Southern Sundevils (American football)

American football club
name =Southern Sundevils
founded =1987
logo =Southern_Sundevils_Logo_100.jpg
logosize =
city =Portsmouth
misc =
h_pattern_h =_af
h_pattern_la =
h_pattern_b =_blackshoulders
h_pattern_ra =
h_pattern_p =
h_pattern_s =_af
h_helmet =FFEF00
h_leftarm =000000
h_body =FFEF00
h_rightarm =000000
h_pants =000000
h_socks =FFEF00
h_title = Home
a_pattern_h =_af
a_pattern_la =
a_pattern_b =_thinblacksides
a_pattern_ra =
a_pattern_p =
a_pattern_s =_af
a_helmet =FFEF00
a_leftarm =FFFFFF
a_body =FFFFFF
a_rightarm =FFFFFF
a_pants =000000
a_socks =FFEF00
a_title = Away
owner =
chairman =Russell Hewitt
manager =Mike Shaw
coach =Russell Hewitt
division_hist =
*British American Football Association
**Division Three South (1995)
*British Senior League
**Division Three South West (1996)
**Division Two South East (1997)
**Division Two South West (1998)
**Division One Central (1999)
**Division One South (2000-2002)
**Division Two South West (2003)
**Division One A South (2004)
*British American Football League
**Division One South (2005-2006)
**Premier Division South (2007)
**Division One South (2008-)
hist_misc =
*Eastleigh Royals (1987-1990)
*Eastleigh Devils (1991-1992)
hist_yr =1993
hist_misc2 =
no_league_champs =0
league_champs =
no_div_champs =2
div_champs =1998, 2004
no_conf_champs =2
conf_champs =1998, 2004
no_playoffs =6
playoffs =1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006
stadium_years =
*Lordshill, Southampton (1995-1999)
*Mountbatten Stadium, Portsmouth (2000 to 2005)
*Gosport Rugby Club (2005-2007)
*ROKO Leisure Centre, Portsmouth (2007-)
website =http://www.thesundevils.co.uk

The Southern Sundevils are an American football team currently competing in the Southern Conference of British American Football League (BAFL) Division One (the second tier of national competition). They play their home games at the ROKO Leisure Centre in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Russ Hewitt is the current General Manager and Head Coach. Russ has been with the team since its inception as a player on the youth team and has progressed through the Senior level and since retiring from player has been involved in the management and coaching side of the organisation. Many current and former Sundevil members have coached or played for national sides, with some going on to trial and play for professional or semi-professional teams.

History

undevils' youth origins - 1987 to 1994

The club was founded as the Eastleigh Royals in October 1987 by 20 young football enthusiasts. The team entered youth competition playing in two-touch competition.cite web|url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/SouthernSundevils.htm|title=Southern Sundevils|publisher=Britball Now|accessdate=2008-05-09] cite web | url=http://www.thesundevils.co.uk/history/origin.php | title=Origin of the Sundevils | publisher=Southern Sundevils | accessdate=2008-05-06] The team started their first season in the Southern Conference with defeats at Bournemouth and Chelmsford before winning 14–12 against the Fortek Falcons. The season ended with a 2-6 record. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1988TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1988 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2006-11-14 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

In 1989 Colin O'Field became team manager and along with new coaching staff the team record improved to 4-4. The 1990 season had promised great things with the addition of Graham Thorpe to assist Coach Riley and so it proved, winning the Southern Conference with a perfect 8-0 record before losing to Waldron in the playoff quaterfinals. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1990TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1990 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06] 1991 saw the team renamed as the Eastleigh Devils and end their tenure in the two-touch game. They finished the season with a 4-4 record, finishing third in their group and earning a wildcard playoff spot, where they lost 6–8 to the Bournemouth Raiders. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1991TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1991 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

In 1992, the Eastleigh Devils entered the British Youth American Football Association to play youth kitted football in the Coastal Conference, where newly appointed Coach, Martin Keogh joined with Coach Thorpe to see the team win their group with a 4-2 record. As group winners, they were awarded home advantage but that proved to be of no avail as they were beaten heavily by the Southend Sabres, who would eventually be crowned champions. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1992TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1992 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2006-11-14 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

