Category: NIAFA Flag Football

Belfast Blitzers v Coleraine Chieftains 1985

Northern Ireland American Football Association Flag Football 1985

Standings

NIAFA Flag Football 1985

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
11001.000000W1
1Tyrone Tornadoes1001.000000W1
3Belfast Blitzers1100.500000W1
4Coleraine Chieftains0200.000000L2

Schedule

NIAFA Flag Football 1985
Match Day Week 1
(Week 1)
3:30 pm

Tyrone Tornadoes vs Coleraine Chieftains

Match Day Final Match
(Final Match)
12:00 am

Belfast Blitzers vs Craigavon Cowboys

Match Day Unknown Week
(Unknown Week)
12:00 am

Coleraine Chieftains vs Belfast Blitzers

Report

The Coleraine Chieftains were formed in December 1984, the first American Football team in Northern Ireland. The following March, Steve Stacher, who had only arrived in Ireland a few months previously with his Irish wife, had started up the Tyrone Tornadoes. Meanwhile David Freeland had founded the Belfast Blitzers. The three teams formed the NIAFA – Northern Ireland American Football Association – in April 1985

The first match involving two Irish teams was a 7v7 or 9v9 Flag Football (non-contact American Football) between Tyrone Tornadoes and Coleraine Chieftains in Omagh Rugby Club, Co. Tyrone, which the Tornadoes won. Ballymena Wolfhounds, Bangor Buccaneers and Craigavon Cowboys had joined by mid-summer, and an ad-hoc series of games was played between the teams for the first season.

Tyrone Tornadoes disbanded after a few months due to the GAA players in the team focusing on Gaelic Football during the summer and Steve Stacher, along with a few others formed the IAFRA – Irish American Football Referees Association. Belfast Blitzers first match was against Coleraine Chieftains and they went on to play in the Final Match, a loss in the Final minutes to Craigavon Cowboys which was to start a fierce Inter-town rivalry.

Belfast Blitzers v Coleraine Chieftains 1985
Belfast Blitzers (Red) and Coleraine Chieftains (Blue) in an early Flag Football match in 1985. Steve Stacher is on the right of the picture in red jumper and blue jeans.

References

[1] Belfast Blitzers Facebook Page (2013) Album, November 3, 2013 “Belfast Blitzers first ever game!” [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/455913187853175 [Accessed 12 October 2018]

[2] Belfast Blitzers Facebook Page (2013) Album, November 3, 2013 “Belfast Blitzers first ever game! – Blitzers D” [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/ms.c.eJw9zdENADEIAtCNLqgQ7f6LXWprP19AobQQIcpRro9teRt1zZUlGjl5tWP6hbbFdcKsksrx6dvr1~;6f6ceE7RzrOY4x7nvUvad7~;8fz2cPdY6j7qslX74X9xRwwhw~-~-.bps.a.455903324520828/455904087854085 [Accessed 12 October 2018]

[3] Steve Stacher (1987) “AN OFFICIAL HISTORY OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL IN IRELAND” Receiver, 1987. pg. 25.

[4] Anon. (1985) “MEET THE ‘TYRONE TORNADOES'” Ulster Herald. Saturday, April 6, 1985. pg. 4. [Past editions of the Ulster Herald are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

[5] Anon. (1985) “AMERICAN FOOTBALL” Strabane Chronicle. Saturday, May 11, 1985. pg. 9 [Past editions of the Ulster Herald are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

[6] Neil Johnston (1985) “Introducing Tyrone’s Tornadoes…” Belfast Telegraph. Saturday, March 2, 1985. pg. 1.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to David Turner (Belfast Blitzers)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 5 September 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020-2021

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

Prospect Pumas Two-Touch Junior American Football Team 1986[Picture Credit: Andrew Wilson]

Northern Ireland American Football Association Unkitted Junior League 1986

Table

PWLTPFPAPct
Bangor Buccaneers (C)77001.000
Belfast Blitzers2110.500
Jordanstown Jaguars11001.000
Belfast Spartans20202270.000
Aldergrove Hawks20202253.000
Ballymena Wolfhounds
Prospect Pumas
Reference: Compiled from [1-8]

