| Milton Keynes Lions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main sponsor | Prestige Homes | |||
| League | British Basketball League | |||
| Established | 1977 | |||
| History | Hemel Hempstead Lakers 1977-1985 Hemel Royals 1985-1996 Hemel & Watford Royals 1996-1997 Watford Royals 1997-1998 Milton Keynes Lions 1998-present |
|||
| Arena | MK Lions Arena (Capacity: 1,400) |
|||
| Location | Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire |
|||
| Head coach | Mike New | |||
| Ownership | Vince Macaulay-Razaq | |||
| Colours | Black, Gold and White | |||
| Website | ||||
| Uniforms | ||||
|
||||
The Milton Keynes Lions, officially called Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions due to sponsorship, is a basketball team which represents Milton Keynes in the British Basketball League, the top level men's basketball league in the United Kingdom. The franchise’s only trophy success to-date is the BBL Cup title, won in 2008. The club also operate the Milton Keynes College Lions Basketball Academy in partnership with Milton Keynes College, which was established in 2007.
Contents |
The franchise that would become Milton Keynes Lions initially started out in the town of Hemel Hempstead, as the Hemel Hempstead Lakers. The team was named after one of the NBA’s most famous teams, Los Angeles Lakers, and even adopted the famous Lakers colours of Purple and Gold. In 1977, the Lakers entered the National Basketball League’s Division 2, and enjoyed a rather successful rookie season, finishing 5th (from 11 teams) with a 10-10 record. Their second season would be even more successful, with the Lakers finishing second in Division 2 (15-3) and winning promotion to the top-level league Division 1.
With entry into the country’s top league ensure, the club received a major sponsorship deal from beverage brand Ovaltine, and as part of the deal were known as Ovaltine Hemel Hempstead. The franchise became a formidable force in Division 1, regularly finishing at the top-end of the table and making many appearances in the Play-off semi-final’s at Wembley Arena, finishing 3rd in 1981. Following the end of the Ovaltine sponsorship and a one year deal with retailers Poundstretcher, the franchise was rebranded as the Hemel Royals in 1985. Meanwhile on court, the team failed to reproduce the performances of the past few seasons and often settled for mid-table positions.
For the 1989-1990 season the franchise opted to leave the top-tier, now known as the Carlsberg League due to sponsorship from the Carlsberg Group, and return to the second-tier league, rebranded as NBL Division 1. After only one season, and a 4th place finish (14-8), the Royals returned to Carlsberg League. The team finished bottom of the league in the 1992-1993 season with a 4-29 record, and were subsequently relegated back to Division 1, however they were later reinstated and returned to the rebranded BBL for the following season. A dismal spell ensued and over the next decade the team wouldn’t finish outside of the bottom 3, but with the removal of the promotion/relegation system between the BBL and Division 1, this had little consequence.
The lack of fortunes and an aging venue prompted the franchise to look at relocating and found a suitable, yet temporary solution in the neighbouring town of Watford. In preparation for the move, the franchise was rebranded as Hemel & Watford Royals in 1996 and made the move from the Dacorum Centre to Watford Leisure Centre in 1997. The move had little luck on the team’s playing performance and they finished 13th out of 13 in the 1997-1998 season (3-33). Royals’ stay in Watford lasted just one season and, in 1998, with the promise of a future purpose-built arena being offered in the town of Milton Keynes, the team packed up, moved and renamed themselves as the Milton Keynes Lions.
Lions’ on-court performances were an instant improvement and the franchise began a slow but noticeable turnaround, reaching the Semi-finals of the National Cup and also the end-of-season Play-offs for the first time in eight seasons in 2000. After a hugely successful run, the franchise reached its first major final in 2002 with an appearance at the SkyDome Arena in the BBL Trophy. The Lions fought valiantly but eventually lost to the all-conquering Chester Jets, losing 90-89 in a close contest. From then on, the Lions remained a competitive force in the league often qualifying for the post-season Play-off’s, though having little impact on the final outcome, and an appearance in the BBL Cup Semi-final in 2005 was considered to be a major landmark.
It was announced on May 8, 2007 that coach Tom Hancock would not coach the Lions for the 2007-08 season, after just one term at the helm.[1] On May 17, the club declared owner Vince Macaulay-Razaq, a former player and coach of the franchise, would be appointed head coach for the proceeding season.[2] The signing of Yorick Williams during the pre-season was a massive coup, and for many fans signalled the dawning of a new era for the club. During this exciting time and in preparation for a planned move to a new arena, the club also undertook a rebranding initiative, redesigning the logo and changing the kit colours from the traditional purple and gold, to a more dynamic black, gold and white, as well as the establishment of a new Academy in partnership with Milton Keynes College. The Milton Keynes College Lions Basketball Academy is headed by Lions’ player Mike New.
