Halton Spartans

The Halton Spartans are an American Football team based in Widnes, Cheshire, England, who compete in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 1 South, the second level of British American Football. They are based at the DCBL Stadium which constitutes as the largest stadium currently hosting domestic League games in the UK. Formed in 2014 as the Runcorn Spartans the club were elected to the League the following year and went on to win the NFC 2 West title in 2019 earning promotion to Division 1.

Halton Spartans

Founded	2014
League	BAFA National Leagues
Division	NFC 1 South
Team history	Runcorn Spartans (2014) Halton Spartans (2015–)
Location	Widnes, Cheshire
Stadium	DCBL Stadium
Colours	Black Helmets Green and Black Jerseys Black Pants
Head coach	Simon Wainwright
General manager	Dave Quinn
Division titles	1: (2019)
Playoff berths	2: (2018, 2019)

Current uniform

History

Initially named the Runcorn Spartans, they were formed in early 2014. After contacting former members of the Halton Demons, a team that existed from the late 1980s to early 1990s,[1] the first training sessions were organised in the local Heath Park.

The organisation changed their name to their current guise, the Halton Spartans to better represent their recruitment area. They were also more likely to play in nearby Widnes than Runcorn.[2]

They completed their schedule of associate games, first defeating the LJMU Fury, and defeating fellow associate teams the Tynedale Fury and the Humber Warhawks in their first game at the Select Security Stadium. In December 2014, they were admitted into the BAFANL for the 2015 season and were placed in Division Two NFC West.

Ahead of the 2015 season, Double Coverage, a site that covers American Football in Britain made their annual predictions. Only one writer, Richard Penwright, predicted that the Spartans would win their division.[3] This kick-started the "#InRichWeTrust" campaign on Twitter and Facebook.[4] They won their first competitive game, away to the Crewe Railroaders, 24-15.[5] The Spartans went on to complete their first season within the BAFANL with a 5-5 record. It was also noted how well managed the Spartans were for a young britball programme, most obviously for their ability to be able to draw a sizeable crowd for an amateur sport, with numbers varying from 300-600 at their peak.[6]

The 2016 season again saw the Spartans utilise the select security stadium as their home ground. Defeating every team in their division at least once, barring the Leeds Bobcats. The Spartans were able to clinch their first winning season since joining the BAFANL the year prior. The Spartans finished a respectable 6-4, narrowly missing out on playoffs in only their second competitive season.

Before the start of the 2017 season, offence coordinator Chris Henry left the Spartans due to work commitments outside of football. Thus Halton recruited Jason Smith to take over, then head coach of Staffordshire Surge.[7] The Spartans endured a disappointing campaign in their third season which ultimately left them with their first ever losing record finishing 4-6. Offence Coordinator Jason Smith left the Spartans midway through the season via mutual consent, with safety Doug Laughton taking the role after retiring from playing at the end of that season.[8][9]

Youth Team

In the summer of 2017 the Halton Spartans announced plans to launch a youth system, looking to start two teams eligible to compete at under 17s and under 19s level. Retired linebacker Ricardo Martinez was named as Head coach of the youth system, with Samantha Whittaker taking over as Youth Team manager. The Spartans held try outs for their prospective youth system at the end of 2017 and are currently training with their group for 2018 and beyond.[10]

Logos & Uniforms

The Spartans play in primarily green jerseys, with a white trim and black numbers. Their game pants and socks are both black, as are their helmets. Their jerseys are currently manufactured by Champro.

Their logo is a stylised Spartan helmet, similar to that of their namesakes, the Michigan State Spartans football.

Stadium

The Spartans play their home games at the DCBL Stadium, a 13,350 seater stadium with artificial turf. It is also home to championship rugby club, the Widnes Vikings.

Players

Current roster

Halton Spartans 2017
Quarterbacks 4 Rik Lowthion 17 Tom Redmond 18 Ricky Talbot Running Backs & Full Backs 8 Paul Leighton 10 Martin Murphy 32 Craig Owen 42 Alex Martin 44 Danny Barnes Wide Receivers & Tight Ends 9 Tim Parr 20 Matthew Fitzsimons 34 Glen Rawcliffe 80 Ben Hogan 81 Lewis Howie 83 Lee Ashurst 85 Aminul Choudhury 88 Samuel Johnson 89 Steve Norton		Offensive Linemen 50 Carl Rugen Senior 58 Jay Johnson 60 Liam Guatella 63 Lewis O'Brien 67 Peter Winrow 69 Don Kelly 71 Daniel Cagliarini 72 Liam Tamber 76 Rob Broughton 78 Evan Kirk Defensive Linemen 52 Scott Jenkins 56 Ellis Robert 60 Liam Guatella 95 Dave Quinn 90 Paul Convey 91 Mathew Littler 92 Andre Alexander 97 Alan Carr 79 Matthew Smith	Linebackers 36 Dave Tickle 43 Tom Everson 47 Billy Forrest 49 Sebastian Januszewicz 53 James Williams 55 Danny Wood 57 Kevin Birmingham 59 Ricardo Martinez Defensive Backs 7 Doug Laughton 21 Thomas Ross 22 Josh Jackson 25 Dan Kelly 29 Aaron Rogers 30 Keiran Mitchell 31 James McEvoy 38 Charlie Nash Kicker 20 Matthew Fitzsimons

Personnel

General Manager Ian Derbyshire Head Coach Ian Beattie Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator: Doug Laughton O-Line Coach: Michael Briscoe / Mike Ireland Wide Receiver Coach: Tim Parr Quarterback Coach: Gaz Pinnington Running Back Coach: Paul Leighton Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator: Simon Grice D-line Coach: Dave Massey Defensive Back Coach: Billy Forrest Linebacker Coach: Simon Wainwright Special Teams Coach Danny Wood

Notes

1. Britball Now - Halton Demons
2. Halton Spartans - History
3. DC Writers Pre-Season Picks
4. Double Coverage - What We Learned: National Leagues Week 2
5. Crewe Railroaders slip to opening day defeat

External links

• Halton Spartans website