Paisley Pyros

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Paisley Pyros
Paisley Pyros logo
Logo
Entered BCAFL 1989-1990
Team Colors Red & Black
Universities University of Paisley
Home Field Robertson's Sports Centre, Thornly Park Campus, Paisley
Division Northern Conference, Scottish Division
Regular Season Record 20-60-6
Playoff Record 0-0-1
Playoff Appearances (1)
1994
Division Championships (0)
n/a
Conference Championships (0)
n/a
BCAFL Championships (0)
n/a

Paisley returned to Collegiate Football and resumed membership of the British Student American Football Association and the British Collegiate American Football League in 2003 after a seven season hiatus. This increased, with the addition of the Edinburgh Timberwolves that same year, the number of college teams in Scotland up to 5, meaning that once again BCAFL had a completely Scottish division. The Pyros' return to the BCAFL was marked by a difficult 0-8 season in 2004-05 (HC: Ivie Hair) followed by a 1-7 finish in 2005-2006, marked also by the untimely death of Head Coach Craig Cunningham mid-season. Coach Cunningham was replaced briefly by the Head Coach of the Glasgow Youth Tigers, Alan Wilson. The 2006-7 season (HC: Alastair MacDonald), despite a more convincing defensive performance went 0-7-1, with only 22 points scored. At the AGM in March 2007, The University of Paisley Pyros rebranded to "The Pyros" in light of the University's merger with Bell College looming, and the high probability of a name change. The club, although "The University of the West of Scotland" is not mentioned, is still an affiliated club at the Students' Association and competes on behalf of the Institution. The club is still referred to as Paisley by the press and other clubs as that is the geographical location of the campus from which they recruit the majority of their players and play at Thornly Park. In season 2007-8 (HC: Ann Luney) BCAFL and BSAFA were supplanted by BUAFL, and the Pyros performances were stronger again, but a lack of offensive consistency cost them 7 games with their only win coming over the former divisional powerhouse The Glasgow (Uni)Tigers. It is regularly noted by Hot Iron (the Scottish American Football Fanzine) that lack of numbers may hamper the Renfrewshire Outfit but their hard hitting "never say die" style of football makes teams really work to take a victory from the Pyros. Former player John Graham went on to win the Northern Conference and played in the College Bowl in 2006 with the Glasgow Tigers (vs Birmingham Lions).

Head Coaches:
Ivie Hair - 2003-2005
Craig Cunningham - 2005-Jan 2006
Alan Wilson (Temporary) - Jan 2006-Feb 2006
Alastair MacDonald - 2006-7
Ann Luney - 2007-Present

Club Presidents:
Euan Shearer - Nov 2003 - Jan 2004
Paul Thomson - Jan 2004 - Sept 2004
Jonathan Bastit - Sept 2004 - Mar 2005
Paul Thomson - Mar 2005 - Sept 2007
Richard Little - Sept 2007 - Present

Awards
Hall of Fame Members:
Sean Whelan (2006)
Richard Little (2006)
Alasdair Klimowicz (2006)
Chris Maguire (2006)
Euan Shearer (2006)
Jonathan Bastit (2006)
Craig Cunningham (2007)
Ben Alkureishi (2007)
Paul Thomson (2007)
Gavin Hannah (2007)
John-Paul Broughton (2007)
Jay Mitchell (2007)

Season MVP
Alasdair Klimowicz (2004-5)
Jonathan Bastit (2005-6)
Richard Little (2006-7)

Offensive MVP
Romain Roussy, RB (2003-4)
Alasdair Klimowicz, FB (2004-5)
Tal Peer, WR (2005-6)
Gavin Hannah, HB (2006-7)

Defensive MVP
David Murray, CB (2003-4)
Jonathan Bastit, LB (2004-5)
Paul Thomson, DE (2005-6)
Tal Peer, LB/SS (2006-7)

