Essex Leopards
Encyclopedia
The Essex Leopards, or just Leopards as they were more commonly known, was a British
basketball
team competing in the British Basketball League
. Established in 1994, the Leopards franchise was one of the most successful teams of the 1990's, dominating the domestic scene with local rivals London Towers
.
Originally playing out of the London Arena
as Leopards and later Greater London Leopards, the team was moved to Brentwood
in 1999, and in 2002 the name was changed to the Essex Leopards. For financial reasons the team decided to "sit out" the 2003-04
season of the BBL
and while every effort was made to find a buyer for the franchise, the Leopards soon folded completely.
. In 2006, the team was renamed again to London Leopards
, and currently play in EBL Division 1
, the league below the BBL
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team competing in the British Basketball League
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
. Established in 1994, the Leopards franchise was one of the most successful teams of the 1990's, dominating the domestic scene with local rivals London Towers
London Towers
London Towers was a professional basketball team based in London, England. They were one of the most successful and recognised British sports teams of the 1990s, collecting many titles in the British Basketball League as well as regularly competing in European competitions such as the Euroleague...
.
Originally playing out of the London Arena
London Arena
The London Arena was an indoor arena and exhibition centre, on the Isle of Dogs, in East London, England...
as Leopards and later Greater London Leopards, the team was moved to Brentwood
Brentwood, Essex
Brentwood is a town and the principal settlement of the Borough of Brentwood, in the county of Essex in the east of England. It is located in the London commuter belt, 20 miles east north-east of Charing Cross in London, and near the M25 motorway....
in 1999, and in 2002 the name was changed to the Essex Leopards. For financial reasons the team decided to "sit out" the 2003-04
British Basketball League 2003-04
The 2003-04 season was the 17th campaign in the history of the British Basketball League.-Teams:-Notable occurrences:*Due to uncertainty rearding the future of Aston Events Centre, the Birmingham Bullets were forced to relocate to a new home venue...
season of the BBL
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
and while every effort was made to find a buyer for the franchise, the Leopards soon folded completely.
New team
This was not the end though, as in 2004 a merger took place between Ware Rebels and Leopards Alive (an organisation of supporters of the defunct Greater London Leopards), and renamed as the Essex & Herts LeopardsLondon Leopards
The BA London Leopards is a British basketball team who competes in the English Basketball League Division 1. The team was established in 1997 as Ware Fire, but following the demise and eventual closure of the former British Basketball League franchise Essex Leopards in 2003, a supporters group...
. In 2006, the team was renamed again to London Leopards
London Leopards
The BA London Leopards is a British basketball team who competes in the English Basketball League Division 1. The team was established in 1997 as Ware Fire, but following the demise and eventual closure of the former British Basketball League franchise Essex Leopards in 2003, a supporters group...
, and currently play in EBL Division 1
English Basketball League
The English Basketball League is a semi-professional and amateur basketball league in England. It forms the second-tier of competition below the professional British Basketball League....
, the league below the BBL
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
.