Worthing Thunder
Encyclopedia
Worthing Thunder is a basketball
team from Worthing
, England
. Founded in 1999, until recently they competed in the top-tier British Basketball League
, having previously having dominated the lower leagues in recent years, winning back-to-back English Basketball League
Division One titles in 2006 and 2007. In the summer of 2011 Worthing Thunder returned to division one of the English Basketball League
.
called the Worthing Leisure Centre home. In 1999, to build on their popularity and boost commercial revenue the Bears decided to relocate to the nearby city of Brighton
, where the franchise had originally started. Disappointed local fans looking for a new team to follow quickly snapped up the franchise of struggling Stevenage
and in 1999, soon after the Bears had moved out, Worthing Thunder was born.
An excellent debut season, playing as the Worthing Rebels, saw them finish runners up in the National Basketball League Division 1
, with a 21-3 record, compared to champions Teeside Mohawks
' 22-2 record, as well as reaching the National Trophy final, losing 81-78 to Teeside at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield
. The following year, 2001, saw the Thunder finish again as runners-up in the renamed NBL Conference
(16-5) as well as the Playoff final, both times losing out to Plymouth Raiders
.
Worthing's first silverware came in 2004 in the form of the National Trophy, a competition they had finished runners up for the two years previous (2002 and 2003). The 86-72 win against the Sutton Pumas at the University of Worcester
capped off a less than memorable league campaign, where the team finished 5th in the new English Basketball League Conference
(15-7).
The 2004-2005 season saw mild improvement on the league standings, finishing 4th with a less favourable 13-9 record, but the Southerners did reach the National Trophy final for the fourth time in five years, losing out this time to league winners Sheffield Arrows
83-76. However it was the 2005-2006 season that would see Worthing's biggest triumph to date, crowned as EBL Division 1
winners with a 23-3 record. The Championship playoffs were beyond reach though as the Thunder succumbed to second place Reading Rockets
in the showpiece final at Birmingham
's National Indoor Arena
, losing by 4 points 103-99.
The feats of 2005-2006 were surpassed in the following season when as well as defending their league title with a 21-1 record, Thunder reached both the National Cup and National Trophy finals, losing the former to Manchester Magic
and the latter to Reading Rockets. Some element of revenge was gained at the end of the season however, when Worthing defeated Manchester Magic at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena to claim their first ever play-off Championship title with a 102-94 victory.
On February 6, 2008, it was officially announced that the club would be exchanging hands to a new-look board of directors in a bid to step up to the elite British Basketball League
, for the 2008-2009 season. This came just months after the club declined an invitation to compete in the BBL for the 2007-2008 season
, a decision which angered some fans and prompted a rival bid for the area franchise from the Brighton Cougars
, which eventually failed.
Thunder ended the 2007-2008 rather disappointingly compared to their usually high standards, finishing the League campaign in 3rd place behind rivals Manchester and Reading. After losing not only the National Cup Final 104-89 to Manchester, but also the National Trophy in a 84-68 demolition by Reading, the last chance of silverware was squandered as they fell at the first hurdle in the post-season Play-offs.
However, after years of entertaining the idea of returning top-flight basketball to Worthing, the club felt the time was then right and the decision was made to make the move to the British Basketball League, officially being accepted in May 2008.
(Guildford Heat
) and Lijah Perkins
(London Capital
) were brought in to give the team much needed top-flight experience. Thunder's campaign tipped-off ironically against an old foe in Plymouth Raiders, who also made the jump from the EBL several years earlier. The game ended in a disappointing 80-104 defeat for Worthing, and it wasn't until the third game, a road trip to Cheshire Jets
, that Thunder grabbed their first win in the BBL with a 91-97 victory. Their season was a mixed one overall, and even though they managed to compete with the big-boys - including a 109-99 victory at home to Scottish Rocks
and an 85-88 away win at Sheffield Sharks
- Worthing finished one-place above bottom London with a 10-23 record.
