Edinburgh Wolves

Last updated

Edinburgh Wolves
Edinburghwolveslogo.png
Founded2002;22 years ago (2002)
League BAFA National Leagues
DivisionPremier Division North
Location Edinburgh, Scotland
Stadium Peffermill Playing Fields
ColoursGrey Helmets
Grey and Red Jerseys
Grey Pants
Head coachVictor Peredo
Division titles3: 2010, 2011, 2016
Playoff berths5: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016
Website www.edinburghwolves.com

The Edinburgh Wolves are an American football team based in Edinburgh, Scotland, that competes in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division North, the highest level of British American Football. The team operate from the Peffermill Playing Fields.

Contents

History

Edinburgh Wolves helmets lined up on gameday Edinburgh Wolves helmet.jpg
Edinburgh Wolves helmets lined up on gameday

Edinburgh has had an American Football team since the Edinburgh Eagles were formed in 1985. Playing until 1988, they achieved success, becoming the Borders Conference champions in 1987. They subsequently merged with the ‘Capital Clansman’ team in 1989 to form the Edinburgh Phoenix who posted a 22–17 record in the British leagues over the next four years. A different Eagles team played in 1993 and 1994 before the Lothian Raiders played in Saughton and Dalkeith from 1996 until 1998. Edinburgh was without a senior amateur team between 1998 and 2003, although the Scottish Claymores played in the city at Murrayfield until 2002. [1]

The Edinburgh Wolves were originally formed in 2002 by a group of eight people who had previously played Flag Football. The Wolves name was adapted from the flag team which was absorbed into the organisation at the same time. [2] The club quickly expanded and was accepted into the British Senior League in November 2002. The League was rebranded to the British American Football League (BAFL) in 2005. The club moved to the BAFA Community League in 2010 after BAFL went into administration. The Wolves competed in the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons of the BAFL under Head Coach Peter Laird. They competed in the BSL in 2003 and finished with a 3–7–0 in Division Two in their first season. One of the team's players, Jeff Nicholson, went on to play for the Scottish Claymores in 2003 and 2004.They finished third in the competitive Division Two Scottish Conference in 2004. In 2005, their RB David "Magic" Molloy broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark.

Laird retired as Head Coach at the end of the 2005 season and David Molloy took over the position for the 2006 season. [3] However, due to lack of Lineman, the team had to pull out of the league, and Molloy consequently resigned. [4] At this time a large number of players left to join other clubs in Scotland rather than take a year out with the Wolves to return in the future. While the club did not take part in competitive games in 2006 they still played three games, including their first match at Meadowbank Stadium – the 3 wins in 2006 under newly appointed and current Head Coach Don Edmonston propelled the club back into BAFL in 2007. The success of the 2006 match at Meadowbank Stadium allowed the Wolves to move their home fixtures to the venue for the 2007 season. They are currently the only team in Scotland to play in a stadium. In their second season since re-entering the league, the team finished with a 5–5 record, their best ever. They won 4 of their home games at Meadowbank and a tough away game at Chester. The team also had two players win BAFL player of the week, with Allan Price in week 13 gaining 157 yards and two touchdowns and Graeme Kellington in week 15 picking off two interceptions and running them back for touchdowns. Campbell Lewis, Paul Elder, and Jim Scott also picked up nominations in weeks 4, 6 and 10 respectively. [5]

The team had their best ever result and first winning season, going 6–4 and only losing twice to Glasgow and twice to Manchester. They narrowly missed out on the playoffs. The Wolves again showed their ongoing development by having their best season to date, compiling an 8–2 record and being knocked out of the playoffs 6–0 by the Shropshire Revolution. After their success in 2010, the Wolves were offered a promotion to Division 1, however, they declined this. They went on have a poor season, finishing 5–5, justifying their decision to stay in Division 2.

The Wolves bounced back well from a disappointing 2011 season after recruiting new players also coaches to post their best record to date, winning eight games, as well as a draw and a loss, both at the hands of the Clyde Valley Blackhawks. They qualified for the playoffs as top seeds in the BAFA Division Two North conference, beating the Chester Romans (second seed in the Southern Conference) at home in the BAFA Division 2 quarterfinals, before losing away to the Sheffield Predators (first seed in the Southern Conference), who went on to win the Division two Britbowl titles.

The Wolves entered the 2019 season after some off-season announcements. These announcements included the appointment of Ross Templeton (Great Britain Lions Linebackers coach) as defensive coordinator, announcement of new sponsors in the form of Lamborghini Edinburgh and Sharkey and the debut of their brand new uniforms (moving from the traditional red uniforms to wolf grey). The Edinburgh Wolves announced the departure of two key starters on offence as they progressed to semi-pro careers in Europe. Starting quarterback Jamie Morrison joined the Prague Mustangs in the Czech Republic [6] and starting running back Calum Davidson joined the Cottbus Crayfish in German Football League 2. [7] The 2019 season concluded with the Edinburgh Wolves finishing 3-7 (wins-losses) and the Wolves narrowly securing another year in the top division of British football.

