The Great Britain national American football team, known as the GB Lions, represents the UK in international gridiron. It is controlled by the British American Football Association.
Men's senior team History The Men's Senior GB Lions played their first game against France in 1985 at Stompond Lane. 2,000 attendees watched GB claim a 7–0 win thanks to a Victor Ebubedike touchdown.1985 GB Lions In 1986 and 1987, the Lions defeated the Netherlands and France over two legs each to qualify for the 1987 European Championship.1986 GB Lions
At their first major tournament, the Lions were defeated by Italy and Finland on their way to a 4th-place finish.1987 GB Lions
In 1989, they defeated France on the way to qualifying to their second consecutive championship. They defeated hosts Germany comprehensively in the semi-final thanks to Victor Ebubedike, Trevor Carthy and Allan Brown, who scored two touchdowns each in a 38–6 victory. The Terry Smith-led Lions met Finland in the final and got revenge for the 1987 defeat by shutting their rivals out in a 26–0 victory to claim their first European championship.1989 GB Lions
In 1991, the Lions, led by London Monarchs assistant Ray Willsey returned to defend their championship in Helsinki. After defeating the Netherlands 46–3 in the semi-final, they again met Finland in the Olympic Stadium and won 14–3 to claim back to back championships. 9 Lions were Tournament MVP Jason Elliott, Barry Driver, Mark Webb, Jo Richardson, Colin Nash, Paul Roberts, Warren Billingham, Gary Mills and Bola Ayiede.1991 GB Lions
In 1993, BAFA withdrew from the EFL and as such the Lions could not defend their title at the 1993 European Championships in Italy. In preparation for the 1995 European Championships in Austria, they defeated Ireland, but after Germany sensationally withdrew from the tournament, the Lions were hastily scheduled to play Ukraine away and potentially two further games in Austria within the space of eight days. Unable to handle the logistics, the Lions pulled out of the 1995 championships.1992-95 GB Lions
In 1997, the Lions returned to European competition, defeating Spain in Metropolitano Stadium to qualify for the European Championships. In the semi-final, they lost 24-6 to Finland, and were defeated 14-7 by Italy in the third/fourth place playoff.1997 GB Lions
After the 1999 European Championships were suspended, the Lions were invited to take part in the inaugural IFAF World Championship but declined the offer. Ahead of the 2000 European Championship, head coach Riq Ayub resigned, and the Lions were again defeated by Finland.
In 2001, the Lions defeated Spain to qualify for the European Championships, where they expected to receive a semi-final bye after the disqualification of Germany. Following a successful appeal, however, Germany were reinstated into the tournament and would face the Lions in the semi-final. Unable to fulfil the fixture at such short notice, the Lions were expelled from the tournament.2001 GB Lions
Following a reformatting of the European Championships, the 2005 Championship saw nations divided into three pools. In 2004, the Lions were placed in Pool B, and defeated Russia, Spain and France to win their pool, and qualify for Pool A of the championship. The Lions were defeated by the visiting Centre Colonels from Kentucky at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, and were shut out by the one-seeded German team in the semi-final. In the bronze medal match, they were defeated by Finland 34–12.2005 GB Lions
In 2009, the Lions were defeated in a friendly by Australia but defeated reigning European champions Sweden in their next game.2009 GB Lions In the 2010 European Championships, the Lions were defeated by France, Sweden and Finland, scoring only 11 points on their way to a 6th-place finish. The Lions finished 3rd in the Group B Qualification tournament in Milan in 2013 and therefore did qualify to compete in the 2014 Championships.
European Championship record YearPositionGPWLPFPA 1985Did not participate 19874th2023354 19891st220646 19911st220637 1993Did not participate 1995Did not participate 19974th2021348 2000n/a101934 2001Expelled from tournament 20054th2021268 20106th3031196 2014Did not participate 20185th3124986 20218th41348106 20235th3216056 20259th2023069
Personnel Staff Head coach Head coach: Jason Scott Associate head coach: Matthew Davies General manager: Grant Lawless
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator: Adam Lillis Senior offensive analyst: Luke Carlton Offensive line: Alex Davies & Kevin Keohane Wide receivers: Dave Gibbs Quarterbacks: Alec Glen Running backs: Deji Alli Graduate assistant: Eliot Hutton Graduate assistant: Clark Gardener Graduate assistant: Mark Musick Quality control: Laura Dye
Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator: Duncan Burford Inside linebackers: Eddie Cheadle Outside linebackers: Ben Davies Defensive backs: George Foster Defensive line: Stephen Gregory & Raphael Omozusi Graduate assistant: Cian Ryan-Morgan Graduate assistant: Dean Carless Graduate assistant: Jacob Maxted Quality control: Jack Farr
Special teams coaches Special teams: Al Jarvis Graduate assistant: Stuart Gilmour Film technician: Sean Endicott Operations: Lloyd Stone
Others Medical staff: Beverly Analuwa Medical staff: Jakki Duncan