Notes:
Alfredo Ott
Kadiri Richard Steve Vear Dan Wardrope
Lijah Perkins Roderick Wellington
Evaldas Zabas
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 from Worthing
Worthing
Worthing is a large seaside town with borough status in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, forming part of the Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton conurbation. It is situated at the foot of the South Downs, west of Brighton, and east of the county town of Chichester...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Founded in 1999, until recently they competed in the top-tier 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....
, having previously having dominated the lower leagues in recent years, winning back-to-back English Basketball League
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....
Division One titles in 2006 and 2007. In the summer of 2011 Worthing Thunder returned to division one of the English Basketball League
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 early years
Basketball has been played in the town of Worthing since 1984, when Worthing BearsBrighton Bears
Brighton Bears was a British basketball team based in Brighton, Sussex. From 1984 to 1999 the club was known as the Worthing Bears and was based in the town of Worthing, 12 miles west of Brighton. The Bears played in the top-flight British Basketball League until 2006 when the franchise folded...
called the Worthing Leisure Centre home. In 1999, to build on their popularity and boost commercial revenue the Bears decided to relocate to the nearby city of Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, where the franchise had originally started. Disappointed local fans looking for a new team to follow quickly snapped up the franchise of struggling Stevenage
Stevenage
Stevenage is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England. It is situated to the east of junctions 7 and 8 of the A1, and is between Letchworth Garden City to the north, and Welwyn Garden City to the south....
and in 1999, soon after the Bears had moved out, Worthing Thunder was born.
An excellent debut season, playing as the Worthing Rebels, saw them finish runners up in the National Basketball League Division 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:...
, with a 21-3 record, compared to champions Teeside Mohawks
Tees Valley Mohawks
The Tees Valley Mokawks is an English basketball team from Middlesbrough, Teesside competing in the English Basketball League, Division 1. They play their home games at the University of Teesside....
' 22-2 record, as well as reaching the National Trophy final, losing 81-78 to Teeside at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
. The following year, 2001, saw the Thunder finish again as runners-up in the renamed NBL Conference
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:...
(16-5) as well as the Playoff final, both times losing out to Plymouth Raiders
Plymouth Raiders
The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004...
.
Worthing's first silverware came in 2004 in the form of the National Trophy, a competition they had finished runners up for the two years previous (2002 and 2003). The 86-72 win against the Sutton Pumas at the University of Worcester
University of Worcester
The University of Worcester is a British university, based in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. It was granted university status in September 2005.-History:...
capped off a less than memorable league campaign, where the team finished 5th in the new English Basketball League Conference
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....
(15-7).
The 2004-2005 season saw mild improvement on the league standings, finishing 4th with a less favourable 13-9 record, but the Southerners did reach the National Trophy final for the fourth time in five years, losing out this time to league winners Sheffield Arrows
City of Sheffield Arrows
The City of Sheffield Arrows, or just Sheffield Arrows for short, is a basketball team from Sheffield, South Yorkshire with their first team competing in the English Basketball League, Division 1....
83-76. However it was the 2005-2006 season that would see Worthing's biggest triumph to date, crowned as 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....
winners with a 23-3 record. The Championship playoffs were beyond reach though as the Thunder succumbed to second place Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets is a basketball club based in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. Currently Reading Rockets play in the English Basketball League Division 1. Reading Rockets work with around 1,000 young players every week in Berkshire...
in the showpiece final at Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
's National Indoor Arena
National Indoor Arena
The National Indoor Arena is a large indoor arena and is owned by the NEC Group. It is situated in central Birmingham, England and was opened in 1991, as the largest indoor arena at the time in the UK...
, losing by 4 points 103-99.
