LEEDS COUGARS

V LOCOMOTIVE DERBY

MAY 24th 1987

75p

Advertisement by the local bus company

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

Hello and welcome to Bramley

Today sees the first return game of the season, and we welcome our visitors Locomotive Derby who I am sure will give us a hard game. Having faced us once they should know our strengths and maybe they noticed a weakness or two

We had another convincing win against Crewe last week but I thought we just lacked a little concentration at times, both on offence and defence with one or two notable exceptions. I made Keith Kelly "man of the match", he was always around the ball and also kept the defence on its toes. Since joining us from Mansfield he has developed in to a great middle linebacker.

On offence we are aware of the contribution made by "Tiggy" Bell but the efforts of the players who make it easier for him all too often go unnoticed. Players like the Backs and Ends who lead him and the offensive line which opens things up the middle. A lot of good things are being said about our offensive line by opposing teams and that speaks volumes about the quality of the players involved. Successful sides are built on a sound base of good quality club men with a sprinkling of star players and without that bas the star players cannot "twinkle".

After today we are away for 4 games, details of the venues and dates are in today's programme and it would be advisable to contact the clubs to check KO times, directions to ground etc. See "Cougars on the road" page. We look forward to seeing you in ever increasing numbers at both our home and away games.

Don't forget the supporters club run a coach to away fixtures. it leaves Morrisons car park, Morley between10am and 11am on game day and you can join the club and check travel details with Eric Yates the supporters club secretary at today's game.

I hope you enjoy the game and I look forward to seeing you at our away games and please endeavour to come along in force for our return to Elland Road on the 19th July and if possible bring a friend or two

Mick Hardaker - Chairman

GRIDIRON IN BRIEF

The game of American Football is played with 11 men in each team, yet there is unlimited substitution of players which means squads often consist of around 40 players or more The winner of the game is the tam that, at the end of four quarters of play (15 minutes each quarter) has scored the most points Points can be scored as follows:-
1. TOUCHDOWN - 6 points. This is scored when a player either carried the ball over the goal line into the opposing teams end zone or by catching a pass in the end zone
2. POINT AFTER TOUCHDOWN - 1 point. After a touchdown you have the chance to covert the ball between the uprights or you may run or pass the ball in to the endzone for 2 points
3. FIELDGOAL - 3 points. This may occur any time during a game when the ball is place kicked through the uprights
4. SAFETY - 2 points. These are awarded when an offensive ball carrier get tackled in his own end zone.

The game starts with a player from one team kicking the ball into his opponents half of the field. The team returning the ball then proceed as far up the field as possible until the ball carrier is tackled. From the position of the tackle (line of scrimmage) the team with the ball (offence) must gain 10 yards of the field in four attempts (downs) the team trying to prevent them gaining 10 yards is the defence. If the offence fails to gain the yardage it must give the ball to the other team at the point where the fourth down occurred. Usually on the fourth down, a team not likely to gain the necessary yards will choose to kick the ball as far as possible into the opponents half of the field (punt). It is almost certain they will lose possession but they will have a better field position.
If a team does gain 10 yards in four downs, it retains the ball and tries to gain another 10 yards in 4 downs.
By successfully and repeatedly covering the 10 yards with each set of four downs, the team not only keeps possession of the ball but also moves downfield towards the opponents goal in search of a touchdown

Locomotive Derby American Football club were formed in 1984 but did not play any competitive football until 1985due to the amount of knowledge, training and money needed to play the game. The 1985 season was spent in the Anglo American Football Conference (AAFC) playing against teams in a similar situation to ourselves. We finished this season as champions and Steel Bowl winners with a 10-2 playing record

The club decided that a higher level of football was required if the club was to develop and in 1986 we were accepted in to the British American Football league (BAFL). The club finished with a commendable 5-5 record losing narrowly to two of the top teams in the conference on the way. The club gained a lot of respect in 1986 for its playing ability, organisation and playing facilities. With the assistance of the city council the club was able to play at the fabulous Derby sports centre (Moorways). The only trophy the club won in 1986 was the Port Vale Challenge Trophy. This was an invitational game at Port Vale FC football ground against the Stoke Spitfires. the game was played in front of a crowd of 1500 spectators. This game will be an annual fixture until Stoke win their trophy back.

