LEEDS COUGARS

Based: 1989 - Odsal Stadium, Bradford, 1990 - Bramley RLFC, Leeds (also played at Leeds United FC, Elland Road), 1994 - Farsley Celtic FC, 1995 - Westpark Brayhope RUFC)
Career Record (senior kitted only): 61-67-2
Colours: Royal Blue/Gold/White
Website: http://www.leedscougars.co.uk/
Honours: Budweiser League Premier Division runners-up 1987. Conference champions 1987

Senior Kitted

1995 BAFA Division One 0-10-0
1994 BAFA Division One 4-6-0
1993 NDMA Northern Conference 2-4-0*
1992 NDMA Division One Northern Conference 4-6-0*
1991 NDMA Division One Northern Conference 5-5-0
1990 NDMA Northern Conference 5-5-0*
1989 Budweiser League Midlands Conference 7-3-0*
1988 Budweiser League National Division Northern Conference 4-9-0
1987 Budweiser League Premier Division Northern Conference 10-0-0*
1986 BAFL National League Pennine Conference 5-6-1*
1985 AFL Northern Division 9-2-1*
1984 Merit Table 2-4-0

Youth Kitted

1995 BYAFA Northern Division 0-3-0
1994 BYAFA Northern Division 6-2-0*
1993 BYAFA Northern Division 5-1-0
1992 BYAFA Northern Conference 5-2-1* Lost 18-8 to Norwich Devils in quarter-final
1991 BYAFA record unknown but lost 64-0 to Northants Storm in Northern Semi-Finals
1990 NDMA Youth Kitted League Northern Conference 3-2-1* Lost 20-0 to Fylde Falcons in first round of playoffs
1989 BYAFA Northern Conference 2-5-0
1988 BYAFA 2-3-1

Team notes: One of the UK's oldest sides. Started playing in 1984. Made the AFL playoffs in 1985, the BAFL playoffs in 1986. In 1987 the Cougars destroyed everything that was put in front of them on the back of Tiggy Bell's (signed from Bradford Dolphins) running on their way to the Budweiser Premier Division final at Cardiff, but they lost the final 43-7 to the Bournemouth Bobcats. Promoted to the Bud National League in 1988. Argueably their best ever season was 1989 when they finished the regular season with 7 wins out of 10 before defeating Northants Storm 22-16 in overtime in the quarter-finals. A narrow 27-20 defeat at Birmingham Bulls prevented the Cougars from reaching the final. A series of mediocre seasons followed in the NDMA League and then the BAFA League. In 1992 signed Barnsley Bears QB Phil Trickett and relied on US lineman Bill Bonus, and they scrambled into the playoffs. Went all-british in 1993 with veteran Bell carrying the offense again into the playoffs.

Then after 10 defeats out of 10 in 1995 they called it a day and folded. Ran a Youth Kitted side with good effect from 1988 to 1995 when the senior side also stopped playing.

Head Coaches:

1995 - John Gurga
1993-1994 - Chuck Brogden
1992 - Doug McClean
1991 - Chris Thomas
1990 - Dan Moore

Imports:

1994 - QB Joel Lamb
1993 - none
1992 - Bill Bonus
1991 - RB Chris Thomas, DB/SS Cliff Harvey
1990 - LB Dan Moore, RB Chris Thomas, WR Greg Thelen

Internationals:

Game notes

18th July 1993 - Bell ran for 280 yards on 28 carries vs Thames Valley
30th May 1993 - Bell ran for 293 yards and 4TDs vs Gateshead Senators
2nd May 1993 - Bell ran for 234 yards vs Gateshead Senators
21st June 1992 - Tiggy Bell ran for 253 yards vs Gatehead Senators
7th June 1992 - Tiggy Bell rushed for 255 yards and 4 TDs on 13 carries vs Blackpool Falcons
8th June 1991 - Tiggy Bell ran for 271 yards on 18 carries
1st June 1991 - Tiggy Bell ran 35 times for 210 yards vs Blackpool
4th May 1991 - Chris Thomas ran for 105 yards on 15 carries, and Tiggy Bell ran for 202 yards.
28th April 1990 - Chris Thomas accounted for 365 yards out of 400 yards of offense - 229 passing and 136 rushing
8th July 1990 - Chris Thomas posted a then record 1610 top flight rushing yards for the season. Greg Brenner caught record 6 TDs vs Gateshead Senators
10th June 1990 - Chris Thomas ran for 351 yards and 3 tds on 21 carries (a NDMA record) vs Leicester Panthers
27th May 1990 - Chris Thomas ran for 259 yards vs Birmingham Bulls

20th May 1990 - Chris Thomas ran for 262 yards from 14 carries vs Fylde