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cameron Belk
  • 94: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Daniel Ogungbangbe-Thomas
  • 95: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kallum Shaw
  • 96: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Hamilton
  • 97: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Irving
  • 99: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Marshall

Linebackers

  • 3: Flag of Poland.svg Nick Tomaszewski
  • 5: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Guerra
  • 11: Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg Cardin Smith
  • 28: Flag of Mexico.svg Joseph Canseco
  • 44: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charlie Wilson
  • 11: Flag of Poland.svg Radek Zawisza
  • 57: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jordan Smith
  • 59: Flag of the Netherlands.svg Sam Hens

Defensive backs

  • 2: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Callum Deans
  • 12: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Michael Green
  • 20: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nathaniel Peck
  • 24: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gaz Hughes
  • 25: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ash Scott
  • 26: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eli Roberts
  • 27: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Archie Bange
  • 31: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Luke Truman
  • 34: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sean Bedford
  • 42: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Bruce
  • 49: Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Gorringe

Season records

SeasonLeagueLevelRegular Season RecordPost SeasonNotes
WinsLossesTies
2019BAFANL Associate Process4050All games Exhibitions to gain BAFANL entry
2020BAFANL Associate Process4000Season cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Achieved BAFANL status
2021BAFANL Central East Division350Exhibition season due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2022BAFANL NFC2 South (Division 2)38001–1Divisional champions, Promoted to Division 1
2023BAFANL NFC1 Central (Division 1)28201-1Divisional runners-up, Beaten in Play-off semi-finals
2024BAFANL NFC1 North (Division 1)26201-0Divisional champions
Total25140All-time regular season record

Honours

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References

  1. "Britball Remembered: The Scunthorpe Steelers". Ninety-Nine Yards: American Football. April 3, 2020.
  2. "Scunthorpe's American Football team to play first game in nearly 30 years". Grimsbytelegraph.co.uk. August 2, 2019.
  3. "After 20 years – American Football returns to Scunthorpe". Grimsbytelegraph.co.uk. December 16, 2018.
  4. "Scunthorpe Alphas American Football". Facebook.com.
  5. "Log into Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved 14 November 2021.{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  6. "Former player from USA who played with NFL athletes joins Scunthorpe Alphas". Grimsbytelegraph.co.uk. February 14, 2020.
  7. "Scunthorpe Alphas confirmed as full members of BAFA National Leagues | News | British American Football Association". Archived from the original on 2020-10-23. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
  8. "Scunthorpe Alphas American Football : about 4 months ago". Facebook.com. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  9. "Scunthorpe Alphas American Football - #Youth | The Scunthorpe Alphas are delighted to announce our new under 19's head coach, Richard Scott. Richard joins the Alphas with a wealth experience coaching at youth level, having coached some of the best players across the country when he coached Great Britain's under 19's. Richard also spent time coaching Farnham Knight's under 17 and 19', respectively. Having overseen a number of Alphas first team sessions, Richard has spoken of his excitement towards joining the Alphas and why he wanted to be a part of the setup. Richard said: "The Alphas are a great organisation. Even in my short time with the team I can see the potential. It's amazing to feel so welcome and I can't wait to get started with this project." Working alongside current Alphas coaches, Richard will oversee our youth team as we aim to develop high character and highly skilled Football players into the university and senior level, as well as building a pathway through the organisation. He added: "My personal goal is always about developing kids, not only into good football players but good people. Anyone with the right attitude and work ethic can get better as a football player. There is always a place on the team for anyone provided they respect the team and teammates." The Alphas will hold a taster day for prospective players in February 2021. We will provide all newcomers with equipment, along with our official kit to try on. The session will be an introduction to the sport, with coaches from different position groups for our prospective players to work with. If you, or anyone who you know, may be interested in joining the Alphas youth team, you can get in touch with us here. #BeAlpha #ScunthorpeAlphasYouth #AlphasFootball #IYBIWC #FastBoatFootball #WeReady #ExpectUs #Scunthorpe #NorthLincolnshire #AmericanFootball #Sport #PoweredByBeSpunki 💙🐺 | Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  10. "Scunthorpe Alphas American Football". Facebook.com.