Summary
The Lancashire Wolverines are an American football team based in Preston, Lancashire, England, who compete in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 1 Central, the second level of British American Football.[1]
 | |
| Founded | 1989 |
|---|---|
| League | BAFA National Leagues |
| Division | NFC 1 Central |
| Team history | Wigan Wolverines (1988-1989) Lancashire Chieftains (1986-1989) Lancashire Wolverines (1989-) |
| Location | Preston, Lancashire |
| Stadium | UCLAN Sports Arena |
| Colours | Black Helmets, Grey Jerseys, Black Pants |
| Head coach | David Parker |
| General manager | John Halliwell |
| Division titles | 2: 2011, 2012 |
| Playoff berths | 13: 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018 |
| Website | http://www.lancashire-wolverines.co.uk/ |
They currently operate from the UCLAN Sports Arena and were formed in 1989 but were a coming together of two previous sides that had folded, the Wigan Wolverines and the Lancashire Chieftains. The Wolverines folded again in 2004 but had reformed and been re-instated by 2007. Aside from their current home, the team has previously operated from other towns within the area namely Blackburn and Wigan in Greater Manchester.
The club also operate an Academy setup which incorporates a number of other football sides, namely the BUCS University sides the Lancaster Bombers and the UCLAN Rams, and youth sides the Chorley Buccaneers and the Standish Raiders. The club are two-time regional Division champions having won their respective Division's in 2011 and 2012.
History edit
The Wolverines first competed in British American Football from 1989 and were present until 2004 when off-field problems caused them to pull out of the league. They were formed from the remnants of the Wigan Wolverines, and were bolstered by the merger with the Lancashire Chieftains in 1990. The Wolverines competed in the BNGL during its six-year existence, and thereafter have been in the British American Football League.
Lancashire have made the playoffs on 7 occasions, but have yet to win a Bowl. They reached the BSL Division Two final in 1998 and were promoted to Division One only to quickly return in 1999.
Division one status was regained in 2002, and the Wolverines finished that season with a 3-7-0 record. A better year in 2003, resulted in a winning record in Division One with a 5-2-1 record, this season included the only ever Wolverines away victory against the Birmingham Bulls American Football Team, the game was very close with the final score 6-0 to Lancashire. Birmingham responded by handing out a 50-8 reply in the end of season playoffs.
Despite location in a new venue in 2004 (the impressive Bolton Arena), the Wolverines pulled out of the league mid-season.
Back in the league, after a few years, the Wolverines went 9-1 in the 2011 season in division 2. They were beaten at the semi-final stage of the post season, but regardless of this were granted promotion to Division 1 North in a league reshuffle.[2]
In 2016 the Wolverines started training camps in hopes to recruit young players to join the team.[3]
Academy edit
The Lancashire Wolverines as an 18 year old+ squad are the senior team in the Lancashire Academy of Football [1] . The teams under the academy banner are:
- Lancashire Wolverines, adult (18+) kitted team
- Lancaster Bombers, University kitted team
- UCLan Rams, University kitted team
- Chorley Buccaneers, cadet (7-11yr olds), junior flag teams (11-14yr olds) & youth kitted team (14-16 year olds).
- Standish Raiders, junior flag teams (11-14yr olds) & youth kitted team (14-16 year olds).
Seasonal Records edit
| Year | Conference | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | BAFA NL Division One North | 7-3-0 |
| 2018 | 7-2-1 | |
| 2017 | BAFA NL Premier Division South | 0-10-0 |
| 2016 | BAFA NL Premier Division North | 3-7-0 |
| 2015 | 8-2-0 | |
| 2014 | 6-3-0 | |
| 2013 | 5-5-0 | |
| 2012 | BAFA NL Division One North | 7-3-0 |
| 2011 | BAFA NL Division Two | 9-1-0 |
| 2010 | BAFL Division Two North | 6-4-0 |
| 2009 | 5-4-1 | |
| 2008 | 6-4-0 | |
| 2007 | 4-6-0 | |
| 2004 | BSL Division One Northern | 3-7-0 |
| 2003 | 5-2-1 | |
| 2002 | 3-7-0 | |
| 2001 | BSL Division Two Northern | 7-0-1 |
| 2000 | 2-5-1 | |
| 1999 | BSL Division One Northern | 0-10-0 |
| 1998 | BSL Division Two North Eastern | 9-1-0 |
| 1997 | BSL Division One Northern | 0-10-0 |
| 1996 | BSL Division Two Northern | 1-9-0 |
| 1995 | BAFA Division Two North/Midlands | 9-1-0 |
| 1994 | 5-2-1 | |
| 1993 | BNGL Premier Division Midlands | 9-1-0 |
| 1992 | BNGL Premier Division Northern | 8-2-0 |
| 1991 | BNGL Premier Division North Western | 4-6-0 |
| 1990 | BNGL First Division North Western | 8-1-1 |
| 1989 | BNGL First Division Northern B | 4-5-1 |
References edit
- ^ Marshall, Jake (6 May 2021). "Touchdown Wolverines: Flying the Lancashire flag on the American Football field". Lancashire Evening Post. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "Our history – Lancashire Wolverines | the Northwest's Premier American Football Club".
- ^ "GET INVOLVED: Lancashire Wolverines to host American Football rookie camps in Blackburn". Lancashire Telegraph. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
External links edit
- Team website