http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Spartans/

Team history:

The second oldest team in Britain. Began as the Northwich Spartans in 1983 and came to Manchester a year later. One of the most dominant teams in the North with several conference championships. Slipped up in 1987, but had the wherewithal to turn the situation around immediately. In 1988 won more games than any other team in one season (15), but fell in the semi-finals of the playoffs. In 1989 (coached by Terry Smith - who also coached GB at the time), they won the 1989 Budweiser title where they defeated Birmingham Bulls 21-14. The Spartans were an excellent team. Under former Atlanta Falcon starter Roy Harris, the defense produced youngsters the calibre of LB's Martin Owen and Howard Cooper and linemen Rick Hughes, Keith Marsh and Warren Billingham. In front of QB Hazen Choates was an offensive line with few peers. As a result entered the Eurobowl championship in 1990, where they defeated the Dublin Celts in the first round, and then triumphed 34-22 in the final against Legnano Frogs of Italy. Won the British championship for a second time in 1990 with a 27-25 win against Northants Storm. Had a mass player defection in 1991 (Mike Taylor and Les Jackson to New York Knights, Paul Bailey to Birmingham Bulls, Dave Samuels to Olympians, Allan Brown and John Parker to Nottingham Hoods, Tiggy Bell to Leeds Cougars) and they also adopted an All British policy which saw Hazen Choates and Roy Harris missing. Signed a sponsorship with Granada worth over £10,000 in 1991.

Entered the NDMA in 1993, but quit in May to concentrate on the Football League of Europe. Reformed as the GB Spartans and took part in the Football League of Europe instead.

Head Coaches

1988-1990 - Terry Smith
1991 - Nigel Dias
1992 - Terry Smith
1993 - Terry Smith

Imports

1989-1990 - Hazen Choates, Roy Harris
1991 - Terry Smith
1992 - Lorenzo Walker, Mark Nelson, Terry Smith

Internationals

1990 - LB John Parker
1990 - Les Jackson, Dave Samuels
1990 - Paul Bailey
1990 - Allan Brown
1991 - Mike Astle

Game notes

18th July 1992 - Walker ran for 320 yards vs Gateshead Senators
11th July 1992 - Lorenzo Walker ran for 198 yards on 27 carriers vs Leeds Cougars
21st June 1992 - Lorenzo Walker ran for 238 yards and 3 TDs vs Nottingham Hoods
15th June 1991 - Terry Robinson ran for 216 yards on 27 carries vs Gateshead

Photos:

1993

 
Nigel Dias

Article in First Down about Spartans pulling out of NDMA

1992

QB Mike Astle

Nottingham's Allan Brown v Spartans

Spartans chase down Olympians Tony Scarlett


Trevor Carthy v Manchester Spartans

 
Import Lorenzo Walker

Spartans D stops Leicester's Warren Sweetman

1991


New sponsorship, 1991

   
Terry Smith playing in his last game, 1991

QB Mike Astle

1990

Spartans Roy Harris sacks Northants Van Allen in Coke Bowl 1990

   
QB Hazen Choates

 
Celebrating their Coke Bowl win in 1990

Hazen Choates escapes a Glasgow Lions player in the Coke Bowl semi-final

Terry Smith talks to his players


vs. Leicester Panthers, 1990

London Ravens v Manchester Spartans, 1990

Leeds Cougars RB Chris Thomas v Manchester Spartans, 1990


WR Allan Brown goes for a catch vs Amsterdam Crusaders in 1990 Eurobowl

Manchester Spartans celebrate game winning sack vs Amsterdam, 1990 Eurobowl qualifier

Spartans pile on the pressure against Amsterdam in 1990

Allan Brown v Nottingham


Manchester Spartans pressure Dave Kramme

 
Paul Bailey

RB George Barratt

Paul Bailey

     
Terry Smith scoring for the Spartans, 1990


Tiggy Bell played for the Spartans after moving from Leeds Cougars, 1990

Les Jackson

Center Cameron Dundas

1989

 
vs. Birmingham Bulls, Bud Bowl III, 1989

               
Manchester Spartans v London Ravens, 1989

         
Manchester Allstars v Manchester Spartans, 1989 @ Boundary Park, Oldham


Paul Bailey, 1989

Terry Smith, 1989

Andy Igwediebo

1988


Manchester Spartans v Glasgow Lions, 1988 



1987


Manchester Allstars (white) v. Manchester Spartans 1987


Spartans WR Tom Wrigley goes for a catch, 1987

1986

 
Spartans TJ Johnson in action in 1986


QB TJ Johnson


vs. Tyneside, 1986

1985


Manchester Allstars Nick Gough running vs Manchester Spartans