Who
were the greatest? -2003 poll
IN 2003, almost 5,000 votes were
cast on the British American Football website, www.britballnow.co.uk,
to find out who the greatest teams, coaches and players
in UK American Football history were. We list the top
three in each category below:
Greatest
Senior Kitted Team
1. London Ravens 1983-1987
51%
2. London O's 1997-2003 24%
3. Leicester Panthers 1996 season 8%
4. London Olympians 1992-1994 5%
5. Birmingham Bulls 1988 4%
6. Manchester Spartans 1989-1990 4%
7. Birmingham Bulls 1991 2%
8. Birmingham Bulls 1986 1%
9. Birmingham Bulls 1995 1%
No surprise here. The London Ravens
were the dominant force in British American Football in
the mid 80's. They were unbeaten from their creation in
1983 through to 1988. Recently, their British record of
most consecutive wins against British opposition was
broken by the seven time British Champions, the London
O's. The O's came in second in the poll, with the 1996
British Champions, the Leicester Panthers third.
Greatest
College Team
1. Hertfordshire Hurricanes
1998-2000 35%
2. Hull Sharks 1986-1989 22%
3. Loughborough Aces 1997 13%
4. Stirling Clansmen 2003 7%
5. Southampton Stags 1992-1993 7%
6. Oxford Cavaliers 2001 5%
7. Cardiff Cobras 1988-1989 3%
8. Leeds Celtics 1996 3%
9. Teesside Demons 1990-1991 3%
10. Glasgow Tigers 1994 2%
Jim Messenger's triple College Bowl
winning side deservedly won the title of the Greatest
College team. Three consecutive championships between
1998 and 2000 is a feat that is unlikely to be matched.
Hull Sharks were the College powerhouse from 1986 and
1989, and they won 2 Bowls and tied another to finish
second on our poll.
Loughborough Aces perfect season in 1997 was enough for
them to be voted third.
Greatest
Senior Flag Team
1. Leicester Eagles 2002
35%
2. Fen Harriers 1999-2000 22%
3. Bournemouth Raiders 2002 17%
4. Leicester Eagles 1998
11%
5. Peterborough Centurions 1997
7%
6. West Coast Offense 2001
4%
7. London Gators 2001 3%
Leicester Eagles went through the
2002 BSFL season unbeaten and took the lion share of the
vote to win the greatest senior flag team category. Fen
Harriers back to back titles in 1999 and 2000 meant they
were voted in second, with Bournemouth Raiders, the BSFL
9man runners up and 5man champions in 2002 taking third
spot.
Greatest
Youth Kitted Team
1.
Southern Sundevils 2001-2002 16%
2. Farnham Knights 1996 14%
3.
Southend Sabres 1991-1992 13%
4.
Tiptree Titans 89-90 (20-1-1) 12%
5. Lancashire
Wolverines 97-99 (21-1)
12%
6. Leicester Panthers
89 (8-0-0) 10%
7. Northants Storm 90-91
(21-0-2) 9%
8. London Capitals 1995 (9-0-0) 5%
9. London O's 2000
(5-0-0) 4%
10. Birmingham Bulls 1994 (11-0-0)
4%
The Southern Sundevils Youth team
won the category of the greatest Youth Kitted side of
alltime, after their back to back BYAFA titles in 2001
and 2002. Farnham Knights’ perfect season in 1996 earnt
them second place, and the Southend Sabres who won the
Youth Kitted title in 1991 and 1992 came in third.
Greatest Youth Two
Touch Team
1. Tiptree Titans 1988 26%
2. Kent Rams 1989 15%
3. Glasgow Diamonds 1986 15%
4. Fen Harriers 1992 15%
5. Ealing Eagles 1993 15%
6. Crawley Pirates 1994 8%
7. Acorn Lasers 1988 7%
8. Kent Rams 1987 2%
Tiptree's exceptionally coached
youth two touch team still stands out in many people's
minds who remember them. Just a single regular season
tie was their only blemish as they won every other game
and the final 10-6 when this form of the game was at
it's strongest.
Kent Rams 28-0 thrashing of Shropshire Giants in the
1989 final after an unbeaten regular season enabled them
to be voted in second place, with the Glasgow Diamonds
1986 title winning side in third.
