Andover Thrashers
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The Andover Thrashers are a 3 year old team who joined the British American Football League (BAFL) in 2005. The team plays and practices at Harrow Way School, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3HR [1] The Andover Thrashers American Football team shares many of its leading players with an English Senior Flag League club called Team Voodoo.
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| Year Formed | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Team Colours | Black & Gold |
| Home Field | Harrow Way School, Andover |
| Conference Alignment | BAFL Division 2 West |
| Head Coach | Len Scott |
| Regular Season Record | 5-5-0 |
| Playoff Record | 0-0 |
| Playoff Appearances (0) |
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| Conference Championships (0) |
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| Divisional Championships (0) | |
| League Championships (0) | |
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[edit] Founding
A small well-known pub in the centre of Andover was the birthplace of the Thrashers back in December 2003. A meeting between two enthusiasts Dave Scott & Andy Mountain led to the discussion and subsequent forming of what was to eventually be called the Andover Thrashers. The teams first training session took place in January 2004 with a handful of local guys getting together for an informal training session. For the remainder of that year, the Thrashers took part in several flag tournaments including a home match against Team England, which the Thrashers won 16-12. All of these games gave the squad plenty of chances to gain the basic skills required for the transition to fully kitted. In December 2004, the league application was made, and the team officially joined the BAFL.[1]
[edit] 2005 season
The 2005 season was not a good one for the Thrashers. They had a small roster and players with little experience playing both sides of the ball for the whole game. Inevitably fatigue took its toll, they lost every game and recorded a 0-10-0 season.
However it was not in vain they fought hard and learned a lot from their first senior year. In fact that year Phill Price the Thrasher's Line Backer won the BAFL Rookie Of The Year Award for a sensational season. [2]
[edit] 2006 season
After gaining a new offensive coach, Len Scott, and training hard over the winter the 2006 season was exceptional for the Thrashers. They boasted a 5 week winning streak, held second place on the table for a couple of weeks and almost maintained a shut-out against the experienced Plymouth Admirals. These are feats unheard of for a 2 year old team.
The Thrashers also had hopes of making the playoffs if they beat South Wales Warriors in the last game of the season. However they where crushed when they had a touch down called back in the last minute of the game for a Lineman down field.
Andover eventually finished third in the Division 2 South Conference. <refhttp://www.gridironuk.co.uk/standings.php</ref>
[edit] Results of 2006 season
Chester Romans @ Andover Thrashers L 26-6
Andover Thrashers @ South Wales Warriors L 8-38
Andover Thrashers @ Reading Renegades W 46-6
Plymouth Admirals @ Andover Thrashers W 2-47
Andover Thrashers @ Merseyside Nighthawks W 13-8
Reading Renegades @ Andover Thrashers W 12-33
Andover Thrashers @ Plymouth Admirals W 26-6
Oxford Saints @ Andover Thrashers L 12-36
Andover Thrashers @ Oxford Saints L 6-27[3]
South Wales Warriors @ Andover Thrashers L 27-21 [4]
[edit] 2007 Season
The 2007 season has seen a positive to the year with the promotion of Len Scott from Offensive Coordinator to Head Coach, and the appointment of Bob Turner as Defensive Coordinator.
Scott is in his 20th year as a Head Coach, starting with the Chelmsford Cherokee Junior’s, progressing to Senior Football with London Thunder, Redbridge Fire, Chiltern Cheetahs and now the Andover Thrashers. In that time he has managed the perfect 10-0 season three times and has made four Bowl finals. He also went to Germany with the Great Britain Bulldogs as a result of coaching at the Cambridge Pythons for three seasons and was one of the first British coaches invited to the NFL and helped coach with the Denver Broncos at their summer camp in 1994.
As well as a long and successful playing career, Turner has mainly coached youth football and as a HC won two bowl finals with Gloucester Gladiators & Bath Cardinals. He was OL coach for the Great Britain Crusaders visit to the US and Defensive Co-ordinator for Team England. He has led the Cardinals as HC for the past four years, achieving a wining season for each. He recently attended the Wisconsin Coaches Association as a guest of Honour and attended the Wisconsin Badgers training camp. He also served as a guest coach in several high schools including schools in Texas, Florida, Green Bay and Milwaukee.
Andover's Coaching team is nearly full with coaches for every position, most of which became members of British American Football Coaches Association, (BAFCA) [5] over the off-season.
[edit] Players of note
Andy Mountain - QB (Trashers Offensive MVP 2006)
Mike Whitson - WR (Thrashers Rookie of the Year 2006)
Phill Price - LB (BAFAL Rookie of the Years 2005, Thrashers Team MVP 2006)
Pete Macey - DB (Thrashers Defensive MVP 2006)
Ash Gingell - OL (Thrashers Unsung Hero 2006)
[edit] Notes
- ^ http://www.andoverthrashers.com/
- ^ http://www.bafl.org.uk
- ^ http://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/sport/digest/display.var.880337.0.late_rush_sees_off_brave_thrashers.php
- ^ http://www.andoverthrasher.com
- ^ http://www.bafca.org/
