Lancashire Wolverines Explained

Lancashire Wolverines
History:Wigan Wolverines (1988-1989)
Lancashire Chieftains (1986-1989)
Lancashire Wolverines (1989-)
League:BAFA National Leagues
Division:NFC 1 Central
Stadium:UCLAN Sports Arena
Location:Preston, Lancashire
Colours:Black Helmets, Grey Jerseys, Black Pants
Coach:Ian Nicholson
Division Titles:2: 2011, 2012
Playoff Berths:13: 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018
Website:http://www.lancashire-wolverines.co.uk/

The Lancashire Wolverines are an American football team based in Preston, Lancashire, England, who compete in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 2 North, the third level of British American Football.[1]

They currently operate from the UCLAN Sports Arena and were formed in 1989 but were a coming together of two previous sides that had folded, the Wigan Wolverines and the Lancashire Chieftains. The Wolverines folded again in 2004 but had reformed and been re-instated by 2007. Aside from their current home, the team has previously operated from other towns within the area namely Blackburn and Wigan in Greater Manchester.

History

The Wolverines first competed in British American Football from 1989 and were present until 2004 when off-field problems caused them to pull out of the league. They were formed from the remnants of the Wigan Wolverines, and were bolstered by the merger with the Lancashire Chieftains in 1990. The Wolverines competed in the BNGL during its six-year existence, and thereafter have been in the British American Football League.

Lancashire have made the playoffs on 7 occasions, but have yet to win a Bowl. They reached the BSL Division Two final in 1998 and were promoted to Division One only to quickly return in 1999.Division one status was regained in 2002, and the Wolverines finished that season with a 3-7-0 record. A better year in 2003, resulted in a winning record in Division One with a 5-2-1 record, this season included the only ever Wolverines away victory against the Birmingham Bulls American Football Team, the game was very close with the final score 6-0 to Lancashire. Birmingham responded by handing out a 50-8 reply in the end of season playoffs.

Despite location in a new venue in 2004 (the impressive Bolton Arena), the Wolverines pulled out of the league mid-season.

Back in the league, after a few years, the Wolverines went 9-1 in the 2011 season in division 2. They were beaten at the semi-final stage of the post season, but regardless of this were granted promotion to Division 1 North in a league reshuffle.[2]

In 2016 the Wolverines started training camps in hopes to recruit young players to join the team.[3]

Academy

The Lancashire Wolverines as an 18 year old+ squad are the senior team in the Lancashire Academy of Football http://www.lancashire-wolverines.co.uk/ . The teams under the academy banner are:

Seasonal Records

YearConferenceRecord
2019BAFA NL Division One North7-3-0
20187-2-1
2017BAFA NL Premier Division South0-10-0
2016BAFA NL Premier Division North3-7-0
20158-2-0
20146-3-0
20135-5-0
2012BAFA NL Division One North7-3-0
2011BAFA NL Division Two9-1-0
2010BAFL Division Two North6-4-0
20095-4-1
20086-4-0
20074-6-0
2004BSL Division One Northern3-7-0
20035-2-1
20023-7-0
2001BSL Division Two Northern7-0-1
20002-5-1
1999BSL Division One Northern0-10-0
1998BSL Division Two North Eastern9-1-0
1997BSL Division One Northern0-10-0
1996BSL Division Two Northern1-9-0
1995BAFA Division Two North/Midlands9-1-0
19945-2-1
1993BNGL Premier Division Midlands9-1-0
1992BNGL Premier Division Northern8-2-0
1991BNGL Premier Division North Western4-6-0
1990BNGL First Division North Western8-1-1
1989 BNGL First Division Northern B4-5-1

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marshall . Jake . 2021-05-06 . Touchdown Wolverines: Flying the Lancashire flag on the American Football field . 2023-12-16 . Lancashire Evening Post.
  2. Web site: Our history – Lancashire Wolverines | the Northwest's Premier American Football Club.
  3. Web site: 2016-01-12 . GET INVOLVED: Lancashire Wolverines to host American Football rookie camps in Blackburn . 2023-12-16 . Lancashire Telegraph . en.