Greatest
Youth Flag Team
1. Leicester Eagles
2001-2003 49%
2. Plymouth Commodores 1995-1996 10%
3. Fen Harriers 1996 8%
4. Brighton B-52s 1997 6%
5. Doncaster Wildcats 1997 6%
6. Milton Keynes Pathfinders 1999 6%
7. London Os 2000 5%
8. Hull Rockets 1996-1997 5%
9. East Grinstead Knights 1994-1997 4%
10. Kirkcaldy Bulls 2003 2%
Leicester have always ground out
good youth flag sides, but their sides between 2001 and
2003 were exceptional winning consecutive national
titles. They polled nearly 50% of all votes cast in this
poll. Plymouth Commodores, the 1995 champions and 1996
runners-up, were second, with the Fen Harriers their
conquerors in 1996 third.
Greatest
Junior Flag Team
1. Eastbourne Eagles
2001-2002 41%
2. Leicester Eagles 2002-2003 19%
3. Leicester Eagles 1999 11%
4. Heathrow Jets 1989-1992 8%
5. Doncaster Wildcats 1994-1996 5%
6. Birmingham Bulls 2000-2001 5%
7. Grangemouth Broncos 2001-2003 5%
8. Crawley Pirates 1993 4%
9. Selhurst Snipers 2002-2003 3%
Eastbourne Eagles were voted as the
greatest junior flag side after becoming NFL Junior
champions of England in 2001. Leicester Eagles were
voted second and third with their BYAFA Championship
winning sides.
UK
Born Players
Greatest
Quarterback
1. Adam Heirons (PA
Knights) 16%
2. Chaz Jasicki (Brighton B-52s) 15%
3. Richard Large (Staffordshrie Surge) 12%
4. Ashley Heath (PA Knights) 7%
5. Junior Price (London Os) 6%
6. Jason Elliot (London Olympians) 6%
7. Stuart Franklin (London Os) 5%
8. Dave Stanton (Birmingham Bulls) 4%
9. Luke Sanders (London Blitz) 4%
10. Jeff Rutter (Washington Presidents) 3%
Other votes for: Mike Astle, Paul Ashton (Manchester
Allstars), Gary McNey (East Kilbride Pirates), Cliff
Boddington (Southern Sundevils), Simon Kucia
(Cambridge County Cats), Mark Spong (Portsmouth
Warriors), David Drane, Brett Lewis (Chelmsford
Cherokee), Andy Jefferson, Jonathan Adam, Nick Hewitt,
Gavin Meredith (Crewe Railroaders), Ben Moore, John
Iddon
Adam Heirons was voted the top UK
born QB after a number of top performances playing for
the PA Knights. An extremely accurate passer, his TD to
INT ratio was second to none. He retired after leading
the PA Knights to the BSL Division Two title in 2000.
Chaz Jasicki, is a legend on the South Coast, and was
the talisman for the Brighton B52s and the Sussex
Thunder throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Jasicki
and his brother, Jim, were a feared combination to
opposition defenses. Chaz played for GB between 1987 and
1989, and was the backup QB for the Lions successful
European campaign in 1989.
Chaz Jasicki
Richard Large, the current QB of the Staffordshire Surge
came third. Large possesses a great arm and also is an
effective runner. He led the BSL in passing yards in
2003.
Greatest Running Back
1. Victor Ebubedike
(London Ravens 27%
2. Richard Dunkley (London Olympians) 9%
3. Trevor Carthy (Birmingham Bulls) 8%
4. Warren Keen (London Os) 8%
5. Jim Burns (Glasgow Lions) 8%
6. Joe St Louis (London Ravens) 8%
7. Tiggy Bell (Leeds Cougars) 5%
8. Monty Lewin (Ealing Eagles) 5%
9. Warren Sweetman (Leicester Panthers) 4%
10. Tam Smith (Woking Generals, Kingston Pirates, West
London Aces, Thames Valley Aces, Randburg Giants (SA))
4%
Other votes for: Justin Oke (London Os), Duncan
French, Paul Duncan, Stephen Hutchison (London Os),
Gladstone McKenzie (Milton Keynes Bucks), Laurence
Dinham (Bournemouth Bobcats), Paul Bailey (Manchester
Spartans), Dennis Walker, Fitzroy Miller (Crawley
Raiders), Winston Moven, Mark Williams (Birmingham
Bulls), Craig Broughton, Ryan Holness, Les Slinn
(Swindon Steelers)
Victor X Ebubedike was the
resounding winner of the greatest UK Born running back
category. Arguably the greatest player produced by the
UK domestic game, he played for the London Ravens
between 1986 and 1989 running for 3,770 yards and 66 TDs
(with a spectacular 8.9 yards per carry average). He
received the Budweiser National League's MVP award three
times and won four National Championships with the
Ravens. In 1989, as team captain, he led GB to victory
in the European Championships and was named the
"European Most Valuable Player"
Victor played six seasons for the London Monarchs, after
attending Harper College in Chicago. He
almost broke into the world of professional
American football with the help of the World League and
the Operation Discover program. In 1990 he was signed by
the New York Jets, but was released during
preseason.
