Scunthorpe Alphas
The Scunthorpe Alphas are an American football club based in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, England who will operate in the BAFA National Leagues NFC Division 2 for the 2021 season. The club play their home games at Quibell Park Stadium and were formed in late 2018 by a consortium of coaches and former players who had previously played together at other local sides. In formation the Alphas became the second American football team to represent Scunthorpe following the Steelers who folded in 1990.[2] The Alphas were made full BAFA members in October 2020 and will play in Division Two for the 2021 season.[3]
| Founded | 2018 |
|---|---|
| League | BAFA National Leagues |
| Division | Division Two[1] |
| Location | Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, England |
| Stadium | Quibell Park Stadium |
| Colours | White Helmets Navy Blue and White Jerseys Navy Blue pants |
| Head coach | Alex Robson |
| General manager | Warwick Grosvenor |
History
The Alphas were formed in 2018 by a consortium of coaches and former players who had previous links to the Sheffield Giants, Lincolnshire Bombers and Doncaster Mustangs, namely founding members Warwick Grosvenor, Alex Robson, Nick Tomaszewski, Mikey Gray and Iain Heron Stamp.[4]
The club had become the first team to represent Scunthorpe since the 'Scunthorpe Steelers' who folded in 1990.[5] The Alphas added American quarterback Derek Yenerall, formerly of Premier League team Bristol Aztecs to their roster for their debut season and played their first game against Etone Jaguars (formely Coventry Jets) on the 3 August 2019, losing 16-12 in Nuneaton.[6] The Alphas brought American Football back to Quibell Park Stadium for the first time in 19 years when they hosted the Northants Knights on 15 September 2019, in attendance was a crowd of over 400 people.[7]
In February 2020 in preparation for their second season, the Alphas appointed former NCAA LSU Tigers player William Walker Jnr as their new Offensive Line coach. Walker had played under Louis Oubre at McDonogh High School and alongside future NFL players Joe McKnight and Delvin Breaux.[8]
The Alphas were made full BAFA members in October 2020 and will play in Division Two for the 2021 season. BAFA representative Warren Smart commented "BAFA believes that General Manager (GM) Warwick Grosvenor, aided by Assistant GM Nick Tomaszewski and the Alphas management and coaching squad, has established a sustainable, dynamic and competitive club".[9]
Youth Team
The Alphas introduced several levels of Youth team football in 2020 and in turn appointed former Great Britain Lions youth coach Richard Scott as their new U19 Head Coach.[10]
Stadium
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The Alphas play their home games at Quibell Park Stadium, the former home of the Steelers. Quibell Park is a purpose-built athletics and cycling velodrome stadium that has an American football field in the centre. The Alphas also use the adjacent field for practice making the Quibell Park complex their home for both training and match day.
Coaching Staff
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach |  Alex Robson |
| Offensive Coordinator | Alex Robson |
| Defensive Coordinator | Warwick Grosvenor |
| Defensive Backs Coach |  Nick Tomaszewski |
| Defensive Line Coach | Warwick Grosvenor |
| Offensive Line Coach |  William Walker Jr. |
| Running Backs Coach | Claudia Tasker |
| Defensive Line Coach | Warwick Grosvenor |
| Linebackers Coach | Ed Heywood |
| Wide Receivers Coach | Alex Robson |
| U19 Head Coach | Richard Scott |
| Assistant Defensive Line Coach | Ryan McEntee |
| Assistant Defensive Backs Coach | Patrick Galvin |
Roster
|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
|
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
|
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
|
References
- https://www.britishamericanfootball.org/news/scunthorpe-alphas-confirmed-as-full-members-of-bafa-national-leagues#.X46w9dBKiUk
- "Britball Remembered: The Scunthorpe Steelers". Ninety-Nine Yards: American Football. April 3, 2020.
- https://www.britishamericanfootball.org/news/scunthorpe-alphas-confirmed-as-full-members-of-bafa-national-leagues#.X46w9dBKiUk
- "Scunthorpe's American Football team to play first game in nearly 30 years". August 2, 2019 – via www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
- "After 20 years - American Football returns to Scunthorpe". December 16, 2018 – via www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
- "Scunthorpe Alphas American Football". www.facebook.com.
- https://www.facebook.com/AlphasFootballUK/posts/972918146379574?comment_id=972935239711198&reply_comment_id=973002519704470
- "Former player from USA who played with NFL athletes joins Scunthorpe Alphas". February 14, 2020 – via www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
- https://www.britishamericanfootball.org/news/scunthorpe-alphas-confirmed-as-full-members-of-bafa-national-leagues#.X46w9dBKiUk
- https://www.facebook.com/AlphasFootballUK/photos/a.789520268052697/1324111801260205/
- "Scunthorpe Alphas American Football". www.facebook.com.