Watford Cheetahs
Encyclopedia
The Watford Cheetahs are an American football
team, based in Watford
competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues
(BAFACL), with their home games played at Fullerians Rugby Club. The senior team was first formed in 1986 and entered senior competition the following year, making them the third longest continuously competing team in the United Kingdom behind only the Birmingham Bulls
and Glasgow Tigers. During their history, the Cheetahs have reached the Divisional Playoff final on three occasions in 1997, 2004 and 2005.
, Buckinghamshire
. With some outside help, the team developed and they played their first friendly on 30 November 1986—a 0–9 defeat to the St Albans Kestrels played at the home of Chesham United football club
in front of 1800 spectators. A further three pre-season matches were played after the New Year; an 18–6 win against the F14 Tomcats, a 41–2 win against the Bristol Blackhawks
, and a 34–9 win against the Chiltern Panthers. After these pre-season successes, they entered league competition in the summer of 1987, competing in the Capital League's County Division. They finished with a record of seven wins and three defeats, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
The Cheetahs moved to the British National Gridiron League the following year, but were affected by the loss of their two American coaches. Despite one team in their division being banned from competition and two teams pulling out before the season began, the Cheetahs struggled throughout and lost all six of their games. They performed slightly better in 1989 despite losing more players, winning three out of their ten games.
This resulted in the Cheetahs being relegated to Division One, where they were assigned to the East Midlands Conference. They moved home once again, playing their games at Newlands Park College in Chalfont St. Giles. They began the season with two ties away from home, before narrowly losing their first home game against the Stratford Tempests due to alast minute field goal. Two further defeats were followed by three successive victories, with the Cheetahs eventually finishing fourth in the group. 1992 saw them winning six of their games, again narrowly missing out on a playoff spot.
Their first real success came in 1993. After appointing a pair of new coaches, the team won all but one of their games to win the First Division South Central Conference, claiming their first ever conference title and qualifying for the playoffs. They were drawn at home to the Weymouth Renegades, whom they beat 15–8 with their three running backs each getting over 100 yards. In the quarter-final, they travelled to the Hereford Chargers—after conceding 22 points in the first quarter, they were unable to recover and ended up losing 15–22.
The following year, the Cheetahs switched over to the newly formed British American Football Association (BAFA) league. They were assigned to the Division 3 Midlands Conference, which also contained the Cambridge Cats
, Colchester Gladiators
and Norwich Devils
, with their home games against the Gladiators and Devils being their only two wins that season. The following season also saw them struggle, with two of their three wins coming as the result of the London Mets forfeiting their games.
in the semi-final, a result secured by two interception touchdowns. The team then travelled to play the Division 2 playoff final at the Saffron Lane stadium in Leicester
against the Bristol Aztecs
, a team who had only conceded 32 points all season, with the Aztecs winning 6–27.
Compared with 1997, the next few seasons were unremarkable with the Cheetahs generally finishing in mid-table.
in the quarter-final was followed by a 34–6 semi-final win over the Sussex Thunder
. This set up their second playoff final, this time played at the Don Valley Stadium
in Sheffield in front of 1440 spectators. However, they were unable to finish the season with another win, losing 16–32 to the Doncaster Mustangs
.
Despite losing the final, the Cheetahs were promoted to Division 1A of the British American Football League
. After winning their first match against the Southern Sundevils
, they struggled at this higher level and only managed to win one more of their games, ultimately finishing third out of four teams in their group. However, this was still enough to gain a wild-card slot in the playoffs and they made the most of this opportunity, defeating the Staffordshire Surge and the London Blitz
to gain a place in the final for the second successive season. As with their first playoff final eight year before, they played the Bristol Aztecs
and lost only by a single touchdown.
. They began the 2010 League campaign 3-0 with consecutive wins away from home including a thrilling 27-14 win against the Cornish Sharks
. Three consecutive defeats then followed, twice against the Berkshire Renegades and an unfortunate defeat away to Hampshire Thrashers, which made the Cheetahs 3-3. Two thrilling come-from-behind home wins v. Gloucester Banshees and runaway divisional leaders Hampshire Thrashers, which gave the Cheetahs a chance of sneaking into the playoffs. A devastating 35-13 loss at home to Milton Keynes City Pathfinders
put paid to any Cheetahs playoff hopes and the season ended with another home defeat to Cornish Sharks
. The Cheetahs finished the season 5-5 and 3rd position in the division.