Richard Dunkley broke into the GB Lions squad in 1989,
and stayed there until 1995. A cornerstone of the highly
successful London Olympians side of the early 90s, he
won two Eurobowl winners medals, scoring two TD's in the
42-21 win over Amsterdam Crusaders in 1993.
Trevor Carthy was the star RB for the Birmingham Bulls
for many years. In 1986 he rushed over for 1,300 yards
and led the Bulls to 3rd place in EuroBowl I. Starting
RB for the GB Lions between 1986 and 1989, he scored 2
TD's in the 1989 semi-final win over Germany, and a TD
in the final against Finland to round off his Lions
career. Voted the leading RB in the 1990 NDMA Coca Cola
League, he was selected for the London Monarchs for
their 1991 WLAF campaign. Played on for the Bulls for a
few more years, before moving onto become their Head
Coach.
Greatest
Fullback
1. Lloyd O'Neill
(Birmingham Bulls) 19%
2. Mark Wynnick (London Ravens) 18%
3. Collis Seale-McConnie (London Os) 14%
4. Matt Townsend (Southern Sundevils) 12%
5. Cliff Morgan (Brighton B-52s) 11%
6. Earl Livermore (London Olympians)
7%
7. Ian Derbyshire 5%
8. Charlie Cornelius (London Olympians) 5%
9. Scott Miller (Winchester Rifles) 4%
10. Nick Whitford (Colchester Gladiators) 2%
Other votes for: Martin Hohn (West Brom Fireballs),
Andy Spratling (Hereford Chargers)
Lloyd O'Neill was voted as the
greatest fullback to have played in the UK. The
Birmingham Bulls legend's career highlight was in 1991,
when he was an integral part of the GB Lions squad that
successfully defended the European Nations Championship
in Finland. He scored a hat-trick of TD's in the
semi-final against the Netherlands.
Mark Wynnick was some blocker, and despite retiring in
1988 he is still fondly remembered as one of the greats
and he comes second in this poll.
Mark Wynnick blocking for Victor X
The late London O's fullback, Collis Seale-McConnie
comes in third. Collis made his debut for GB in 1995
against Ireland.
Greatest Wide Receiver
1. Scott Couper (Glasgow
Lions) 24%
2. Mark Cohen (Birmingham Bulls) 12%
3. John Williams (PA
Knights) 12%
4. Clive Palumbo (London Os) 9%
5. Jon Wyse (PA Knights) 8%
6. Allan Brown (Nottingham Hoods) 7%
7. Leroy Innes (London Ravens) 6%
8. John Anderton (Manchester Allstars) 3%
9. Harvey Culver 2%
10. Scott McReady (Scottish Claymores/New England
Patriots) 2%
Other votes for: Sean Airlie (Glasgow Lions), Jim
Jasicki (Brighton B-52s), Bruce Gemmell, Maverick
Logan (Milton Keynes Bucks), Mark Delaney (London
Olympians), Rowelle Blenman (Scottish Claymores),
Jeremy Sims (Oxford Saints), David Drane, Jason
Byworth (London Olympians), Pat Miller (Bournemouth
Bobcats), Mike Price, A Okiwee (Nottingham Hoods),
Tony Taylor (London Ravens), Sean Valentine (Crewe
Railroaders), Mike Ashby
Scott Couper was voted the greatest
UK Wide Receiver, and for good reason. He set numerous
records in eight seasons with the Glasgow Lions. His
5,000 career receiving yards with the Lions placing him
second on the all-time list. He was selected for the
Scottish Claymores in 1995 before retiring at the end of
the 2001 season after seven years in the NFL Europe
League. During that time he made a record 67 NFL Europe
League appearances, amassed 1002 yards, 93 catches and
10 touchdowns to make him the most successful national
player in league history. He was selected to play for
Chicago Bears against Pittsburgh Steelers in American
Bowl in Dublin on July 31 1997, thus becoming the first
Scotsman to play in the NFL. Scott returned to the
Claymores in 2003.