Results

DateHome TeamAway Team
20.07.1986Belfast Blitzers53Aldergrove Hawks22
24.08.1986Belfast Spartans22Bangor Buccaneers40
01.09.1986Aldergrove HawksLBangor BuccaneersW
1986Jordanstown JaguarsWBelfast BlitzersL
Belfast Spartans0Bangor Buccaneers30

Reference: [1-4]

Home Venues:

TeamHome Venue
Belfast SpartansMusgrave Park, Belfast
Bangor Buccaneers
Belfast Blitzers

Reference: [1-4]

Report

Bangor Buccaneers won the 1986 Northern Ireland American Football Association Junior League which appears to have been a contact unkitted adult league operating as a second tier or division with the NIAFA. Five teams are known to have taken part in this competition: Bangor Buccaneers, Belfast Blitzers, Jordanstown Jaguars, Aldergrove Hawks and Belfast Spartans, with Ballymena Wolfhounds and Prospect Pumas also possible teams to have taken part.

Prospect Pumas Two-Touch Junior American Football Team 1986[Picture Credit: Andrew Wilson]
Prospect Pumas Two-Touch Junior American Football Team 1986 [Picture Credit: Andrew Wilson]

Junior Two-Touch American Football (1986-1991)

From 1986 to 1991, before Flags were brought in, there were a number of Junior Two-Touch Leagues organised by regional development bodies, such as the East Coast Junior Football Association (Greater Dublin Area) from 1986 to 1987, and the Northern Ireland Junior American League which ran from 1988 to 1990, when it became fully kitted. In 1991, a Junior Two-Touch American Football Blitz took place in Tymon Park, Tallaght. These Leagues were Two-Touch, although it was only the ball carrier who had to be touched twice in order to tackle him, all other positions were full contact (i.e. Blocking etc.) [References: 8]

References

Websites

[1] Britballnow.co.uk (2019) 1986 Results [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 17 August 2019]

[2] Britball Now (2016) Bangor Buccaneers [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/BangorBuccaneers.htm [Accessed 23 March 2018]

[3] Belfast Spartans (2019) Team History | Grinding to a start [Internet] Available from: http://www.belfastspartans.co.uk/team-history.html [Accessed 20 March 2018]

Social Media

[4] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Comments on Post by David Turner, August 12-17, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940 [Accessed 17 August 2019]

Magazines

[5] Stacher, Steve (1987) “An Official History of American Football Ireland” Receiver. 1987.

Newspapers

[6] Anon. (1986) “Buccaneers move up” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, August 25, 1986. pg. 16.

[7] Anon. (1986) “Cowboys look for revenge” Belfast Telegraph. Friday, August 29, 1986. Pg. 22.

Note: Past copies of the Belfast Telegraph are available to view online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

Social Media

[8] Andrew Wilson’s reply to Eirball’s post, March 27, 2020 [Internet] Available at : https://www.facebook.com/eirballenda/posts/2433567573622264?comment_id=2696161900696162&notif_id=1612882525056885&notif_t=feed_comment&ref=notif [Accessed 11 February 2021]

Images

[9] Andrew Wilson (2021) Reply to Eirball Facebook Post, March 27, 2020 “this is a very early publicity photo (pre kit) taken in 1986, I think.” [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219341931087529&set=p.10219341931087529&type=3&av=2226857640959926&eav=AfZG4VnfE0tNSFTwa-nyACGq3CrmStfgyhPu8_I0C1E4keYcOz_YZe5FHtJXGznrua2a22r7OV1hILGkeHYHClQT [Accessed 11 February 2021]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to David Turner (Belfast Blitzers)

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 5 February 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019-2021

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.

Belfast Blitzers Irish Flag Football Team 1985-1986

Belfast Blitzers Logo [Reference: 3]
NIAFA Senior Flag Football Team 1985-1986

 

Home Ground:

Colours: Red & Black

Honours:

Career Record (W-L-T): Total: / Regular Season: 2-1-0 (Complete Record Unknown)

History: Team set up as a Flag Football team in 1985, and also played kitted football from 1986 to 1988. Their Flag Team was almost as successful as their kitted team, with very few losses.

