Based: Saffron Lane Stadium, Saffron Lane, Leicester
Career Record (senior kitted only): 97-47-1
Colours: Gold/Black/Gold
Gallery: http://istoricalallery.fotopic.net/c1132597.html
Honours: British runners-up 1992. BSL Division One champions 1996. Conference champions 1996, 1987, 1985. Youth kitted champions 1989

Senior Kitted

1996 BSL Division One Northern Conference 9-1-0*
1995 BAFA Division One 6-4-0*
1994 BAFA Division One 7-3-0*
1993 NDMA Central Conference 7-3-0*
1992 NDMA Division One Northern Conference 7-3-0*
1991 NDMA Division One Northern Conference 5-5-0*
1990 NDMA Northern Conference 7-3-0*
1989 Budweiser League Midlands Conference 4-6-0
1988 Budweiser League National Division Midlands Conference 8-5-1*
1987 Budweiser League National League Western Conference 9-1-0*
1986 BAFL National League Central Conference 9-3-0*
1985 AFL North Central Division 10-0-0*

Youth Kitted

1992 BYAFA Western Division - pulled out before season started
1991 BYAFA Midlands Conference 4^th
1990 NDMA Kitted League Central Conference 2-5-1
1989 NDMA Kitted League 6-0-0*

Team notes: Top flight side throughout their existence (1985 to 1996). Only once failed to post a winning record (1989), and that was the only season they failed to make the playoffs. Started in the AFL in 1985 going unbeaten in the regular season, losing 40-14 to the London Ravens in the semi-finals. Secured a £40,000 sponsorship deal before the 1986 season. They joined the BAFL in 1986, and lost 27-15 away to Glasgow Lions in the semi-finals. They joined the Budweiser League in 1987, and again qualified for the playoffs where they defeated Chelmsford Cherokee 41-0, and then lost 42-16 at Boundary Park to the Manchester Allstars in the semi-finals.

In 1988, they lost to the London Olympians 27-17 in the quarter-finals. 1989 was a poor season as they rebuilt for the 1990 NDMA season.

In 1991signed Declan Reilly from the Manchester Allstars, and announced that in 1991 Brit Tony Cope would QB the team. Head Coach Jay Perkins quit in June after a war of words with owner Barrie Wardle. Quarter-final defeats in successive seasons.

In 1992 Bernie Walker took over as HC, and led the talented squad to a final for the first time ever. They won 28-12 at Brighton B-52s in the quarter-finals, and then won 21-9 at Birmingham Bulls. However, the Panthers were no match for the London Olympians in the final as they went down 34-6. Owner Barrie Wardle said, "I'm delighted to say that Bernie (Walker) has agreed to return to us next year. We started our rebuilding programme last year and it's about time we had some continuity."

1993 was another good year as they record a 7-3 regular season record on their way to another semi-final. This time they lost away to the Glasgow Lions 27-24 in one of the best games of all-time. The scrambling Kargbo was shown the door in April 1993, and Walter Norton signed (a Boston University 2 year starting QB). Bernie Walker stayed on for 1993 and import Joe Hudson returned.

In 1994, they signed former Western Illinois QB Donnie Simmons, but he got injured in their opener against Glasgow and flew home. He was replaced by Akim Kargbo. Another narrow semi-final defeat followed in 1994 as they went down 26-20 in OT at Syston Rugby Club against the Birmingham Bulls.

In 1995 they signed QB Thad Trujillo (2nd ranked QB in NCAA Div.II history with Fort Lewis College. Longtime Brit assistant Kevin Scott took over from Bernie Walker. They were led on the ground by Curtis Thomas and Brit product Lawrence Taylor.Also picked up Ahmed Hashim from the defunct Nottingham Hoods and Birmingham were again the victors in the 1995 season as they won 36-19 in the semi-final again!

In 1996 they signed Tiggy Bell and QB'd by Rick Horner they won the BSL Division One Final for the first time in their existence with a 36-15 win against Milton Keynes. That should have been the springboard to further success but they mysteriously folded at the end of the season.

Were once quarterbacked (in the 1988 season) by former Chicago Bear (and current New Orleans Head coach) Sean Payton.

Head Coaches:

1990 Kirk Tally replaced by Defensive Co-ordinator Jerry Rizzo mid-season, then replaced by Norm Killion
1991 Jay Perkins replaced by Kevin Scott
1992-1994 Bernie Walker
1995-6 Kevin Scott

Imports:

1988 QB Sean Payton
1989 Jay McKinstrey
Rob Cox G 1990 (did not start season)
Mike Fanger QB 1990, WR John Jueb, LB Ron Riley
1991 - John Perryman, Todd Jones
1992 - QB Akim Kargbo (Ramapo College), LB Scott Allen (injured in preseason), LB Joe Hudson (Ramapo College)
1993 - QB Walter Norton (Boston University), LB Joe Hudson
1994 - QB Donnie Simmons (Western Illinois - injured in first game), QB Akim Kargbo, LB Joe Hudson

Internationals

RB Warren Sweetman

Game notes

18th July 1993 - Warren Sweetman ran for 232 yards on 31 carries vs Brighton B52s
25th July 1992 - Warren Sweetman ran for 209 yards vs Brighton B52s
18th July 1992 - Warren Sweetman passed Norman Green's club record with 1,421 single season rushing yards
11th July 1992 - Warren Sweetman ran for 216 yards against Gateshead Senators
4th July 1992 - Warren Sweetman ran for 145 yards vs Nottingham, passing Norman Green's all-time Panther record of 3,243 career yards
4th May 1991 - Warren Sweetman ran for 197 yards on 21 carries vs Blackpool
28th April 1991 - Mark Connelly had 4.5 sacks, 1 interception and a forced fumble vs Gateshead
17th June 1990 - Leicester trailed 28-12 in the 4th quarter vs Glasgow but won 37-35 with Jueb 11 catch from Fanger with 27 secs left
10th June 1990 - John Jueb caught 4 TDs on 202 yards. Mike Fanger went through 2,000 yards passing in just his 6th game (NDMA record)
13th May 1990 - Mike Fanger threw for 5 Tds vs Bournemouth
20th May 1990 - Mike Fanger threw 353 yards and 6 TDs vs Nottingham Hoods. John Jueb caught 223 yards including a 92 yarder