London Warriors


The London Warriors are a British American Football club based in Thornton Heath, London and currently play in the BAFA Premier Division South for the 2018 season.
They were formed in 2007 as the London Cobras
and were senior outfit for the London Warriors youth team. They are five-time BritBowl champions, with their most recent victory coming against the Tamworth Phoenix in Britbowl XXXII. They play their home games at Streatham-Croydon RFC.

History

The London Warriors were formed in 2007 as a senior team of the successful London Warriors youth team, who had won the British Youth American Football Association the previous two years running. After being accepted by the British American Football League as Affiliate Members, they arranged to play the two friendly matches required under BAFL regulations. In October 2007, the Warriors played home and away games against two teams from the British Universities American Football League—the first game was played at home to the Royal Holloway Vikings and ended in a 54-0 victory. One week later, they travelled to play the Loughborough Aces and won again, this time 42-7.
After completing their obligations, the BAFL formally accepted the Warriors application to join the league in December 2007, allowing them to compete as full members for the 2008 season. They were placed into the newly renamed London and South East Conference in Division Two, where they made a huge impact, going on to complete an undefeated season, culminating in victory over the Tamworth Phoenix at Britbowl XXII.
In August 2012, the London Warriors Youth Kitted Team won the National Championship.
In 2015 Head Coach of the London Warriors Tony Allen invested his time to start a women's team. The London Warrior Women compete in both flag and tackle football. In 2015, they won the national flag football championship and in 2016 claimed the title of Southern Conference Champions.

Notable players

From 2008 to 2011 former Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Marvin Allen played for The Warriors. In 2011 he was joined by TV presenter Vernon Kay who played as a cornerback until 2014. Defensive end, Efe Obada, was discovered at The Warriors, and after playing only four games during the 2014 season he moved to the NFL and was briefly signed by the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, and most recently Carolina Panthers.

Home field

The Warriors play their home games at Streatham-Croydon RFC in the heart of South London.

Senior team season records

SeasonDivisionWinsLossesTiesPFPAFinal PositionPlayoff RecordNotes
2008BAFL Division Two South East100038291st/6Beat Cornish Sharks 42-3 in quarter-final.
Beat Cambridgeshire Cats 32-0 in semi-final.
Beat Tamworth Phoenix 30-6 in final.		Conference champions.
Division Two champions.
Promoted to Division One.
2009BAFL Division One South East801286451st/10Beat Doncaster Mustangs 66-0 in quarter-final.
Beat Cambridgeshire Cats 22-6 in semi-final.
Beat East Kilbride Pirates 8-0 in final.		Conference champions.
Division One champions.
2010BAFA Premier South5501611294th/6
2011BAFA Premier South711165312nd/10Lost in Final to London BlitzRunners-up
2012BAFA Premier South800232261st/5Lost in Final to London BlitzRunners-up
2013BAFA Premier South1000510591st/6Beat London Blitz 26-23 to become National Champions 2013National Champions
2014BAFA Premier South800454191st/9Beat London Blitz 10-8 to become National Champions 2014National Champions
2015BAFA Premier South710328291st/5Beat London Blitz 20-19 to become National Champions 2015National Champions
2016BAFA Premier South1000503291st/6Beat London Blitz 34-15 to become National Champions 2016National Champions
2017BAFA Premier South8203981352nd/6
2018BAFA Premier South1000421331st/6Beat Tamworth Phoenix 48-34 to become National Champions 2018National Champions