The only receiver with more BAFA yards than Couper is
Mark Cohen, who has played for many years for the
Birmingham Bulls and also for the London Monarchs. He
also played for GB Lions between 1995 and 1998, and
scored the winning TD in the 1997 qualifier in Madrid
against Spain. Mark was voted second in this poll.
Jon Williams started his career with the Farnham Knights
Youth team, and went to the States to play for Bethany
College, Kansas and St.Josephs, Wisconsin. He was a key
part of their 2000 Division Two winning side, and in
that year caught 556 yards and 8 TDs, as well as scoring
3 TDs in the final. He retired after 2000, but returned
in 2002 and retired after that campaign.
Greatest
Tight End
1. Scott Miller (Southern
Sundevils) 39%
2. Gerry Anderson (London Olympians/Os) 25%
3. Calvin Holder (London Ravens) 14%
4. Mark Penfound (Winchester Rifles) 12%
5. Mel Thomas (Leicester Panthers) 4%
6. Andy Earle (London Os) 4%
7. Gary Chalmers (East Kilbride Pirates) 4%
8. George Skidmore (Washington Presidents) 2%
9. Clevant Christian (Birmingham Bulls) 2%
10. George Newton (Portsmouth Warriors 2%
Other votes for: Martin Fisher (Leicester
Panthers/Milton Keynes Pioneers), Stephen Ward
(Staffordshire Surge), Huw Chapman (Manchester
Spartans), Paul Scott (Brighton B-52s), Maverick Logan
(Milton Keynes), T Casey (Leeds Cougars/Nottingham
Hoods), Darren Cooper (London Os)
Scott Miller was a resounding
winner of the best Tight End poll, polling nearly 50% of
the vote. Scott was a star performer for the Winchester
Rifles in their 1996 title winning season, where they
won the BAFA Division Three final 48-0 against the
Redditch Arrows. Scott also played for the Portsmouth
Warriors, Brighton B52’s and the South Coast Raiders. He
went onto play for the Southern Sundevils.
Gerry Anderson is a legend of the British game. He
started his career with the Streatham Olympians in 1984,
and continued to play at the highest level through to
2000 where he helped the O's win another title. He
scored a TD in the Olympians 20-12 Budweiser Bowl I
defeat to the London Ravens in 1986, represented the GB
Lions in their 1991 European Championship winning side
and played for the London Monarchs for a number of
seasons. Currently a NFL Development Officer for the UK.
Calvin Holder was the Tight End for the London Ravens in
their early days, and played for Great Britain in their
first ever international (against France) in 1985. He is
still remembered as one of the great Tight Ends this
country has produced.
Greatest Offensive
Lineman
1. Mark Hopkins (Bristol Aztecs)
17%
2. Dean Locke (London O's) 17%
3. Cameron Dundas (Manchester Spartans) 9%
Other votes for: Les Tuitt, Gavin Collins, N Thompson,
Joe Richardson, Don Edmonson, Chris Day, Stuart
Gallacher, Ian Smith, Errol 'Big Bird' Phillips
(London Ravens), James Ganter, Ian Smith, Gary Mills
(Birmingham Bulls), Paul Boothroyd, Paul Cox, Peter
Higgins, Warren Billingham (Manchester Spartans), Ian
Campbell
This country has produced so many
good linemen, and they can without doubt be known as the
unsung heroes of the game. With so many players to vote
for, the votes were spread amongst them, but the three
who came out on top were as follows:-
Mark Hopkins who had spells at many clubs from 1986
onwards including the Cotswold Bears, Gloucester Boars,
Birmingham Bulls, Severn Vale Royals, Manchester
Spartans, Milton Keynes Pioneers and now at the Bristol
Aztecs. Mark also played for the Sacramento Surge in the
World League of American Football in 1991 and 1992 as
part of Operation Discovery.
Dean Locke came joint top of the poll. Having played for
the GB Lions since 1995, he has an integral part of the
London O's line as they have swept all before them over
the last seven years.
Cameron Dundas comes in at third, as the cornerstone of
the great Manchester Spartans team of the early 1990s.
Cameron starred for GB Lions in their 1989 European
Nations Championship win in Germany.