Junior and Youth Programme

The Edinburgh Wolves Youth Program was founded in 2005 for both Junior (16–19-year-olds) and Youth (14–16-year-olds). The Junior team folded after the 2015 season and the Youth team folded in 2018.

University Programme

In November 2003, the Wolves launched a university team who were accepted into the Collegiate league in the UK (BUAFL) for the 2004–05 season. In 2005 the team were rebranded as the Timberwolves and became a stand-alone organisation, independent but affiliated to the Wolves. In 2007, the Timberwolves were rebranded again to the Napier Mavericks and when league rules changed and teams had to represent a single educational institution, the Mavericks split and became the University of Edinburgh Predators and the Edinburgh Napier Knights. These teams are no longer affiliated to the Wolves. In 2014, the Wolves took over the coaching and management of the new university team at Heriot-Watt. In 2015, Heriot-Watt American Football was accepted into the sports union and will compete in the 2015 BAFUL North league.

Sponsorship and Recruitment

The Wolves are a non-profit organisation and no members of the staff or players receive payments and are all volunteers. As with many teams in the United Kingdom, all of the Wolves Players are amateur and are expected to make financial contributions to ensure the team continues. The Club does seek sponsorship for home games [8] to lift the financial burden on players & Staff. The three teams have a continuous recruitment policy and new players have been encouraged to join the club all year round. [9] The club also offers training to non-players/volunteers and have a game day staff crew which also recruits year round.

Staff

In 2007 and 2009 the Wolves management team were awarded the John Slavin Award for the best Game Day Management in the whole BAFL league. [10]

The Adult team Head Coach is Victor Paredo.

2020 Coaching Staff [11]
NameCoaching role
Victor ParedoHead coach/defensive coordinator
Andy MaciverOffensive coordinator
Special teams coordinator
Robert WootonDefensive line Coach
Martin PunterOffensive line Coach
Dan CameronLinebackers coach
John SoulsbyStrength & conditioning Coach

Team Roster

2020 Edinburgh Wolves Team Roster [12]
#Player NamePosition
Alasdair WallsOffensive line
2Abdel BilalWide Back
Alex KusmirekDefensive Back
Ben SykesWide Receiver
67Alistair RitchieOffensive line
Bradley TrottDefensive Back
Brendan Campbell
Bruce CallanWide Receiver
Calum DavidsonRunning Back
Cameron Valentine
55Connor MacpheeLinebacker
Dan PictonQuarterback
David CampbellOffensive line
11David OrrQuarterback
59Hamza QureshiOffensive line
Finlay BairdDefensive Back
Fraser McArdie
56Gary KerrDefensive tackle
4Sahad IqbalDefensive back
87George FellLinebacker
Graham MartinLinebacker
5Jamie MorrisonQuarterback
24Jason GrayLinebacker
Jason Williams
Joe ColquhounDefensive line
Jordan RossWide Receiver
96Balraj GillWide Back
Jules HornWide Receiver
Lee Moffat
13Liam BrownTight End
20Lloyd DignanWide Receiver
Louis KusmirekLinebacker
Luke ChamberlainRunning Back
50Malik MustaphaOffensive line
77Martin PunterOffensive line
7Nick TsirigkasRunning Back
Matthew Woodburn-SimmondsDefensive Back
Matt StoneRunning Back
90Michael ThomasDefensive line
1Paul DavidsonDefensive Back
Pim LubbersOffensive line
Robbie CampbellOffensive line
Ross McMullenWide Receiver
33Ross YoungLinebacker
Ryan DohertyDefensive Back
70Ryan GallOffensive line
Ryan Jex
80Scott LackieWide Receiver
Scott RobertsonDefensive Back
Seb GalastroLinebacker
44Seb GablerDefensive line
Solomon MicheloRunning Back
14Stephen MacDonaldLinebacker
Stephen WilsonRunning Back
81Stuart GallowayWide Receiver
Will PriceRunning Back

Season by Season Record

SeasonWLTFinishPlayoff
20033709th place Division 2 North
20043423rd place Division 2 Scottish
20053614th place Division 2 Scottish
20073705th place BAFL Division 2 North
20085503rd place BAFL Division 2 North
20096403rd place BAFL Division 2 North
20108201st place BAFL Division 2 North1/4 Finalist
2011550BAFL Division 2 North
20129121st place BAFL Division 2 NorthSemi Finalist
20136403rd Place BAFA National League North
201410302nd Place BAFA National League NorthBritbowl R/UP
20193704th Place BAFA Premiership North
20224403rd Place BAFA Premiership North
20237302nd Place BAFA Premiership NorthSemi Finalist

[13] [14] [15]

