UCH Sharks

BCAFL team
name = UCH Sharks

year = 1985-1986
colors = yellow and blue
universities = University of Hull; Hull College
stadium = University Sports Centre, University of Hull, Hull
division = Northern Conference-Western Division
record = 79-79-13
playoff record = 7-4-1
no_play_apps = 7
no_div_champs = 5
no_conf_champs = 3
no_league_champs = 4
play_apps= 1987, 1988, 1989, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003
div_champs = 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002
conf_champs = 1987, 1988, 1989
league_champs = 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989

The UCH Sharks are one of the original four British Collegiate American Football League (BCAFL) teams which began play in the 1985-86 season (along with Teesside, Newcastle and the now defunct Manchester). The Sharks dominated the early BCAFL by winning or sharing the first four BCAFL titles as well as compling a 23-2-2 record during their first five BCAFL seasons. Since that time, the Sharks have not been able to repeat their past dominance, though the team did field strong teams between 2000 and 2002.

The team was called UCH (Universities and Colleges of Hull) Sharks to more accurately represent the educational establishments the players were drawn from, as opposed to simply the Hull Sharks. Historically players have come from Hull University, Lincoln (nee Humberside) University and Hull College.

The team was dominant in the early days of the league, but has wavered in more recent times. The team appeared to be returning to their original form in the period 2000-02, when they won BCAFL's 'Team of the Year' award (2000-01) and the Divisional Championship (2001-02) and a Wild Card Playoff spot in 2003. Since this brief return to better days, the team has struggled to maintain its calibre and is currently languishing towards the bottom of the league. With long time head coach Martin Pascoe stepping down at the end of the 2004-05 season, the Sharks have since been headed by defensive stalwart Neil Harris and are currently marshalled by Marc Gent.

Team Records by Season

External links

* [http://www.buafl.net]
* [http://www.uchsharks.co.uk Official Site]