{{Short description|American football team in the United Kingdom}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}} {{Use British English|date=July 2017}} {{Infobox sports team | name = Merseyside Nighthawks | logo = Logo of the Merseyside Nighthawks.png | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1984}} (as Wirral Wolves) | history = Wirral Wolves (1984–1988) <br> Birkenhead Nighthawks (1988–1992) <br> '''Merseyside Nighthawks''' (1992–) | league = BAFA National Leagues | division = Premier Division North | stadium = JMO Sports Park | location = Skelmersdale, Lancashire | colours = Red Helmets<br>Red and Black Jerseys<br>Black Pants | managing_director = | coach = Craig Pennington | championships = | League_titles = | division_titles = | stage_titles = | playoff_berths = | website = }}
The '''Merseyside Nighthawks''' are an American football team representing the county of Merseyside and based in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, England, who operate in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division North. They play out of the JMO Sports Park. Playing all of their home games in Lancashire, the team train in Liverpool and represent the county of Merseyside.
==History== The Merseyside Nighthawks were formed in 1984, originally known as the Wirral Wolves. The team played a large part in the growing popularity of American football in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. The team were undefeated in the 2014 and 2015 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Will |date=2024-07-06 |title=Merseyside Nighthawks have just two chances to avoid going season without win |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/uk-sport-news/merseyside-nighthawks-just-two-chances-29489166 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en}}</ref>
The Nighthawks struggled financially in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. They collaborated with a company called Give To Local to raise funds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feaver |first=Will |date=2020-11-12 |title=Merseyside Nighthawks American Football team campaign to stay afloat |url=https://merseysportlive.co.uk/2020/11/12/merseyside-nighthawks-american-football-team-launches-campaign-to-stay-afloat/ |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Sports News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The team later saw growth by 2023, which they attributed to the growing popularity of American football in the United Kingdom and programmes such as Sky Sports highlighting British players of the sport.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Harry |date=2023-02-12 |title=Super Bowl shines light on rising Merseyside American Football scene |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sport/super-bowl-america-football-merseyside-26218133 |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:American football teams in England Category:Sport in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Category:Sport in Birkenhead Category:1984 establishments in England Category:1988 disestablishments in England Category:American football teams established in 1984 Category:American football teams disestablished in 1988