In 1987 unification of the sport occurred and all the major UK clubs will be competing under one banner, the Budweiser League. Derby have been placed in the Premier (2nd) Conference and will be playing some very hard, competitive games this season. The club has the opportunity in 1987 to reach a playoff spot in the National Conference if we win our division and we hope that the people of Derby will support us in obtaining this goal.

William Charles Brogdon

Coach to the Cougars

Born in Jackson County, Florida on November 10th 1960, Chuck moved to Fairhope Alabama at the age of 9 where he began his playing career, which he hoped would end in the realisation of his dream of playing college football

Whilst playing in various city leagues between the ages of 9 to 16, Chuck played a number of positions ranging from Qback, Running Back, linebacker and defensive end. He finally settled for defensive end which he believed would satisfy his temperament and desire to compete in head to head bone crunching confrontation.

During his final year at high school he helped lead the Fairhope Pirates to a 9-1 season reaching the State play offs. At this time Chuck had two southern colleges scouting him. Fate intervened when a severe knee injury ended his promising playing career and his hopes of college football.

After leaving high school Chuck attended Auburn University in alabama where he earned a bachelor of Science Degree in Geology. He then worked in the oil industry in Louisiana for 2 years before the world slump in oil prices resulted in him being made redundant. Chuck came to England in May 1996 with his wife Sally, a Yorkshire lass he met whilst she was on holiday in the states. Settling in the pontefract area the Cougars came to his attention and he attended the last 2 games at Elland Road and also the game at Blackpool. It was at this time his interest in the Cougars was cemented.

Since agreeing to join the club in the capacity of head coach the Cougars have only lost one game out of the last eight which is an indication of both Chuck's ability and the ability of the players to absorb and apply some new progressive ideas.

Some of Chucks basic views about the game in Britain are quoted below. We believe that they give an insight in to why many people believe the Cougars will go from strength to strength this season.

"My experience and views of football reflect my views on life. You only get out of it what you put in to it. Football is tough mentally and physically but it builds strong character, competitive spirit, team work, and a sense of accomplishment when game plans succeed." "My views on the British game are optimistic and I feel very strongly that the game should be played by British players and not Americans if it is going to grow, improve and become competitive." "My goal this season is to win the Premier Division North Championship and the Summer Bowl with British players only."

Glenn Stevens drops back to pass

 "Tiggy" Bell cuts upfield again

Hector Hurley about to get a little help from Tim Casey

PLAYER PROFILE - GLENN STEVENS

NAME : Glenn Stevens
POSITION : Quarterback
HEIGHT : 5' 10"
WEIGHT : 200 lbs
AGE : 32
YEARS WITH CLUB : 3
CAREER HIGHTLIGHTS : Reaching the quarter finals in the AFL 1985
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF 1986 SEASON : Playing against a semi-pro all star team from Chicago
BIRTHPLACE : South Elmsall, West Yorkshire
SCHOOL/S : South East High, Bradenton, Florida
FAVOURITE SPORTS : Weightlifting, Volleyball, Basketball
OCCUPATION : Bench Service Engineer
WIFE : Jane
CHILDREN : None
CAR : datsun 120Y (Banger)
FAVOURITE NFL TEAMS : Cincinati Bengals
FAVOURITE NFL PLAYERS : Payton (offence) Singletary (defence)
LIKES : A good close hard nail biting game of football
DISLIKES : Pernod, cereal burgers, drizzle
FAVOURITE FOOD :Anything with chicken
FAVOURITE DRINK : Miller light
AMBITION : To win the Bud Bowl
HOBBIES : Reading, Sci-Fi, Cinema buff, Chess

LEEDS COUGARS 57 V 6 CREWE RAILROADERS

The second home game got off to a better start than the weather, winning the toss and taking first possession, Tim Casey returned the kick 12 yards, leaving the Cougars 53 yards fro Crewe's endzone. The first play saw Tiggy bell go all the way for the opening score. Crewe's first drive started brightly enough when running back kevin Haughton's first 2 carries brought him 11 yards and a first down. QB Gavin Meredith then went to the air but could not find a receiver and so Neil Holmes was call on to punt. The punt was blocked and fell in to the arms of Steve "Bull" Mcknight who went all the way for a 43 yard TD return.

