Final Standings

Playoffs

Recap

Bournemouth Bobcats and Leeds Cougars gained promotion to the Budweiser League National Division for 1988 after reaching the Premier Bowl, which was won 43-6 by the Bournemouth Bobcats in a surprisingly wide margin. Bournemouth had won the Southern Conference with an 8-2 record, qualifying on head-to-head for the Playoffs over Brighton B-52s (37-33 on points). From there they had defeated Central Conference champions Dunstable Cowboys 30-14, and then South East Conference runners-up Heathrow Jets 28-8 before triumphing in the Premier Bowl. Leeds Cougars had first knocked out Central Conference runners-up Oxford Bulldogs 46-14 before defeating South East Conference Champions Colchester Gladiators 44-22. The other two Playoff Qualifiers were Borders Conference Champions Edinburgh Eagles, eliminated 28-7 by Heathrow Jets in the Quarter-Finals after the Jets had made a 400km journey to Edinburgh from London; and South West Conference Champions Cotswold Bears who were no match for Colchester Gladiators who won 66-0 in their Quarter-Final [1-4].

After the season both Premier Bowl contestants were promoted to the National Division for 1988 [4], and Newcastle Senators, Cardiff Tigers, Swindon Steelers, Cambridge County Cats and Steel City Giants were relegated. After merging as CMK Bucks to compete in the National Division both Coventry and Milton Keynes again went their separate ways and were to compete in the Premier Division for 1988.

ABOUT THE BAFA BUDWEISER LEAGUE Premier DIVISION

The British American Football Association united 100+ teams under the BAFA umbrella for 1987 as the BAFL (British American Football League) ceased to exist with the top three divisions in a league simply called the Budweiser League for sponsorship reasons. The top division was called the National Division, the second level the Premier Division and the third level Division One. Below these three divisions was the UKAFA (United Kingdom American Football Association) as a fourth level and then regional leagues making up a fifth level (Thistle League in Scotland, NWWCAFL – North Wales and West Cheshire American Football League, BNGL – British National Gridiron League – in the North and Capital League in the South East).

REFERENCES

[1] Anon. / Mark Lees (Ed.)(1987) “Results – Standings – Fixtures: Bud Playoffs: National” First Down. August 8, 1987. pg. 16. Mediawatch Ltd. Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, UK.

[2] Anon. / Mark Lees (Ed.)(1987) “Results – Standings – Fixtures: Bud Playoffs: National” First Down. August 22, 1987. pg. 16. Mediawatch Ltd. Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, UK.

[3] Anon. / Mark Lees (Ed.)(1987) “Results – Standings – Fixtures: Bud Fixtures: National” First Down. August 29, 1987. pg. 17. Mediawatch Ltd. Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, UK.

[4] Nick Richards (2009) “V – Over to You Bud” TD UK. Touchdown UK. pg,. 79-80. Author House UK Ltd. Milton Keynes. England. UK.

[5] Keith Webster (1987) “Bud Announces New-Look Elite” First Down. October 24, 1987. pg. 22. Mediawatch Ltd. Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, UK.

GEO-GENEOLOGY OF IRISH SURNAMES

[6] Vivid Maps (2022) Geo-Geneology of Irish Surnames [Internet] Available from: https://vividmaps.com/irish-surnames/ [Accessed 31 January 2022]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Enda Fahy.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 1 February 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2022

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