Founded | 2004 |
---|---|
League | BAFA National Leagues |
Division | Premier Division North |
Location | Coleshill, Warwickshire |
Stadium | Pack Meadow |
Colours | Black Helmets, White, Orange and Black Jerseys, Black Pants |
General manager | Eliot Walters |
Division titles | 7: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
Playoff berths | 12: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 |
BritBowl titles | 1: 2017 |
Website | www.tamworthphoenix.co.uk |
Uniforms | |
The Tamworth Phoenix are an American football team based in Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, who compete in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division North, the highest level of British American football. They operate from Pack Meadow in Coleshill, but represent the Town of Tamworth. Formed in 2004, The Phoenix are one of the most successful American Football teams in the UK and have won four back-to-back Premier Division North titles from 2016 to 2019. In 2017 they won Britbowl XXXI in 2017 against the London Blitz at Sixways Stadium in Worcester.
The Phoenix were founded in 2004 by Dave Winter, Jay Alexander, Ed Winter and Ryan Baker, after re-establishing youth football in the area, as the Tamworth Trojans, a year earlier. In their first season 2008, the Phoenix came 2nd in the BAFL2 Central conference behind champions the Nottingham Caesars. However, they avenged this by defeating them in the playoffs en route to a BritBowl 2 final defeat to the London Cobras, also a first year club.
Despite defeat in the BritBowl 2 final, Tamworth Phoenix were promoted to BAFL1 division and placed in the South-West Conference. The Phoenix completed the regular season with a record of 9–1, winning the South-West Conference, and moved into the playoffs as the #2 seed. After a victory over the Kent Exiles in the first round of the playoffs, their run was halted at the semi-final stage by the East Kilbride Pirates.
In the 2010 season, Tamworth completed a perfect 10–0 season, and a perfect post-season, winning the BritBowl against the East Kilbride Pirates, and moving to the BAFACL Premiership. It was a memorable season for the Phoenix as earlier in the year they had the chance to compete against the Australian Gridiron team as part their tri-nations warm up, and matched-up well, only losing 27–22 to the tourists.
Graham Kelly took over from Jay Alexander as head coach, and began life in the Premier League with a win against the East Kilbride Pirates at Lichfield Rugby Club. They built on this success with a 5-5 regular season record with victories over some of the established premiership teams. They were defeated by the London Warriors in the semi-finals of the Play-offs.
The 2014 season was the most successful Premiership campaign for the Phoenix. Having secured the second seed in the Northern Conference, the team beat the Bristol Aztecs in the National Playoffs before succumbing to the London Warriors in the semi-final.
2015 saw the appointment of James Hossack as team president, and Martin Hilton to the position of head coach (the fourth in the team's short history) and a fledgling partnership with the Atherstone Sports Hub, where the Phoenix will play their home games.
The next three seasons saw a serious up-tick in performances on the field. In 2015 the Phoenix finally defeated old-rivals East Kilbride in a regular season fixture, before a shock defeat at home to Sheffield saw them relinquish pole position in the conference, but a strong performance away at the defending champion London Warriors in the semi gave hope for things to come.
2016 saw a series of firsts for the club; namely the first undefeated regular season in the Premier League, and the team's first Conference crown, which paved the way for the Phoenix's first home playoff tie. Unfortunately they couldn't hold the momentum, as they lost to the London Blitz.
In 2017, the Phoenix continued their successes in the regular season by once again running the table against BAFA Premier North opposition, scoring nearly 500 points in the process. The highlight of the season was a 62–3 win against the Merseyside Nighthawks in the last week of the season, going into the play-offs.
Despite being considerable underdogs, the Tamworth Phoenix took a 28–7 lead against the London Warriors in the semi-final, before the reigning national champions fought back to take the lead in the fourth quarter. A Will Hussey touchdown, Alex Lenkowski Field Goal, and two huge defensive stands saw the Phoenix outlast the Warriors, and earn a shot at the national title.
