Colchester Gladiators
Encyclopedia
The Colchester Gladiators are an American Football team competing in the South East Conference of British American Football League
(BAFL) Division 2. They play their home games at the Broad Lane stadium in Wivenhoe
, Essex
(owned by soccer team Wivenhoe Town
) and train at the Sir Charles Lucas Centre for Sport and Art in Colchester. 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 the post season playoffs on three occasions before the team folded in 1995. They reformed once 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.
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 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 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 the previous season, they topped their conference with a perfect 10-0 record, conceding just 42 points. After defeating the Leicester Huntsmen, they once 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 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 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 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 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 once 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 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 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.
, 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 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 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 a 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 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 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 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.
The stadium forms part of a larger sporting complex covering over 10 acres (40,468.6 m²), which was purchased from a private landowner in 1996 and developed in conjunction with Colchester Borough Council, 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.
's Central Conference, where they compete against the youth teams of the Birmingham Bulls
, Cambridgeshire Cats
, Norwich Devils
, Peterborough Saxons
, Tamworth Phoenix
and 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 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 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 was the United Kingdom's primary American Football league from 1998 until 2010. It was formerly known as the British Senior League until 2005. BAFL was the trading name for Gridiron Football League Ltd incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee....
(BAFL) Division 2. They play their home games at the Broad Lane stadium in Wivenhoe
Wivenhoe
Wivenhoe is a town in north eastern Essex, England, approximately south east of Colchester. Historically Wivenhoe village, on the banks of the River Colne, and Wivenhoe Cross, on the higher ground to the north, were two separate settlements but with considerable development in the 19th century the...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
(owned by soccer team Wivenhoe Town
Wivenhoe Town F.C.
Wivenhoe Town F.C. is an English football club based in Wivenhoe, Essex. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Broad Lane.-History:...
) and train at the Sir Charles Lucas Centre for Sport and Art in Colchester. 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 the post season playoffs on three occasions before the team folded in 1995. They reformed once again in 2003 after a high-profile charity reunion match which featured TV presenter Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
. The Gladiators entered the BAFL the following year, gaining promotion in 2006 only to be relegated after just one season.
Team formation (1983 to 1995)
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 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 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 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 the previous season, they topped their conference with a perfect 10-0 record, conceding just 42 points. After defeating the Leicester Huntsmen, they once 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
SGR-FM
Heart Ipswich was a radio station that evolved from Suffolk Group Radio, which was the parent company for two Independent Local Radio stations serving the county of Suffolk in England. The older of the radio stations was Radio Orwell, which began transmissions in Ipswich on 28 October 1975 on 257m...
and BBC Essex
BBC Essex
BBC Essex is the BBC Local Radio service for the English county of Essex. It broadcasts from its studios on New London Road in Chelmsford on 103.5 and 95.3 FM, and on 729 , 765 , and 1530 AM. It is also available on DAB and live streaming via the internet.-History:BBC Essex launched on 5...
. They also attracted large crowds, with a record attendance of 1800 - these figures were rivalling those of local soccer team Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
(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
BBC East
BBC East is the BBC English Region serving Norfolk, Suffolk, north Essex, Cambridgeshire, northern and central Hertfordshire, most of Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, and parts of Buckinghamshire.-Television:...
and Anglia TV.
In 1990, they played one season in the National Conference Marketing and Management Association (NCMMA), who had taken over operation of 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
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester...
and some at Gloucester Park, Basildon
Gloucester Park, Basildon
Gloucester Park in Basildon is an urban neighbourhood park, named after the Duke of Gloucester who opened the park in 1957. In the 1970s a artificial fishing lake was made in the park. Since 2001 it has held the annual Basildon Festival moved from Wat Tyler park...
. They occupied the Cherokee's spot in 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 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 once 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 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 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.
Gladiators reform (2003 to present)
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, the Essex Blades. The team management managed to enlist the services of 50 veteran players, together with local TV presenter Dermot O'LearyDermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
, who played in the match as a Punt Returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
. In front of an estimated crowd of 800 people, together with TV cameras from Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
(who showed highlights of the match with interviews twice during their American Football coverage) and Anglia TV, and cameras from Heat Magazine
Heat (magazine)
Heat is a British entertainment magazine published by German company Bauer Media Group. it is one of the biggest selling magazines in the UK, with a regular circulation over half a million. Its mix of celebrity news, gossip and fashion is primarily aimed at women, although not as directly as in...
and the Evening Gazette, the Gladiators dominated the game, winning 50–8 and raising £2,500 for the Barnardo's
Barnardo's
Barnardo's is a British charity founded by Thomas John Barnardo in 1866, to care for vulnerable children and young people. As of 2010, it spends over £190 million each year on more than 400 local services aimed at helping these same groups...
children's charity.