Before the 2011 season kicked-off Cheetahs formed a partnership with the University of Hertfordshire
Hurricanes team, culminating in two scrimmage games to help prepare the Hurricanes for their winter football season. So successful were the games that several players, led by former Cheetahs Linebacker Richard Ward returned and brought a few Hurricanes players with him to play for the Cheetahs in the 2011 season.
The club also announced that they would form a Youth Kitted team with help from the local youth and community authority.
Before the season kicked off proper in April, the Cheetahs were transferred back to the Eastern Conference of BAFA's Community League to be reunited with their old rivals from Kent, Norwich, Bedfordhire, Essex and Milton Keynes, who themselves spent a season with the Cheetahs in the West Conference joined them back in the East.
The season began with the team away from home against the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders
in which the Cheetahs shut-out their Bedford-based rivals 15-0. Another shut-out in the following game, which would be the team's 25th Anniversary Game at home v a severely depleted Norwich Devils
with the Cheetahs thumping the Devils 37-0. The Devils announced shortly after that they could not continue playing for the remainder of the season which meant the Cheetahs had an extra win under their belts, albeit by default. A history-making third shut-out in succession happened in the next game away in Kent against the Maidstone Pumas
. The Cheetahs destroying their opponents 61-0. This made the Cheetahs 4-0 for zero points conceded, ahead of what would be the most testing time of the Cheetahs' season.
The Cheetahs themselves would suffer a shut-out themselves in the following game away against the Kent Exiles. The Cheetahs, failing to move the ball effectively at a drizzle-soaked Crockenhill suffered an 18-0 loss in what was the Conference-topping game. A bruising 31-20 loss against a physical and much improved Milton Keynes City Pathfinders
team pushed the team further out of the Playoff picture with the season record standing at 4-2.
The following game, the Cheetahs bounced back at home at a sweltering Fullerians with temperatures well in the 80s against the table-topping Essex Spartans
in which the Cheetahs ran out 19-6 winners. A close, and unfortunate defeat away at Milton Keynes by 20-16 would ultimately crush the Cheetahs' post-season Playoff hopes. The Cheetahs exacted revenge against the Exiles in the return-game at home by 23-14 which saw the game suspended temporarily in the 4th Quarter by a brief thunderstorm. The final home game then saw the Cheetahs thump Bedfordshire by 43-6. The Cheetahs finished the 2011 season with their first winning season since their 10-0 season in 2004 with a record of 7 wins for 3 losses and 0 ties, and the fourth lowest points-conceded in the entire division.
The uniform mainly consisted of yellow/gold jerseys with black numbers and sleeve stripes with black pants and white socks with a white road jersey. Due to budget reasons some of the early uniforms and the uniforms from the 90s and early 2000s were mixed together with the black "CHEETAHS" type appearing on the back of the some jerseys as well as the front.
It wasn't until 2004 that the Cheetahs invested in a new, striking uniform made by UK-based Rhino Sports. This was in a lighter shade of gold and included the Chiltern logo on the left shoulder and had a more fitted look and feel. This coincided with the two most successful seasons in Cheetahs history, making an appearance in two Bowl games as well as their least successful season in 2006.
The move to Watford meant that the Cheetahs had to update their uniform. This would be made by Rhino again and was of a stronger material, the Chiltern logo omitted for obvious reasons and was of a darker, more amber looking colour.
The Cheetahs next major investment came in 2011 with a much more dynamic, striking design made by Alpha Performance, the jersey was much more fitted, the main body was of traditional airtex material with professional-looking tackle twill numbering. Gone however were the two black sleeve stripes, which formed part of the Cheetahs uniform since the very beginning.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team, based in Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues
BAFA Community Leagues
The BAFA National Leagues are the primary American football competition in England, Scotland and Wales. They were formed by the British American Football Association in 2010 to coordinate contact football and flag football across all age ranges...
