45-627: 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 club was first formed in 1983 and entered senior competition in 1985 where they enjoyed a degree of success, winning the Budweiser League Premier Division playoffs in 1988 and only failing to make
90-627: A 7–2–1 record before losing their playoff quarter-final to the Chester Romans . They were re-aligned to the East Midlands conference the following season, where they finished top with a 9–1 record. After beating their local conference rivals the Southend Sabres in their quarter-final, they were drawn to play away to the Oxford Saints , where they lost by a single point. Despite their success in
135-410: A Youth Programme Head Coach as they sought to establish a long-term strategy. The team struggled at this higher level and they finished the season bottom of their conference with a 0–9–1 record, and so they were relegated back to Division Two South East for the 2008 season. The Gladiators finished the following season in second place after winning seven of their ten games. This was good enough to earn them
180-690: A growing group of young British talent. Competing again in the South West conference of Division 1, Saints had a strong start before running into the Premiership-bound Phoenix, and defeated all but the Tamworth-based outfit en route to a 7–3 record and a second straight playoff contest against Cambridge. The Saints were stopped short of reaching the semi-finals in a 13–7 defeat to the Cambridge Cats. 2010 and 2011 proved to be difficult years for
225-494: A heavy defeat to Frinton CC . In the 2006 close season, a number of Gladiators players joined together with a number of players from Colchester rugby club to play a friendly match at Harwich . After conceding an early try , they came back to win 25–5. British American Football League The British American Football League ( BAFL ) was the United Kingdom 's primary American football league from 1998 until 2010. It
270-579: A loss to Kent Exiles. With the experienced Wayne Mayers at quarterback, the Saints powered through the 2006 season with a 9–1 record. The Saints came from behind to beat West Coast Trojans, 29–28, and clinched the Division 2 Title. Promoted to BAFL Division 1 in 2007, the Saints finished 6–4 and 4-5-1 in 2008. In 2009, Len Scott and former London Olympian Matt Coppinger boosted the offensive coaching staff with defensive back Nick Wykes returning as player-coach after
315-578: A number of different venues—this lack of a permanent home ground was one of the reasons cited by the club as a reason for folding in 1995. Since reforming, they had been based at the Broad Lane sports ground in Wivenhoe, which they shared with the local soccer team. The stadium forms part of a larger sporting complex covering over 10 acres (4.0 ha), which was purchased from a private landowner in 1996 and developed in conjunction with Colchester Borough Council,
360-419: A professional dance choreographer. The Gladiators have also played friendly matches in other sports in order to strengthen ties with local organisations. In 2005, they played two challenge cricket matches against local teams. The first of these matches ended in a three wicket victory over Chappels & Wakes Colne CC, which included a three-wicket haul for defensive coach Karl Bourke. The second match ended in
405-668: A record attendance of 1800 – these figures were rivalling those of local soccer team Colchester United (who at that time were struggling to stay in the English Football League ), so much so that they enlisted the help of the police to manage game day traffic and parking. They also received television coverage from the BBC and Anglia TV . In 1990, they played one season in the National Conference Marketing and Management Association (NCMMA), who had taken over operation of
450-773: A result the team name was returned to the original Colchester Gladiators . They transferred over to the British National Gridiron League and competed in the Premier Division Southeast Conference where they finished third out of four teams, thus finishing outside the playoffs. In 1994, they switched leagues again, this time to the British American Football Association, where they played in the Midlands Conference of Division Three. They finished second in this group with
495-410: A swan song for head coach Chris Janes, who retired from active coaching and assumed the role of general manager. Len Scott took over as head coach and reinforced the roster. The defense was bolstered with the addition of Dean Bryan, Adam Cartwright and Clive Russell, while the offense, with coordinator Matt Coppinger, featured rookie running back Kyle Micallef alongside brothers Jay and Chris Taylor, and