In the National Final on 26 August, at Sixfields Stadium Worcester, Tamworth faced the London Blitz for Britbowl XXXI. Pat Daley opened the scoring, before the Blitz answered back. Daley Scored another, before Lenkowski added a field goal to give the Phoenix a 17–7 lead just before the half.
A resurgent Blitz added a scores either side of the interval to give them the lead, before Daley threw an interception which lead to another London score. As the Phoenix trailed 28–17, Tamworth fought back. First through a Daley to Hussey touchdown pass, before Lenkowski reduced the deficit to 28–27. With 8 minutes left in the game, Ben Davies stepped in front of a Joe Thompson pass, to score an interception return and secure the 34–28 win.
Pat Daley was named Britbowl MVP, and the London Blitz were condemned to a fifth Britbowl defeat in as many years.
Martin Hilton announced his retirement shortly after Britbowl XXXI, with long-time Coordinator Jason Scott being handed the reins. Scott was part of the first Phoenix staff that helped establish the team, and his return from coaching in the United States coincided with James Hossack's naming as president.
As national champions, the Phoenix were invited into the Northern European Football League alongside the Carlstad Crusaders, Oslo Vikings and Copenhagen Towers. The Nix went to Copenhagen full of confidence, as they trounced the Manchester Titans, 57–6, in the opening game of the 2018 season, but were handily dispatched by a much bigger, more physical Towers team. A closer fought game against the Carlstad Crusaders brought another defeat, but the Nix rallied to beat the Oslo Vikings, 47–12, in the final match day in the NEFL.
The Nix romped to another undefeated regular season, and a third consecutive Northern Conference Title, scoring 552 points per game whilst leaking only 59; they beat the London Blitz in the National Semi-finals, 30–17, setting up another trip to Britbowl.
In a rainy day in Leeds, at the John Charles Stadium, the Tamworth Phoenix took on the London Warriors, who also made light work of their conference. Despite both teams boasting stingy defenses, the game was a shootout, won eventually by the Warriors 48–34.
The 2019 season saw many retirements; with stand-out players Tom Levick, Adam Hope and Will Hussey deciding to hang up their cleats. Talismanic quarterback Pat Daley joined the Hamburg Spartans in GFL2, joining Will Hobbs, Lewis Thomas and Wayne Drew in Europe. A total of 17 players left the club during the offseason, leading to a rebuilding year for the Phoenix.
Despite the high turnover of players, it was largely business as usual for Tamworth, despite the Manchester Titans handing the Phoenix their first regular season loss in four seasons. A 7–6 win against the London Blitz in the semi-finals, set up a repeat date with the Warriors in Britbowl XXXIII
In February 2012 a new team was introduced, the youth team. The youth team games last 30 minutes and it is 5 vs 5. They faced a difficult first season having to forfeit nine games due to lack of players, but competed well against established teams like Standish Raiders, Birmingham Bulls and the Leicester Falcons.
In 2013, the appointment of Andrew Garrett brought new optimism to the Youth Program. Andrew Garrett had been promoted to the position of head coach. The following season they saw huge improvements on the field, beating Coventry Jets in the opening game of the year. They continued a rich vein of form by beating an experienced Yorkshire Rams team, before narrowly losing to Leicester. They also hosted their first home tournament, and built links for the future. 2014 brought more success as the Youth Team won their first tournament in Doncaster, and made the playoffs for the first time in their history.
