Bournemouth Bobcats

Based: Kings Park Athletics Stadium, Bournemouth, Dorset
Career Record: 30-38-0
Colours: Black/Red/White
Honours: Budweiser Premier Division Champions 1987. Conference champions 1987

1991 NDMA Southern Conference 6-4-0
1990 NDMA Southern Conference 7-3-0*
1989 Budweiser League South Eastern Conference 1-9-0
1988 Budweiser National League Southern Conference 2-12-0
1987 Budweiser Premier League Southern Conference 8-2-0*
1986 Budweiser League Channel Premier Conference 3-7-0

Team Notes: One of the UK's oldest clubs. Previously known as the Wessex Wildcats who had competed in the AFL in 1985, and changed their name to the Bobcats in October 1985. Owned by the-then Busweiser chairman, David Gill. Don Anderson became the UK's first professional coach in 1986.

Won Budweiser Premier Bowl 43-6 against Leeds Cougars in 1987 totally against the odds. Under the impressive QB Albert Higgs made play-offs in 1990 NDMA League, but lost 38-0 in quarter-finals to Glasgow Lions, when Higgs was injured pre-game. Lost 11 players at the end of the 1990 season - Stephan Bjorkman to San Antonio Riders and Gareth Alyson to Sacramento Surge. Cash starved Bobcats were given "two weeks to live" in May 1991, but a sponsor stepped in to keep them afolat. A week later and Bournemouth's imports Albert Higgs, John Mastronardi and Ross Simmons had quit after a showdown with management after the sponsor failed to put the money in. Bournemouth's 13 London based players refused to play on. The Bobcat's 6-4 record qualified them for the playoffs, but they surrendered their position, and Thames Valley took their place. Only 17 players showed for their last regular season game against Birmingham and the match was called off. Folded at end of 1991 season despite healthy attendances at Kings Park.

For full history click on the link below

http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Bobcats/history.htm

Head Coaches:

1986-1988 Don Anderson
1989-1991 Ross Simmons

Imports:

1990 - Albert Higgs, Ross Simmons
1991 - Albert Higgs, Ross Simmons, John Mastronardi

Internationals: 

1990, 1991 Pat Miller 
1991 Leif Pendel

Game notes

11th May 1991 - Higgs threw for 5 TDs, and completed passes to 9 receivers vs. Thames Valley Chargers
21st April 1991 - Albert Higgs threw for 8TDs with Portsmouth Warriors

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