London Blitz (American football)
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| Founded | 1995 |
|---|---|
| League | BAFA National Leagues |
| Division | Premier Division South |
| Location | Finsbury Park, London |
| Stadium | Finsbury Park Stadium |
| Colours | White Helmets, White and Navy Blue Jerseys, Navy Blue Pants |
| Head coach | Damian Anderson |
| General manager | Jack Daley |
| Division titles | 7: 1995, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017 |
| Playoff berths | 18: 1995, 1996, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| BritBowl titles | 5: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| EFAF Cup titles | 1: 2011 |
| Website | www.londonblitz.com |
The London Blitz are an
The Blitz also operate a handful of Youth teams as well as fielding a second team in the BAFANL, the London Blitz B were formed in 2015 and are currently members of the SFC 2 South Division, the third level of the British League, Blitz B have made the play-offs on several occasions and have won one divisional title.
History
The Blitz field a senior team in the BAFA National Leagues Premiership as well as youth teams. The roster has included both local players as well as players from North America, Jamaica, South Africa, Uganda, and Nigeria. The team remained in the Premier division following the 2007 BAFL re-alignment.
The team was formed in 1995 after a merger between pre-existing sides: the Ealing Eagles (1984–1994) and the Woking Generals (1988–1993). The Blitz rose from the lower divisions of the then-British Senior League to the Premier Division. They won the British national championship,
In 2010, the London Blitz had their first venture into European competition in the EFAF (European Federation of American Football) Cup (the second highest tier of European Club American Football), the Blitz defeated the Amsterdam Crusaders in the Netherlands and Les Cougars de Saint-Ouen L'Aumone (from the outskirts of Paris) at home in the group stage but then lost in the semi-final to the Carlstad Crusaders in Sweden.
In 2011, they again entered the EFAF Cup. They won their group matches comfortably, beating the Amsterdam Crusaders again, this time at home and then defeated the Valencia Firebats in Spain. The Blitz hosted the Danish Champions the Søllerød Gold Diggers in the semi-final beating them 23–7. The final was held at Finsbury Park on 2 July 2011. In front of a crowd of nearly 2,000 people the London Blitz won the EFAF Cup by beating the Serbian Champions, the Kragujevac Wild Boars 29–7.
2012 saw the Blitz lose games in both Europe and in the domestic league for the first time in a few years. In Europe they took part in the
Former team captain
Current team captain and wide receiver Charlie Joseph has come up through the ranks from the Blitz Junior program and GB Juniors.
Blitz B Team
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| Founded | 2015 |
|---|---|
| League | BAFA National Leagues |
| Division | SFC 2 South |
| Location | Finsbury Park, London |
| Stadium | Finsbury Park Stadium |
| Colours | White Helmets, White and Navy Blue Jerseys, Navy Blue Pants |
| Head coach | Anthony Coverdale |
| General manager | Jack Daley |
| Division titles | 1: 2019 |
| Playoff berths | 3: 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| Website | www.londonblitz.com |
In 2015 London Blitz entered a development team 'London Blitz B' into the BAFA National League SFC2 East. The team is led by head coach Anthony Coverdale. The team has reached the Division Two play-offs on three occasions and has one Divisional title.
Stadium
The Blitz and B Team both operate from Finsbury Park Athletics Stadum.
Team colours
London Blitz play in white helmets (with navy blue oval logo), navy blue jerseys with white numbers, white shorts, and navy blue socks. Their alternative kit is white jerseys with navy blue numbers, navy blue shorts and white socks.
Head coaches
- 1995–96 – Chris Williams
- 1997–99 – Damon Kirby
- 2000–03 – Adrian Klemens
- 2003–05 – Nick Rockell
- 2006–15 – Mark Moss
- 2016– – Damian Anderson
Results – domestic and European competition
| Year | Division (Domestic) | Record | Playoffs | BritBowl MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | BAFANL Premier South | 8–2–0* | Semi-Finalist | |
| 2018 | BAFANL Premier South | 8–2–0* | Semi-Finalist | |
| 2017 | BAFANL Premier South | 9–1–0* | BritBowl XXXI Runners-up | Pat Daley (Tamworth Phoenix) |
| 2016 | BAFANL Premier South | 8–4–0* | BritBowl XXX Runners-up | Dwayne Watson (London Warriors) |
| 2015 | BAFANL Premier South | 10–2–0* | BritBowl XXIX Runners-up | Ian Jacquet (London Warriors) |
| 2014 | BAFANL Premier South | 9–3–0* | BritBowl XXVIII Runners-up | Samuel Obi (London Warriors) |
| 2013 | BAFANL Premier South | 10–2–0* | BritBowl XXVII Runners-up | Romaine Jackson (London Warriors) |
| 2012 | BAFANL Premier South | 8–2–0* | BritBowl XXVI Champion | Fred Boyle |
| 2011 | BAFANL Premier | 9–0–1* | BritBowl XXV Champions | Fred Boyle |
| 2010 | BAFACL Premier | 10–0–0* | BritBowl XXIV Champions | Pete Sochart |
| 2009 | BAFL Premier | 8–0–0* | BritBowl XXIII Champions | Gareth Dauley |
| 2008 | BAFL Premier | 6–2–0* | BritBowl XXII Runners-up | Dax Michelena (Coventry Jets) |
| 2007 | BAFL Premier | 9–0–1* | BritBowl XXI Champions | Lennox Johnson |
| 2006 | BAFL Division 1 South | 8–2–0* | BritBowl XX Runners-up | Michael Sobanjo (London Olympians) |
| 2005 | BAFL Division 1-A South | 8–2–0* | Semi-finalists | |
| 2004 | BSL Division One Southern Conference | 2–7–1 | ||
| 2003 | BSL Division One Southern Conference | 2–6–0 | ||
| 2002 | BSL Division One Southern Conference | 1–9–0 | ||
| 2001 | BSL Division One Southern Conference | 2–5–1 | ||
| 2000 | BSL Division One Southern Conference | 3–5–0 | ||
| 1999 | BSL Division One Central Conference | 5–5–0* | ||
| 1998 | BSL Division One South West Conference | 4–6–0 | ||
| 1997 | BSL Division One South West & Midlands Conference | 5–5–0 | ||
| 1996 | BSL Division Two Southern Conference | 8–2–0* | Semi-finalists | |
| 1995 | BAFA Division Three South Central Conference | 8–0–1* | Quarter-finalists | |
| * qualified for playoffs | ||||
| Year | Competition (European) | Record | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | IFAF (Champions League) | 2–1–0 | Semi-finalists |
| 2014 | IFAF (Champions League) | 1–1–0 | Group stage |
| 2013 | EFAF Cup | 1–1–0 | Group stage |
| 2012 | EFL Cup (EuroBowl) | 2–1–0 | Quarter-finalists |
| 2011 | EFAF Cup | 4–0–0 | Winner |
| 2010 | EFAF Cup | 2–1–0 | Semi-finalists |
See also
References
- ^ "EFL European Football League".
- ^ "The London Blitz take the EFAF Cup". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011.