Greatest
Defensive Lineman
1. Matt Barrett (Birmingham
Bulls) 21%
2. Tony MacKenzie (PA Knights) 16%
3. Paul Evans (London Os) 14%
4. Tom Tovo (London Monarchs) 7%
5. Nigel Hoyte (London Ravens)
6%
6. P Wood 4%
7. Robert Flickinger (Scottish Claymores) 4%
8. Dave Samuels (Thames Valley Chargers) 4%
9. Les Jackson (Thames Valley Chargers) 3%
10. Gerry Anderson (London Olympians) 3%
Other votes for: Delton Anderson (London Ravens),
Lewis Capes (London Monarchs), Stevie 'Duck' Collins
(Glasgow Lions), Danny Berry, D Glover, C Lambert, JJ
Baptiste, M Connelly, Gareth Alyson (Bournemouth
Bobcats), B Earnshaw, J Adams, Errol 'Big Bird'
Phillips (London Ravens), Mark Pearce (Kings Lynn
Patriots), Gary Thomas, S Leatham, D Cawthorne, Wayne
Benstead, Warren Billingham (Manchester Spartans)
Matt Barrett came top of the
defensive linemen category. Matt is still in great form
for the Birmingham Bulls in BSL Division One, and is
also a regular for the GB National team. He recorded 34
tackles and 3 sacks in the 2003 season.
Tony MacKenzie came second in the poll. After a stunning
Youth career in the UK, rounded off by starring for the
GB Crusaders Youth team, he attended Hastings College in
Nebraska for four seasons between 1991 and 1995. On his
return to the UK, Tony won a national title with the
Winchester Rifles, before joining the London Monarchs
and started nine games in his rookie season. Tony moved
onto play for the Southern Sundevils, and now currently
plays for the PA Knights where he again led the team in
tackles in 2003.
Paul Evans came third, and he is really one of the great
stalwarts of the British game. Starting his career in
the 1980s with the Brighton B-52s, he played for them
for many years, and then for the Sussex Thunder when the
52s merged with the Crawley Raiders. He has moved onto
continue playing at the pinnacle of the sport with the
best team in the country, the London O's. Paul scored a
TD on an interception return for the O's, in their
Britbowl 2003 triumph over the East Kilbride Pirates.
Greatest
Linebacker
1. Dave Chambers
(Birmingham Bulls) 34%
2. Robert 'Bob' Dean (London Olympians) 14%
3. John Aska (London Ravens) 8%
4. Shola Goppy (London Os) 7%
5. Colin Nash (Birmingham Bulls) 7%
6. Paul Newey 5%
7. Karl Goodwin (Portsmouth Tridents) 5%
8. Simon Newnham (London Os) 4%
9. Danny Martin (Wolverhampton Vipers) 4%
10. John Parker (Nottingham Hoods) 3%
Other votes for: John Lambert (Bournemouth Bobcats),
Leroy Slue (London Ravens/Os), AJ Taylor, K Ballard, S
McMenemy (East Kilbride Pirates)
Dave Chambers only played until
1989, but it is a testament to his superb play for the
Birmingham Bulls and the London Olympians that he won
the greatest linebacker poll by a landslide. The first
name on the team sheet in every game he played,
including for the GB Lions between 1985 and 1989.
Chambers played in Eurobowl I with the Bulls, and later
moved into coaching with the Lancashire Wolverines and
the Birmingham Bulls.
Robert Dean (below) came in second on the poll. Once
described as the "Best British player bar none", Bob
played for the London Olympians for many years. He also
played for the GB Lions between 1989 and 1995, and was a
key member of the 1989 and 1991 European Championship
winning sides.
John Aska was a founding player of the London Ravens,
and started with them in 1983. An outstanding athlete,
he represented GB in their opening games from 1985 to
1987, and caught an interception in their first game
against France in 1985. Played for the Ravens in
Eurobowl II in 1988, and retired shortly afterwards.
Greatest Defensive Back
1. Scott Rowe (London Os)
27%
2. Nigel Dias (Manchester Spartans) 17%
3. Mike Taylor (London Os) 10%
4. Mark Williams (Birmingham Bulls) 8%
5. Ahmed Hashim (Nottingham Hoods) 6%
6. Ian Nelson (East Kilbride Pirates)
6%
7. P Roberts (Birmingham Bulls) 5%
8. C Loftman (Birmingham Bulls) 2%
9. F Hatega (London Os) 2%
10. G Gonsales (London Capitals) 2%
Other votes for: Wes Roach (London Os), Adrian Piggott
(Leicester Panthers), Derrick Brown (London Os), David
Prince (London Ravens), Rowelle Blenman (Scottish
Claymores), N Edwards (London Os), S Mason (Manchester
Spartans), Steve Raven (Nottingham Hoods), Phil Rudder
(Portsmouth Warriors), L Burnett (Brighton B-52s), L
Knight (London Os), M Duncan (Brighton B-52s), Neil
Jenkins (Birmingham Bulls), E Taylor
Scott Rowe was voted the greatest
UK born defensive back, after a superb career. Selected
for the London Monarchs in 1995, he played for them for
four seasons, and now plays in the BSL for the London
O's. Scott has also played for GB since 1995.