(BAFACL), with their home games played at Fullerians Rugby Club. The senior team was first formed in 1986 and entered senior competition the following year, making them the third longest continuously competing team in the United Kingdom behind only 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...
and Glasgow Tigers. During their history, the Cheetahs have reached the Divisional Playoff final on three occasions in 1997, 2004 and 2005.
The Early Years (1986–1989)
The Chiltern Cheetahs were formed in the summer of 1986 by a group of friends based in AmershamAmersham
Amersham is a market town and civil parish within Chiltern district in Buckinghamshire, England, 27 miles north west of London, in the Chiltern Hills. It is part of the London commuter belt....
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
. With some outside help, the team developed and they played their first friendly on 30 November 1986—a 0–9 defeat to the St Albans Kestrels played at the home of Chesham United football club
Chesham United F.C.
Chesham United is an English football club based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Southern League. They are nicknamed "The Generals" because they were once the football team of the General Baptist Church in Chesham. Chesham Generals merged with Chesham Town to form United...
in front of 1800 spectators. A further three pre-season matches were played after the New Year; an 18–6 win against the F14 Tomcats, a 41–2 win against the Bristol Blackhawks
Bristol Blackhawks
The Bristol Blackhawks were an American football team which existed during the late 1980s and early 1990s in the city of Bristol, England. The team was founded by Phil "Camo Spud" Cook.-External links:*...
, and a 34–9 win against the Chiltern Panthers. After these pre-season successes, they entered league competition in the summer of 1987, competing in the Capital League's County Division. They finished with a record of seven wins and three defeats, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
The Cheetahs moved to the British National Gridiron League the following year, but were affected by the loss of their two American coaches. Despite one team in their division being banned from competition and two teams pulling out before the season began, the Cheetahs struggled throughout and lost all six of their games. They performed slightly better in 1989 despite losing more players, winning three out of their ten games.
1990–1995
The following season, the Cheetahs were moved to the Southern Conference of the BNGL's Premier Division, but they struggled once again, finishing bottom of the four-team group with just two wins out of ten.This resulted in the Cheetahs being relegated to Division One, where they were assigned to the East Midlands Conference. They moved home once again, playing their games at Newlands Park College in Chalfont St. Giles. They began the season with two ties away from home, before narrowly losing their first home game against the Stratford Tempests due to alast minute field goal. Two further defeats were followed by three successive victories, with the Cheetahs eventually finishing fourth in the group. 1992 saw them winning six of their games, again narrowly missing out on a playoff spot.
Their first real success came in 1993. After appointing a pair of new coaches, the team won all but one of their games to win the First Division South Central Conference, claiming their first ever conference title and qualifying for the playoffs. They were drawn at home to the Weymouth Renegades, whom they beat 15–8 with their three running backs each getting over 100 yards. In the quarter-final, they travelled to the Hereford Chargers—after conceding 22 points in the first quarter, they were unable to recover and ended up losing 15–22.
The following year, the Cheetahs switched over to the newly formed British American Football Association (BAFA) league. They were assigned to the Division 3 Midlands Conference, which also contained the Cambridge 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...
, Colchester Gladiators
Colchester Gladiators
The Colchester Gladiators are an American Football team competing in the South East Conference of British American Football League Division 2. They play their home games at the Broad Lane stadium in Wivenhoe, Essex and train at the Sir Charles Lucas Centre for Sport and Art in Colchester...
and 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...
, with their home games against the Gladiators and Devils being their only two wins that season. The following season also saw them struggle, with two of their three wins coming as the result of the London Mets forfeiting their games.
