Redditch Arrows
| Established | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Based in | Redditch/Birmingham |
| Home stadium | Kings Norton Rugby Club |
| Division titles | 9 (2004, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1987) |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
The Redditch Arrows were an American Football team based initially in Redditch and later in Birmingham, United Kingdom. They were formed in 1986[1] and disbanded in 2009.
History
[edit]The Arrows were established in early 1986. During the late 1980s, they played in three different leagues; the UKAFL, the Budweiser League and then BNGL, during which they made the playoffs twice. In 1989, after a playoff run, they reached the BNGL Premier Division Bowl Game, where they lost to the Kingston Thames Pirates, who were in their debut season, 66-8.[2] During this time, they played their home games at the Abbey Stadium in Redditch.
After a down period, punctuated by being unable to compete in 1992 due to a player shortage, they reached the BAFL Division 3 final, where they lost to the Winchester Rifles. After again making the playoffs in 2000, they were promoted to Division One.
Finished with a creditable 3-5-0 record in 2001. Had a poor 2002 season finishing with a 0-9-1 record which resulted in them returning to Division Two in 2003, where they finished with a 4-6-0 record. Had a stunning regular season in 2004 finishing 9-0-1, but fell at the first hurdle in the playoffs in a thriller to Sussex Thunder 23-22. In the 2000s, the Arrows played their home games at Kings Norton RFC.[3]
Notable former players
[edit]All players listed below appeared for the Redditch Arrows during their career.[4][5][6]
- QB Dave Stanton
- RB Anthony Perkins
- RB Charles Humphrey
- RB Dave Mills
- WR Mark Cohen
- OL/DE Matt Sheldon
- DB Mark Williams
- OL Gary Matthews
- OL David Robinson
- FL Darren Biddle .
- FS Karl Watkins🇬🇧
- WR Pete Morgan 🇬🇧
- LB Rich “Elmo” Wilby 🇬🇧
Notable Former Coaches
[edit]Season by Season record
[edit]| Year | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | BAFL Division One Northern Conference | 7–2–1* |
| 2007 | BAFL Division One Northern Conference | 8–2–0* |
| 2006 | BAFL Division Two Central Conference | 10–0–0* |
| 2005 | BAFL Division Two South Western Conference | 4–6–0 |
| 2004 | BSL Division Two South Western Conference | 9–0–1* |
| 2003 | BSL Division Two South Western Conference | 4–6–0 |
| 2002 | BSL Division One Northern Conference | 0–9–1 |
| 2001 | BSL Division One Northern Conference | 3–5–0 |
| 2000 | BSL Division Two Northern Conference | 7–1–0* |
| 1999 | BSL Division One Northern Conference | 4–6–0* |
| 1998 | BSL Division Two North West Conference | 8–2–0* |
| 1997 | BSL Division One South West & Midlands Conference | 2–8–0 |
| 1996 | BSL Division Three Midlands Conference | 10–0–0* |
| 1995 | BAFA Division Three North West Conference | 7–1–0* |
| 1994 | BAFA Division Three Northern Conference | 6–3–1* |
| 1993 | BNGL First Division West Midlands Conference | 9–1–0* |
| 1992 | NDMA Division Two Northern Conference | 0–8–0 |
| 1991 | NDMA Division Two Northern Conference | 3-6-1 |
| 1990 | BNGL National Division Midlands Conference | 9–0–1* |
| 1989 | BNGL Premier Division Northern C Conference | 7–2–1* |
| 1988 | Budweiser League Division One Central Conference | 3–7–0 |
| 1987 | UKAFL Central A Conference | 9–1–0* |
| * qualified for playoffs | ||
Notes
[edit]- ^ Britball Now - Redditch Arrows
- ^ Britball Now Kingston Thames Pirates
- ^ Britball Now Redditch Arrows
- ^ "Senior Team Staff Complete As Coach Hill Appoints More Britball Legends". Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
- ^ Britball Now Redditch Arrows
- ^ Britball Now Mark Cohen Interview
- ^ "Bulls appoint Coach Ian Hill". Archived from the original on 2015-04-18. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
- ^ Redditch Arrows back in training