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THAMES VALLEY CHARGERS

Based: Palmer Park Sports Stadium, Reading (also played at Maidenhead Utd FC, York Road, Maidenhead)
Career record: 52-48-2
Colours: Blue/White/Gold
Website: No
Honours: Conference champions 1993, 1986

1993 NDMA Southern Conference 8-0-0*
1992 NDMA Division One Southern Conference 2-8-0
1991 NDMA Division One Southern Conference 5-5-0*
1990 NDMA Southern Conference 4-6-0
1989 Budweiser League South Western Conference 5-5-0*
1988 Budweiser League National Division Southern Conference 4-10-0
1987 Budweiser League National Division Southern Conference 4-6-0
1986 Budweiser League Central Premier Division 8-1-1*
1985 AFL South West Division 7-2-1*
1984 Merit Table 3-0-0

Youth team

1989 JAFL Southern Conference 5-3-0* Lost 28-6 to Cardiff Celts in 1st round of playoffs

Photos

1993

1993TVCJoeGreenidge.jpg (41821 bytes)

Joe Greenidge

1992

1992OlympiansTVC.jpg (75056 bytes)
TVC v Olympians

1991

1991TVCPaulWarner.jpg (47361 bytes)
RB Paul Warner


1988

 
1988TVCLesJackson.jpg (40104 bytes)
Les Jackson, 1988

1988ManchesterAllstarsQBPaulAshton.jpg (69898 bytes)
Manchester Allstars British QB Paul Ashton vs Thames Valley Chargers

1987

1987TVCvLOndonRavensb.JPG (20505 bytes)
Thames Valley Chargers (blue shirts) vs. London Ravens, Bud League 1987
Photo courtesy of Martin Gibson

1987TVChargers.jpg (64547 bytes)
A photo of the 1987 Chargers


Manchester Allstars (white) v. Thames Valley Chargers 1987

1986

1986ThamesValleyDubie.jpg (23108 bytes)
QB Ron Dubie, 1986

1986TVCGaryWakefield.jpg (7631 bytes)
WR Gary Wakefield


1986ThamesValleyhuddle.jpg (24101 bytes)

1986ThamesValleyMarkWilkinsOxfordJohnson.jpg (32936 bytes)
Thames Valley's Mark Wilkins closes down Oxford QB Johnson, 1986

1984

1984TVCvHarlow.JPG (24256 bytes)
Thames Valley Chargers (white shirts) vs. Harlow Warlords, October 1984
Photo courtesy of Martin Gibson


Team notes: Originally known as the Henley Hogs in 1983, and unbeaten in their first season of 1984. Always a strong unit but never won a major title. Ron Dubie was their star QB in their early days – he threw 28 TD’s. Were a powerhouse in 1986 when they recorded the 1st of only 2 playoff victories in their history.One of their stars, Les Jackson, left the Chargers in 1990 to join the Manchester Spartans, and then played for the New Yersey Knights in the WAFL in 1991. Almost went bust in 1990 after a former Heathrow Jets boss Chris Bye bought a minority holding in the club. In 1991, their Head Coach, Chris Mongeau quit before the season started after joining the Arena Football League, and was replaced by James Wilson. In 1992 found guilty of playing both of their american imports on defense and forfeited their 35-6 win over Brighton B52s.

In 1993, Les Jackson and Dave Samuels returned to the club from the Olympians and it was the best season for the club, where they won a second conference championship, and reached the semi-finals of the NDMA Division One playoffs. Always seemed to have promised more than they actually delivered. The Chargers relied in their early days in US Air Force personnel. In 1994 the club merged with the West London Aces in the off season to form the Thames Valley Aces. Reverted to the Chargers name in 1995, and moved to London after a partnership with the London Express (who were due to enter the FLE). The Chargers suffered a number of key losses after off-season retirements and injuries. The biggest blow being WR Joe Greenidge and LB Mark Gaston moving to the Bulls.  Pulled out of the league at the end of April without playing a game after owner Russell Scrace decided the club could not fulfil their commitment to the league with a small squad.

1995TVCquit.jpg (74682 bytes)

Head Coaches:

1991 - James Wilson
1993 - Calvin Williams

1995 - Greg Cleveland

Imports:

1995 - Curtis Bell
1993 - Calvin Williams
1992 - QB Vincente Wilder, LB Jeff Imsdahl
1991 - Chris Mongeau, Charles Collier

1990 - Chet Singleton
Ron Dubie

Internationals

1989 - Dave Samuels, Les Jackson

Game Notes

28th April 1991 - James Morris scored in the final minutes to lead TVC to a 18-12 win over London Ravens
29th April 1990 - London Ravens are shut out for the first time ever - 34-0 by the Chargers