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#1732851871620540-515: A three-year hiatus. Former Saint and PA Knight Steve Belcher returned at wide receiver and kicker, providing the highlight of the season when he landed a record 57-yard field goal as time expired to defeat Birmingham Bulls in week 7. Saints' hopes of a conference crown were dashed in the final game of the regular season by the Tamworth Phoenix. The season was concluded with a defeat by Cambridge Cats. An 8–2 mark represented huge progress and also
585-663: A wild-card play-off match away to the South Wales Warriors , which they lost 12–21. The following year saw them dominate their division, winning nine of their regular season games with one declared a tie after it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Home victories against the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders and the Hampshire Thrashers in the play-offs saw the Gladiators qualify for the divisional final against
630-541: A winner. The Championship participants were promoted to the divisions above and the lowest-ranking teams in each division are relegated. Only clubs from England , Scotland and Wales played; clubs in Northern Ireland competed against Republic of Ireland clubs in an all-Ireland Irish American Football League . Teams competed annually to reach the championship game ( BritBowl ) and win the Boston Trophy . The game
675-608: Is a British American football club that competes in the BAFANL (British American Football Association National League). Currently the team competes at senior level (18+ mixed contact) and operates five youth teams (U11 flag, U14 flag, U17 flag, U16 contact, and U19 contact) The club is based in Abingdon and plays at Tilsley Park in Oxfordshire . Games are played at weekends from April through August. Set up in 1983, Oxford Saints are one of
720-527: The Leicester Falcons , and also guaranteed promotion to Division One. The final (played at the Keepmoat Stadium ) was a high-scoring match, and was finally won by Falcons after Colchester scored a last-minute touchdown but failed to convert the extra point. 2013 saw the Gladiators finish with an unbeaten record in the regular season, finishing with a 10–0 record. After beating Bristol Apache at home,
765-545: The University of Essex , Wivenhoe Town Council, Wivenhoe Tennis Club, and the members and supporters of Wivenhoe Town Football Club . The stadium itself has a total capacity of 3,000 people, and comprises a 220-seat stand , covered standing for around 1,300, a clubhouse and bar, and parking for 150 cars. It is also one of only three American football venues in the United Kingdom to use a referee's microphone. Though since 2010
810-683: The AFL. Bulldogs finished their first season with an 8-1-1 record, being defeated by the London Ravens at the quarter-final stage of the playoffs. Homes games were played at Cuttelsowe Park and the Whitehouse Ground (home of Oxford City FC). In 1989, the Bulldogs were joined by local rivals Abingdon Pharaohs, strengthening the squad and broadening its fan base. In 1992 the Oxford Bulldogs changed name to
855-744: The CGL's Crown National Division. They finished second in the Central Conference with a 6–4 record, and lost their first playoff match to the London Capitals. The following year, they merged with the Chelmsford Cherokee, renaming themselves as the Essex Gladiators , and playing some games at Melbourne Stadium , Chelmsford and some at Gloucester Park, Basildon . They occupied the Cherokee's spot in
900-900: The Colchester Gladiators have played their home games at the Royal Oak Stadium in Dovercourt which they share with the Harwich and Parkeston football team. 2013 saw the Gladiators return to Colchester at the Mill Road Rugby Club. After four seasons at the Mill Road site the Gladiators moved to the Corporal Budd V.C. Gymnasium site on Berechurch Road on the other side of Colchester. Running backs Wide receivers Defensive linemen Linebackers Special teams In addition to
945-485: The Essex Blades. The team management managed to enlist the services of 50 veteran players, together with local TV presenter Dermot O'Leary , who played in the match as a punt returner . In front of an estimated crowd of 800 people, together with TV cameras from Sky Sports (who showed highlights of the match with interviews twice during their American Football coverage) and Anglia TV , and cameras from Heat Magazine and
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#1732851871620990-708: The Evening Gazette, the Gladiators dominated the game, winning 50–8 and raising £2,500 for the Barnardo's children's charity. The Gladiators were accepted into the British American Football League , which they entered the South East Conference of Division Two. They finished third with a 4–5–1 record, missing out on a playoff spot to their local rivals the Essex Spartans . The club benefitted from