1996–1997
1996 saw the Chiltern Cheetahs celebrating their tenth anniversary with a friendly match against the visiting Hamlen Dragons—the Cheetahs defeated their German opponents 60–0. The team were moved to the newly-formed British Senior League, where they played in the Division 3 Midlands Conference. Although they finished the season with five wins and five defeats, they recorded a number of individual records—quarterback Rob Suttling became the first Cheetahs player to pass for more than 1000 yards in a season, and safety Jay Rayner recorded nine interceptions, the highest total in Division Three. The following year was one of their most successful. After a good start followed by three consecutive defeats, a run of five wins saw the Cheetahs finishing second in their group and qualifying for the playoffs for only the second time in their history. An away win against the Leicester Huntsmen was followed by a 26–16 home win over the Yorkshire RamsYorkshire Rams
Yorkshire Rams are an English American Football club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. They represent the county of Yorkshire. They are currently playing in British American Football Association Community League Division 1.-History:...
in the semi-final, a result secured by two interception touchdowns. The team then travelled to play the Division 2 playoff final at the Saffron Lane stadium in 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...
against the Bristol Aztecs
Bristol Aztecs
The Bristol Aztecs are a British American football team based inBristol, England, at the Filton WISE sports academy of Filton College, Bristol, which is also the base for a number of other sports teams such as Bristol Academy woman's soccer team.- Overview :...
, a team who had only conceded 32 points all season, with the Aztecs winning 6–27.
Compared with 1997, the next few seasons were unremarkable with the Cheetahs generally finishing in mid-table.
2004–2005
It wasn't until 2004 that they again experienced success, when they finished top of Division 2 South East with ten wins out of ten. This meant they finished at top seeds in the entire division, and so were assured of home draws. A 30–6 win over the South Wales WarriorsSouth 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 the quarter-final was followed by a 34–6 semi-final win over the Sussex Thunder
Sussex Thunder
The Sussex Thunder are a Football team from the United Kingdom based in Horsham, Sussex. The team won promotion to the Premier Division of the British American Football League after winning the Division One Bowl on 20th September 2008....
. This set up their second playoff final, this time played at the Don Valley Stadium
Don Valley Stadium
The Don Valley Stadium is a stadium in Sheffield, England and is the home of Rotherham United F.C.. The stadium is an athletics stadium which has hosted major UK Athletic events and the 1991 World Student Games. Sheffield Eagles RLFC and Parramore Sports FC also use the stadium. It was designed by...
in Sheffield in front of 1440 spectators. However, they were unable to finish the season with another win, losing 16–32 to the Doncaster Mustangs
South Yorkshire Mustangs (American football)
The Doncaster Mustangs are an American football team representing Doncaster, England. They currently play their home matches at the athletics stadium next to The Keepmoat Stadium, the home of Doncaster Rovers...
.
Despite losing the final, the Cheetahs were promoted to Division 1A of 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....
. After winning their first match against the Southern Sundevils
Southern Sundevils
The Southern Sundevils were an American football team who competed in the Southern Conference of British American Football League Division One . They played their home games at the ROKO Leisure Centre in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Russ Hewitt was the current General Manager and Head Coach...
, they struggled at this higher level and only managed to win one more of their games, ultimately finishing third out of four teams in their group. However, this was still enough to gain a wild-card slot in the playoffs and they made the most of this opportunity, defeating the Staffordshire Surge and the London Blitz
London Blitz (American football)
London Blitz are a British American football team based in North London at Finsbury Park athletics stadium.- Overview :The Blitz field a senior team in the BAFA Community Leagues Premiership as well as youth teams. The roster has included both local players as well as players from North America,...
to gain a place in the final for the second successive season. As with their first playoff final eight year before, they played the Bristol Aztecs
Bristol Aztecs
The Bristol Aztecs are a British American football team based inBristol, England, at the Filton WISE sports academy of Filton College, Bristol, which is also the base for a number of other sports teams such as Bristol Academy woman's soccer team.- Overview :...
and lost only by a single touchdown.
2006–2007
They didn't recover from this and lost all ten games in the following season, only managing to score 32 points. They were therefore relegated back to Division 2, where they played the 2007 season in the South East Conference at their new home in Watford. They continued to struggle, winning only two of their ten games.Watford Cheetahs (2008–present)
In 2008, the team were renamed the Watford Cheetahs and were reassigned to the Eastern Conference, where they finished with a record of two wins, seven defeats and one draw.2010
2010 was an eventful year for the Cheetahs. Drew Anderson was appointed as Head Coach, numerous adjustments and new arrivals made it a busy off season, including the Cheetahs being transferred to the BAFACL Division 2 West. The pre-season began with two scrimmage games v. London Blitz and Cambridgeshire CatsCambridgeshire 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...
