The Bournemouth Bobcats is an EnglishAmerican football team based in Bournemouth, Dorset competing in the first division of the British American Football Association's Southern Conference. The team's home ground is at Slades Farm, Bournemouth, BH10 4BU.
Bournemouth Bobcats Logo
Early history
The club was originally formed in 1986, winning the Budweiser Premier Bowl in 1987 and playing in the league's top division between 1988 and 1991 before folding.
Reformation
The Bobcats reformed in 2009 and entered BAFA Community Leagues as an associate member in 2010. The newly formed Bobcats played 5 games (2–3) over the 2010 summer months, concluding with a 34–12 win over Bristol Apache away.
Recent history
2011
In 2011, after losing their opening three matches the Bobcats bounced back against the Gloucester Banshees beating them both away then at home to go 2–3 with a new offensive co-ordinator. In the following games, the Bobcats lost away at South Wales and at home to the eventual Division Winners Reading in a close game. The Bobcats then had a fantastic win against the well established Cornish Sharks beating them at home 20–12. Another win against their main rivals the Bristol Apache at home and a loss in the final game to South Wales; the Bobcats ended their first season with a very respectable 4–6 record.
2012
2012 saw the Bobcats re-enter the British leagues with a new head coach, Derek Burridge. It was an excellent inaugural season that ended up with an exceptional 4–6 record with wins against three out of the five clubs in the division.
2013
For the 2013 season, Mark Newell took over the role as head coach and oversaw a disappointing year for the team with them ending up with a 1–9 season. The only win being a hard-fought last game of the season against rookie team Swindon Storm resulting in a 14–13 win.
2015
The 2015 season was successful in some ways and disappointing in others. Led by head coach Tim Iles, who took on a multitude of responsibilities, The Bobcats went 4–6 with wins at home and away against Portsmouth and Hastings. The away win at Hastings was one of the most courageous performances of the Bobcats who travelled light in squad numbers, had a number of key players either missing or playing both ways and also had to wait for an hour after one of the Bobcats players received treatment for a serious leg injury.
2015 Player Award Winner
Award
Player
Team MVP
Tom Burn
2016
The Bobcats 2016 season would turn out to be one of their most successful in the current period. Finishing with a strong 7–2 record and missing out on the play-offs by points difference.
2016 Player Award Winner
Award
Player
Team MVP
Craig MacDonald
2017
Having recruited strongly in the off-season the 2017 season did not take the course originally planned and serious injuries left an undersized Bobcats squad finishing with a disappointing 3–7 record.
2017 Player Award Winners
Award
Player
Team MVP
Craig MacDonald
Offensive MVP
Davy Baker
Defensive MVP
Duncan Ross
Offensive coaches' MVP
Gregory Coope
Defensive coaches' MVP
Tom Burn
Rookie of the season
Will Brooks
Newcomer of the season
Connor Clark
Most improved offensive player
Andrea Colosio
Most improved defensive player
Tommi Morgan
2018
The 2018 season being more successful than the last but ended in a lopsided 3-4-1 but with the addition of some very talented rookies.
2018 Player Award Winners
Award
Player
Team MVP
Craig MacDonald
Offensive MVP
Titi Geas
Defensive MVP
Sam Williams
Offensive coaches' MVP
Adam Bowley
Defensive coaches' MVP
Will Brooks
Rookie of the season
James Leeland
Newcomer of the season
Paddy King
Most improved offensive player
Nathaniel Thatcher
Most improved defensive player
Michael Dowthwaite
2019
The Bobcats had their most successful season since reforming. A 6–2 regular season record was enough to lead the Bobcats into the play-offs. Having put up big scores in the quarter-final against Norwich Devils and then Essex Spartans in the semi-final, they booked their place in the Britbowl XXIII South Division 2 Championship.
Unfortunately, the Bobcats lost a close encounter against the South Wales Warriors. However, with victory over Essex Spartans in the Playoff Semi-final, they had already secured promotion to Division 1. The 2020 season will see the Bobcats take on a new challenge of Division 1 football and back to a 10-game schedule.
*Played at neutral venue- New River Stadium, London.
2019 Player Award Winners
Award
Player
Team MVP
Craig MacDonald
Offensive MVP
Craig MacDonald
Defensive MVP
David Isaacs
Offensive coaches' MVP
Nacho Moreno
Defensive coaches' MVP
Matt Clarkson
Rookie of the season
Miles Badcock
Newcomer of the season
Joe Edwards
Most improved offensive player
Carl Phillips
Most improved defensive player
Nathaniel Thatcher
2020
Bournemouth Bobcats pictured before their away fixture v Solent Thrashers in the 2020 season
With the unfortunate outbreak of COVID-19, the 2020 regular season was cancelled.
2021
The Bobcats opted to take part in a regional Wessex Division which consisted of fellow Division 1 teams Portsmouth Dreadnoughts, Sussex Thunder, Rushmoor Knights and Premier Division team Solent Thrashers.
2021 Results
Home team
Score
Away team
Result
Bournemouth Bobcats
20-0
Portsmouth Dreadnoughts
W
Bournemouth Bobcats
8-31
Rushmoor Knights
L
Sussex Thunder
16-19
Bournemouth Bobcats
W
Bournemouth Bobcats
27-6
Rushmoor Knights
W
Bournemouth Bobcats
14-33
Solent Thrashers
L
Bournemouth Bobcats
H-W
Sussex Thunder
W
Rushmoor Knights
3-12
Bournemouth Bobcats
W
Solent Thrashers
48-14
Bournemouth Bobcats
L
Wessex League Final Standings
Team
P
W
L
PF
PC
PCT
Solent Thrashers
8
8
0
261
62
100
Bournemouth Bobcats
8
5
3
115
137
62.5
Rushmoor Knights
8
4
4
104
130
50
Portsmouth Dreadnoughts
1
0
1
0
20
0
Sussex Thunder
8
0
8
23
146
0
Bournemouth Bobcats 2020 MVP David Isaacs
2021 Player Award Winners
Award
Winner
Runner-up
Team MVP
David Isaacs
Craig MacDonald
Offensive MVP
Carl Phillips
Jonathan Gentile
Defensive MVP
Michael Myers
Tim Chapman
Offensive coaches' MVP
Jonathan Gentile
Defensive coaches' MVP
Tim Chapman
Offensive Rookie of the season
Aaron Heald
Daniel Shaw
Defensive Rookie of the season
Michael Myers
Perry Pedrosa
Newcomer of the season
Rory Gallagher
Mark Ward
Most improved offensive player
Aaron Heald
Daniel Shaw
Most improved defensive player
Max Cheater
Tim Chapman
2022
The Bobcats lined up in their SFC 1 West Division against- South Wales Warriors, Portsmouth Dreadnoughts, Oxford Saints, Rushmoor Knights and Hertforshire Cheetahs.