In 1993, the team changed its name to their present title of the Southern Sundevils. They maintained their steady improvement to record a 7-1 season and the Southern Conference Championship before losing their first playoff match against the Heathrow Jets. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1993TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1993 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06] On a more positive note, both coaches and five players were chosen for the Great Britain Crusaders team. 1994 was the Sundevils' last season in youth football. In a year which saw many of the more established players retiring and rookies joining the squad, they struggled, finishing bottom of their group. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1994TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1994 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

Move into senior football - 1995 to 1998

In 1995, the Sundevils took the decision to begin a senior team. They joined the British Senior League, where they competed in the Southern Conference of Division Three. They struggled in their first season at this new level, posting a 3-7 record, finishing fourth out of six teams but falling well behind the three group leaders who all finished 8-2. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1994TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1994 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06] The following year saw an improvement, ending the season with a 5-5 record. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1996TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1996 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2007-04-03 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

The 1997 season saw a reorganisation of the BSL, with the Sundevils being moved to the Southeast Conference of Division Two. With the arrival of Jim Roberson onto the coaching staff, their squad was bolstered by a number of former Winchester Rifles players who had followed Roberson after their team withdrew from the league and folded. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/WinchesterRifles.htm | publisher=Britball Now | title=Winchester Rifles | accessdate=2008-05-08] The club improved on the previous season, finishing second in their group with a 6-4 record before losing narrowly away to the Bristol Aztecs in the playoffs. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1997TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1997 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06] The following year proved to be their best season so far as they finished clear winners of their conference with a 7-1 record. Their defence in particular stood out, recording four shutouts and only conceding 53 points in their eight games. Their good form continued into the playoffs, recording home wins against the Southend Sabres and the London Mets, they travelled to the Saffron Lane stadium in Leicester to face the Lancashire Wolverines in the Division Two playoff final. In a tight game, they edged the Wolverines 22–16 to clinch their first divisional championship and earn promotion to Division One. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1998TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1998 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

Promotion to the top division

The Sundevils lined up in the Central Conference for the 1999 season, and they carried their good form into this higher level. Once again their defence proved strong, conceding just 81 points in their ten games, whilst at the other end, the Sundevils boasted the best-performing offense in the entire BSL, racking up a total of 236 points. Quarterback Cliff Boddington gained a an impressive total of 1216 yards and 14 touchdowns in the regular season, making him the league's top passer. Wide Receiver Paul Brady caught 32 receptions to rank fourth in the league. In defense, Mark Penfound won five fumbles and five interceptions, the fourth best tally in the league alongside his team-mate Paul Davies. Present Head Coach Russ Hewitt also performed well, racking up four sacks, the fourth best number of sacks in the league. [cite web | url=http://www.thesundevils.co.uk/history/season.php?season=1999 | title=Sundevils - 1999 Season | publisher=Southern Sundevils | accessdate=2008-05-08] Eventually, they finished second in their group with a 7-2-1 (the only tie being a 0-0 draw away to the Bristol Aztecs) and qualifying once again for the playoffs before losing 7–19 at home to the Essex Spartans. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/1999TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=1999 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

Compared with the previous season, 2000 was a disappointment, finishing bottom of their group with a 2-6-1 record. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/2000TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=2000 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06] 2001 on the other hand saw them return to winning ways, dropping just one game in the regular season to the eventual champions, the London O's. The first playoff match saw them face off against the PA Knights, a team they had already beaten twice that season, and that dominance continued as they won 22–6. Unfortunately, their next match saw them having to make the long trip up to Scotland to face the East Kilbride Pirates, and they failed to register a single point, losing 0–22. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/2001TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=2001 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

2002 saw the Sundevils struggle once again, recording a 3-7 record and finishing fifth. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/2002TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=2002 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06] This saw the team relegated to Division Two of the BSL along with Bristol Aztecs, and it was these two teams who would go on to dominate this conference, with the Sundevils finishing second with a 7-3 record. They were drawn away to the Cambridgeshire Cats in their first playoff match, and the two teams fought out a tight game that finished 6–6 after the regulation four periods. They could not be separated after one period of overtime, but the Cats scored a field goal in the second overtime period to progress. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/2003TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=2003 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