The feats of 2005-2006 were surpassed in the following season when as well as defending their league title with a 21-1 record, Thunder reached both the National Cup and National Trophy finals, losing the former to Manchester Magic
Manchester Magic
Manchester Magic is an English basketball team from Manchester, competing in the English Basketball League, Division 3. They play their home games at the Amaechi Basketball Centre, which was funded by former NBA star John Amaechi....
and the latter to Reading Rockets. Some element of revenge was gained at the end of the season however, when Worthing defeated Manchester Magic at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena to claim their first ever play-off Championship title with a 102-94 victory.
On February 6, 2008, it was officially announced that the club would be exchanging hands to a new-look board of directors in a bid to step up to the elite 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....
, for the 2008-2009 season. This came just months after the club declined an invitation to compete in the BBL for the 2007-2008 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...
, a decision which angered some fans and prompted a rival bid for the area franchise from the Brighton Cougars
Brighton Cougars
The Brighton Cougars is an English basketball club from the city of Brighton. Established in 1989, the community-orientated club announced on June 17, 2007 that it would launch a franchise in the professional British Basketball League...
, which eventually failed.
Thunder ended the 2007-2008 rather disappointingly compared to their usually high standards, finishing the League campaign in 3rd place behind rivals Manchester and Reading. After losing not only the National Cup Final 104-89 to Manchester, but also the National Trophy in a 84-68 demolition by Reading, the last chance of silverware was squandered as they fell at the first hurdle in the post-season Play-offs.
However, after years of entertaining the idea of returning top-flight basketball to Worthing, the club felt the time was then right and the decision was made to make the move to the British Basketball League, officially being accepted in May 2008.
Step-up to BBL
Though Coach Gary Smith retained the bulk of Thunder's Division One roster, players such as Dan WardropeDan Wardrope
Dan Wardope is currently a basketball player for the Worthing Thunder basketball club of the British Basketball League....
(Guildford Heat
Guildford Heat
Guildford Heat is a basketball club based in Guildford, England that currently play in the British Basketball League. Heat play their home games at the brand-new Surrey Sports Park and was formed in 2005 by fans of former BBL franchise Thames Valley Tigers, who folded during the same year...
) and Lijah Perkins
Lijah Perkins
Lijah Perkins in Birmingham, United Kingdom is a professional basketball player, currently signed to Worthing Thunder, playing as a Power forward or Centre.-Biography:...
(London Capital
London Capital
London Capital, officially called PAWS London Capital in reference to their partnership with PAWS Foundation, is a basketball team based in London, England...
) were brought in to give the team much needed top-flight experience. Thunder's campaign tipped-off ironically against an old foe in Plymouth Raiders, who also made the jump from the EBL several years earlier. The game ended in a disappointing 80-104 defeat for Worthing, and it wasn't until the third game, a road trip to Cheshire Jets
Cheshire Jets
The Cheshire Jets are a British professional basketball team based in the city of Chester, in Cheshire, England. Formerly known as the Chester Jets, their home court is the Northgate Arena and they play in the top-tier British Basketball League....
, that Thunder grabbed their first win in the BBL with a 91-97 victory. Their season was a mixed one overall, and even though they managed to compete with the big-boys - including a 109-99 victory at home to Scottish Rocks
Scottish Rocks
The Glasgow Rocks is a basketball team which competes in the British Basketball League. Formerly known as Scottish Rocks and also Edinburgh Rocks, they are one of the leading franchises in the top-tier league, and the only team to be based outside of England, playing at the Kelvin Hall...
and an 85-88 away win at Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield...
- Worthing finished one-place above bottom London with a 10-23 record.
