Bradford Dragons

The Bradford Dragons are an English semi-professional basketball club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Founded in 2001, the Dragons currently compete in NBL Division 1, the second tier of the British basketball system.

Bradford Dragons
LeagueNBL Division 1
Established2001 (2001)
HistoryBradford Dragons
2001-present
ArenaBradford College
LocationBradford, West Yorkshire
Team colours     
Head coach Chris Mellor
WebsiteOfficial website

Club history

The club was established in 2001 as a local under-16 club, in response to growing demand from local players for an outlet to play competitive basketball. The club quickly attracted more young players, entering an under-18 team in the Bradford League for the 2002-03 season and adding an Under-21 team in 2003. 2004 saw further expansion, with under-14 and under-16 teams entering the national junior leagues for the first time.[1]

The Dragons added senior men's basketball to their programme in 2005, entering into EBL Division Three North. The team made a steady start to life in the National League, finishing in the top six in each of their first four seasons, narrowly missing out on the playoffs on several occasions. In the 2009-10 season, the team won the first of two successive promotions, finishing the season at the top of Division Three (North) and making the post-season semi-finals. A similar record in the 2010-11 season saw the Men's team promoted to NBL Division 1, where they have remained since.[2]

A reserve team was entered in EBL Division Four (North) for the first time in 2011, with a women's team joining EBL Division Two (North) in the following season and claiming the title at their first attempt with a 13-2 record.[3] Despite this early success, both teams were disbanded after the 2012-13 season, although the club hopes to relaunch both teams into national competition in the future.

The club's importance to the local community was recognised in 2006 by Bradford Council, which awarded the Dragons a special commendation award for their contribution to community cohesion.[4]

Players

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team, as has been defined under FIBA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIBA nationality.

No. Position Player
3 G David Walsh
6 F Tyme Regent-Basombe
7 PG Andreas Lycoudis
9 G Matthew Armstrong
11 G Jermayne Laing
12 F Rihards Sulcs
13 F Ricky Fetske
14 G Edvards Gutmanis
15 F Uche Umekwe
20 PG Albert Margai
21 F Clayfell Harris

Notable former players

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.


Season-by-season records
Season Division Tier League Playoffs National Cup Div. League Cup
Finish Played Wins Losses Points Win %
Bradford Dragons
2005-06 D3 Nor 4 5th 16 8 8 16 0.500 Did Not Qualify 1st Round 1st Round
2006-07 D3 Nor 4 5th 20 13 7 26 0.650 Did Not Qualify 2nd Round Semi Finals
2007-08 D3 Nor 4 3rd 20 14 6 28 0.700 Quarter Finals 3rd Round Semi Finals
2008-09 D3 Nor 4 5th 22 14 8 28 0.636 Did Not Qualify 3rd Round Quarter Finals
2009-10 D3 Nor 4 1st 22 21 1 42 0.955 Semi Finals 1st Round Runners Up
2010-11 D2 3 1st 20 17 3 34 0.850 Semi Finals Quarter Finals Semi Finals
2011-12 D1 2 6th 24 15 9 30 0.625 Quarter Finals Quarter Finals Quarter Finals
2012-13 D1 2 12th 26 10 16 20 0.385 Did Not Qualify 2nd Round Quarter Finals
2013-14 D1 2 4th 26 17 9 34 0.654 Semi Finals 2nd Round 1st Round
2014-15 D1 2 8th 24 10 14 20 0.417 Quarter Finals Quarter Finals Semi Finals
2015-16 D1 2 12th 26 6 20 12 0.231 Did Not Qualify 2nd Round Semi Finals
2016-17 D1 2 7th 26 14 12 28 0.538 Quarter Finals Quarter Finals Pool Stage
2017-18 D1 2 6th 24 13 11 26 0.542 Quarter Finals Quarter Finals Pool Stage
2018-19 D1 2 11th 26 11 15 22 0.423 Did Not Qualify 4th Round Pool Stage
2019-20 D1 2 8th 23 12 11 27 0.522 No Playoffs 4th Round N/A

References
  1. "Bradford Dragons, Club History". Bradford Dragons Website.
  2. "League Table History". Basketball England. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  3. "League Table History". Basketball England. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  4. "Bradford Dragons, Club History". Bradford Dragons Website.
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