{{Short description|American football team}} {{Infobox American football team | name = Redditch Arrows | established = 1986 | logo = | location = Redditch/Birmingham | stadium = Kings Norton Rugby Club | coach = | league = | division = | league_champs = | div_champs = '''9''' (2004, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1987) | uniform = RedditchArrowsUniform.png | colors = }}
The '''Redditch Arrows''' were an American football team based initially in Redditch and later in Birmingham, United Kingdom. They were formed in 1986<ref>[http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/REDDITCHARROWS.htm Britball Now - Redditch Arrows]</ref> and disbanded in 2009.
==History== The Arrows were established in early 1986. During the late 1980s, they played in three different leagues; the UKAFL, the Budweiser League and then BNGL, during which they made the playoffs twice. In 1989, after a playoff run, they reached the BNGL Premier Division Bowl Game, where they lost to the Kingston Thames Pirates, who were in their debut season, 66-8.<ref>[http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/KINGSTONTHAMESPIRATES.htm Britball Now Kingston Thames Pirates]</ref> During this time, they played their home games at the Abbey Stadium in Redditch.
After a down period, punctuated by being unable to compete in 1992 due to a player shortage, they reached the BAFL Division 3 final, where they lost to the Winchester Rifles. After again making the playoffs in 2000, they were promoted to Division One.
Finished with a creditable 3-5-0 record in 2001. Had a poor 2002 season finishing with a 0-9-1 record which resulted in them returning to Division Two in 2003, where they finished with a 4-6-0 record. Had a stunning regular season in 2004 finishing 9-0-1, but fell at the first hurdle in the playoffs in a thriller to Sussex Thunder 23-22. In the 2000s, the Arrows played their home games at Kings Norton RFC.<ref>[http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/REDDITCHARROWS.htm Britball Now Redditch Arrows]</ref>
==Notable former players== All players listed below appeared for the Redditch Arrows during their career.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.birminghambulls.co.uk/senior-team-staff-complete-as-coach-hill-appoints-more-britball-legends/ |title=Senior Team Staff Complete As Coach Hill Appoints More Britball Legends |access-date=2015-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518062843/http://www.birminghambulls.co.uk/senior-team-staff-complete-as-coach-hill-appoints-more-britball-legends/ |archive-date=2015-05-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/REDDITCHARROWS.htm Britball Now Redditch Arrows]</ref><ref>[http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Interviews/MarkCohen.html Britball Now Mark Cohen Interview]</ref>
* QB Dave Stanton {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * RB Anthony Perkins {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * RB Charles Humphrey {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * RB Dave Mills {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * WR Mark Cohen {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * OL/DE Matt Sheldon {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * DB Mark Williams {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * OL Gary Matthews {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * OL David Robinson {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * FL Darren Biddle {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}}. *FS Karl Watkins🇬🇧 *WR Pete Morgan 🇬🇧 *LB Rich “Elmo” Wilby 🇬🇧
==Notable former coaches== * Ian Hill<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.birminghambulls.co.uk/bulls-appoint-coach-ian-sidi-hill-as-senior-head-coach/ |title=Bulls appoint Coach Ian Hill |access-date=2015-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418001732/http://www.birminghambulls.co.uk/bulls-appoint-coach-ian-sidi-hill-as-senior-head-coach/ |archive-date=2015-04-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}} * Mark Williams<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/american_football/7813935.stm Redditch Arrows back in training]</ref> {{flagicon|United Kingdom|variant=|size=}}
==Season by season record== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Division ! Record |- ! 2008 |BAFL Division One Northern Conference | 7–2–1* |- ! 2007 |BAFL Division One Northern Conference | 8–2–0* |- ! 2006 |BAFL Division Two Central Conference | 10–0–0* |- ! 2005 |BAFL Division Two South Western Conference | 4–6–0 |- ! 2004 |BSL Division Two South Western Conference | 9–0–1* |- ! 2003 |BSL Division Two South Western Conference | 4–6–0 |- ! 2002 |BSL Division One Northern Conference | 0–9–1 |- ! 2001 |BSL Division One Northern Conference | 3–5–0 |- ! 2000 |BSL Division Two Northern Conference | 7–1–0* |- ! 1999 |BSL Division One Northern Conference | 4–6–0* |- ! 1998 |BSL Division Two North West Conference | 8–2–0* |- ! 1997 |BSL Division One South West & Midlands Conference | 2–8–0 |- ! 1996 |BSL Division Three Midlands Conference | 10–0–0* |- ! 1995 |BAFA Division Three North West Conference | 7–1–0* |- ! 1994 |BAFA Division Three Northern Conference | 6–3–1* |- ! 1993 |BNGL First Division West Midlands Conference | 9–1–0* |- ! 1992 |NDMA Division Two Northern Conference | 0–8–0 |- ! 1991 |NDMA Division Two Northern Conference | 3-6-1 |- ! 1990 |BNGL National Division Midlands Conference | 9–0–1* |- ! 1989 |BNGL Premier Division Northern C Conference | 7–2–1* |- ! 1988 |Budweiser League Division One Central Conference |3–7–0 |- ! 1987 |UKAFL Central A Conference |9–1–0* |- | colspan="3" | ''* qualified for playoffs'' |}
==Notes== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222012/http://www.arrows.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ Redditch Arrows website (No Longer Updated)]
{{British American Football}}
Category:BAFA National League teams Category:Sport in Birmingham, West Midlands Category:1986 establishments in England Category:American football teams established in 1986 Category:American football teams in England