Halton Spartans

Halton Spartans
Established 2014
Based in Widnes/Runcorn
Home stadium Select Security Stadium
Head coach Ian Beattie
League BAFA National Leagues
Division Division Two NFC West
Colours Green/Black
Current uniform

The Halton Spartans are an American Football team based in Widnes/Runcorn,United Kingdom. They are named for the Borough of Halton. They were formed in 2014, and play in the BAFANL Division Two NFC West.

History

Initially named the Runcorn Spartans, they were formed in early 2014. After contacting former members of the Halton Demons, a team that existed from the late 1980's to early 1990's,[1] the first training sessions were organised in the local Heath Park.

The organisation changed their name to their current guise, the Halton Spartans to better represent their recruitment area. They were also more likely to play in nearby Widnes than Runcorn.[2]

They completed their schedule of associate games, first defeating the LJMU Fury, and defeating fellow associate teams the Tynedale Fury and the Humber Warhawks in their first game at the Select Security Stadium. In December 2014, they were admitted into the BAFANL for the 2015 season and were placed in Division Two NFC West.

Ahead of the 2015 season, Double Coverage, a site that covers American Football in Britain made their annual predictions. Only one writer, Richard Penwright, predicted that the Spartans would win their division.[3] This kick-started the "#InRichWeTrust" campaign on Twitter and Facebook.[4] They won their first competitive game, away to the Crewe Railroaders, 24-15.[5]

Logos & Uniforms

The Spartans play in primarily black jerseys, with a dark green trim and numbers. Their game pants and socks are both black. Their jerseys are currently manufactured by Rawlings.

Their logo is a stylised Spartan helmet, similar to that of their namesakes, the Michigan State Spartans football.

Select Security Stadium

The Spartans play their home games at the Select Security Stadium, a 13,350 seater stadium with artificial turf. It is also home to the Super League Rugby League team, the Widnes Vikings.

Players

Current Roster

Halton Spartans 2016

Quarterbacks

  • 16 Sunny Grewal
  • 17 Tom Redmond
  • 18 Ricky Talbot

Running Backs & Full Backs

  • 24 Paul Leighton
  • 33 Seun Abass
  • 42 Alex Martin
  • 44 Martin Murphy
  • 88 Craig Owen

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

  • 80 Ben Hogan
  • 81 Carl Rugen Jr.
  • 82 Stuart Bidgood
  • 83 Toby Lamey
  • 84 Jordan Houghton
  • 85 Ashley Talbot
  • 86 Leigh Kerrigan
  • 87 Cliff Williams
  • 89 Steve Norton

Offensive Linemen

  • 50 Carl Rugen Sr.
  • 58 Jay Johnson
  • 60 Liam Guatella
  • 63 Lewis O'Brien
  • 64 Liam Tamber
  • 69 Don Kelly
  • 71 Daniel Cagliarini

Defensive Linemen

  • 29 Dave Quinn
  • 36 Dave Tickle
  • 56 Ellis Roberts
  • 90 Paul Rodgers
  • 91 Rob Ballentine
  • 92 Andre Alexander
  • 93 Calvin Williams
  • 94 Matt Wharton
  • 97 Matt Allaway
  • 98 Lee Lamb
  • 99 Lee Ashurst

Linebackers

  • 28 Danny Wood
  • 46 Tom Friday
  • 47 Billy Forrest
  • 52 Scott Jenkins
  • 53 James Williams
  • 57 Kevin Birmingham
  • 59 Ricardo Martinez

Defensive Backs

  • 7 Doug Laughton
  • 19 Ryan Steele
  • 21 Thomas Ross
  • 22 Andy Wright
  • 23 Lyndon Brocklesby
  • 25 Dan Kelly
  • 26 Femi Abass
  • 27 Aminul Choudbury
  • 30 Keiran Mitchell
  • 38 Conor Tyrer

Personnel

General Manager

  • Ian Derbyshire

Head Coach

  • Ian Beattie (Successor to Ian Derbyshire for the 2016 Season)

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator: Chris Henry (Successor to Ian Beattie for the 2016 Season)
  • Assistant Offensive Coach: Carl Rugen
  • Assistant Offensive Coach: Andrew Keam

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator: Simon Grice (2nd Year in Position)
  • Assistant Defensive Coach: Will Johnson
  • Assistant Defensive Coach: Paul Rodgers
  • Assistant Defensive Coach: Nathan Hazel

Other

  • Assistant Coach: Carl Roberts

2016 Schedule

April 10 - Crewe Railroaders (A) - 12-34 (W)

April 17 - Leeds Bobcats (H)

May 01 - Chester Romans (A)

May 08 - Crewe Railroaders (H)

May 15 - Walney Terriers (H)

June 05 - Chester Romans (A)

June 19 - Walney Terriers (H)

June 26 - Chester Romans (H)

July 24 - Leeds Bobcats (A)

August 07 - Walney Terriers (A)

Notes

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, April 25, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.