The Gladiators were accepted into the British American Football League
British American Football League
The British American Football League was the United Kingdom's primary American Football league from 1998 until 2010. It was formerly known as the British Senior League until 2005. BAFL was the trading name for Gridiron Football League Ltd incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee....
, 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
Essex Spartans
The Essex Spartans are an American Football team based in Billericay, Essex, England. The team has played under the Spartans name since 1998 following a merger between two local teams and currently play in the BAFA Community Leagues, Division 2 East....
. The club benefitted from 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 a 8-2 record ahead of the Norwich Devils
Norwich Devils
The Norwich Devils are a British American Football team based in Norwich, Norfolk.-Overview:The Devils currently field a senior team in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues...
. 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 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 a wild-card play-off match away to the South Wales Warriors
South Wales Warriors
The South Wales Warriors are an American Football team currently competing in Division 2 West of the BAFA National Leagues . The team was formed 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...
, 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
Bedfordshire Blue Raiders
The Bedfordshire Blue Raiders are an American Football team competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues . They entered the league in 2008 as one of five expansion teams, and play their home games at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium.-History:The Blue Raiders were formed in...
and the Hampshire Thrashers in the play-offs saw the Gladiators qualify for the divisional final against the Leicester Falcons
Leicester Falcons
The Leicester Falcons are a British American football team based in Leicestershire, England. The Falcons play in Division 1 of the British American Football Association National Leagues.-History:...
, 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
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
the extra point.
Senior team season records
| Season | Division | Wins | Losses | Ties Tie (draw) To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. The word "tie" is usually used in North America for sports such as American football. "Draw" is usually used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations and it is usually used for sports such as... |
PF | PA | Final Position | Playoff Playoff The playoffs, postseason, or finals of a sports league are a game or series of games played after the regular season by the top competitors, usually but not always with a single-elimination system, to determine the league champion or a similar accolade.In the U.S... Record |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | American Football League UK, Southern Division | 4 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 2 / 5 | Lost 0–66 to the London Ravens in wild-card Wild card (sports) The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:... match. |
— |
| 1986 | Budweiser League Division One Central | 8 | 2 | 0 | 266 | 124 | 3 / 11 | — | — |
| 1987 | Budweiser League Premier Division South East | 9 | 1 | 0 | 317 | 103 | 1 / 6 | Beat Cotswold Bears 66–0 in quarter-final. Lost 22–44 to Leeds Cougars in semi-final. |
Conference champions. |
| 1988 | Budweiser League Premier Division North London & East | 10 | 0 | 0 | 526 | 101 | 1 / 6 | Beat Portsmouth Warriors 30–0 in first round. Beat Bristol Packers 29–7 in quarter-final. Beat Capital Tigers 34–33 in semi-final. Beat Brighton B-52s 47–28 in final. |
Conference champions. Premier Division champions. |
| 1989 | Combined Gridiron League National Division Central | 10 | 0 | 0 | 344 | 42 | 1 / 6 | Beat Leicester Huntsmen 49–14 in quarter-final. Lost 36–50 to the Portsmouth Warriors in semi-final. |
Conference champions. |
| 1990 | NCMMA Central Conference | 6 | 4 | 0 | 355 | 229 | 2 / 5 | Lost 23–35 to London Capitals in quarter-final. | Team merged with Chelmsford Cherokee to form Essex Gladiators prior to start of season. Gladiators took Cherokee's spot in NDMA Southern Conference for 1991 season. |
| 1991 | NDMA Division One South | 7 | 3 | 0 | 268 | 219 | 3 / 9 | Lost 10–61 to Nottingham Hoods in quarter-final. | — |
| 1992 | NDMA Division One South | 1 | 9 | 0 | 48 | 402 | 6 / 6 | — | — |
| 1993 | BNGL Premier Division South East | 4 | 6 | 0 | 80 | 161 | 3 / 4 | — | Team name reverted to Colchester Gladiators prior to start of season. |
| 1994 | BAFA Division Three Midlands | 7 | 2 | 1 | 243 | 132 | 2 / 6 | Lost 14–17 to Chester Romans in quarter-final. | — |
| 1995 | BAFA Division Three East Midlands | 9 | 1 | 0 | 326 | 77 | 1 / 5 | Beat Southend Sabres 24–13 in quarter-final. Lost 14–15 to Oxford Saints in semi-final. | Conference champions. |
| 1996 to 2004 | DID NOT COMPETE | ||||||||
| 2005 | BAFL Division Two South East | 4 | 5 | 1 | 124 | 163 | 3 / 4 | — | — |
| 2006 | BAFL Division Two East | 8 | 2 | 0 | 201 | 185 | 1 / 4 | Lost 14–32 to Norwich Devils Norwich Devils The Norwich Devils are a British American Football team based in Norwich, Norfolk.-Overview:The Devils currently field a senior team in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues... in wild-card match. |
Conference champions. Promoted to Division One. |
| 2007 | BAFL Division One South | 0 | 9 | 1 | 51 | 283 | 6 / 6 | — | Relegated to Division Two |