Nigel Dias was voted in second place with great reason.
He was a key defensive performer for GB in their back to
back European triumphs in 1989 and 1991, and was still
playing with tremendous influence for the Birmingham
Bulls in the 2003 season.
Mike Taylor was the star cornerback for the London
Olympians in the late 80's, before moving to the
Manchester Spartans. He is best known for being one of
the first British players to be signed by the WLAF, when
in 1991 he was signed by the NY/NJ Knights along with
Les Jackson as their operation discovery talents. He was
also a starter for GB in their 1989 European win. He
came in third in the poll.
Greatest
Kicker
1. John Smith (Manchester
Allstars) 24%
2. Phil Alexander (Farnham Knights) 19%
3. Rob Hart (Southern Sundevils) 17%
4. Mick Luckhurst (Atlanta Falcons) 11%
5. Jon Wyse (PA Knights) 7%
6. Andy Boyle (London Os) 6%
7. Steve Belcher (PA Knights) 5%
8. Kevin Hurst 3%
9. Richard Meanwell (Birmingham Bulls) 2%
10. Paul Norland (Brighton B-52s) 2%
Other votes for: A Flippant (Lincoln Saints), Mark
Webb (Birmingham Bulls), Paul Cooper (Bournemouth
Bobcats), Willie Cark (Strathclyde Sheriffs)
John Smith was voted as the
greatest kicker. John played for the Manchester Allstars
between 1985 and 1990. He kicked 24 of 25 PATs (96%
kicking percentage - a UK record) in 1989, and also had
trials for the New England Patriots, and the Hamilton
Tiger Cats in the CFL.
Philip Alexander was the kicker for the Farnham Knights
in the BNGL. In 1989 he kicked 22 of 23 extra points and
19 of 20 field goals. In 1990 he tried out with the
Chicago Bears and was offered a try out with the Dallas
Cowboys. Phil joined the London Monarchs in 1991 as part
of Operation Discovery. He kicked 8 of 13 field goals
and added 37 extra points to be voted kicker and
Operation Discovery player on the All-World League First
Team, and also led the league's kickers in scoring.
Alexander also kicked for the Monarchs in 1992 and added
another nine field goals to finish with a career total
of 110 points.
Rob Hart was voted into third place in this very tight
poll which also featured Mick Luckhurst, Jon Wyse, Andy
Boyle and Richard Meanwell. Rob began playing in 1990
for the Eastleigh Devils. In the British college league,
he starred for the Sheffield Zulus and also played for
the GB national youth team. In 1995 Rob attended Murray
State College in Division 1-AA. At Murray State he
became the first kicker in the conference to score over
100 points and in 1996-97 he was voted an All-American
in the Ohio Valley Conference. In 1998 he made his
first appearance for the GB Lions, and also made his
NFLE debut for the England Monarchs where he scored 28
points. He moved to the Scottish Claymores in 1999,
where he netted 56 points, and then a further 55 in 2000
where he struck 34 out of 34 PATs. In 2001, he led the
league in points scored (64), and in 2002 he had a try
out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before recording a
perfect season with the Claymores with 20 out of 20 PATs
and 10 out of 10 field goals. He had a try out with the
Miami Dolphins in 2003.
Greatest Punter
1. Steve Belcher (PA
Knights) 54%
2. Toby Hester (London Ravens) 15%
3. Nick Joslin (London Ravens) 12%
4. Richard Meanwell (Birmingham Bulls) 12%
5. Steve Raven (Nottingham Hoods) 8%
Steve Belcher comfortably won the
greatest punter award. Steve is now with the PA Knights
after a spell with the Oxford Saints. In his two years
with the Knights he has a very healthy punting average
of well over 35 yards.
Toby Hester was voted into second place. Toby was the
punter for the London Ravens, and also played for GB in
1989.
Nick Joslin was voted into third place, after starring
for the London Ravens in EuroBowl II.