. They began the 2010 League campaign 3-0 with consecutive wins away from home including a thrilling 27-14 win against the Cornish Sharks
Cornish Sharks
The Cornish Sharks are an American Football team currently competing in Division 2 West of the BAFA Community Leagues . They play their home games at the Newquay Sports Centre, in Newquay, Cornwall...
. Three consecutive defeats then followed, twice against the Berkshire Renegades and an unfortunate defeat away to Hampshire Thrashers, which made the Cheetahs 3-3. Two thrilling come-from-behind home wins v. Gloucester Banshees and runaway divisional leaders Hampshire Thrashers, which gave the Cheetahs a chance of sneaking into the playoffs. A devastating 35-13 loss at home to Milton Keynes City Pathfinders
Milton Keynes City Pathfinders
The Milton Keynes City Pathfinders are an American Football team based in Milton Keynes, England, competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues . They play their home games at the Emerson Valley Sports Pavillion in Milton Keynes, which they share with Milton Keynes Rugby Club...
put paid to any Cheetahs playoff hopes and the season ended with another home defeat to Cornish Sharks
Cornish Sharks
The Cornish Sharks are an American Football team currently competing in Division 2 West of the BAFA Community Leagues . They play their home games at the Newquay Sports Centre, in Newquay, Cornwall...
. The Cheetahs finished the season 5-5 and 3rd position in the division.
2011
2011 was another eventful season for the Cheetahs, the club celebrating their 25th Anniversary, with more several comings and goings in the Playing Roster and Coaching staff. Linebacker Jamie Brown was installed as the team's new Defensive Co-ordinator and a partnership on Offense between retired Kicker Douglas Andrews and Quarterback Martin Brown, after the departure of previous coach Adrian Stemp. Brown became the team's new starting QB ahead of the established Paul Symonds, who took the opportunity of also playing Wide Receiver as well as Quarterback after recovering from an arm injury sustained the season before. Backup Quarterback Nik Maxey, who once played for the Great Britain Crusaders (Under 18) and Bulldogs (University) teams would also take a more active coaching role as the 2011 season unfolded. Head Coach Drew Anderson announced towards the end of the season that he would step down to become the head of BAFA's Community Football scheme.Before the 2011 season kicked-off Cheetahs formed a partnership with the University of Hertfordshire
University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...
Hurricanes team, culminating in two scrimmage games to help prepare the Hurricanes for their winter football season. So successful were the games that several players, led by former Cheetahs Linebacker Richard Ward returned and brought a few Hurricanes players with him to play for the Cheetahs in the 2011 season.
The club also announced that they would form a Youth Kitted team with help from the local youth and community authority.
Before the season kicked off proper in April, the Cheetahs were transferred back to the Eastern Conference of BAFA's Community League to be reunited with their old rivals from Kent, Norwich, Bedfordhire, Essex and Milton Keynes, who themselves spent a season with the Cheetahs in the West Conference joined them back in the East.
The season began with the team away from home 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...
in which the Cheetahs shut-out their Bedford-based rivals 15-0. Another shut-out in the following game, which would be the team's 25th Anniversary Game at home v a severely depleted 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...
with the Cheetahs thumping the Devils 37-0. The Devils announced shortly after that they could not continue playing for the remainder of the season which meant the Cheetahs had an extra win under their belts, albeit by default. A history-making third shut-out in succession happened in the next game away in Kent against the Maidstone Pumas
Maidstone Pumas
The Maidstone Pumas are an American Football team based in Maidstone, Kent. The team were formed in 1997 as a continuation of the former youth team of the same name, and currently play in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues .-History:...
. The Cheetahs destroying their opponents 61-0. This made the Cheetahs 4-0 for zero points conceded, ahead of what would be the most testing time of the Cheetahs' season.
