Nottingham Caesars

The Nottingham Caesars are an American football team based in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, who operate in the BAFA National Leagues NFC South 1, the second level of British American football. They are based at the Harvey Hadden Stadium in the Bilborough area of the city. The team is affectionately known by its players and fans as "The Big C" and was formed in 1984 initially as the youth team of the Nottingham Hoods before later splitting off to form its own adult side.

Nottingham Caesars
Founded1984 (1984)
LeagueBAFA National Leagues
DivisionNFC South 1
Team historyNottingham Hoods (1984–1992)
Nottingham Caesars (1992–)
LocationNottingham, Nottinghamshire
StadiumDavid Ross Sports Village - University of Nottingham
ColoursBlack Helmets
Burgundy and Gold Jerseys
Gold Pants
Head coachVanden Warner
General managerFrazer Beattie
Division titles4: 1995, 1997, 2003, 2008
Playoff berths6': 1995, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2016

The club played in the BAFA Premier North in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons before being placed in the second tier of British American Football following a reshuffle of the League structure. They hold four Divisional titles to their name having won their division in 1995, 1997, 2003 and 2008. The club reached two Division 1 bowl games in both 1997 and 2003, both ending in defeat.

History

The old Nottingham Caesars logo

The Caesars began play in 1992, in competition with the cross-town Nottingham Hoods.[1][2] The Hoods saw some success including a conference championship in 1992 under the leadership of import players Mike Grossner and Vic Quirolo.[3] The Hoods stopped play in 1994, and this boosted the Caesars considerably, who then posted an undefeated 10–0 record in 1995. Since then, the Caesars have seen moderate success, with 3 conference championships including a trip to the Britbowl in 1997, ending in defeat to the Redbridge Fire 26–7.[2]

Although the team lost out to the Tamworth Phoenix in the 2008 semi-finals, due to the league reshuffle the team earned promotion and in 2008 played in the BAFL 1 South West Conference. The Caesars struggled in 2009 picking up just two wins, 2010 was even less successful with their only win coming at home to the South Wales Warriors on the last day of the season, however this was enough to keep them in Division 1.

In 2012, the Caesars had a good season with an influx of Rookies joining already established players the "Big C" finished with a 7–3 record and made the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Caesars fell at the quarter-final stage away to the Berkshire Renegades.

In 2013, the Caesars were moved into the National Premier Division and it was a season of transition and adjustment to a higher standard of football. The Caesars finished the season with a 1–9 record. In 2014, the Caesars continued in the National Premier Division and made strides forward providing greater competition against Premiership opponents and making a name for themselves as fierce competitors

In 2015, the Caesars played in the Northern Football Conference and finished with a record of 4 wins, 5 losses and a tie.[4] 2016 season brought a successful season with the club making the playoffs in the newly formed MFC 1. With wins against Peterborough Saxons, Ouse Valley Eagles, Doncaster Mustangs and the Birmingham Bulls they finished the year with a 6–4 record and were eventually beaten in a closely fought game against the Edinburgh Wolves.

2020 Saw a huge Overhaul coming on Offense with new Coordinator, Grant Lawless, bringing in several coaches with him. The season was cancelled though due to COVID-19. However, a good pre season and solid showing against the Hertfordshire Cheetahs in a scrimmage will be a good platform to build upon for 2021

Stadium

The Nottingham Caesars play their home games at the Harvey Hadden Stadium in Bilborough. The club have been based at the Stadium since the 1980s except a one-year stay at Devon Park, Newark in 1996.

Coaching staff

Role Name
Head CoachEngland Vanden Warner
Offensive CoordinatorEngland Grant Lawless
Defensive CoordinatorEngland Mike Holden
Assistant Defensive CoordinatorEngland Simon Hand
Special Teams CoordinatorEngland Ed Green
Offensive line coachEngland Sean GreenUnited States Sean Endicott
Receiver CoachEngland Peter BrownUnited States Mike Romano
Running Backs CoachEngland Vanden Warner
Assistant Linebackers CoachEngland Ashley Chambers
Coach AssistantEngland Mark Price
Assistant Defensive Backs CoachEngland Robert Hardwick
Linebacker CoachEngland Adam Burnett
Defensive Line CoachEngland Joshua Poultney
Quarterback CoachEngland Brad ThompsonEngland Grant Lawless
Junior Team Head CoachUnited States Sean Endicott

Roster

Quarterbacks

  • England Robbie Jones
  • United States Mike Romano
  • England Alex Stocks
  • England Liam MacGovern