Despite losing their playoff match, a further reorganisation of the league saw the Sundevils promoted to Division 1A, where they competed in a four-team group with the Cats, the Bristol Aztecs (who won the Divisional playoff) and the Norwich Devils, who had been relegated from Division One. After a ten game regular season which also saw them play a number of games against teams from Division One as well playing the other teams in their conference, they finished top of Division One A South with a 7-3 record, which saw them beating two of the higher league teams, but also forfeiting a match against the Norwich Devils due to a lack of ambulance at the game. Their top-place finish earned them an automatic place in the playoff semi-final where they played at home to the wild-card entries Staffordshire Surge, recording a heavy 48–3 win, and so earning a trip to the Don Valley Stadium to face their conference rivals from Bristol. They dominated the playoff final, shutting out the Aztecs as they finished with a 32–0 victory to claim their second divisional title. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/2004TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=2004 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2005-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06]

Their first season back in the top division proved to be an eventful one, in particular their home match against the London O's. Just days before the two sides were due to meet, an anonymous hoaxer telephoned the team's ambulance provider claiming to be General Manager Russell Hewitt and cancelling the ambulance provision for the remainder of the season. As an alternative provider could not be found with such short warning Southern were forced to postpone the game and the Olympians generously agreed to reschedule the encounter. Then two weeks before the rescheduled game their home pitch was occupied by a group of travellers who had broken the lock to the gate that prevents vehicle access to the pitch. By law they were allowed to stay camped on the pitch uncontested for a maximum of 28 days, leaving the club management with 12 days to secure an alternative venue. Luckily, the travellers left just before the onset of wet weather that would have seen the pitch destroyed by their presence. In the end, the Olympians won the delayed game 0–22.cite web | url=http://www.thesundevils.co.uk/history/season.php?season=2005 | title=Sundevils - 2005 season | publisher=Southern Sundevils | accessdate=2008-05-08] After a shaky start which saw the Sundevils lose two and draw one of their first four games, they eventually finished third in their group with a 4-5-1 record, enough to earn a wild-card slot in the playoffs. They made the long trip up to face the Gateshead Senators, who they narrowly edged out 9–6 to set up a semi-final match against the PA Knights. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/2005TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=2005 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2006-01-02 | accessdate=2008-05-06] After a tight game which saw the two teams tied at the end of regular play, the Knights scored a converted touchdown to put them ahead. The Sundevils replied with a touchdown of their own, but their attempt at a two-point conversion failed and so the Sundevils lost 14–15.

2006 saw the Sundevils fare slightly better, recording a 6-4 record to finish third in their group, earning them a wild-card slot for the second year in a row. They put in a strong performance in beating the Birmingham Bulls 22–6 away from home before travelling to the London Olympians. In a high-scoring match, the Sundevils lost 35–43 to the eventual league champions. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/2006TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=2006 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2006-12-20 | accessdate=2008-05-06] 2007 saw the league reorganised, and the top flight containing the Sundevils was rebranded the Premier Division. Unfortunately, the season was a disaster for the Sundevils. They lost all ten of their games, failing to score a single point in seven of them and scoring just 20 points in total. [cite web | url=http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Tables/2007TABLES.xls | format=XLS | title=2007 League Standings | publisher=Britball Now | date=2007-11-17 | accessdate=2008-05-06] As such, they were relegated, where they now play in Division One South.

enior team season records

Roster

Notable players

* Dale Powell - LB - Played for GB.
* Shaun Smith - LB - selected for Carolina Panthers 2008 practice squad, Played two NFL Europa seasons for the Rhein Fire and Berlin Thunder.
* Cliff Boddington - QB - Played professionally in Austria for Oscar Dinos, has also played for Great Britain, captained team to Division 2 Championship win.
* Mark Penfound - LB - Division 2 Championship MVP, has also played for Great Britain.
* Dave Fredericks - WR - Career team leader in receptions.
* Kirk O'Field - OL - Played for Irish National Team.
* Rob Hart - K - Played for London Monarchs and Scottish Claymores.
* Russ Hewitt - DE - Played for Irish National Team.
* Paul Brady - WR - Played for Irish National Team.

References

External links

* [http://www.thesundevils.co.uk/ Official site]
* [http://www.leighmorrisphotography.com Leigh Morris Photography] Photos of the BAFL 2008 season