With Macaulay back controlling the club on court as well as off it, the team's standing in the league was immediately matched to his own ambition as the clubs' owner. The veteran team performed sensationally and by the Christmas break they were well in contention for the league crown, resting in second place behind title-rivals Newcastle Eagles, who coincidently they beat in their first-ever BBL Cup Final appearance at the National Indoor Arena (NIA), on January 13, 2008. Milton Keynes led for most of the game and sealed the 69-66 victory when New scored the final points of the game to end a Newcastle resurgence, handing the Lions franchise its first piece of silverware.[3]
After finishing 4th in the league (19-14), Lions qualified for the post-season Play-offs with a seeded home-court Quarter-final tie against Scottish Rocks. The home team eased past the Rocks, 105-93, with the game filmed live in front of Setanta Sports cameras. For the first time in its history, Milton Keynes progressed to the Championship Finals weekend at the NIA where they defeated league champions Newcastle Eagles (63-72) on the way to the final eventually succumbing to Guildford Heat, 88-100, again live on Setanta Sports. The incredible achievements of the season, earned coach Macaulay-Razaq the accolade of BBL's Coach of the Year. Another highlight of the Lions' most successful season in history was the development of players through the new Academy with 18 year-old Greg Harvey progressing onto the roster in the latter stages of the season.
As of 2008, Lions expected to be playing at the brand-new 4,500-seat capacity arena:mk adjacent to the new stadium:mk (home to Milton Keynes Dons football team). The move to their new home would have seen the Lions play in one of the BBL's biggest, modern venues, rivalling the homes of the Rocks and Newcastle. Unfortunately, the completion of the arena has been delayed due to the deferral of proposed commercial developments around the site (which would have funded the project). With the demolition of Lions’ current home, Bletchley Centre, scheduled for November 2009, the lack of alternative venue raised question marks as to the future of the franchise remaining in Milton Keynes.[4]
On court, there were big expectations following the successful campaign previously, but the 2008-09 season didn’t start off too well for the Lions, with defeat to Guildford in the Cup Winners’ Cup. After losing 91-89 in the first leg at Guildford, the Heat rolled over the Lions to a 68-60 victory at the Bletchley Centre, and a 159-149 series win. Further woe was added with a BBL Cup Quarter-final exit at the hands of visiting Everton Tigers, coupled with an exit at the 1st Round of the Trophy. The disastrous season came to an abrupt end in April, with a 14-19 record and 9th placed finish meaning the Lions missing out on the end-of-season Playoffs.
With the demolition of the Bletchley Centre looming, the club sought to find an alternative venue for home games and on July 31, 2009 announced that from January 2010, the Lions would be playing out of Middleton Hall at thecentre:mk as a temporary measure until the new arena:mk is completed later on in the year.[5] The Lions played their last game in front of a packed Bletchley Centre crowd on December 18, with a dramatic 98-97 victory over Guildford Heat. Robert Youngblood scored the winning point from the free-throw line and thus scored the last basket for Lions at their former home.[6]
After Middleton Hall decided upon changes that would no longer make it suitable for basketball, the Lions were forced to seek out yet again for another new home venue for at least the 2010-2011 season.[7] The club secured a three-game lease for an out-of-town venue at Stoke Mandeville in Aylesbury to begin their 2010-2011 campaign, and decided upon renovating a site in the centre of Milton Keynes to host home games for the duration of the season.[8] A three-year deal was agreed upon to use a warehouse in Winterhill and convert it into a 1,400-seat basketball arena and practice venue.[9][10] The venue opened (as the Lions Arena) at the end of November 2010.
