The rise of Bomber County football

Kate Chapman finds out why The Lincolnshire Bombers team is leading the way in helping American Football gain popularity nationwide.

The popularity of American Football is growing throughout the UK, but Lincolnshire already has its own thriving club – and it is keen to get more people involved in the sport.

Based at North Hykeham’s Memorial Hall, The Lincolnshire Bombers play in the British National Football League Division 2 and travel all over the country for games.

The club’s general manager Adam Thompson says new players are always welcome to come along and give the sport, which is going from strength to strength, a go.

“There’s no doubt American football is growing in popularity – it’s already massive in this country, it’s much bigger than many people realise. It’s become less of a niche through media saturation,” says Adam, who began playing seven years ago.

“We may be in the lowest of the three divisions, but we’re a skilled club and produce talented players. The team has produced players that have represented Great Britain and also play as professionals in Europe.

“Our aim each season is always the same – to seek promotion. We cannot hide the fact we’re a small county club, coming up against teams from Leicester, Nottingham and Leeds. They do have much bigger recruitment pools, but the success of other clubs across the country has shown it can be done, and we aim to improve every year.  

“American football isn’t like your traditional sports of football or rugby. If you’ve not played these before it can be hard to get into a team as an adult, especially when others have been playing since they were three or four – that’s not the case with American football.

“It’s open to anybody at any age. Most people that play the sport have never played before they come along to the club and give it a try.

“It’s a fun and inclusive sport for everybody. We would love to see more people getting involved, no matter what their age or experience.”

All welcome
The Lincoln Bombers American Football Team was founded in 1985 at NK Sports Centre, in North Hykeham, and played its first games at Sincil Bank, now the home of Lincoln City Football Club.
The team disbanded in the 1990s but was re-started in 2005 by some of the original players who wanted their own club here in Lincolnshire, so they didn’t have to travel so far to play.

“We were originally The Lincoln Bombers then the Lincoln Saints, but we’ve been The Lincolnshire Bombers since 2005, to tie in with the county’s Royal Air Force history,” explains Adam.

“We also changed from Lincoln to Lincolnshire to give us a wider appeal, with many of our players now travelling from Peterborough, Newark and Nottingham. We’ve even had players from Newcastle and Middlesborough before!

“A lot of people attend university in Lincoln and play American football for its team The Lincoln Colonials. Then they come to play for us when they’re not playing for the university. When they leave and get jobs all over the country they still keep playing for us.”

As well as its adult side, the club also has an under 16s team, with players as young as 13. It’s also keen to create another to bridge the gap for those aged 16-18, to keep them playing at the club until they’re old enough to join the adult side.

Adam says the club’s coaches go into schools to show teachers how to play flag football and to introduce more youngsters to the game.

In March the club is hosting a tournament for 12 Lincolnshire schools, and it’s hoped some of these will go on to qualify for regional and national NFL tournaments.

The Bombers have been managed by Texan Michael Etheridge for 12 years. Pre-season training is already underway but new players are welcome to join at any point in the season, even after fixtures have started in April.

Adam explains: “We don’t operate a policy where you show up for a trial – if you come down and take part in training, you’re part of the team if you want to join. I didn’t start playing American Football until I was 34 – but I’d been wanting to do it since I was 26. When I first got in touch with the club, I was too nervous, I didn’t think I was fit enough. I had lots of self-doubt.

“Eventually me and my friends went along and tried it. I regret very few things in life – but this is one, I really regret not going along to play earlier.

“We need defensive and offensive players. Our coaches will help people find a position that suits them best and we’ll work to get them into the sport. We don’t exclude anyone – all you need to be able to play is a gum shield, football boots and a water bottle.”

Playing the game
New players attend three Sunday morning non-contact training sessions where coaches assess them in a variety of positions. If they decide to join they then register with the British American Football Association, which provides insurance to protect them from injury.

During a game of American football 11 players are on the field at one time, with a minimum of 35 registered per team. Last season the Bombers had 67 players, with around 45 attending each of its eight games. Adam says the aim is to get everyone on the pitch at some point – although this varies depending on the game, player availability and injury.

He adds that equipment for the game can be expensive, but in a move to make sure no-one is excluded from playing by cost, helmets and shoulder pads can be rented from the club at reduced rates.

“We’re getting people from this county being offered scholarships to play and study at top levels in America. British players that started playing here in Division 2 have won the Super Bowl. There are opportunities there for anybody who has ability to perform at the highest level,” says Adam.

“Every position has a different type of person – you’ve got guys that are 6ft 7in and weigh 175kg or 5ft 2in and weigh 60kg. We have a player who has just turned 18 and another who is 50 – we will find a place for everybody.

“Anyone is welcome – that’s our mantra.”

Although there is no separate women’s team, female players are welcome to join and can play in mixed adult games. Anyone interested in joining or sponsoring The Lincolnshire Bombers can contact the club through its social media channels, website www.lincolnshirebombers.co.uk or email hello@lincolnshirebombers.co.uk

Photographs: Willow Florence Photography

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