Falcons Celebrate Their First Season

The Leicester falcons celebrated their inaugural competitive season in the British American Football League with their MVP Awards Evening held at Jongleurs in Leicester on Sunday evening.

President and GM Guy Kersey, thanked all players and supporters for their contribution on making 2008 a success on and off the field and said that 2009 was going to be an exciting year for the Leicester Falcons, in return he was presented by Head Coach Lester Hopewell and the rest of the Falcons team a Falcons mini helmet in its presentation case signed by the squad to thank him for all the hard work he has put in over the last three years in getting the team off the ground and bringing American Football back to Leicester after a twelve year absence.

Overall team MVP and Offensive MVP went to star Running Back Rich Davis who amassed over 1000 yards rushing on the season. Mr Davis heaped praise upon the Offensive Line for their outstanding blocking throughout the season.

Defensive MVP went to Phillip Stansfield who had an outstanding season at his new position DE after being switched from LB. Phil amassed ** tackles and lead the team in QB sacks with 6.5.

Special Teams MVP went to Chris Rodrigo for his kick and punt return efforts this year.

Lineman Of the Year went to Chris Gorman who anchored the Left Tackle spot, giving up no sacks this year and helping pave the way for our Running Backs. Chris was also instrumental in calling the correct blocking assignments for Rookie Linemen who played alongside him all year.

Honourable mention should be made to Ian Morgan who lead the

Offensive Line at Center after switching from Defensive Tackle earlier in the season as well as Andy Brown who was an immense run stopper in the middle of the Defensive Line controlling the A Gaps and allowing our LBs to roam free and make tackles.

Players Player of the Year was nabbed by the ever popular Chris Jagger who won by a single vote over his nearest rival. Another rookie to the game, Chris was at every practice and most team social events and was a solid contributor to the team out on the field playing LB and D Line as the season went on.

Mr Falcon 2008 was awarded to Martin Palfrey. Martin had originally joined the team as a WR but an injury meant he couldn’t play this season however he still kept himself involved with the team as game day assistant and chief water engineer making sure the players were hydrated at practice and on game day. He will be hard to replace next year as he makes a return to the field.

Statistician Steve Stafford and injured players Rob Shaw and Joel Pearson were three others in the running for this award for their contributions in helping the team through its inaugural season.

The players also presented club treasurer / secretary / kit washer / admin Kate Grimbly with a bouquet of flowers for all her hard work.

Falcons Management would like to thank all those players and front office staff who helped make 2008 a success for the Club and is looking forward to 2009 with the goal of winning the Division 2 Championship Game in Doncaster at BritBowl XXIII.

Guy Kersey said “The evening was a great success and shows just how close this club is and the drive and enthusiasm for 2009 is incredible. Its also great to have the chance to have a beer and talk through the stories of the year just gone with the guys. Its also great to celebrate some fantastic accomplishments from our rookie year”

The Evening had followed a successful 2nd Testing session that was held at another one of the Falcons sponsors David Lloyd Fitness. The testing day was to ascertain how well the Falcons have been progressing with their off season weights and conditioning programme.

There was also an opportunity for the Falcons to welcome any potential new recruits to the team

The Falcons will be training at “the dome” from 11th January until the end of March, Sundays at 2:30pm, all are welcome to come down and have Coach Hopewell and his team put them through their paces, both experienced and rookies.

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Falcons Sign New QB

With the Falcons already making great strides in improving their back room staff and facilities for the 2009 season, and with an improved coaching set up and the dome training facility now online they have now been successful in making a fantastic new signing.

The Falcons have signed Quarter Back Tim Spaull. The 2007 league MVP signed earlier this week and will play under centre for the 2009 season. The falcons had a great running attack last year with Rich Davis gaining over 1000 yards in 8 games, so with the introduction of Tim at QB this will give the Falcons a more balanced and potent attack.

Guy Kersey Falcons Chairman said, “Tim is an awesome player in my opinion, the best British QB, and I have watched him impress at the Jets and with the limited time at the Knights. Tim will bring an invaluable level of skill and experience to the team and will help develop the younger QBs on the squad. This is the equivalent of Brett Favre going to the Jets”.

Lester Hopewell Falcons Head Coach said, ‘’I have had the pleasure of blocking for Tim during my time at the Jets, he is the most underrated and overlooked QB in the BAFL. He has always impressed me with his professional outlook even when teams treated him in very unprofessional ways. With Tim’s arm and our Falcon ‘smash em up’ running game we will be a major force in Division 2 next season. Tim Spaull is the best national QB I have had the pleasure of playing with in all my time in Europe".

