About
The Birmingham Lions are the American Football team of Birmingham University, playing in BUAFL, the British Universities American Football League.
2009/10 Coaching Staff
Head Coach / QB’s – Tony Athersmith
Assitant HC / OL – Ryan Baker
Offensive Co-ordinator – Paul Cooper
Defensive Co-ordinator – James ‘Brian’ Branagh
Defensive Line / Special Teams – Wayne Hill
Wide Receivers – Mark Cohen
Running Backs – Mark Smith
Offensive Line – Adam ‘Barry’ Ladd
Offensive Assistant – David Reid
Strength & Conditioning – Laura Graves
Guest Coaches – Chris Cunnane, Tim Watton, Roberto Monfardini
History
The Birmingham Lions are a member of the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL)‘s South West Division. The Lions broke into the university football with a bang, becoming the first team to reach the College Bowl in its inaugural season, only to wait 15 years until playing in it again. While a consistent contender in the BCAFL’s Southern Conference throughout the past decade (only one losing season in their past twelve), the Lions had a difficult time putting together victories in the playoffs until recently.
In the 2005 playoffs, the Lions put together 4 impressive victories, including one over the Glasgow Tigers in the College Bowl XIX, to complete a perfect 12-0 season.
Despite being upset in the Southern Conference semifinal by eventual College Bowl winner Southampton, the Lions in 2006 became the only team in University football history to complete three straight perfect (8-0) regular seasons. At the end of the 2006-07 season, head coach Wayne Hill stepped down after a long and successful time as head coach.
His successor Tony Athersmith lead the Lions to another divisional title in 07 with another perfect (8-0) regular season. Athersmith continued as Lions head coach for the 08/09 campaign and was successful in leading the team to their second national championship with a victory over the Newcastle Raiders completing a second 12-0 perfect season.
Regular Season Records
- 1989-90 – 6-1-1
- 1990-91 – 4-2-2
- 1991-92 – 2-5-1
- 1992-93 – 1-5-2
- 1993-94 – 2-6-0
- 1994-95 – 5-3-0
- 1995-96 – 7-0-1
- 1996-97 – 6-2-0
- 1997-98 – 4-4-0
- 1998-99 – 7-1-0
- 1999-2000 – 3-4-1
- 2000-01 – 6-2-0
- 2001-02 – 5-2-1
- 2002-03 – 6-2-0
- 2003-04 – 8-0-0
- 2004-05 – 8-0-0
- 2005-06 – 8-0-0
- 2006-07 – 5-2-1
- 2007-08 – 8-0-0
- 2008-09 – 8-0-0
Overall Regular Season Record 105-41-10
Playoff Record 15-11-0
Playoff Appearances (13)
1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Division Championships (9)
1990, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Conference Championships (3)
1990, 2005, 2009
BCAFL/BUAFL Championships (2)
2005, 2009