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Season | Division | Wins | Losses | Ties | PF | PA | Final Position | Playoff Record | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | BAFL Division Two North Midlands | 6 | 2 | 2 | 227 | 45 | National Runners Up | Beat Merseyside Nighthawks 17–3 in quarter-final. Beat Nottingham Caesars 28–8 in semi-final. Defeated by London Warriors 30–6 in final. | Conference champions. Promoted to Division One. |
2009 | BAFL Division One South West Conference | 9 | 1 | 0 | 322 | 51 | Defeated Semi-finalists | Beat Kent Exiles 27–20 in quarter-final. Defeated by East Kilbride 28–0 in semi-final. | Conference champions. |
2010 | BAFL Division One South West Conference | 10 | 0 | 0 | 428 | 48 | National Champions | Beat Gateshead Senators 21–00 in quarter-final. Beat Cambridge Cats 47–7 in semi-final. Beat East Kilbride 35–14 in final. | Conference champions. Division 1 Champions. Promoted to Premier League |
2011 | BAFACL Premier | 5 | 5 | 165 | 124 | Did not make playoffs | |||
2012 | BAFACL Premier | 6 | 4 | 0 | 201 | 176 | Defeated in first round of playoffs | Defeated by London Olympians in quarter final | |
2013 | BAFACL Premier | 6 | 4 | 0 | 178 | 198 | Defeated in first round of playoffs | Defeated by London Warriors in quarter final | |
2014 | BAFACL Premier North | 8 | 1 | 0 | 229 | 144 | Defeated Semi-finalists | Beat Bristol Aztecs 28–8 in quarter-final. Defeated by London Warriors 44–17 in semi-final | Seeded as #2 team in the North. Conference Runners Up |
2015 | BAFACL Premier North | 8 | 2 | 0 | 246 | 90 | Defeated Semi-finalists | Defeated by London Warriors 14–9 in semi-final | Seeded as #2 team in the North. Conference Runners Up. |
2016 | BAFACL Premier North | 10 | 0 | 0 | 229 | 144 | Defeated Semi-finalists | Defeated by London Blitz 44–17 in semi-final | Seeded as #1 team in the North. Northern Conference Champions |
2017 | BAFA Premier North | 10 | 0 | 0 | 492 | 79 | BRITBOWL XXXI Champions | Defeated London Warriors 38–34 in Semi-final Defeated London Blitz 34–28 in National Final | Seeded as #1 team in the North. Northern Conference Champions. National Champions First National Championship in team history. |
2018 | BAFA Premier North | 10 | 0 | 0 | 552 | 59 | Defeated in BRITBOWL XXXII | Defeated London Blitz 30–17 in Semi-final Defeated by London Warriors in National Final | Seeded as #1 team in the North Northern Conference Champions |
2019 | BAFA Premier North | 9 | 1 | 0 | 303 | 84 | Defeated London Blitz 7–6 in Semi-final | Seeded as #1 team in the North Northern Conference Champions |
The SGS Bristol Aztecs are an American football team based in Filton, South Gloucestershire, England, who operate in the BAFA National Leagues Premier South, the highest level of British American football. They are the south-west's only Premiership team. They operate from the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Filton, and they represent the City of Bristol which is where the team was formed.
The London Blitz are an American football team based in Finsbury Park, North London, England, who compete BAFA National Leagues Premier Division South, the highest level of British American football. They were formed in 1995 and operate from Finsbury Park Athletics Stadium. They are one of the Britain's most successful teams and are five-time BritBowl winners as well as European Champions following their EFAF Cup triumph in 2011. They have also seven divisional titles to their name.
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 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 Coventry Jets were an American football team based in Coventry, England.The club ceased to exist in 2018 and dropped out of the BAFA National Leagues with all club assets and teams being moved over to the Etone Jaguars based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.
The West Coast Trojans were an amateur American Football team based at Pro-Life Gym in Paisley, Scotland. In their final season, the Trojans competed in the BAFANL Division 2 North.
The 2007 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2006–07 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers 4 games to 0 in the NBA Finals. Tony Parker was named NBA Finals MVP, making him the first Spur other than Tim Duncan and the first European–born player to receive the award.