Tim Spaull Falcons #19 “Joining the Leicester Falcons is a big move for myself; many people will wonder why I have dropped down 2 divisions when I could be playing in the Premiership! I only had to look at the great team spirit within the club, and the high level of coaches that are in place....along with great training facilities and sponsorships that are there, David Lloyd gym being one of them! I have personally played alongside Head Coach Lester Hopwell, and Jonny Hopwell in the premier and in Europe, and with Owner Guy Kersey back with the Jets.....and am looking forward to working along side these friends to push the Falcons into a different league, only one aim this year is to be winners, and keep our minds focused on qualifying for Division 2 Britbowl, which will be very tough but with a lot of hard work we will succeed!!! “

The Falcons will be training at “the dome” from 11th January until the end of March, Sundays at 2:30pm, all are welcome to come down and have Coach Hopewell and his team put them through their paces, both experienced and rookies.

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Falcons Sign Major Sponsor

In Preparation for their assault on BAFL division 2 next year the Leicester Falcons have signed a major sponsorship deal to improve both the facilities of the club and the quality of training for the players

The Falcons Shirt sponsor for 2009 will be David Lloyd Leisure.

David Lloyd Leisure is the leading racquets, health & fitness club group in the UK with 59 clubs across the country and over 300,000 members. Across all clubs David Lloyd Leisure has around 10,000 exercise machines, over 100 swimming pools (of which half are indoor) and offers over 3,000 exercise classes per week. Additional facilities include health & beauty spas, club lounges with free internet access, crêches, nurseries and specialist sports shops.

David Lloyd leisure has provided Full Memberships to all the players and staff of the Falcons. The Falcons will be using the facilities at their Leicester club on Meridian park as a base for their lifting and testing program that Coach Lester Hopewell has introduced since taking charge of the team. "The players will be regularly tested and given goals to work on in the off season" Lester Hopewell, Head Coach of the Falcons said.

To visit the David Lloyd website (click here)

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Falcons Announce New Off Season Schedule

As the season reaches its climax next weekend the Falcons are moving forward to the 2009 season. With the new coaching line up announced they have put together the off season schedule. The Falcons start back on the 4th January with the rookie camps and testing for existing squad members.

This announcement come in conjunction with the news of the Falcons have secured a new training facility for the winter months. They will be making use of the Dome on Belvoir Drive Braunstone. The dome is the indoor training facility the Leicester City use Midweek and is run my th YMCA. The dome has 2 full sized 3rd generation Astroturf pitches and will allow the Falcons to train unhindered from the rigors of the British Winter. Guy Kersey Falcons Chairman said “ this is an amazing facility and we have done very well to secure its use. The quality of this facility shows the ambition that this club has to continually improve and grow”

The Falcons will be training there from 4th January until the end of March, Sundays at 2:30pm, all comers are welcome to have coach Hopewell put them through their paces, both experienced and rookies.

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Leicester Falcons New Coaching Line up for 2009

Following the departure of Coach Gaunt at the end of the 2008 season, the Falcons have restructured and are ready to move forward into a busy off season and looking ahead to the 2009 campaign.

The Falcons start back straight away with their off season testing and weights programme this Sunday which is taking place at David Lloyd Leisure Meridian Park Leicester. With this off season schedule in place the Falcons are delighted to announce their new coaching line up.

Taking the Hot Seat of Head Coach is Current O Line Coach Lester Hopewell. Lester has had a glittering playing career including Bergamo Lions and the Coventry Jets, and is the proud owner of a Euro Bowl Ring. Lester will be joined by his brother Johnny who will be coaching Running Backs. The Hopewell Brothers will bring a great deal of drive enthusiasm, experience and discipline to the Falcons

The new O.C is Colin Branagh who joined the Falcons last season as a Receivers and QB coach and now takes the rains of an Offence that did exceptionally well for its first year. Colin comes to the Falcons from his last coaching role of O.C at divisional rivals the Shropshire Revolution, but Colin’s coaching experience goes way beyond that and includes; Head Coach West Bromwich Vipers, Head coach Wolverhampton Outlaws, G.B. coach and I.F.L coach Birmingham Bears, and Scout G.B. players London Monarchs, Scottish Claymores.

Finishing off the O line up is Martin Gratrix who is O Line coach who assisted Lester this year

On the D the coaching structure remains much the same with Andy Perry staying on as D.C and Former Jets Saul Freer and Karl Burgess taking control of the Defensive line and backs respectively. Karl ended the season with a stunning 70 yard TD in the last game of the season.

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