At close of the 2010-11 season, the Lions came tenth in the British Basketball League.[11] Demarious Bolds was named Player of the Year.[12]
| Season | Div. | Pos. | Pld. | W | L | Pts. | Play Offs | Trophy | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemel Hempstead Lakers | |||||||||
| 1977–1978 | NBL 2 | 5th | 20 | 10 | 10 | 20 | n/a | - | 1st Round |
| 1978–1979 | NBL 2 | 2nd | 18 | 15 | 3 | 30 | n/a | - | - |
| 1979–1980 | NBL 1 | 4th | 18 | 12 | 6 | 24 | 4th place | - | Quarter-final |
| 1980–1981 | NBL 1 | 3rd | 18 | 13 | 5 | 26 | 3rd place | - | 2nd Round |
| 1981–1982 | NBL 1 | 6th | 22 | 12 | 10 | 24 | DNQ | - | Quarter-final |
| 1982–1983 | NBL 1 | 3rd | 24 | 18 | 6 | 36 | 4th place | - | Quarter-final |
| 1983–1984 | NBL 1 | 11th | 36 | 12 | 24 | 24 | DNQ | - | 2nd Round |
| 1984–1985 | NBL 1 | 7th | 26 | 15 | 11 | 30 | Quarter-final | Semi-final | 2nd Round |
| Hemel Royals | |||||||||
| 1985–1986 | NBL 1 | 9th | 28 | 13 | 15 | 26 | DNQ | 2nd Round | 2nd Round |
| 1986–1987 | NBL 1 | 8th | 23 | 8 | 15 | 16 | Quarter-final | 2nd Round | Quarter-final |
| 1987–1988 | BBL | 11th | 28 | 9 | 19 | 18 | DNQ | 1st Round | Quarter-final |
| 1988–1989 | BBL | 7th | 20 | 9 | 11 | 18 | Quarter-final | 1st Round | Semi-final |
| 1989–1990 | NBL 1 | 4th | 22 | 14 | 8 | 28 | Semi-final | Semi-final | 1st Round |
| 1990–1991 | BBL | 8th | 24 | 4 | 20 | 8 | Quarter-final | 1st Round | 2nd Round |
| 1991–1992 | BBL | 7th | 30 | 13 | 17 | 26 | Quarter-final | 1st Round | 3rd Round |
| 1992–1993 | BBL | 12th | 33 | 4 | 29 | 8 | DNQ | 1st Round | 3rd Round |
| 1993–1994 | BBL | 12th | 36 | 3 | 33 | 6 | DNQ | 1st Round | 3rd Round |
| 1994–1995 | BBL | 10th | 36 | 9 | 27 | 18 | DNQ | 1st Round | 4th Round |
| 1995–1996 | BBL | 13th | 36 | 6 | 30 | 12 | DNQ | 1st Round | Quarter-final |
| Hemel & Watford Royals | |||||||||
| 1996–1997 | BBL | 13th | 36 | 2 | 34 | 4 | DNQ | 1st Round | 4th Round |
| Watford Royals | |||||||||
| 1997–1998 | BBL | 13th | 36 | 3 | 33 | 6 | DNQ | 1st Round | 4th Round |
| Milton Keynes Lions | |||||||||
| 1998–1999 | BBL | 10th | 36 | 10 | 26 | 20 | DNQ | 1st Round | 1st Round |
| 1999–2000 | BBL S | 4th | 34 | 15 | 19 | 30 | Quarter-final | 1st Round | Semi-final |
| 2000–2001 | BBL S | 3rd | 34 | 21 | 13 | 42 | 1st Round | Quarter-final | 1st Round |
| 2001–2002 | BBL S | 3rd | 32 | 16 | 16 | 32 | Quarter-final | Runner-up | Quarter-final |
| 2002–2003 | BBL | 8th | 40 | 12 | 28 | 24 | Quarter-final | 1st Round | 1st Round |
| 2003–2004 | BBL | 8th | 36 | 13 | 23 | 26 | Quarter-final | 1st Round | Quarter-final |
| 2004–2005 | BBL | 8th | 40 | 15 | 25 | 30 | Quarter-final | 1st Round | Semi-final |
| 2005–2006 | BBL | 10th | 40 | 16 | 24 | 32 | DNQ | 1st Round | Quarter-final |
| 2006–2007 | BBL | 6th | 36 | 18 | 18 | 36 | Quarter-final | 1st Round | Quarter-final |
| 2007–2008 | BBL | 4th | 33 | 19 | 14 | 38 | Runner-up | 1st Round | Winners |
| 2008–2009 | BBL | 9th | 33 | 14 | 19 | 28 | DNQ | 1st Round | Quarter-final |
| 2009–2010 | BBL | 7th | 36 | 18 | 18 | 36 | 1st Round | Semi-final | Semi-final |
Notes:
The following information is established according to the official websites of the team (www.mklions.com) and Britain's top professional league, the BBL (www.bbl.org.uk).
| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Roster • updated 2011-10-12 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||