| 2008 | BAFL Division Two South East & London | 7 | 3 | 0 | 263 | 180 | 2 / 5 | Lost 12–21 to South Wales Warriors South Wales Warriors The South Wales Warriors are an American Football team currently competing in Division 2 West of the BAFA National Leagues . The team was formed 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... in wild-card match. |
— |
| 2009 | BAFL Division Two East | 9 | 0 | 1 | 427 | 54 | 1 / 4 | Beat Bedfordshire Blue Raiders Bedfordshire Blue Raiders The Bedfordshire Blue Raiders are an American Football team competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues . They entered the league in 2008 as one of five expansion teams, and play their home games at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium.-History:The Blue Raiders were formed in... 41–16 in quarter-final. Beat Hampshire Thrashers 49–20 in semi-final. |
Conference champions. |
Ground
During their first incarnation in the 1990s, the Colchester Gladiators played their home games at 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 have been based at the Broad Lane sports ground in Wivenhoe, which they share with the local soccer team.The stadium forms part of a larger sporting complex covering over 10 acres (40,468.6 m²), which was purchased from a private landowner in 1996 and developed in conjunction with Colchester Borough Council, the University of Essex
University of Essex
The University of Essex is a British campus university whose original and largest campus is near the town of Colchester, England. Established in 1963 and receiving its Royal Charter in 1965...
, Wivenhoe Town Council, Wivenhoe Tennis Club, and the members and supporters of Wivenhoe Town Football Club
Wivenhoe Town F.C.
Wivenhoe Town F.C. is an English football club based in Wivenhoe, Essex. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Broad Lane.-History:...
. The stadium itself has a total capacity of 3,000 people, and comprises a 220-seat stand
Grandstand
A grandstand is a large and normally permanent structure for seating spectators, most often at a racetrack. This includes both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium in that it does not wrap all or most of the way...
, 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.
Roster
| Colchester Gladiators 2008 roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
|
Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
|
Defensive Backs
Linebackers
Special Teams
|
||||
Coaching staff
- Head Coach: Matt Roberts
- Assistant Head Coach & O-Line: Neil O'Hare
- Offensive Co-Ordinator: Tarquin Stephenson
- Defensive Co-Ordinator & Special Teams Coach: Rick Rotondo
- Running Backs Coach: Duncan Flack
- Defensive Coach: Karl Bourke
- Linebackers Coach: Simon Wilkinson
Other teams and activities
In addition to 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 YouthBritish American Football League
The British American Football League was the United Kingdom's primary American Football league from 1998 until 2010. It was formerly known as the British Senior League until 2005. BAFL was the trading name for Gridiron Football League Ltd incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee....
's Central Conference, where they compete against the youth teams of the Birmingham Bulls
Birmingham Bulls
The Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.Prior to being...
, Cambridgeshire Cats
Cambridgeshire Cats
The Cambridgeshire Cats are an American football team competing in Division 1 Central of the BAFA Community Leagues , with their home games played at Coldhams Common in Cambridge. The club was first formed in 1984, entered senior competition in 1985 and won two divisional titles in the 1990s as...
, Norwich Devils
Norwich Devils
The Norwich Devils are a British American Football team based in Norwich, Norfolk.-Overview:The Devils currently field a senior team in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues...
, Peterborough Saxons
Peterborough Saxons
The Peterborough Saxons are an American football team competing in Division 1 South East of the BAFA Community Leagues , with their home games played at Stanground College in Peterborough. The senior team was first formed in 2001 and entered senior competition the following year...
, Tamworth Phoenix
Tamworth Phoenix
The Tamworth Phoenix are an American football team playing in the United Kingdom. The Phoenix field a senior team in the Premiership of the BAFA Community Leagues...
and 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
London Cobras (American football)
The London Warriors are an American Football team based in Boston Manor, London. The team were formed in 2007 as the senior outfit for the London Warriors youth team, and currently play in the BAFA Community Leagues Premiership.-History:The London Cobras were formed in 2007 as a senior team of...
.
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 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
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
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 a heavy defeat to Frinton CC
Frinton-on-Sea
Frinton-on-Sea is a small seaside town in the Tendring District of Essex, England. It is part of the Parish of Frinton and Walton.-History:...
. In the 2006 close season, a number of Gladiators players joined together with a number of players from Colchester rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club to play a friendly match at Harwich
Harwich
Harwich is a town in Essex, England and one of the Haven ports, located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south...
. After conceding an early try
Try
A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
, they came back to win 25–5.
Further reading
- Baldwin, George (1996): Seeing England from the fifty yard line ISBN 0-930753-20-8
- Baldwin, George (2003): Call Me Coach! - Lessons learned in 40 years on the sidelines ISBN 0-9930753-50-X