1035-606: The Gladiators travelled to Southampton Solent, the only other undefeated team in the league, to determine the Southern representative in the National League Final. The Gladiators secured a 12–0 victory and went on to the final, where they beat the Gateshead Senators 33–13 to secure their first National League title since 1988. During their first incarnation in the 1990s, the Colchester Gladiators played their home games at
1080-645: The Leeds Cougars. For the 1988 season, they competed in the North London & East Conference which they won with a perfect 10–0 record, scoring 526 points in their ten games, the second highest total in the entire league. They continued this form going into the playoffs, shutting out the Portsmouth Warriors in the first round before recording a 29–7 win at the Bristol Packers. They were then drawn at home to
1125-672: The London Capitals, who they narrowly beat by a single point to set up a final clash against the Brighton B-52s. They dominated this match, winning 47–28 to claim the divisional title. Instead of taking promotion up to the National Division of the Budweiser League, the Gladiators' management decided to transfer to the Combined Gridiron League instead, where they competed in the top Crown National Division. Just as they did
1170-642: The NDMA Coca-Cola League Southern Conference, where they finished third in their nine-team group with a 7–3 record, before losing their playoff quarter-final at home to the Nottingham Hoods. The following season saw them struggle, finishing bottom of their group after winning just one match. At the end of the 1992 season, a merger was proposed between the Essex Gladiators and Kent Mustangs. However, this proposal fell through, and as
1215-742: The Oxford Saints. Driven forward by general manager Roger Hedges, the club secured a major sponsorship deal and moved to a new home at the Oxford Stadium in Cowley. Prior to the 1994 season, Coach Steve Conner returned to the US. Richard Emerick, another experienced US coach, was appointed as his replacement. During 1995, the Saints made the playoffs and defeated the Invicta Eagles in the first round, along with victories over London Blitz and Colchester Gladiators. In
1260-551: The Redditch Arrows. They finished second in this division with a record of six wins, one defeats and one tie and qualified for the play-offs, where they lost 0–24 to the London Warriors . During the early part of 2008 the Gladiators formed a Dance Team who perform at all the senior team's home games, as well as at club and other promotional events throughout the year. The Dance Team perform modern dance styles and are trained by
1305-464: The Saints due to various changes in the coaching staff and the departure of Head Coach Len Scott. During this time Chris Janes became the interim head coach before Andrew Day was officially appointed to the role. In 2014, Chairman John Farley retired from his role and Martin Fitzpatrick took over, with a mostly new committee. The Saints won their first four games before suffering back-to-back losses by
1350-528: The Shropshire Revolution and a loss by the Lincolnshire Bombers. The team finished the season with a 7–3 record, missing out on the playoffs due to losing a tie breaker condition between Oxford and Shropshire. 2015 saw further strong recruitment and a league realignment. With new quarterback Ben Denton, they ended the regular season with a 6–2 record and reached the quarter-finals. A week before
1395-663: The beginning of 2010, 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. The league was replaced by the BAFA Community Leagues for the 2010 season. This organisation, run under the umbrella of the governing body, rebranded in 2011 to become the BAFA National Leagues . Oxford Saints Oxford Saints American Football Club
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1440-531: The final, Oxford faced the Gwent Mustangs at Leicester's Saffron Lane Stadium and claimed a 14–6 victory and championship title. In 1997 the Saints were on course for another appearance in the final round following a 9–1 season, but were defeated by the Nottingham Caesars in the semi-final. A 7-1 campaign in 2000 was followed by an impressive 8–0 season in 2001, both ending in semi final disappointment at
1485-579: The foundations for the Oxford Saints Women's team which began training in May 2016. Notable additions to the 2016 roster include American nationals Destin Maulding (QB/WR), Bilal Redd (FS), Marlon Mason (CB and Eric Mendoza (LB). Further in the season, Tony Glover (RB) also joined the squad. In August 2016, Ben Denton (QB) returned to the field for the first time after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2015. In
1530-467: The hands of the PA Knights and Ipswich Cardinals respectively. After a poor 2002 season Coach Janes moved upstairs as Director of Football and Phil DeMonte took over as head coach. Coach DeMonte stayed at Saints for one season but the team made the playoffs, eventually beaten by the Gateshead Senators. The Saints raced through the newly formed BAFL division 2 in 2005 with a 9–1 record, ending the season with