The Cheetahs themselves would suffer a shut-out themselves in the following game away against the Kent Exiles. The Cheetahs, failing to move the ball effectively at a drizzle-soaked Crockenhill suffered an 18-0 loss in what was the Conference-topping game. A bruising 31-20 loss against a physical and much improved Milton Keynes City Pathfinders
Milton Keynes City Pathfinders
The Milton Keynes City Pathfinders are an American Football team based in Milton Keynes, England, competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues . They play their home games at the Emerson Valley Sports Pavillion in Milton Keynes, which they share with Milton Keynes Rugby Club...
team pushed the team further out of the Playoff picture with the season record standing at 4-2.
The following game, the Cheetahs bounced back at home at a sweltering Fullerians with temperatures well in the 80s against the table-topping 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....
in which the Cheetahs ran out 19-6 winners. A close, and unfortunate defeat away at Milton Keynes by 20-16 would ultimately crush the Cheetahs' post-season Playoff hopes. The Cheetahs exacted revenge against the Exiles in the return-game at home by 23-14 which saw the game suspended temporarily in the 4th Quarter by a brief thunderstorm. The final home game then saw the Cheetahs thump Bedfordshire by 43-6. The Cheetahs finished the 2011 season with their first winning season since their 10-0 season in 2004 with a record of 7 wins for 3 losses and 0 ties, and the fourth lowest points-conceded in the entire division.
Uniform
The team has worn the colours of Gold and Black ever since the club's inception in 1986, given that the Cheetah is of a golden colour fur plus the fact that the clubs founders were passionate fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, hence why the club calls its primary colour "Steeltown Gold".The uniform mainly consisted of yellow/gold jerseys with black numbers and sleeve stripes with black pants and white socks with a white road jersey. Due to budget reasons some of the early uniforms and the uniforms from the 90s and early 2000s were mixed together with the black "CHEETAHS" type appearing on the back of the some jerseys as well as the front.
It wasn't until 2004 that the Cheetahs invested in a new, striking uniform made by UK-based Rhino Sports. This was in a lighter shade of gold and included the Chiltern logo on the left shoulder and had a more fitted look and feel. This coincided with the two most successful seasons in Cheetahs history, making an appearance in two Bowl games as well as their least successful season in 2006.
The move to Watford meant that the Cheetahs had to update their uniform. This would be made by Rhino again and was of a stronger material, the Chiltern logo omitted for obvious reasons and was of a darker, more amber looking colour.
The Cheetahs next major investment came in 2011 with a much more dynamic, striking design made by Alpha Performance, the jersey was much more fitted, the main body was of traditional airtex material with professional-looking tackle twill numbering. Gone however were the two black sleeve stripes, which formed part of the Cheetahs uniform since the very beginning.
Logo
Ever since the club was formed in 1986, the Cheetahs have always used the picture of a cheetah in some form. Not much is known about the very earliest logo but the main one which was used until 2008 consisted of an aggresive cheetah's face surrounded by a "C" for Chiltern. As was the case with the uniform, the move to Watford meant that the current logo was no longer viable so the club changed the logo to a more modern, dynamic side-on Cheetah head which was formally introduced on the Cheetahs' helmets in the 2011 season.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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Capital League, County division | 7 | 3 | 0 | 237 | 131 | 3 / 6 | — | — |
| 1988 | BNGL County Division | 0 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 118 | 3 / 3 | — | — |
| 1989 | BNGL Premier Division South A | 3 | 7 | 0 | 153 | 215 | 4 / 5 | — | — |
| 1990 | BNGL Premier Division South | 2 | 8 | 0 | 76 | 193 | 4 / 4 | — | — |
