Sheffield Sharks

BBL team
color1 = #FFFF00
color2 = #000099
name = Sheffield Sharks

imagesize = 200px
sponsor = Attley's
league = British Basketball League
established = 1991
history = Sheffield Forgers
1991-1994
Sheffield Sharks
1994-present
arena = EIS Sheffield
(Capacity: 1,200)
location = Sheffield, South Yorkshire
coach = flagicon|UK Peter Scantlebury MBE
ownership = Montgomery Leisure Services
colours = Navy Blue, Yellow and White
website = [http://www.the-sharks-online.co.uk/ The-Sharks-Online.co.uk]
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The Sheffield Sharks is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. The Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield.

Franchise history

"Forging" history

The franchise was established in 1991 when the team, then called the Sheffield Forgers in reference to the city's history as a major steel producer, were admitted to National Basketball League Division 2. After two seasons competing in the division, with an overall 26-16 record, the Forgers were crowned Champions in 1993 and promoted to NBL Division 1.

The 1993-1994 season would prove to be another successful one for the Forgers having reached the National Trophy final where they beat Plymouth Raiders 62-60 on "home" territory at the Sheffield Arena. Their stay in the First Division didn't last long, and although they finished in 4th position with a 10-8 record, the Forgers were admitted to the professional top-tier British Basketball League to replace the withdrawing Guildford Kings.

harks swim with the "big boys"

Renamed as Sheffield Sharks, the team dominated the league in its rookie season, and with a 29-7 league record, marched on to take the BBL League Championship and National Cup with an incredible 89-66 victory in the final against Thames Valley Tigers. However the Tigers got their revenge over the Sharks with a nailbiting 74-69 win in the BBL Trophy final. The Sharks also missed out on the Play-off final following a 72-84 loss to Worthing Bears in the Final Four, despite this the Sheffield team still enjoyed a phenomenal debut season.

Taking a bite at Europe

Sharks' adventure continued into Europe in the following season (1995-96) when they competed in the prestigious Euroleague. After knocking out Luxembourg team Residence Helmsange in the Qualifying round, the Sharks were then eliminated in the First Round by Spanish giants Real Madrid after a 57-67 defeat in Sheffield and a 75-78 defeat in Madrid. As a result of losing, Sheffield were then placed in the Third Round of the less glamourous European Cup, where they were subsequently knocked out by Belgian club Oostende Basket, thus ending their European adventure.

On the domestic scene, the Sharks could not repeat the highs of their previous season, finishing as Runners-up in the League Championship (30-6) to London Towers, and losing the final of the National Cup 58-70 also to the dominating Towers. Their Play-off dreams were also shattered in the Semi-final's by eventual winners Birmingham Bullets, whom they lost to 68-82.

Home arenas

:Sheffield Arena (1994-2004):Ponds Forge (2004-2006):English Institute of Sport - Sheffield (2006-present)

eason-by-season records

Notes:
*Until 1993 Division Three operated as the third tier league, behind Division Two and Division One (the BBL).
*In 1993 the NBL restructured Division Two as Division One, operating as the second tier league.
*From 1999-2002 the BBL operated a Conference system. Sheffield competed in the Northern Conference.

Trophies

League

* NBL Division 2 Winners: 1992/93 1
* BBL Winners: 1994/95, 1998/99, & 2002/03 3
* BBL Northern Conference Winners: 2000/01 1
* BBL Runners Up: 1995/96, 1996/97, & 2003/04 3
* BBL Northern Conference Runners Up: 1999/00, & 2001/02 2

Playoffs

* NBL Division 2 Play Off Winners: 1992/93 1
* BBL Play Off Winners: 2003/04 1
* BBL Play Off Runners Up: 2000/01, & 2001/02 2

Trophy

* National Trophy Winners: 1993/94 1
* BBL Trophy Winners: 1997/98 1
* BBL Trophy Runners Up: 1994/95 1

Cup

* National Cup Winners: 1994/95, 1998/99, & 1999/00 3
* BBL Cup Winners: 2003/04 1
* National Cup Runners Up: 1995/96, & 1996/97 2

Players

Current roster

"The numbers are established according to the official websites of the team ( [http://www.sheffieldsharks.com www.sheffieldsharks.com] ) and Britain's top professional league, the BBL ( [http://www.bbl.org.uk www.bbl.org.uk] )."

"As of January 30 2008"

Notable former players

*flagicon|UK John Amaechi
*flagicon|USA flagicon|UK Nate Reinking
*flagicon|UK Peter Scantlebury

ee also

*Basketball in England
*British Basketball League
*Euroleague
*National Basketball League
*Sheffield Arena

External links

* [http://www.the-sharks-online.co.uk/ Official Sheffield Sharks website]