| Year Formed | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Team Colours | White helmets Forest green shirts Forest green pants Green & white socks |
| Home Field | Syston RFC |
| Conference Alignment | BAFA Community Leagues Division 1 Central |
| General Manager | Guy Kersey (2006–Present) |
| Head Coach | Saul Freer |
| All-time Regular Season Record | (23-13-4) |
| 2011 Regular Season Record | (8-2) |
| Playoff Record | (5-2) |
| Playoff Appearances | (3) 2009 2010 2011 |
| Conference Championships | (0) |
| Divisional Championships | (1) Div 2 2009 |
| League Championships | (0) |
| BritBowl Appearances | (2) Div 2 2009, Div 1 2011 |
The Leicester Falcons are a British American football team based in Leicestershire, England. The Falcons play in Division 1 of the British American Football Association National Leagues.
Contents |
The Leicester Falcons were formed in 2006 by General Manager Guy Kersey and a nucleus of local players hoping to share their enjoyment and knowledge of the sport. Named in connection with Leicester Eagles, the regional flag football team, the Leicester Falcons held their first training session at Belgrave Rugby Club on March 19, 2006. After two seasons of associate membership, the Falcons achieved full membership of the British American Football League prior to the 2008 season.
The Falcons' first season in BAFL Division 2 Central ended with a 3-5-2 record, under head coach Danny Gaunt.
The 2009 season proved to be much better, with a regular season record of 7-2-1. Lester Hopewell took over as head coach, and led the Falcons to a playoff place. In the playoffs the Falcons beat Manchester Titans and Glasgow Tigers to reach their first championship game [1]. In a tight game Leicester Falcons defeated Colchester Gladiators 33:32 to become the BAFL Division 2 Champions for 2009 [2]. This also secured promotion and the Falcons now play in BAFA Community Leagues Division 1.
The 2010 season contained a number of highlights. The team celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Leicester charity LOROS by holding their league match against Birmingham Bulls at the Welford Road ground of Leicester Tigers[3]. To crown the day the Falcons won a well-fought game to claim their first victory of the season 22 :15[4]. To bolster the team for the second half of the season the team signed ex-NFL quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt, who had previously played for Denver Broncos and subsequently Houston Texans. This had the desired effect and helped an improving team to win its next four matches and secure a wildcard place in the 2010 season play-offs. Despite having a weakened team the Falcons made the number 1 seeded team, East Kilbride Pirates, work very hard to secure their place in the semi-finals; the Falcons lost a close fought game by only two points.
As part of the team's continued growth and to help ensure its future, as well as to provide an entry point for teenagers who wish to enjoy the sport of American football, the Falcons are looking for the next generation of players to join the organisation.
The Falcons started a youth programme in the autumn of 2009 to fill the gap between junior Flag Football and adult contact football. In 2011, they entered the BAFACL Junior division for the first time. 2011 will also see the debut of a youth (under 16) and university team, in association with De Montfort University.
Younger players are invited to join the local Flag Football team in the form of the Leicester Eagles. Flag Football is a non-contact form of the game that is excellent for developing the fundamentals of the kitted sport. It is good fun for both children and adults alike, and is recommended for younger children to give them an initial taste of the game.
Following a realignment of the teams in BAFACL Division 1 the Leicester Falcons played in the Central Conference in 2011. This has proved to be a successful season for the Falcons, who finished top of the conference with a 9-1 record. However, in a controversial ending to the season, BAFANL stripped the Falcons of the conference title and deducted one game after being found to have not followed proper transfer procedure in the transfer of Jason Brisbane.[5]. The Falcons therefore entered the playoffs as the #4 seed. In the playoffs, the Falcons beat Doncaster Mustangs in the quarter finals, before a famous upset win against top seeds London Olympians in the semifinal, to set up a rematch with East Kilbride Pirates at Britbowl XXV. This ended in a 62-23 defeat.
The Junior team, in their first season at this level, finished 1-7, with the sole win coming against Coventry Jets.
| General Manager | Guy Kersey | |
| Team Manager | Catherine Grimbly | |
| Head Coach | Saul Freer | |
| Offensive Coordinator | Stuart Franklin | |
| Offensive Line Coach | Joshua Jennings | |
| Running Backs Coach | Guy Kersey | |
| Wide Receivers coach | John Price | |
| Defensive Coordinator | Jason Brisbane | |
| Defensive Backs Coach | Karl Burgess | |
| Physiotherapist | Nick Punchard |
| Team Manager & Assistant Offensive Coach | Joel Pearson | |
| Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator | Karl Burgess | |
| Offensive Coordinator | Andy Hill | |
| Assistant Coach | Darren Cummings | |
| Assistant Coach | Rob Wylie | |
| Assistant Defensive Coach | Jimmy Shaw |
Leicester Panthers - Predecessors to Leicester Falcons between 1984 and 1996.