| 1991 | BNGL First Division East Midlands | 3 | 5 | 2 | 95 | 124 | 4 / 6 | — | — |
| 1992 | BNGL First Division South Midlands | 6 | 4 | 0 | 114 | 139 | 3 / 5 | — | — |
| 1993 | BNGL First Division South Central | 9 | 1 | 0 | 257 | 63 | 1 / 6 | Beat Weymouth Renegades 15–8 in wild-card match. Lost 15–22 to Hereford Chargers in quarter-final. |
Conference champions. |
| 1994 | BAFA Division 3 Midlands | 2 | 8 | 0 | 105 | 194 | 5 / 6 | — | — |
| 1995 | BAFA Division 3 South Central | 3 | 7 | 0 | 66 | 183 | 3 / 4 | — | — |
| 1996 | BSL Division 3 Midlands | 5 | 5 | 0 | 244 | 141 | 4 / 6 | — | — |
| 1997 | BSL Division 2 Midlands | 7 | 3 | 0 | 367 | 147 | 2 / 5 | Beat Leicester Huntsmen 27–14 in quarter-final. Beat Yorkshire Rams Yorkshire Rams Yorkshire Rams are an English American Football club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. They represent the county of Yorkshire. They are currently playing in British American Football Association Community League Division 1.-History:... 26–16 in semi-final. Lost 6–27 to Bristol Aztecs Bristol Aztecs The Bristol Aztecs are a British American football team based inBristol, England, at the Filton WISE sports academy of Filton College, Bristol, which is also the base for a number of other sports teams such as Bristol Academy woman's soccer team.- Overview :... in final. |
— |
| 1998 | BSL Division 2 South West | 1 | 7 | 0 | 54 | 300 | 4 / 4 | — | — |
| 1999 | BSL Division 2 Southern | 0 | 10 | 0 | 42 | 267 | 7 / 7 | — | — |
| 2000 | BSL Division 2 South | 3 | 4 | 1 | 127 | 178 | 3 / 5 | — | — |
| 2001 | BSL Division 2 South | 3 | 5 | 0 | 171 | 207 | 6 / 9 | — | — |
| 2002 | BSL Division 2 South | 3 | 5 | 1 | 89 | 183 | 5 / 9 | — | — |
| 2003 | BSL Division 2 South East | 5 | 5 | 0 | 148 | 253 | 4 / 8 | — | — |
| 2004 | BSL Division 2 South East | 10 | 0 | 0 | 235 | 60 | 1 / 6 | Beat 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... 30–6 in quarter-final. Beat Sussex Thunder Sussex Thunder The Sussex Thunder are a Football team from the United Kingdom based in Horsham, Sussex. The team won promotion to the Premier Division of the British American Football League after winning the Division One Bowl on 20th September 2008.... 34–6 in semi-final. Lost 16–32 to Doncaster Mustangs South Yorkshire Mustangs (American football) The Doncaster Mustangs are an American football team representing Doncaster, England. They currently play their home matches at the athletics stadium next to The Keepmoat Stadium, the home of Doncaster Rovers... in final. |
Conference champions. Promoted to Division 1A. |
| 2005 | BAFL Division 1A South | 2 | 8 | 0 | 85 | 217 | 3 / 4 | Beat Staffordshire Surge 18–12 in wild-card match. Beat London Blitz London Blitz (American football) London Blitz are a British American football team based in North London at Finsbury Park athletics stadium.- Overview :The Blitz field a senior team in the BAFA Community Leagues Premiership as well as youth teams. The roster has included both local players as well as players from North America,... 9–6 in semi-final. Lost 0–7 to Bristol Aztecs Bristol Aztecs The Bristol Aztecs are a British American football team based inBristol, England, at the Filton WISE sports academy of Filton College, Bristol, which is also the base for a number of other sports teams such as Bristol Academy woman's soccer team.- Overview :... in final. |
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| 2006 | BAFL Division 1A South | 0 | 10 | 0 | 32 | 301 | 4 / 4 | — | Relegated to Division 2. |
| 2007 | BAFL Division 2 South East | 2 | 8 | 0 | 107 | 283 | 5 / 6 | — | – |
| 2008 | BAFL Division 2 East | 2 | 7 | 1 | 94 | 305 | 4 / 5 | — | Team renamed Watford Cheetahs prior to start of season. |
| 2009 | BAFL Division 2 East | 4 | 6 | 0 | 157 | 197 | 3 / 4 | — | — |
| 2010 | BAFACL Division 2 West | 5 | 5 | 0 | 158 | 179 | 3 / 6 | — | — |
| 2011 | BAFACL Division 2 East | 7 | 3 | 0 | 235 | 95 | 4 / 7 | — | — |
Roster
| Watford Cheetahs 2011 roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
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Tight Ends
Offensive Line
Defensive Tackles
Defensive Ends
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Cornerbacks
Linebackers
Safeties
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