Leicester Riders
Encyclopedia
The Leicester Riders, officially known as the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders for sponsorship reasons, is a British
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...

 professional 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 that play 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....

 (BBL). They are the oldest operating basketball team in the country, though recently they have hit hard times financially and faced liquidation
Liquidation
In law, liquidation is the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. Liquidation is also sometimes referred to as winding-up or dissolution, although dissolution technically refers to the last stage of liquidation...

 several times during 2007 before fans and local businesses stepped in to save the club.

Franchise history

Founded on 26 April 1967 and then known as the Loughborough All Stars, the Leicester Riders are the oldest club in British basketball.

They were founder members of the National Basketball League
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

 in 1972 and the BBL in 1987.

The club moved from Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...

 to Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...

 in 1981 before moving back to play at Loughborough University
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...

 in 1997, barely a stone's throw from Victory Hall where the club played its first game.

In 2004 the Riders agreed a sponsorship deal with De Montfort University
De Montfort University
De Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens...

 (DMU) and moved back to Leicester where they now play their games at the DMU's John Sandford Sports Centre.

In February 2007, the Riders encountered several financial difficulties, which resulted in the team's players and coaches not being paid. Facing the prospect of liquidation
Liquidation
In law, liquidation is the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. Liquidation is also sometimes referred to as winding-up or dissolution, although dissolution technically refers to the last stage of liquidation...

 half way through the 2006-2007 season
British Basketball League 2006-07
The 2006-07 season, the 20th since its establishment of the British Basketball League, started on September 29, 2006 when reigning champions Newcastle Eagles began with a 85-83 loss away to Sheffield Sharks....

, former director of the team, Mike Steptoe, and the supporters club formed a consortium which raised funded enough money to keep the side running.

The clubs future was looking brighter, however, during the close-season following the loss of a major cash-injection, the club were again thrown into financial chaos in August 2007. Given only three weeks to raise the necessary funds to compete for the upcoming 2007-08 season
British Basketball League 2007-08
The 2007-08 season, the 21st since the establishment of the British Basketball League, commenced on September 9, 2007, when the Plymouth Raiders succumbed to the Guildford Heat in the inaugural Cup Winners' Cup competition...

, fans of the club and local business Jelson Homes came together to save the club once again. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/6971807.stm

Part of the sponsorship deal with Jelson Homes was to ensure the future of the club by investing in a 'basketball in the community' scheme, providing the youth of Leicester with basketball coaching programmes.

Home arenas

Victory Hall (1967-1981)
Granby Halls
Granby Halls
The Granby Halls was a popular live music, exhibition and sports arena in the city of Leicester, in England, also notable as the long serving home of professional basketball team, the Leicester Riders, from 1980 until 1999....

 (1981-2000)
Loughborough University
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...

 (2000-2004)
John Sandford Centre (2004-present)

Season-by-season records

Season Div. Pos. Pld. W L Pts. Play Offs Trophy Cup
Loughborough All-Stars
1972–1973 NBL
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|4th 10 5 5 15 N/A N/A 1st Round
1973–1974 NBL
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|6th 14 5 9 19 N/A N/A Semi-final
1974–1975 NBL
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|7th 18 8 10 26 N/A N/A Semi-final
1975–1976 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|6th 18 6 12 24 N/A N/A Quarter-final
1976–1977 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|6th 18 8 10 26 N/A N/A Quarter-final
1977–1978 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|5th 18 9 9 18 N/A N/A Quarter-final
1978–1979 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|6th 20 10 10 18 DNQ N/A Quarter-final
1979–1980 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|6th 20 10 10 18 DNQ N/A Semi-final
1980–1981 Hiatus |-
Leicester All-Stars
1981–1982 NBL 2
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

1st 16 16 0 32 DNQ N/A
1982–1983 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|6th 24 16 8 32 DNQ N/A
1983–1984 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|6th 36 23 13 45 DNQ N/A
1984–1985 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|6th 26 15 11 30 Semi-final N/A
1985–1986 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|8th 28 14 14 28
N/A
Leicester City Riders
1986–1987 NBL 1
National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British basketball league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League.-1972-1993:...

|5th 24 16 8 32
N/A
1987–1988 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....

|9th 28 14 14 28 DNQ 1st Round Semi-final
1988–1989 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....

|4h 20 14 6 28 Semi-final Semi-final 2nd Round
1989–1990 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....

|6th 28 7 21 14 DNQ 1st Round 2nd Round
1990–1991 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....