Season-by-season records
| Season | Div. | Pos. | Pld. | W | L | Pts. | Play Offs | Nat. Trophy | BBL Trophy | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worthing Rebels | ||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | 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:... |
2nd | 26 | 21 | 5 | 42 | Quarter-final | Runner-up | n/a | |
| Worthing Thunder | ||||||||||
| 2000–2001 | NBL Conf. 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:... |
2nd | 21 | 16 | 5 | 32 | Runner-up | Semi-final | n/a | 1st Round |
| 2001–2002 | NBL Conf. 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 | 9 | 9 | 18 | Quarter-final | Runner-up | n/a | 1st Round |
| 2002–2003 | NBL Conf. 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 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 30 | Quarter-final | Runner-up | n/a | |
| 2003–2004 | EBL 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.... |
|5th | 22 | 15 | 7 | 30 | Semi-final | Winners | n/a | Quarter-final |
| 2004–2005 | EBL 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.... |
|5th | 22 | 13 | 9 | 26 | Quarter-final | Runner-up | n/a | Semi-final |
| 2005–2006 | EBL 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.... |
1st | 26 | 23 | 3 | 46 | Runner-up | 2nd Round | 1st Round | Quarter-final |
| 2006–2007 | EBL 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.... |
1st | 22 | 21 | 1 | 42 | Winners | Runner-up | 1st Round | Runner-up |
| 2007–2008 | EBL 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.... |
|3rd | 18 | 14 | 4 | 28 | Quarter-final | Runner-up | 1st Round | Runner-up |
| 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.... |
|11th | 33 | 10 | 23 | 20 | DNQ | n/a | 1st Round | 1st Round |
| 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.... |
|8th | 36 | 18 | 18 | 36 | Quarter-final | n/a | Quarter-final | 1st Round |
Notes:
- From 2000-2003 the NBL Conference operated as the second tier league, ahead of Division One.
- From 2005 onwards, the Thunder have also participated as an EBL representative of the BBL TrophyBBL TrophyThe BBL Trophy is one of three cup competitions operated by the British Basketball League. The competition begins with a regional group format and comprises the BBL clubs divided into four regional qualifying groups of three...
, alongside the National Trophy. - In 2008 Worthing stepped up to the professional BBL, the country's top tier league.
- DNQ denotes Did Not Qualify.
League
- EBL Division One Winners: 2005/06 & 2006/07 2
- NBL Conference Runners Up: 2000/01 1
- NBL Division One Runners Up: 1999/00 1
Playoffs
- EBL Division One Playoff Winners: 2006/07 1
- EBL Division One Playoff Runners Up: 2005/06 1
- NBL Conference Playoff Runners Up: 2000/01 1
Trophy
- National Trophy Winners: 2003/04 1
- National Trophy Runners Up: 1999/00, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2006/07 & 2007/08 6
Current roster
The following information is established according to the official websites of the team (www.worthing-thunder.org.uk) and the British Basketball League (www.bbl.org.uk).Notable former players
Corey McGee Daniel Midgley Gaylon MooreGaylon Moore
Gaylon Moore is an American professional basketball player, who most recently played for the Plymouth Raiders in the British Basketball League....
Alfredo Ott
Alfredo Ott
Alfredo Joseph Ott III is an American basketball player currently playing for Lan Mobel ISB of Spain's LEB Plata...
Kadiri Richard Steve Vear Dan WardropeDan Wardrope
Dan Wardope is currently a basketball player for the Worthing Thunder basketball club of the British Basketball League....
Lijah Perkins Roderick Wellington
Roderick Wellington
Roderick Wellington is a British professional basketball player, and currently plays for the Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League....
Evaldas Zabas
See also
- Brighton BearsBrighton BearsBrighton Bears was a British basketball team based in Brighton, Sussex. From 1984 to 1999 the club was known as the Worthing Bears and was based in the town of Worthing, 12 miles west of Brighton. The Bears played in the top-flight British Basketball League until 2006 when the franchise folded...
- English Basketball LeagueEnglish Basketball LeagueThe 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....
- British Basketball LeagueBritish Basketball LeagueThe 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....
- Sport in WorthingSport in WorthingA wide variety of sport in Worthing has been played, which has a long and interesting history.-Current sports:Worthing's location between the sea and the downs makes the area a popular location for outdoor recreation...