Lineman MVP
Chris Maguire, RT (2003-4)
Chris Maguire, RT (2004-5)
Richard Little, C (2005-6)
Alan Greenshields, RG/RT (2006-7)

Special Teams MVP
Gareth Robertson (2004-5)
Award Retired (2005-Present)

Rookie MVP
Ben Alkureishi (2004-5)
Grigorios Kostakis (2005-6)
James Fleming (2006-7)

Scott Little (2007-8)

Craig Cunningham Award for Most Improvement
Alasdair Klimowicz (2005-6)
Peter Gibson (2006-7)

Alan Greenshields (2007-8)

Players' Player of the Year
Jay Mitchell (2004-5)
Ben Alkureishi (2005-6)
John-Paul Broughton (2006-7)

Notable Statistics
Most Points Scored in a Game
Season 2005-6: 34 (Home vs Sunderland Kings)

Biggest Winning Margin
Season 2005-6: 10 Points (Home vs Sunderland Kings)

Most Team Yards in a single Season
Season 2005-6: 1061
Rushing: 705
Passing: 356

Most Rushing Yards in 1 Season
Euan Shearer (2005-6): 224 (long 26)

Longest Rush
Ben Alkureishi (2005-6): 65 Yards

Highest Rush Average (Season)
Euan Shearer (2005-6): 4.98Y/C 45 for 224

Highest Rush Average (Single Game)
Gavin Hannah (2005-6): 12.75Y/C, 4 for 51 (Home vs Sunderland)

Most Passing Yards in 1 Season
Ben Alkureishi (2005-6): 356

Receptions & Receiving Yards in 1 Season
Tal Peer (2005-6): 18 Receptions for 284 Yards (long 75)

Points Scored in 1 Season
Tal Peer (2005-6): 30 (4 TDs, 3 PATs)

Team Tackles in 1 Season
Season 2005-6: 548

Most Tackles in 1 Season
Paul Thomson (2005-6): 74 (combined [84 tackles including Sacks])
Ben Alkureishi (2005-6): 28 (solo)
Jonathan Bastit (2005-6): 54 (assists)

Most Sacks in 1 Season
Paul Thomson (2005-6): 10

Interceptions in 1 Season
Jay Mitchell (2005-6) & Tal Peer (2005-6): 4

Interception Yards in 1 Season
Ben Alkureishi (2005-6): 70

Longest Kick Return
Ben Alkureishi (2005-6): 100 Yards (for TD)

Blocked Kicks in 1 Season
Jonathan Bastit (2005-6): 3

20 Random Facts about The Pyros
1. Richard Little has played the most competitive games for the Pyros (31)
2. Ben Alkureishi is considered as the most complete player to have ever played at the club, although he has never won the Season MVP.
3. Jonathan Bastit ended season 2005-6 with 1 tackle less than the combined season record.
4. John Graham is the only Pyros Player to ever play in a National Final.
5. Paul Thomson sacked every QB in the Scottish Division during season 2005-6 with the exception of Alasdair Choat (Glasgow Caledonian Roughriders). This irritates him to this day.
6. Ben Alkureishi has been voted into the BCAFL 2005 All-College Lineup as a Wide Receiver despite playing Runningback and Quarterback that season.
7. The Club's 3 Highest Rush Averages for a single game were recorded in the same year against the same team (Sunderland Kings). Gavin Hannah [12.75, 4 for 51], Ben Alkureishi [11.86, 7 for 83], Euan Shearer [7.21, 14 for 108].
8. Alasdair Klimowicz played in 14 competitive games at Full Back before making a loss in yardage.
9. Tal Peer holds every receiving record.
10. After the Pyros beat the Sunderland Kings in December 2005, the Kings did not record another win that season. Sunderland F.C. also struggled and were subsequently relegated from the Barclays Premier League. The City never fully recovered from that defeat.
11. Jay Mitchell has spent more time in hospital due to injuries sustained whilst participating than the rest of the squad and alumni combined.
12. Chris Maguire claims that he has the highest rushing average of 5 yards per carry exactly. It was a single rush for 5 yards. And only he can remember it. But he claims the record anyway. Technically. On paper. So there.
13. Ben Alkureishi was stated as the First Down (the European American Football Monthly) as player of the month in December 2005 (after he threw for a TD, rushed for a TD, and Intercepted and Returned for a TD against the Sunderland Kings)
14. Steve turned black in December 2005 and stopped Sheepy from playing the rest of season.
15. Richard and Scott Little are the only brothers to have played in the club simultaeneously
16. The Pyros two wins (since the reformation of the club in 2003) were both conducted with a playing squad of 15.
17. The Pyros are the only sports club at the University of Paisley (now University of the West of Scotland) to have beaten a University of Glasgow 1st Team.
18. Gaspard Vandamme can slam a revolving door.
19. The initials "CC" are printed on the back of all gameshirts just beneath the collar as a mark of respect for former Head Coach Craig Cunningham.
20. The Club was restarted in 2003 under a new name (Pyros) by former University of Paisley Panthers player Ivie Hair.
From 1989-1997, the Pyros were known as the Paisley Panthers.

