Sheffield Sabres
University football was founded in Sheffield in 1989, with the team starting life as the Pirates before quickly becoming the Sheffield Zulus.
1991-92 saw the Zulus record their first winning season at 5-3 including the club’s first win, 20-8 against Lancaster. The following year, the Zulus built on their success, losing to Leeds in round 1 of the playoffs.
The 96-97 season would mark a temporary end to football in Sheffield, as the Zulus had their worst season on record, an 0-6-2 unwinning season, and the team did not compete for three seasons in the BCAFL, from 1997-2000.
The Sheffield University American Football team was refounded by Damian Marshall in 2001, and rechristened the Sheffield Sabres, wearing the traditional Sheffield University colours of Navy and Gold.
The 2005-06 season, under the leadership of HC Jake Treen, and OC Al Wilson, saw the forming of Air Sheffield, a pass heavy, exciting brand of football. Using veteran Paul Musker, at quarterback, and an impressive receiver corps, the Sabres went on to score 222 points on their way to another 5-3 record, including a 62-0 win against Leicester Longhorns and a 66-16 win against Paisley Pyros, the biggest win, and most points scored in a game respectively.
The Sabres once again struggled in a playoff match, bowing out to Northern Conference Champions, UT Cougars, 46-12.
The Sabres have two retired numbers to date: Damian Marshall #6 (founder of the club), Jake Treen #28 (long time player and coach of the Sabres).
As Zulus, the club boasted the services of Rob Hart, barefoot kicker of the Scottish Claymores, who set a league record of 139 successful consecutive extra point attempts.
The Sheffield Sabres have made the playoffs 5 times in their history, but are still yet to win a playoff match. In 2006-07, they were North West Division Champions.
South | W | L | T | PFor | PAgt | % |
Newcastle Raiders | 3 | 0 | 0 | 158 | 0 | 1.000 |
UT Cougars | 3 | 0 | 0 | 102 | 18 | 1.000 |
Durham Saints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 60 | 0.667 |
Northumbria Mustangs | 0 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 95 | 0.000 |
Sunderland Spartans | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 102 | 0.000 |
North | ||||||
UWS Pyros | 4 | 0 | 0 | 94 | 22 | 1.000 |
Napier Mavericks | 2 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 142 | 0.500 |
Glasgow Tigers | 1 | 2 | 0 | 58 | 36 | 0.333 |
GCU Roughriders | 1 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 67 | 0.333 |
Stirling Clansmen | 1 | 4 | 0 | 58 | 103 | 0.200 |