Import
Players
Greatest
Quarterback
1. Russ Jensen (Birmingham
Bulls) 15%
2. Albert Higgs (Bournemouth Bobcats) 13%
3. Sean Payton (Leicester Panthers) 9%
4. Leonard Valentine (London Olympians) 9%
5. Johnny Atlas (Northants Storm) 8%
6. Hazen Choates (Manchester
Spartans) 7%
7. Bo Hickey (Fylde Falcons) 6%
8. Darren Trainor (Glasgow Lions) 6%
9. Milton Myers (Colchester Gladiators) 6%
10. Al Penn White (Glasgow Diamonds) 4%
Other votes for: Mike Hasskamp (Glasgow Lions), Rick
Bolen (Manchester Allstars), Bob Johnson (Oxford
Bulldogs), Ron Dubie (Thames Valley Chargers), Mike
Grossner, Ron Periera, Rod Moors (Gateshead Senators),
Mike Culver, Mark Schrater (Luton Flyers), Pat Brennan
(Fylde Falcons), Ken Suhl (Nottingham Hoods)
Russ Jensen is arguably the
greatest QB to have ever played in the UK. The ex-LA
Raider came to these shores in 1988, and turned around
the Birmingham Bulls to become one of the best sides the
land has seen. The Bulls scored over 500 points that
season, with Jensen throwing for almost 3,000 yards and
37 TDs. Come the playoffs, he was electric and
instigated two demolitions over Fylde and London Ravens,
before inflicting a huge defeat on the London Olympians
(30-6) in the final.
Albert Higgs was an entertainer. Nothing less. The
finest scrambling QB that has played in the UK. When it
looked like he was going to be tackled for a huge sack,
he would spin away and then hit either Pat Miller or
Anthony Johnson on a bomb for a TD. 1991 was Higgs'
stellar season when he delighted the 2,000+ crowds in
Bournemouth with 2,528 yards passing and 35 TD throws.
That season he passed for 8 TDs in one game against
Portsmouth.
Sean Payton played the 1988 season with the Leicester
Panthers. Payton had probably the best credentials
when coming to the UK out of any other US QB. At the
time, he was the NCAA Division 1-AA's all-time leading
passer and also played for the Chicago Bears in the 1987
strike season. Payton put in some superb performances
that season to take the Panthers to the quarter-finals.
He is currently the Offensive Co-Ordinator for the
Dallas Cowboys.
Greatest
Running Back
1. Anthony Stitt (PA
Knights) 43%
2. Clifton Stroughter (Nottingham Hoods) 21%
3. Cliff Reid (Brighton B-52s) 17%
4. Mel Moore (Colchester Gladiators) 8%
5. Kip Brady (Oxford Bulldogs) 2%
6. Denny Walker (Leicester Panthers)
1%
7. Lloyd Queen (Birmingham Bulls) 1%
8. Buddy Zachary (Brighton B-52s) 1%
9. Troy Hunter 1%
10. Von Sheppard (Walsall Titans) 1%
Anthony Stitt was the comfortable
winner of the best import running back category. Stitt
was a trialist with the San Francisco 49'ners in his
early days, and played the majority of his career in
France and the Netherlands. He moved to England, and
played for the Sussex Thunder in 1998 to 2000. In 1998
he ran for 1,687 yards and 22 TDs. In 2001, he moved to
the Southern Sundevils, where he turned an ordinary
outfit into National Champion contenders. He ran for
over 1,000 yards again, and the Sundevils made it to the
semi-finals. After two seasons with the Sundevils, he
moved onto the PA Knights where he ran for 565 yards (at
almost 7 yards a carry) in 2003. At the age of 38 he
shows no signs of stopping.
Clifton Stroughter (below) played for a single
season, in 1986 and destroyed the opposition with his
powerful running. The University of Illinois product ran
for an amazing 3,104 yards and a stunning 51 TDs. No
running back has even got close to those numbers, and
none is ever likely to. His Nottingham Hoods team, that
he also coached that season, were eventually stopped by
the Glasgow Lions in the playoffs.
Cliff Reid was the star running back of the Brighton
B-52s in the 1990's, and set many team records. He was
voted into third place in the poll.