Offensive linemen

  • England Victor Sogbesan
  • England Chris Singleton
  • England Charles Eardley
  • England James Simpson
  • England Rysiu Kwaitowski
  • England Thomas Hunt
  • England Daniel Nicholls
  • England Jordan McCabe
  • South Africa David George
  • England Luke May
  • Christmas Island Simon Grant
  • England Craig Bennett
  • England Cameron Jones
  • England Rowland Mowbray
  • England Will Petrou-Nunn

Running backs

  • England Karim Hamdi
  • England Aaron Williams
  • England Alex Sowerby
  • England Lloyd Stone
  • Republic of Ireland Paddy Donnely
  • England John Holmes
  • England Daniel Dobson
  • EnglandElliot Harvey

Tight ends

  • England Josh Hutchinson
  • England Mark Martin
  • England Oliver Moriarty

Wide receivers

  • England Ben Cheshire
  • England Jaidan Abraham
  • England Sam Adair
  • England Rory Woolley
  • England George Tomlinson
  • England James Long
  • England Jack Barfield
  • England Thomas Cooper
  • England Morgan Dodson
  • England Stephen Ford
  • England Ryan Loughran
  • England Nathaniel Shaw


Kicker

England James Hobson

Defensive linemen

  • Wales Ben Pugh
  • Tunisia Adem Jammali
  • England Chris Hutchinson
  • England Danny Glanville
  • England Dan Littlewood
  • Republic of Ireland JJ Moore
  • England Jamie Gatley
  • Scotland Frazer Beattie
  • England Josh Marriot
  • Nigeria Theodore Okechukwu
  • England Simon Stockwell
  • England Parish Xavier
  • England Chris Babey

Linebackers

  • England Matthew Barnard
  • England Ashley Matthews
  • England Chris Portman
  • England Danny Johns
  • England Ibrahim Konate
  • England Andrew Wilkins
  • England Chris Thacker
  • England Alex Salmon
  • England Alex Nightingale
  • England Adam Oliver

Defensive backs

  • England Robert Hardwick
  • England Scott Barnard
  • England Stefan Bryan
  • England Premvir Johal
  • England George Bowen
  • England Sam Booth
  • England Sam Fisher
  • England Freddie Burton
  • England Lucas Cornwall
  • England Scott Barlow
  • England Tom Cowling
  • England John Engstrom
  • England Patrick Fisher
  • England Dan Johnson
  • England Sam Kinnerley
  • England James Larby
  • England Sam Moult
  • England Cam Murry
  • England Thomas Pardo

Team records

YearDivisionWinsLossesTiesPercentage
1995 BAFADivision Three North East Conference10001.000
1996 BSLDivision Two Northern Conference6400.600
1997 BSLDivision One Northern Conference7120.889
1998 BSLDivision One Northern Conference5500.500
1999 BSLDivision One Northern Conference6300.667
2000 BSLDivision One Northern Conference2600.250
2001 BSLDivision One Northern Conference1700.125
2002 BSLDivision Two Northern Conference7120.889
2003 BSLDivision Two Northern Conference9010.995
2004 BSLDivision One A Northern Conference3610.335
2005 BAFL1A Northern Conference2710.225
2006 BAFL1A Northern Conference01000.000
2007 BAFL2 Central Conference8200.800
2008 BAFL2 Central Conference9010.995
2009 BAFL1 South West Conference2800.200
2010 BAFL1 South West Conference1910.115
2011 BAFANL1 Central Conference6400.600
2012 BAFANL1 Northern Conference7300.700
2013 BAFANLPremier Division1900.100
2014 BAFANLPremier Division1800.111
2015 BAFANL1 Northern Conference4510.445
2016 BAFANLMidlands Football Conference 16400.600
2017 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 South7300.700
2018 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 South4600.400
2019 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 South5500.500
2021 BAFANLCentral East8001.000
2022 BAFANLNorthern Conference Division 1 South7300.700

Playoffs

Year Opponent W/L Score
2016 BAFANL Edinburgh Wolves Loss 22–6

Junior Team

The Nottingham Caesars also field a Junior team in the U19 competition.

Year Division Wins Losses Ties Percentage
2015 BAFANL U19 North Two 4 1 1 0.750
2016 BAFANL U19 South Two 3 3 0 0.500
2017 BAFANL U19 North 6 0 0 1.000

Playoffs

Year Opponent W/L Score
2016 BAFANL U19 Plate Semi London Blitz W 12–0
2016 BAFANL U19 Plate Final Highland Wildcats L 22–14
2017 BAFANL U19 National Semi East Kilbride L
2017 BAFANL U19 Plate Final Birmingham Lions L

References

  1. "60 seconds with American Football team Nottingham Caesars head coach Barry Boseley". Nottingham Post. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  2. "Nottingham Caesars". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  3. "Nottingham Hoods". britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  4. "Standings 15". dblcoverage.com. Double Coverage. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
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