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 East Kilbride Pirates are an American Football team based in Glasgow, Scotland, who compete in the BAFA National Leagues Premier North, the highest level of British American football. The club although formed in East Kilbride currently operate in Glasgow and play their home games at Braidholm. They are both the most successful and the oldest surviving American Football team in Scotland having been formed in 1985. The club has won Division 1 National titles in 2011 and 2022 and are eleven-time Divisional champions.
The Leicester Panthers are an American football team based in Leicester, England, that competes in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division North, the top level of British American football. Their current home ground is at Aylestone Park F.C., having previously played at De Montfort Park and Leicester Forest RFC.
The Birmingham Bulls are an American football team based in Birmingham, United Kingdom. They play their home games at Kings Norton RFC in Hopwood. They are a member of the NFC Division One South in the BAFA National Leagues.
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.
Oxford Saints American Football Club is a British American football club that competes in the BAFANL. Currently the team competes at senior level and operate a women's only team (17+)
The Bournemouth Bobcats is an English American football team based in Bournemouth, Dorset competing in the first division of the British American Football Association's Southern Conference. The team's home ground is at Slades Farm, Bournemouth, BH10 4BU.
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.
The BAFANL (BAFA National Leagues) is the primary American football domestic league competition in Great Britain. Originally formed in 1983, the league is run by the British American Football Association to coordinate contact football within England, Scotland and Wales. The top level is the Premier Division and the BritBowl is the annual final championship game. The league was reformed in 2010 following the collapse of the British American Football League, which had run in a number of different guises since the early 1980s. Previous names of the league were the UKAFL (UK American Football League), the Budweiser League and the BNGL (British National Gridiron League). From 1998 until 2005 the league was known as the BSL (British Senior League). Tensions grew throughout 2009 between the directors of BAFL and those of the governing body the British American Football Association, and at the beginning of 2010 the BAFL formally, but unconstitutionally, withdrew from BAFA. This led to uproar from the teams within BAFL, ultimately signalling the end for BAFL as an entity. The league ceased operations on 1 April 2010 and was replaced by the BAFA Community Leagues for the 2010 season, rebranding in 2011 to become the BAFANL. Notable players to have come from the BAFANL who have gone on to play in the NFL are Efe Obada, Aden Durde, Jermaine Allen and Marvin Allen.
The history of the Golden State Warriors began in Philadelphia in 1946. In 1962, the franchise was relocated to San Francisco, California and became known as the San Francisco Warriors until 1971, when its name was changed to the current Golden State Warriors. Along with their inaugural championship win in the 1946–47 season, the Warriors have won six others in the team's history, including another in Philadelphia after the 1955–56 season, and five more as Golden State after the 1974–75, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18 and 2021–22 seasons.
The Saskatoon Valkyries are a women's football team in the Western Women's Canadian Football League's (WWCFL) Prairie Conference. The team is based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. They are the most successful WWCFL team, winning eight of the leagues eleven championships since play began in 2011, including the first four. Their primary rivals are the Regina Riot, the only other WWCFL team to win the championship.
The Manchester Titans are an American football team based in Manchester, England, that competes in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division North, the highest level of British American Football. The team operate from the National Speedway Stadium in Gorton. The Titans were given British American Football League status in 2003, although they missed the following season in order to be restructured for the 2005 campaign. The team was founded in 2003 by two Ex-Manchester Allstars Youth team players who had been playing their football outside of the city.
The 2016–17 Golden State Warriors season was the 71st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and its 55th in the San Francisco Bay Area. In the climax season of the Warriors’ dynasty, they won their fifth NBA championship, setting the best postseason record in NBA history by going 16–1. This Warriors team is widely considered one of the greatest teams in NBA history. They entered the season as runners-up in the 2016 NBA Finals, after a record breaking regular-season in 2015–16. With the landmark acquisition of free agent and 7-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant in the offseason, the Warriors were hailed as a "superteam" by the media and fans, forming a new All-Star "Fantastic Four" of Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. The Warriors broke over 20 NBA records on their way to equaling their 2014–15 regular-season record of 67–15, their second most wins in franchise history.