Some might consider the name ‘London Blitz’ to be mildly offensive considering what the English capital had to endure during the Second World War, whilst others will feel as though it sums up the spirit of the city. It is the latter interpretation that those associated with the club will undoubtedly point towards, given the fact that the sense of the name is one of spirit and endurance, knowing what it takes to keep going even when it seems as though the odds are stacked against you. It is arguably this approach that has seen the club become so successful.
A Brief History
The London Blitz can trace its history back to the 1980s, thanks to the fact that it was created out of a merger of two previously existing American football teams that played their games in the capital. The first of these were the Ealing Eagles, who were one of the first teams in the United Kingdom to play the sport. They eventually chose to merge with the Woking Generals, rather than go bust, initially playing as the Hayes Generals for a period of time. Eventually, a decision was taken to rename the team in order to ensure that it represented the whole of the city of London.
It was at this point, in 1995, that the London Blitz was born. In the years that followed, the Blitz worked hard to become one of the most successful and respected clubs in the country. The Blitz has managed to produce some top-class talent over the years, as well as regularly reaching the highest level of the league in which it plays its games. Having begun life in West London, the London Blitz team eventually moved to using facilities throughout the capital for both training and home games, with the Finsbury Park Athletics Stadium becoming the team’s home ground officially.
Youth System
Our Under 19s are the 2022 BritBowl U19 D1 Champions! After an incredible game by the team this Sunday, dominating in all 3 phases of the game. Defeating the Tamworth Phoenix 46-0. pic.twitter.com/GoXX8QmZvh
— London Blitz (@LondonBlitz) September 7, 2022
A big part of the reason why the London Blitz has been able to produce so much talent in the sport is down to the fact that a youth programme has been in place almost since the moment the club first launched. This has allowed for the promotion of players through the system, eventually seeing a number of these young players make it into the first team. It is this system of promotion through the ranks that has seen the London Blitz supply numerous players and coaches for all levels of the national team, in spite of the fact that the club remains a genuinely amateur organisation.
Lorn Mayers, who played as a lineman, began his playing career with the youth programme before being promoted to the senior squad. He played in NFL Europe and made it to become part of the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders. Jason Brisbane, meanwhile, was a linebacker who also made it to the senior squad before being named in the San Diego Chargers’ practice squad. Wide receiver Duncan Aldous was part of the senior squad for a number of years before managing to get a football scholarship in order to attend Bowie State, where he also played gridiron.
In some ways, Jermaine Eluemunor was the one that got away. The born and bred Londoner had enjoyed playing rugby, but was hooked on American football when he saw the first National Football League regular-season game to be played in Europe, seeing on television a game that was taking place at Wembley Stadium, just nine miles from where he lived. He found the London Blitz and played with them for a time, but went to school in America when he was a 14-year-old before being asked to play gridiron, later playing for the New England Patriots, the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants.
Whilst it is obviously the dream of all involved in the youth system of the London Blitz to see players make it in the NFL, the main hope is that players can impress enough to become part of the first team squad and help the team win matches in the Premier Division South of the British American Football Association. With the likes of the NFL Academy operating in London, as well as other teams based in the capital, the Blitz has its work cut out in order to persuade young players to head along to Finsbury Park for training and game time during the regular season.
More Than Just a Team for Players
Although the London Blitz is obviously a team that requires decent players first and foremost, that isn’t the only thing that you can get involved in with the team. There is also plenty of room at the club for coaches, who are expected to make their way to becoming registered with the British American Football Coaches Association within a year of joining the club. As with players, coaches with little or no experience are welcome to head along to the London Blitz and see if it is a sport that they can get on board with. Pre-season starts each January, seeing numerous people head along to see what it’s all about.
Even if you don’t fancy being a player nor think that coaching is for you, there is often a need for various different people to become part of the club on a voluntary basis. Everything from the game announcer to the sideline staff via the clock operators and the marketing team is needed to be filled by people willing to give up their time. It means that people who like American football but don’t see themselves on the pitch or the sidelines can still enjoy spending time learning about the sport and how it all works by becoming part of the overall London Blitz team behind the scenes.