An Interview with ex-London Raven and now Spanish National Team Head Coach - Peter Brugnani

Interview conducted June 2001

What got you interested in football and ultimately coaching?

When I was a youngster back in London , in the 60's . I got my first insight into the Gridiron game. A saturday afternoon sports program "World of Sport" happened to show highlites of a Superbowl , because racing had been abandoned this day. Miami Dolphins , I can't remember who they played , but I will always keep the memory of Running back Larry Czonka (I think that's how you spell it) and Mercury Morris. Unfortunately in Britain until the 80's there was nothing. I ran track and Field and got to International status with GB , and one day met up with some ex-teammate who had been athletes and they mentioned they were now involved with American Football. After asking if I could participate in training sessions .....I got hooked . The team LONDON RAVENS , my friends Ken Rennie (guard) and Errol "Big Bird" Philips (then DT). Coaching seem a natural progression , also when I moved down to Spain , it was a way of tidying myself over until I got a proper job.

You played for the Ravens in their hey-day in the 80's. How much has football changed in Europe since then? Is the standard better?

Never have I known such intensity in training as we had in the Ravens. We were 60 guys FIGHTING to get on the roster for a game. When I joined in 84 , we trained in Hyde Park , London. NO changing rooms , No showers , No shelter when it rained and 90% of the team always showed up.
Technically we were learning , athletically we were above standard , but mentally we felt we could beat anybody. How does it compare now..... I think now you have people who have been training with excellent coaches over several years , everything is lot more automatic now. The standard has improved .......... but the passion for the game has disappeared.
 

How did you become Head coach of the Spanish National team?

Due to government legislation to coach any sport you have to be with the proper credentials. All the coaches here have to go through a study program that covers apart from football a general Physical Education study programme. Now we have about 20 fully qualified Coaches , apart from our club commitments we also run the National team set up Junior and Senior. The ex-Head coach is now involved with Barcelona Dragons and cannot dedicate the time necessary and I was asked to take over.
 
What is the current state of the Spanish National team?

It's been a long time since Spain has had a game of such relevant nature.To be exact the last time was when we played GB in Madrid in 97'. We always try to arrange some sort of post season game against a touring US college , but you find that players have had enough of football by then , and we usually get stuffed. Now we have fewer teams less active players but a slow regeneration of talent, it's a good time to start bringing through a new generation.

What was your proudest moment in football to date?

Hard question, A hot 4th of July , 1985 at USAF base Chicksands. Ravens were invited to play against the Chicksands Chicks . It was supposed to show the dominance of US over UK again. Boy were they in for an upset ..........
The first all British team to beat an all American combination  13-12   , I even busted up my Knee in the process but you couldn't get the shirt off my back all day.

What would you say is your career high and low?


Lows, persistent Knee injuries I hated not training , highs ..........The intensity of playing was always a High.

What is your favourite team in the NFL?

Dolphins , Raiders , and the ...........Ravens

What are your thoughts about the current state of the game in Spain?

We have to do something really quick or football will disappear with this generation.
We are working via Flag to get Football in to the schools , but we have to fight with Soccer , Basketball , Handball ,Volleyball , Hockey on Skates etc . etc.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I'd just like to add that with all the problems that we have had getting this game on , lets just go out , give it all , and make football fun again. Hope to meet up with old friends .......and make some new ones.


Thanks to Peter for this interview.