Oxford Saints
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| Established | 1983 |
|---|---|
| Primary Kit | White helmets White jerseys Navy pants White socks |
| Alternative Kit | White helmets Navy jerseys Navy pants White socks |
| Home field | Tilsley Park, Abingdon |
| Conference alignment | BAFA National Leagues SFC 1 Central |
| Chairman | Graeme Taylor |
| Head Coach | Andrew Day |
| League Titles | (3) 1995, 2006 , 2016 |
| Website | www.oxfordsaints.com |
| Logo |  |
Oxford Saints American Football Club is a British American football club that competes in the BAFANL (British American Football Association National League). Currently the team competes at senior level (adult mixed team for 18+) and operate a women's only team (17+)
The club is based in Abingdon and plays at Tilsley Park in Oxfordshire. Games are played at weekends from April through August.
Set up in 1983, Oxford Saints are one of the oldest American football teams in the UK. The women's team started in May 2016.
Founded by Steve Abbott in 1983, the started as the Oxford Eagles but following a Radio Oxford phone-in competition the team was renamed Oxford Bulldogs.
As American football's popularity increased the first British league was formed, and in 1985 Bulldogs officially joined the AFL. Bulldogs finished their first season with an 8-1-1 record, being defeated by the London Ravens at the quarter final stage of the playoffs.
In 1989, the Bulldogs were joined by local rivals Abingdon Pharaohs, strengthening the squad and broadening its fan base.
In 1992 the Oxford Bulldogs changed name to the Oxford Saints. Driven forward by general manager Roger Hedges, the club secured a major sponsorship deal and moved to a new home at the Oxford Stadium in Cowley.
Prior to the 1994 season, Coach Steve Conner returned to the US. Richard Emerick, another experienced US coach, was appointed as his replacement.
During 1995, the Saints made the playoffs and defeated the Invicta Eagles in the first round, along with victories over London Blitz and Colchester Gladiators. In the final, Oxford faced the Gwent Mustangs at Leicester's Saffron Lane Stadium and claimed a 14-6 victory and championship title.
In 1997 the Saints were on course for another appearance in the final round following a 9-1 season, but were defeated by the Nottingham Caesars in the semi final.
A 7-1 campaign in 2000 was followed by an impressive 8-0 season in 2001, both ending in semi final disappointment at the hands of the PA Knights and Ipswich Cardinals respectively. After a poor 2002 season Coach Janes moved upstairs as Director of Football and Phil DeMonte took over as head coach.
Coach DeMonte stayed at Saints for one season but the team made the playoffs, eventually beaten by the Gateshead Senators. The Saints raced through the newly formed BAFL division 2 in 2005 with a 9-1 record, ending the season with a loss to Kent Exiles.
With the experienced Wayne Mayers at quarterback, the Saints powered through the 2006 season with a 9-1 record. The Saints came from behind to beat West Coast Trojans 29-28 and clinched the Division 2 Title.
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