1575-473: The leagues, lack of sponsorship money and problems with a permanent home ground put the Gladiator organisation under extreme pressure and the decision was taken to leave the league set up. The club folded soon afterwards. In October 2003, the decision was made to reform the Colchester Gladiators to mark the 20th anniversary of the team's founding, and so a charity match was set up against the local university team,
1620-529: The lifting of signing restrictions, enabling them to register a squad of over 60 players for the 2006 season. As a result, they won Division Two East with an 8–2 record ahead of the Norwich Devils . Unfortunately, the Devils got some revenge by defeating the Gladiators in a wild-card playoff. Despite this defeat, the Gladiators were promoted to Division One after the BAFL was restructured for 2007. The club appointed
1665-513: The oldest American football teams in the UK. The Oxford Saints Women's American Football team operated from May 2016 until 2019. Founded by Steve Abbott in 1983, they started as the Oxford Eagles but following a Radio Oxford phone-in competition the team was renamed Oxford Bulldogs. As American football's popularity increased the first British league was formed, and in 1985 Bulldogs officially joined
1710-598: The play-offs). The Colchester Gladiators were formed in October 1983 by a group of friends at a time when American football first started to attract interest in the United Kingdom. After playing competitive matches during the summer of 1984, they were accepted into the American Football League UK for the 1985 season where they competed in the Southern Division. They finished second in their group, qualifying for
1755-410: The playoffs at their first attempt before losing their wild-card match against the London Ravens, who eventually became the league champions. They transferred to the Budweiser League the following year, finishing third in their first season before winning the Premier Division Southeast Conference in 1987. After a comfortable win over the Cotswold Bears in the quarter-finals, they lost their semi-final to
1800-426: The post season playoffs on three occasions before the team folded in 1995. They reformed again in 2003 after a high-profile charity reunion match which featured TV presenter Dermot O'Leary . The Gladiators entered the BAFL the following year, gaining promotion in 2006 only to be relegated after just one season. The Gladiators went on to win the 2013 National League title after recording an unbeaten 13–0 season (including
1845-503: The previous season, they topped their conference with a perfect 10–0 record, conceding just 42 points. After defeating the Leicester Huntsmen, they again faced the Portsmouth Warriors. However, they were unable to reproduce the previous season's result, losing a high-scoring game 36–50 and so ending a 25-game winning streak. By this time, the Gladiators were attracting interest from local media, with regular radio coverage provided by SGR and BBC Essex . They also attracted large crowds, with
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1890-478: The quarter-final game against Sussex Thunder, quarterback Ben Denton was diagnosed with leukemia. The Saints lost to the Thunder in the opening round. During the offseason, chairman Martin Fitzpatrick stepped down from the role and vice-chairman Andrew Peart was voted in as his successor at the 2015 Annual General Meeting. Peart coordinated the relocation of home games to Tilsley Park in Abingdon, with improved facilities for players and spectators. Peart has also laid
1935-416: The senior team, the Gladiators have run a youth team for players between the ages of 14 and 18 since 2008. The team play fully kitted football in the 9-a-side and 11-a-side categories. In the 2009 season, they played in the BAFL Youth 's Central Conference, where they compete against the youth teams of the Birmingham Bulls , Cambridgeshire Cats , Norwich Devils , Peterborough Saxons , Tamworth Phoenix and
1980-423: 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. The League had 3 divisions : Premier, 1 and 2, each with a playoff series and championship game to determine
2025-438: Was traditionally hosted at Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium , however the venue for the finals was switched in 2008 because of a schedule conflict with Rotherham United FC , the stadium's temporary tenants, with the match instead being played at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster . Tensions grew between the directors of BAFL and those of the British American Football Association , the governing body throughout 2009 and at
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