Greatest
Wide Receiver
1. Greg Harris (Birmingham
Bulls) 22%
2. John Jeub (Leicester Panthers) 18%
3. Jerome Erdman (Glasgow Lions) 17%
4. Bob Shoop (Birmingham Bulls) 14%
5. Cliff Walker (Fylde Falcons) 10%
6. Paul Shorten (Gateshead Senators)
10%
7. Sammy Pryce (Leeds Cougars) 4%
8. John LaFleur (Leeds Cougars) 4%
9. Anthony Johnson (Bournemouth Bobcats) 3%
Greg Harris played the 1988
Budweiser League season for the Birmingham Bulls and put
up some amazing receiving numbers. He was the goto
receiver for star QB Russ Jensen, and caught 2,056 yards
on a stunning 122 catches - both Britball records. He
also caught 22 TDs as the Bulls romped their way to the
national title.
John Jueb played the 1990 season with the Leicester
Panthers, and caught 16 TDs and over 1,100 yards to rank
him second on the greatest list.
Jerome Erdman came in third in the poll, and for good
reason. His 1991 season with the Glasgow Lions, with
Darren Trainor pulling the strings at QB, was one the
greatest wide receiving performances in Britball
history. He caught 82 passes (second on the alltime
list) for 1,637 yards (second behind Harris on the
alltime list) and 28 TD's (the current Britball record).
Greatest Defensive
Player
1. Ron Riley (Northants
Storm) 42%
2. Jeff Christmann (Fylde Falcons) 19%
3. Malcolm Townsend (Manchester Allstars) 8%
4. T J Flugel (Brighton B-52s) 8%
5. Vic Quirolo (Northants Storm) 6%
6. Kevin Allen 6%
7. Dan Moore (Leeds Cougars) 5%
8. Dave Lawrence (Bournemouth Bobcats) 3%
9. Dale Speckman (Fylde Falcons) 2%
10. Jeffrey Shervington (Brighton B-52s) 1%
Ron Riley played for the Northants
Storm in 1988 and Leicester Panthers in 1990, but it is
at the Storm where he performed exceptionally and is the
main reason why he is remembered as the greatest
defensive import to have played in the UK. The middle
linebacker made 125 tackles that season, as he led the
Storm to the playoffs.
Jeff Christmann came in in second place. A firm
favourite with the Fylde Falcons fans, he gave many
years loyal service to the club, and many outstanding
performances in the late 1980s.
Malcolm Townsend came third in the poll. Townsend was
the defensive kingpin for the Manchester Allstars 1987
national runners-up side. He won MVP honours in the
Budweiser Bowl loss to the London Ravens.
Greatest
Coach
1. Jim Roberson (Southern
Sundevils) 13%
2. Tariq Ayub (London Os, GB)
12%
3. Steve Rains (PA Knights) 12%
4. Jim Messenger (Hertfordshire Hurricanes) 10%
5. Brian Smallworth (Bristol Aztecs) 7%
6. Lance Cone (London Ravens, GB) 6%
7. Terry Smith (Manchester Spartans, GB) 6%
8. Beau Riffenberg 4%
9. Ron Roberts Snr (London Ravens) 4%
10. Phil DeMonte (Oxford Cavaliers) 4%
Other votes for: Mo Myers, Andy Sweeney, Don Markham,
Tony Allen, Dr Kurt Smeby, George Baldwin, Andy Capp,
Tyrone Lindsay, Chuck Brogdon, Wayne Hardman, Bruce
Cannady, Warren Tate, Don Anderson, Andy Whalley
The poll for the greatest coach of
alltime was the closest of all the polls. Twenty four
coaches were voted for in total, and Jim Roberson came
out on top. After a 19 year playing career, Roberson had
stints in the UK with the Portsmouth Warriors, Brighton
B52’s, London O’s and Winchester Rifles. With the Rifles
he took them to the BAFA Division Three title. He moved
onto the Southern Sundevils, where he changed the
culture at the club to make them more professional.
He installed winter training camps, and changed them
from being also-rans to national contenders in a very
short space of time.
Tariq Ayub is one of the great coaches in the UK. He has
won seven consecutive national championships with the
London O's - more than any other coach, and unlikely to
be bettered. He is the GB Lions Head Coach, and also is
the National Programme Director for BAFA. He polled in
second place.
Steve Rains is the current Head Coach of the PA Knights.
A fourteen year coaching veteran of clubs such as Wight
Rhinos, Southern Seminoles, he has been with the PA
Knights from 1997 to the current day. With the Knights
he has helped move them up from Division Two, where they
won the championship in 2000, to one of the best teams
in the country. They were Division One runners-up in
2002, and he took them into European competition in
2003. Steve is also the current coach of the PA Surrey
Stingers University side, and also coached England
between 1998 and 2000.
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