Premiership Football Returns to Yorkshire

Mon Dec 05 2011

South Leeds’ own Yorkshire Rams are proud to announce that they will be joining the BAFANL Premiership North for the 2012 season. After a solid finish to the 2011 campaign, the Middleton outfit were invited to join the expanded 12 team division, where they will re-ignite old rivalries as well as forging new ones. The promotion sees Yorkshire’s team in the top flight for the first time since 2005, when they were relegated from the old BAFL division 1. Since that time the squad has grown under the tutorship of head coach Orlando Weekes, with 4 play-off appearances in the last 6 seasons, culminating in August’s 26-14 defeat at the hands of the East Kilbride Pirates.

Joining the Rams in the 6 team northern conference will be:

Tamworth Phoenix

Following their rookie season in 2008, the Phoenix have enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks of British Football. After promotion in 2010 with a perfect 10-0 season, the Phoenix finished the 2011 campaign in 3rd place in the BAFANL premiership. Although the two sides have never met officially, the Rams and Phoenix have shared 3 pre-season games in the past.

East Kilbride Pirates

2011’s BAFANL Division 1 champions, the Glasgow outfit won all 3 contests with the Rams last year, including the game that knocked Yorkshire out of the play-off quarter finals, overcoming a 14-6 half-time deficit to emerge victorious 26-14. Although Yorkshire have never beaten the Pirates, they have offered the most consistent competition for the Scots’ Division 1 North crown over the last 3 seasons.

Doncaster Mustangs

Yorkshire’s cross-county rivals have enjoyed a rejuvenation in the 2011 term. After replacing the Rams in the old Division 1 in 2006, the Mustangs were relegated the following season. Since then they have enjoyed a back and forth rivalry with the Rams, winning their first Yorkshire Derby since 2005 in the teams’ second encounter of 2011. They finished the 2011 campaign at the play-off quarter finals stage, losing out to defeated finalists Leicester Falcons.

Birmingham Bulls

Division 1 Midlands champs, and former British American Football powerhouse, Birmingham had a strong 2011, reaching the play-off semi-finals where they were dispatched by the eventual champion Pirates. 2012 will see the Bulls and Rams locking horns (sic) for the first time since 2006.

Leicester Falcons

Rounding off the new conference are 2011’s losing Division 1 finalists, the Leicester Falcons. Also playing their first season in 2008, the Falcons have enjoyed a steady rise through the ranks of British Football. Although their rise has not been as quick as Midlands rivals Tamworth, their structure that includes youth and University level football within the program makes them a valuable asset to the top tier. 2012 will see the first encounters between Leicester and Yorkshire.