Retired Numbers
7 - Jay Mitchell (2003-2007)
66 - Paul Thomson (2003-2007)
69 - Jonathan Bastit (2003-2008)
77 - Chris Maguire (2003-2006)

The Pyros 2003-2008
Key:

Abbrev. Meaning
CP Club President
CM Committee Member
HoF Hall of Fame
FM Founding Member
SL Stat Leader



Nat # Pos Name Seasons Other Info
Sco 57 C/MLB Richard Little 5 CP, 2 Awards, HoF, CM, FM
Fra 69 LT/MLB Jonathan 'Frenchie' Bastit 5 CP, 2 Awards, HoF, CM, FM, SL
Sco 66 RG/DE Paul 'Shinty' Thomson 4 CP, 1 Awards, HoF, CM, FM, SL
Sco 11 QB/OLB Ben Alkureishi 4 2 Awards, HoF, CM, SL
Can 44 WR/SS Tal 'Moose' Peer 3 2 Awards, CM, SL
Sco 7 FS Jay Mitchell 3 1 Awards, HoF, SL
Sco 38 OL/FB John-Paul 'JP' Broughton 4 1 Awards, HoF, CM
Sco 18 FB/MLB Alasdair Klimowicz 5 3 Awards, HoF, CM, FM
Sco 80 HB/CB Gavin 'Hero' Hannah 4 1 Awards, HoF, CM, SL
Eng 77 RT/DT Chris 'Maggi' Maguire 3 2 Awards, HoF, CM, FM
Sco 34 HB Euan 'Sheepy' Shearer 3 CP, HoF, CM, FM, SL
Sco 70 RG/DT Alan Greenshields 2 1 Awards, CM
Sco 28 QB/CB Peter 'RUFiO' Gibson 2 1 Awards, CM
Éire 28 CB Seamus Breen 2
Sco 73 OL/DL Lowry 'Leeroy Superstar' Higgins 3 CM
Swe 78 OL/DL Christian Olsson 1 Assistant Coach
Sco 12 QB/FS Euan Bennet 3 CM, FM
Sco 22 CB Sean Whelan 3 HoF, Assistant Coach, FM
Sco 89 WR James 'PJ' Skivington 3 CM
Sco 75 LG/DT John Graham 2
Ned 12 QB Matthew Kwee 2
Sco 68 LG Michael 'Who' Prentice 2 CM
R.Ire 88 CB Adam Doherty 2
Sco CB Stephen Nicholson 2
Sco 50 DE Scott 'Tobe' Little 1
Sco 67 RT Steven Woolley 1
Sco 1 WR/CB Omer Mohammed 1
Sco 5 WR/CB Ben Milliar 1
Sco 79 LT/DE Mitchell 'Jebus' Galbraith 1
Sco 89 FS James Fleming 1 1 Award, CM
Sco 89 WR/CB Gareth 'Special' Robertson 1 1 Award
Sco 72 OL/DL Scott McCaw 1
Sco OL/DL Claudio 'The Paper Lineman' Pia 1
Ned 79 OL/DL Antonio Wronski 1
Sco 74 LT/DL Andrew 'Ginger Ribs' Muirhead 1
N.Ire 20 HB/CB Ryan 'Soupy' Campbell 1
USA OL/DL Wes McDonald 1
USA 70 LT/DE Dan Cameron 1
Sco HB/CB Andrew 'Sonic' Baker 1
Sco 13 QB Ross Shaw 1
Sco 72 OL/DL Paul 'Edgar' Ewing 1
Ger OL/DE Michael Eckert 1
Sco 65 RG/DL Ben Christison 1
