Bath Killer Bees

BCAFL team
name = Bath Killer Bees

year = 1992-1993
colors = Royal Blue & Gold
universities = University of Bath
stadium = Sulis Club, University of Bath
division = Southern Conference-Western Division
record = 68-48-12
playoff record = 2-7-0
no_play_apps = 7
no_div_champs = 4
no_conf_champs = 0
no_league_champs = 0
play_apps= 1996, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
div_champs = 1997, 2000, 2007, 2008
conf_champs = n/a
league_champs = n/a

The Bath Killer Bees are current members of the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL)'s Southern Conference-Western Division, formally of the same division in the now defunct British Collegiate American Football League (BCAFL). Bath has fielded solid teams throughout its history, though the team has yet to find success in the playoffs with only two wins in nine playoff games.

In 2006/07, the Killer Bees were rebranded under the University of Bath sports colour scheme of royal blue and gold, leaving behind the black and yellow which the club had played in since its formation in 1992. Despite no longer being the colour of 'Killer Bees' the club has kept its name, inspired by the team's colours and sponsor at the time of formation.

Brief History of the Killer Bees

The Killer Bees formed in 1992 following a group of hardcore football fans/players spending Sundays practising at the university with no formal club arrangement. A group of students led by Steve Bamford, Pete Davies and Andy McKay proposed the formation of an official club to the Bath University Athletic Union; and within 6 months of the initial proposal, the Bees began League play in 1992-93. Shortly before the start of the season, the Bees drafted in Pat Snooks, at the time offensive co-ordinator of the Bath Gladiators, to take over head coach duties from Pete Davies. The first ever Bees match took place on November 1st 1992 at Bath where the visitors were the reigning champion Southampton Stags. Despite being thoroughly beaten on the day (losing 70-0), the spirit shown by the players of the Bees laid the foundations for years to come. The first year saw two wins over local rivals Bristol Bullets and a last-minute loss to the Oxford Cavaliers; a strong showing for a rookie team in a tough division. The Oxford game, the second of the season, produced Bath's first points: Olly Cruickshank scoring a safety, followed by the Bees first ever touchdowns, a Gary Buckley TD run and a Leon Gumpert TD pass to club founder Steve Bamford.

In their second year, Snooks began laying the foundations that, down the line, would turn the Killer Bees into one of the best teams in the League. One of the highlights of the year was an inspirational 18-6 victory over Southampton.

In the 1995-96 season the Killer Bees developed a super defense, led by linebackers Wayne Davis and Matt Warner. Giving up only 26 points all year, they went 5-2-1 and earned a wild-card position in the playoffs. The dream season ended in the third overtime period of the playoff game with Cardiff, as a safety gave the Cobras a 10-8 victory.

In 1996-97, led by Davis, who was named national defensive player of the year, the Killer Bees won their first division title, which was followed by their first playoff victory, a 14-0 win at UEA Pirates. The next week, their season ended with a 20-6 loss to Tarannau Aberystwyth.

In the 2002-03 season they were denied a playoff berth even though they attained a 6-2-0 record. It was becoming apparent that the South West Division would be hard for any team to compete in.

The Killer Bees have made the last four BCAFL/BUAFL playoffs (2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 & 2007-08). This is an impressive run given that they are still in BCAFL South West / BUAFL Southern Conference Western Division, which is widely regarded as the toughest division in the League.

In their 15th season (2006-07), not only did they switch to the aforementioned blue and yellow uniform scheme, they also only lost to one team all year, the Bristol Bullets, who were crowned BCAFL Champions 2006-07.

The 2007-08 season saw the Killer Bees post their first unbeaten regular season, including two narrow victories over the defending Champions. In the first round of the playoffs, they gained the team's second playoff victory (a 39-0 defeat of the Royal Holloway Vikings). However, their season ended the following week with a hard-fought loss to the eventual champions, the Southampton Stags. This meant that for the second year running, the only defeat(s) suffered by the club were to the eventual National Champions.

University Records

The club has received Bath University's "Club of the Year" twice, firstly in 1996/97 and secondly in 2006/07. This is an impressive task, as Bath has one of the Highest reputations for Sports clubs in the Country. With 49 University clubs, which include not only the more mainstream sports such as Football, Rugby and Tennis, but also sports that include Olympic, World and Commonwealth Champions, it is almost unbelievable that in only 15 years a "minor" sport such as American Football has twice become the University Focus. The Club put this down to their unique family atmosphere, passionate coaches, and strict no cut policy.

Yearly Records

1994-95: 1-6-1

1997-98: 4-3-1

2000-01: 2-4-2

2003-04: 2-6-0

2006-07: 5-1-2

Team Roster by Season

2007-08

Per Opponent

Accurate to 09/04/08

tandalone

External links

* [http://www.buafl.net BUAFL]
* [http://www.bcafl.org BCAFL]
* [http://www.bathkillerbees.co.uk Bath Killer Bees] BUAFL