Essex Blades (American football)

BCAFL team
name = Essex Blades

year = 2001-2002
colors = Black & Red
universities = University of Essex
stadium = Boundary Road Stadium, University of Essex
division = Southern Conference-Eastern Division
record = 19-25-3
playoff record = 1-2-0
no_play_apps = 2
no_div_champs = 1
no_conf_champs = 0
no_league_champs = 0
play_apps= 2005, 2007
div_champs = 2007
conf_champs = n/a
league_champs = n/a

The Essex Blades are a member of the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL)'s Southern Conference-Eastern Division. The Blades have shown steady improvement since entering the BCAFL in 2001-02, earning the first playoff appearance in team history in the 2004-05 season, while, also becoming BCAFL Team of the Year.

Varsity Teams

The Blades most storied rivalry is with the UEA Pirates, due partially to their proximity and with whom they play an annual "Derby Day" match for the "Pride of East Anglia" (PEA) Bowl. which is equivalent to other universities' Varsity fixtures and which is a non-BCAFL affair.

The Pirates won the first 11 league and bowl encounters between the two, however Essex finally gained the upper hand in 2006, winning both the league fixture and PEA Bowl V. The series currently stands at 3-11-0 in the Pirates' favour.

Results

Head Coaches

Andy Laing - 2000-03

Record 0-15-1

Bio

Installed the disastorous triple option and was fired for being inept.Now at ARU Phantoms where the triple option has been revived, unfortunately for them.

Kevin Sharman - 2003-05

Record 8-7-1

Bio

Coach Kevin Sharman lead the team to their first win, first winning season and first play off appearance. They were sadly knocked out by the Birmingham Lions at the first stage, who then continued to the College Bowl XIX.

Sharman took the decision to step down after the season to pursue other endeavours.

Neil O'Hare - 2005-Present

Record 15-7-1

Bio

The Current Blades HC. O'Hare has a gleaming resume of titles and awards won as both a player and a coach, mainly with Tiptree Titans and Colchester Gladiators. He is a disciple of former Kutztown State and Colchester Gladiators Coach George Baldwin and installed his variant of the Wing-T system to keep the Blades winning record, whilst narrowly missing out on a playoff berth in the 2005-06 campaign. The 2006-07 campaign saw a breakout year for the Blades winning their first ever division title with an undefeated 8-0 regular season. The Blades went on to win the first playoff game in team history before bowing out to eventual College Bowl champion Bristol in the conference semi-finals.

Current Players

2004-05

External links

* [http://www.bcafl.org BCAFL]
* [http://www.essexblades.com/ Essex Blades] Official Site