Related Research Articles

The British American Football League (BAFL) was the United Kingdom's primary American football league from 1998 until 2010. It was formerly known as the British Senior League (BSL) until 2005. BAFL was the trading name for Gridiron Football League Ltd incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee. Registration number: 2353839. The company went into administration on 1 April 2010, and the company ceased to trade as from this date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berkshire Renegades</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Coast Trojans</span> Former American Football team based in the United Kingdom (2004–2018)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincolnshire Bombers</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Lincolnshire Bombers are a British American football team based in North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, England. The team in its current form was founded in 2005. They currently play in the BAFA NFC South 2 for the 2019 season. The original team the Lincoln Bombers were formed in the late 1980s and in 1992 the team was renamed the Lincoln Saints. The Saints were 1993 National First Division champions. Following several mergers with other regional clubs The Saints disbanded leaving the county without an American Football team until the club reformed in 2005.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gateshead Senators</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

Gateshead Senators are a British American football Team based in South Tyneside at Monkton Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Kilbride Pirates</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

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 Glasgow Tigers are an American Football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who compete in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 1 Scotland, the second level of British American Football. They operate from Nethercraigs (Corkerhill) and were formed in 1986 as the Strathclyde Sheriffs but opted to rebrand in 2002. They were the 1988 Champions of the now defunct Scottish Caledonian Bowl in which they defeated the Ness Monsters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dundee Hurricanes</span> Former American Football team based in the United Kingdom (2002–2019)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Warriors</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The London Warriors are an American football club based in Thornton Heath, London, England, they compete in the BAFA National Leagues 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 Warriors a couple of years later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bedfordshire Blue Raiders</span> Former American Football team based in the United Kingdom (2006–2013)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nottingham Caesars</span> American football team based in the United Kingdom

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 is the primary American football domestic league competition in Great Britain. 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 sport of American football is played in the United Kingdom in domestic and international levels. Domestic games in England. Scotland and Wales are operated by British American Football Association who run the BAFA National Leagues for Adult Contact football and British Universities American Football League for the University contact game. Games in Northern Ireland are structured by American Football Ireland who are based in the Republic of Ireland. The UK has played host to games in association with the Americans' National Football League (NFL), including four regular-season NFL games, as of 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aberdeen Roughnecks</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Aberdeen Roughnecks are an American football club based in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, who compete in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 1 Scotland, the second level of British American Football. The team operate from the Sports field within Hazlehead Park that they nickname "The Rig". They were formed in 2012 and after progressing out of Associate status they debuted in the 2014 season. The club have paid homage to the previous Aberdeen-based side the Granite City Oilers and have considered themselves a continuation of the Oilers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merseyside Nighthawks</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

The Merseyside Nighthawks are an American football team representing the county of Merseyside and based in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, England, who operate in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division North, the highest level of British American Football. They play out of the JMO Sports Park. Although playing all of their home games in Lancashire, the team train in Liverpool and represent the county of Merseyside. They were formed in 1984 as the Wirral Wolves following a speculative advertisement placed in the Wirral Globe by Paul Tiplady. They played their first game, a friendly against Leigh Razorbacks as part of an America Day in Arrowe Park in the spring of 1985. They played a series of friendly games in 1985, joined the Amateur American Football Conference for 1986 reaching the 'Steel Bowl' Final and the British American Football League in 1987. The Wolves disbanded in early 1988 but former Wolves players went on to form the Birkenhead Nighthawks shortly afterwards before the club were later renamed to represent Merseyside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ouse Valley Eagles</span> American Football team based in the United Kingdom.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Hutchinson</span> American football player

Stephen Hutchinson is a former professional English American football running back for the London Monarchs and the Scottish Claymores during the NFL Europe era. Hutchinson played seven seasons from 1990 to 1999 in the British American Football League BAFL. He played for the London Gators, Rockets and London Olympians helping the Olympions win the 1994 Eurobowl championship. Hutchinson was named the game MVP.

References

  1. Alltime British American Football Complete List of Teams
  2. Team Info [ permanent dead link ]
  3. Hot Iron: British American Football League Division 2 Archived 1 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Hot Iron: British American Football League Division 2 Archived 1 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "BAFL League News". BAFL. 2008. Archived from the original on 4 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  6. "Podyum Recruit | the Pro Football Recruiting Platform".
  7. Robert. "Calum Davidson" (in German). Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  8. Sponsors [ permanent dead link ]
  9. "Edinburgh Wolves American Football Team".
  10. BAFA.org.uk John Slavin Trophy 2007 Archived 24 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  11. "Edinburgh Wolves American Football Team". edinburghwolves.com. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  12. "Edinburgh Wolves American Football Team". edinburghwolves.com. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  13. "BAFA NL Adult Standings". Double Coverage. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  14. "www.britballnow.com". Historical Standing Tables. Britballnow.com. 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
  15. "edinburghwolves.com". Edinburgh Wolves News page. Edinburgh Wolves. 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2008.[ dead link ]