Sco 20 LB Fraser Hillhouse 1
Sco OL/DE Andreas Leibig 1
Sco 84 WR Alasdair 'Gandalf' Mackie 1
N.Ire HB/CB Mark McLaughlin 1
Sco OL/DL Brian 'Big B' Potts 1
Sco OL/DL Stuart Rae 1
Ger HB/CB Frank Weissbach 1
Fra TE Jean-Claude 'JC' Martineau 1 FM
Fra WR/CB Pierre Friscourt 1 FM
Fra WR/CB Pierre Clavéquin 1 FM
Fra 28 FB/MLB Romain 'Roma' Roussy 1 1 Award, FM
Fra HB/CB Jonathon Ahotar 1 FM
Fra 25 DE Gaspard Vandamme 1
Gre OL/DE Grigorios Kostakis 1 1 Awards
Iran DT Haitham Naser 1
Iran OL/DT Ehsan Abid 1
N.Ire K/P Johnnie McDowall 1
Sco WR Gareth 'Hector' Williams 1
Sco 88 CB David 'Spiderman' Murray 2 1 Award, FM
Sco K/P Graeme 'G' Hunter 1 FM
Sco 24 MLB David 'Mac' MacGregor 1 FM
Sco OL/DL Stuart Mackie 1
Sco 51 LB/HC Ivie Hair 2 Player & Head Coach, FM
USA n/a HC Craig Cunningham 2 Head Coach & HoF
Sco n/a HC Alasdair MacDonald 1
Sco n/a HC Alan Wilson 3 Games Temporary Head Coach
Sco n/a HC Derek Taylor 1 Game Temporary Head Coach
Sco n/a HC Ann Luney 2 Head Coach & Sideline Support
Sco n/a Timothy Raspin 2 Sideline Support
Sco n/a Lauren Campbell 2 Sideline Support
N.Ire n/a Helen Paterson 2 Sideline Support, CM
Sco n/a Susan Duncan 2 Sideline Support
Sco n/a Janice Williams 3 Sideline Support, CM
Sco n/a Jemma Quinn 2 Sideline Support, CM
Sco n/a Kieran Phillips 2 Sideline Support
Sco n/a Rachel Crone 1 Sideline Support
Swe n/a Krissi Lundgren 1 Photographer





[edit] Team Records by Season

Year Record Finish Playoffs
1989-90 0-5-1 4th Place, Scottish Conf.
1990-91 3-4-1 6th Place, Northern Conf.
1991-92 2-6-0 7th Place, Northern Conf.
1992-93 3-3-2 5th Place, Northern Conf.
1993-94 6-2-0 3rd Place, Northern Conf. Conference Semi-Finals
1994-95 4-4-0 3rd Place, Scottish Div.
1995-96 0-8-0 3rd Place, Scottish Div.
1996-97 1-6-1 4th Place, Scottish Div.
2004-05 0-8-0 5th Place, Scottish Div.
2005-06 1-7-0 5th Place, Scottish Div.
2006-07 0-7-1 5th Place, Scottish Div.
2007-08 1-7-0 5th Place, Scottish Div.

[edit] External links

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