Sheffield Sabres (American football)

BCAFL team
name = Sheffield Sabres

year = 1989-1990
colors = Black & Gold
universities = University of Sheffield
stadium = Niagara Social Club, Sheffield
division = Northern Conference-Roses Division
record = 46-62-10
playoff record = 0-4-1
no_play_apps = 5
no_div_champs = 1
no_conf_champs = 0
no_league_champs = 0
play_apps= 1993, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2007
div_champs = 2007
conf_champs = n/a
BUAFL_champs = n/a
league_champs = n/a

The Sheffield Sabres are a member of the British Universities American Football League(BUAFL)'s Northern Conference-Roses Division. The Sabres have fielded competitive squads throughout their history, though the team is yet to win its first playoff game.

The Zulus

The club was founded in 1989 as the Sheffield Pirates, and earning a 2-4 record with two default victories against Newcastle Raiders. The club was then renamed the Sheffield Zulus and in the 90-91 season, they went 2-5-1, including a 6-6 tie against Hull Sharks. 91-92 saw the Zulus record their first ever winning (5-3) season, coming fourth in the Northern Conference and winning the first three games including a 20-8 victory over the Lancaster Bombers, the clubs first ever win.

In 92-93 the Zulus built on their hard work, recording a 5-2-1 record, and making it to the post season. Unfortunately the Zulus crashed out 42-12 against Leeds Celtics in their first ever post season match. The following season (93-94) the Zulus went 4-2-2, including a 50-8 victory over Sunderland Kings. The Zulus were scheduled to play Glasgow Tigers in the playoffs but this game never went ahead due to travelling costs.

In the 94-95 season, the Zulus were moved into the Central Division of the Northern Conference, and recorded a 3-4-1 record, including a creditable 24-12 victory over the Leicester Longhorns, and in 95-96, they earned another 3-4-1 record, coming third in the Central Division.

The 96-97 season would mark a temporary end to football in Sheffield, as the Zulus had their worst season on record, an 0-6-2 unwinning season. The team did not compete for three seasons in the BCAFL, from 1997-2000.

The Sabres

The Sheffield University American Football team was refounded by Damian Marshall, and rechristened the Sheffield Sabres, wearing the traditional Sheffield University colours of Navy and Gold

The club played their first season in BCAFL in 2000, and recorded their first win, in overtime against Newcastle Mariners, 18-12. Unfortunately, this season had to be cut short for the Sabres, due to a lack of funds, and the team finished with a 1-7 record.

The 01-02 season was much more enjoyable for the Sabres, as wins against Strathclyde Hawks, Leeds Celtics, Lancaster Bombers and Newcastle Mariners took the Sabres to their first winning (5-3) season as a new team, despite having a squad made mostly of rookies. Fortunately the steady hands of Damian Marshall, Clive Kelty and Mark Gowan, helped the team to thrive. The Sabres travelled to Stirling Clansmen in their first ever playoff match, but came away 18-13 losers, in an exciting match.

The 02-03 season saw another interesting twist, as the first season without QB Damian Marshall, saw the Sabres struggle to an 0-7-1 record. However, the Sabres were grooming another great quarterback in rookie Paul Musker, who would go on to be the clubs all time leading scorer.

In 03-04, the Sabres fluctuated again, this time racking up 5 wins, on their way to a 5-3 winning season, including a 46-0 victory at Leicester Longhorns, but a post season match was just out of reach.

04-05 saw the Sabres once again fluctuate on their way to a terrible 0-8 record, including heavy losses against Staffordshire Stallions and Lancaster Bombers. However, a 46-8 Varsity win would leave a sweet taste of victory in the mouth.

The 2005-06 season, under the leadership of HC Jake Treen, and OC Al Wilson, saw the forming of Air Sheffield, a pass heavy, exciting brand of football. Using Paul Musker, at quarterback, and an impressive receiver corps, the Sabres went on to score 222 points on their way to another 5-3 record. This included a 62-0 win against Leicester Longhorns and a 66-16 win against Paisley Pyros, the biggest win, and most points scored in a game respectively. The Sabres once again struggled in a playoff match, bowing out to Northern Conference Champions, UT Cougars, 46-12.

06-07 saw a "changing of the guard" in the Sheffield Sabres coaching staff as OC Bob Wilson and Director of Football, and Line Coach Simon Dwyer were added to the coaching setup, along with Jake Treen as head coach. This would turn out to be a "last hurrah" for Jake, as his defence conceded just 6 points in 6 games, including a morale-building 6-3 loss against Loughborough Aces, before he took up a new job in Sydney, Australia. His work was continued by Simon Vardy and Will Hunting, and the Sabres earned a 6-1-1 record, the best in the club's history, before once again losing in the playoffs, this time 13-0 to Leeds Celtics. The 2006-07 season saw some off the field changes too, namely the change of colours from Navy and Gold to Black and Gold, including a change in uniform, to all black, with gold trim. The Sabres also had to leave their spiritual home "Old Slopey" at Norton, due to it being not long enough for BCAFL use. The Sabres are still looking for a permanent home, as they had to play some of their home matches away.

The 2007-08 season brings with it the expectations of a team which has made the post season on two consecutive years, and hopefully, with a new and improved coaching setup, and with a very experienced group of rookies entering the team, these hopes can be realised.

2007/08 Schedule

*Sheffield Sabres 42 - 8 Sheffield Hallam Warriors
*Huddersfield Hawks 0 - 71 Sheffield Sabres
*Sheffield Sabres 22 - 0 Lancaster Bombers
*Sheffield Sabres 7 - 0 Leeds Celtics
*Sheffield Hallam Warriors P - P Sheffield Sabres
*Sheffield Sabres 1 - 0 Huddersfield Hawks
*Lancaster Bombers 0 - 48 Sheffield Sabres
*Leeds Celtics 13 - 0 Sheffield Sabres
*Sheffield Sabres 26 - 10 Sheffield Hallam Warriors (rescheduled match + varsity game)

Retired Numbers

Team Records by Season

External links

* [http://www.buafl.net BUAFL]
* [http://www.sheffieldsabres.com Sheffield Sabres] - Official Site