 

Year-by-Year Record

Year Regular Season Post-Season International
  Lge P W L T Pct P W L T Chp P W L T
1985 NIAFA                            
1986 NIAFA                            

Results 1985

Week Date H/A Opposition W/L Score
2 ? H Coleraine Chieftains W ?-?
? ? ? Jordanstown Jaguars L ?-?

Results 1986

Week Date H/A Opposition W/L Score
? 20.07.1986 H Aldergrove Hawks W 53-22
           

Photo

Coleraine Chieftains (Blue) v Belfast Blitzers (Red) NIAFA – 1985 [Reference: 5]

References:

Websites:

[1] Britballnow.co.uk (2019) 1986 Results [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 17 August 2019]

Social Media

[2] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook Page (2013) Post November 3, 2013: “Belfast Blitzers V Coleraine Chieftains, Flag Football Game, circa 1985. These photos were taken at Coleraine. “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/455913187853175 [Accessed 2 April 2019]

[3] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Comments on Post by David Turner, August 12-17, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940 [Accessed 17 August 2019]

Images

[4] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Belfast Blitzers Logo [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67510518_2229601940484282_4045526367226298368_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQl1RH5LGTyzP7JMEVoPCpPxclJUvZJLdfcQ4B410nJOwq86JZKgmCdGwLxt9Ohiu_LX86-8QPWKraapOFn6Q0ai&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=28e5b0bd6891c62c2b9a18b51ad283a1&oe=5DE33CA5 [Accessed 8 August 2019]

[5] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook Page (2013) Post November 3, 2013: “Belfast Blitzers V Coleraine Chieftains, Flag Football Game, circa 1985. These photos were taken at Coleraine. “ [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/740003_455904087854085_1401328382_o.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_sid=e007fa&_nc_ohc=EYpPyTbRGdkAX_i51Us&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=003874a874ca954051ea6afa5d74b29c&oe=5F0150E8 [Accessed 2 April 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to David Turner, Belfast Blitzers

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish, British, North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 March 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

Northern Ireland American Football Association Flag Football League 1985

League Table

PWLTPFPAPct
Tyrone Tornadoes11001.000
Bangor Buccaneers11003001.000
Jordanstown Jaguars11001.000
Belfast Blitzers2110.500
Belfast Spartans1010030.000
Coleraine Chieftains2020.000
Craigavon Cowboys
Northern Ireland American Football Association Flag Football League 1985 [References: compiled from 1-5]

Playoffs

DateHome TeamAway Team
FInal
1985Craigavon CowboysWBelfast BlitzersL

Results

DateHome TeamAway Team
Week 1
28.04.1985Tyrone TornadoesWColeraine ChieftainsL
Week
Coleraine ChieftainsLBelfast BlitzersW
Belfast Spartans0Bangor Buccaneers30
Belfast BlitzersLJordanstown JaguarsW
Northern Ireland American Football Association Flag Football League 1985 [References: compiled from 1-5

Home Venues:

TeamHome Venue
Belfast SpartansMusgrave Park, Belfast
Tyrone TornadoesOmagh Rugby Club, Omagh. Co. Tyrone.
Bangor Buccaneers
Coleraine Chieftains
Belfast Blitzers

Reference: [1][2][3]

References:

Websites:

[1] Irish American Football Association | Wayback Machine (2007) A BRIEF HISTORY OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL IN IRELAND [Internet] available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20071118171931/americanfootball.ie/history.htm [Accessed 6 July 2017]

[2] Belfast Spartans (2019) Team History | Grinding to a start [Internet] Available from: http://www.belfastspartans.co.uk/team-history.html [Accessed 20 March 2018]

[3] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook Page (2013) Post November 3, 2013: “Belfast Blitzers V Coleraine Chieftains, Flag Football Game, circa 1985. These photos were taken at Coleraine. “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/455913187853175 [Accessed 2 April 2019]

Social Media

[4] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Comments on Post by David Turner, August 12-17, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940 [Accessed 17 August 2019]

Magazines

[5] Stacher, Steve (1987) “An Official History of American Football Ireland” Receiver. 1987.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to David Turner, Belfast Blitzers

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | GAA World Archive

Last Updated: 19 November 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019-2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.