Sheffield Sharks
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| Sheffield Sharks | |
 |
|
| League | British Basketball League |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Team History | Sheffield Forgers 1991-1994 Sheffield Sharks 1994-present |
| Arena | EIS Sheffield |
| City | Sheffield, South Yorkshire |
| Team Colours | Yellow, Blue, White |
| Ownership | Montgomery Leisure Services |
| Head Coach |  Peter Scantlebury |
The Sheffield Sharks us a 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.
Contents |
[edit] Franchise history
[edit] "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 fellow South Yorkshire team, the Doncaster Panthers.
[edit] Sharks swim with the "bog 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Home arenas
- Sheffield Arena (1994-2002)
- Ponds Forge (2002-2006)
- English Institute of Sport - Sheffield (2006-present)
[edit] Trophies
[edit] 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
[edit] 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
[edit] Trophy
- National Trophy Winners: 1993/94 1
- BBL Trophy Winners: 1997/98 1
- BBL Trophy Runners Up: 1994/95 1
[edit] 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
[edit] Current roster
The numbers are established according to the official websites of the team (www.sheffieldsharks.com) and Britain's top professional league, the BBL (www.bbl.org.uk).
As of October 28, 2006
| 7 |  |
Blake Shelton | Guard |
| 8 | |
Jeff Bonds | Forward |
| 9 | |
Paul Ihonor | Guard |
| 10 | |
Jermaine Gonsalves | Guard |
| 11 | |
Leonid Okorie | Forward |
| 12 |  |
Lekan Popoola | Guard |
| 14 | |
Todd Cauthorn | Forward/Centre |
| 15 | |
Eddie Cage | Centre |
| 22 | |
Atiba Lyons | Guard/Forward |
| 23 | |
Joel Burns | Guard |
[edit] Squad changes during 2006/07 season
In:
- Jeff Bonds - Signed From Birmingham Bullets
- Jermaine Gonsalves - Signed From Leicester Warriors
- Lekan Popoola - Signed From Guildford Heat
- Atiba Lyons - Signed From Karhut Kauhajoen
- Joel Burns - Signed From Scottish Rocks
Out:
- Sterling Davis - Transferred To Scottish Rocks
- Ian McKinney - Transferred To Retired
- Andre Rankine - Transferred To Sheffield Arrows
- Richard Windle - Transferred To Sheffield Sabres
-
Mike Slattery - Transferred To Fileni Jesi
[edit] See also
- Basketball in England
- British Basketball League
- Euroleague
- National Basketball League
- Sheffield Arena
[edit] External links
| British Basketball League 2006-07 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Chester Jets | Guildford Heat | Leicester Riders | London United | Milton Keynes Lions | Newcastle Eagles | Plymouth Raiders | Scottish Rocks | Sheffield Sharks | Worcester Wolves |