Crewe's next drive saw the introduction to the fray of Cougars sack king, Nose tackle Paul Muscroft. Straight away "Muzzy"had Meredith sacked for a 10 yard loss. Cougars next offensive drive saw a 20 yard pass from Glenn Stevens to "Tiggy for another score. We didn't have to wait long before Keith Kelley's men got the ball back and the offence moved the ball 47 yards for "Tiggy" to run in from 4 yards out for his 3rd TD. Barry Cawley added the extra point and at the end of the first quarter, Cougars led 25-0

the Cougars defence were miserly in the next two quarters taking 7 yards off Crewe's offence. In contrast the Cougars moved the ball freely for Sammy Pryce on a 3 yard reverse and Peter Haddon on an eight yard blast up the middle to score and make the interval score Cougars 38 to nil up.

Errors crept in to the offence in the 3rd quarter, especially when Hector Hurley had the misfortune to fumble 1 yard out with the line at his mercy. "Tiggy" made amends later with a 37 yard TD and to end the quarter, Peter Haddon scored his second on a 3 yard run.

Crewe got on to the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with help of a roughing the passer call. this gave them 1st and goal from the Cougars 4 yard line 4 plays later, Meredith carried the ball over, much to the delight of his teammates and supporters. The Cougars came straight back with a ten play drive finishing with "Tiggy" Bell scoring from eight yard, leaving the final score at 57-6

The injury to Paul Pryce early in the game, the absence of David McIntosh and receivers dropping passes hurt the offence and no doubt will be put right for today's game. The defence again played well, allowing for just 50 yards and claiming 5 quarterback sacks. Lets hope for the same again today.

ROY CHEESERIGHT & ANNE

LEEDS COUGARS SUPPORTERS CLUB

At last weeks meeting it was decided to hold a sweepstake on how many yards Tiggy would run in total this season. After giving it some thought I think that 25p per entry is sufficient with a prize of 25 pounds to the outright winner. Tickets will be on sale as soon as I can get them printed.

I am still waiting for the team photos to be taken and as soon as I get a copy I will have then within a week to distribute to club members. I have not yet heard from the manager of the NFL shops regarding the 10 percent discount on video hire for club members.

Once again may I remind supporters that the club coach will depart for Scunthorpe at 11:00am on Sunday 31st may from Morrisons car park, Morley. If anyone wants picking up outside Leeds Central bus Station at 10:45am THEY MUST LET ME KNOW THIS WEEK. The fare will be 2 pound 50 pence per person. If the support for the coach is not sufficient to cover costs then future coaches to away games may have to be cancelled.

I am having some small Broaches/badges made depicting a player carrying a ball. they are in team colours and will sell for about 1 pound 50 pence. There will only be 25 at first so when you see them on display get yours fast.

At the last count there were 107 members of the club. This is 3 times more than last year and I am very pleased that the membership is so high.

David Sutcliffe will be running a raffle this week. Prizes will be a Cougar hat, t-shirt and a foam hand. First prize winner may pick any one of the prizes. second winner, one of the two remaining prizes and third prizewinner the one left, (logical don't you think)

It is possible that this week I will have some car sticker and badges from our visitors Derby. Some fans may collect these items but can not get to away matches. If it proves popular I will try and do this at all our remaining home games

One last thing, don't forget we are looking for a name for the members, collectively i.e. the B52's call theirs the "Jet Stream". Any ideas most welcome. Please write them down with your name and address and give them to me. free membership next year for the person whose suggestion we use

ERIC YATES