|4th 24 14 10 28 Semi-final Semi-final Runner-up
1991–1992 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....

|6th 30 14 16 28 Quarter-final Runner-up Semi-final
1992–1993 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....

|8th 33 12 21 24 Quarter-final Semi-final Semi-final
1993–1994 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....

|7th 36 20 16 40 Quarter-final Semi-final Quarter-final
1994–1995 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....

|11th 36 8 28 16 DNQ 1st Round Quarter-final
1995–1996 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....

|9th 36 11 25 22 DNQ 1st Round 4th Round
1996–1997 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....

|8th 36 15 21 30 Quarter-final Semi-final Quarter-final
Leicester Riders
1997–1998 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....

|9th 36 15 21 30 DNQ Quarter-final Runner-up
1998–1999 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....

|12th 36 9 27 18 DNQ Semi-final 1st Round
1999–2000 BBL N
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....

|7th 36 10 26 20 DNQ 1st Round Quarter-final
2000–2001 BBL N
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....

|4th 36 17 19 34 Winners 1st Round Winners
2001–2002 BBL N
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....

|5th 32 11 21 22 DNQ 1st Round 1st Round
2002–2003 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....

|11th 40 3 37 6 DNQ 1st Round 1st Round
2003–2004 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....

|9th 36 5 31 10 DNQ 1st Round Quarter Final
2004–2005 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....

|10th 40 11 29 22 DNQ 1st Round 1st Round
2005–2006 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....

|6th 40 18 22 36 Quarter-final Runner-up 1st Round
2006–2007 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....

|7th 36 13 23 22 Quarter-final Semi-final Quarter-final
2007–2008 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....

|10th 33 10 23 20 DNQ 1st Round Quarter-final
2008–2009 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....

|3rd 33 21 12 42 Semi-final 1st Round Quarter-final
2009–2010 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....

|6th 36 21 15 42 Quarter-final 1st Round Semi-final
2010–2011 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....

|8th 33 17 16 34 Quarter-final Semi-final Quarter-final


Notes:
  • From 1999-2002 the BBL operated a Conference system. Leicester competed in the Northern Conference.
  • DNQ denotes Did Not Qualify.

Current roster

The following information is established according to the official websites of the team (www.leicesterriders.co.uk) and Britain's top professional league, 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....

 (www.bbl.org.uk).


Notable former players

David Aliu 1 season: '06-'07 Andy Betts 1 season: '93-'94 Karl Brown 5 seasons: '99-'03 Steve Bucknall
Steve Bucknall
Steven Lee Bucknall is a retired English professional basketball player, and former head coach of British Basketball League expansion franchise London Capital....

 2 seasons: '05-'07 Mark Hawley 2 seasons: '97-'99 Marty Headd Dave Jones 2 seasons: '00-'02 Lonnie Legette Carl Olssen Steve O'Shea  Kenny Pemberton Nate Reinking
Nate Reinking
Nathan "Nate" James Reinking is a American-British professional basketball point guard who plays for the Sheffield Sharks.-Pro career:...

 1 season: '06-'07 Andrew Alleyne 1 season: '06-'07 Chris Webber 3 seasons: '98-'99, '02-'04 Shawn Myers
Shawn Myers
Shawn Myers is a professional basketball player of Trinidad origin who currently plays for the Milton Keynes Lions.-Career: Silute, 1997–1998 Tampereen Pyrbasket, 1998–1999 Tindastoll, 1999–2001 Newcastle Eagles, 2001–2002 Chester Jets, 2002 Scottish Rocks, 2002–2003 Newcastle Eagles, 2003–2004...

 1 season: '06-'07 Steve McGlothin 3 seasons: '00-'02, '04-'05 Anthony McHenry
Anthony McHenry
Anthony Duane McHenry is an American professional basketball player who plays for Japan's bj league side Ryukyu Golden Kings....

 1 season: '05-'06 Billy Singleton
Billy Singleton
Billy Singleton is a former professional basketball player, most notable for his career in the British Basketball League...

 4 seasons: '97-'99, '00-'02   Aaron Westbrooks
Aaron Westbrooks
Aaron Westbrooks is an Irish basketball player.-Career:Aaron played for Trinity College in Connecticut & St. Fintan's High School. He joined Dart Killester before joining the Leicester Riders in 2009. Aaron made his BBL debut against the Sheffield Sharks...

  Tony Windless
Tony Windless
Tony Windless is an American retired professional basketball player with a notable career stretching over a decade in the British Basketball League....

 3 seasons: '08-'11 Robert Youngblood

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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