Roster GB Lions Men's Senior roster - 2016 European Championship QualifiersQuarterbacks Jerome Allen - London Warriors
Running backs & full backs Omodeji Alli - London Blitz Adam Hope - Tamworth Phoenix Temi Oduyemi - London Blitz Dwayne Watson - London Warriors
Wide receivers & tight ends Ben Burslem - Tamworth Phoenix Jack Daley - London Blitz Charlie Joseph - London Blitz Alex Laird - London Blitz Sam Rogers - London Blitz Harry Routledge - Merseyside Nighthawks David Saul - Potsdam Royals Tim Thomas - Seinäjoki CrocodilesOffensive linemen Ben Ashby - London Warriors Victor Bama - London Warriors James Connolly - London Blitz Kevin Keohane - London Warriors Thomas Levick - Tamworth Phoenix Matt Meyer - London Blitz Ayodeji Ogunkolati - London Blitz Azmi Sbati - London Blitz
Defensive linemen Jamie Charles - London Blitz Ade Kamson - London Warriors Nial Scott - London Warriors Josh Vines - London Blitz Steve Wilson - East Kilbride Pirates Rodon Zeqiri - London BlitzLinebackers James Armah - Bristol Aztecs Matt Eva - London Blitz Fab Gargiulo - London Blitz Alex Haldane - London Warriors Jake Harbon - Tamworth Phoenix Alasdir Jarvis - Tamworth Phoenix Ariel Mofondo - London Warriors Jonell Pelle - London Blitz
Defensive backs Josh Amis - London Warriors Emir Battaloğlu - Tamworth Phoenix Enoch Hankombo - London Blitz Ashley Hopkinson - Stirling Clansmen David Jennison - Potsdam Royals John Kenyon - Potsdam Royals Daniel McKenzie - London Warriors Sam Obi - London Warriors Leslie Oluwole-Wilson - London Warriors
Final Roster for the 2016 European Championship Qualifiers.GB Senior Lions Roster
Roster GB Lions Men's Senior roster - 2022 European Championship Qualifier vs ItalyQuarterbacks Josh Allsebrook - Tamworth Phoenix Sam Bloomfield - Manchester Titans Sam Huxtable - Bristol Aztecs
Running backs & full backs D'Wayne Obi - London Warriors Andy Owusu - London Warriors Thomas Campbell - Allgäu Comets Thomas Jones - Manchester Titans
Wide receivers & tight ends Max Gracie-Ainscough - Tamworth Phoenix Joe Hamilton - London Blitz Anousheh Fulford - Tamworth Phoenix Bolaji Adewale - University of Nottingham Adam Bamber - Manchester Titans Chris Winrow - Manchester Titans Finley Old (TE) - University of Nottingham Sean Cook (TE) - Bristol Aztecs Henry Rowland (TE) - Tamworth PhoenixOffensive linemen Lewis Thomas - Hamburg Seadevils Martin O'Connor - London Warriors Alex Phillips - Solent Thrashers Adam McClure - Solent Thrashers Andy Watts - Northumberland Vikings Ibrahim Ahmed - London Blitz David Pembertom - Tamworth Phoenix
Defensive linemen Emmanuel Feybunmi - University of Portsmouth Rodon Zeqiri - London Warriors Ceddaric Akrong - London Warriors Deejay Ogunkolati - London Blitz Wayne Drew - Tamworth Phoenix Arthur Mbahin - Tamworth Phoenix Cade Makin - Manchester TitansLinebackers Charles Nelson-Nwufoh - Tamworth Phoenix Luke Neill - Tamworth Phoenix Jai Jackson - London Blitz Ant Naughton - Tamworth Phoenix Jamaal Fredericks - London Warriors
Defensive backs NK Smith - London Warriors Leo Corney - London Blitz Tonye Dokubo - London Blitz Ryan Claudio - London Blitz Danylo Szlachetko Blackburn - University of Nottingham Will Hobbs - Tamworth Phoenix Courtney Etienne - Tamworth Phoenix Sam Fossey - Manchester Titans Jordan Metcalf - London Warriors
Kicker/Punter Alex Lenkowski - Tamworth Phoenix
Final Roster for the 2022 European Championship Qualifier vs Italy.GB Senior Lions Roster
GB Students History GB Students were founded in 1993 as a BCAFL "Allstars" team, coached by Damian Bayford from the University of Leeds. They were renamed the Bulldogs in the mid-1990s and mostly played touring teams.GB Bulldogs History
After falling under the remit of BUCS in 2008, the governing body refused to sanction entry into the 2014 FISU World Championships.GB Students to miss 2014 world university championships
Due to financial limitations and administrative errors, blamed on both BAFA and BUCS, no GB Students team appeared at the 2016 World Championships in Mexico, which resulted in the resignation of head coach, Wayne Hill.BAFA StatementBUCS Statement
Personnel Staff Managers Team manager: Greg Freeman
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator: Tony Athersmith Quarterbacks: Ryan Baker Offensive line: Paul Sheratt Wide receivers: James Hossack Running backs: Jay Alexander
Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator: Pete Laird Defensive line: Paul Summers Linebackers: Simon Hatcher Defensive backs: Kit Lawson
Other Strength & conditioning: Fabrizio Gargiulo
Roster GB Students rosterQuarterbacks Callum Davidson - UCB James Slack - Loughborough
Running backs & full backs Xavier Ajuwon - Birmingham Jacob Amadi - Swansea Thomas Campbell - Stirling Jordan Crouch - UWE
Wide receivers & tight ends Ben Burslem - Loughborough Charlie Hardman - Birmingham Aden Flannagan - Sheffield Hallam Will Hussey - Birmingham James Draper - Loughborough Sam Rogers - LoughboroughOffensive linemen James Connolly - Loughborough Steven Hartman - Gloucestershire Josh Thompson - Loughborough Alex Davies - Birmingham Stuart Butcher - Bedfordshire Jamie Gallagher - Durham Ross Martin - Greenwich
Defensive linemen Josh Gaff - Birmingham Josh Vines - Birmingham Agui Mansilla - Brunel Ti Ojuyah - Brunel Thomas Lachendro - Glasgow Jon Ridge - Hertfordshire Will Stone - BirminghamLinebackers Dominic Gould - Hertfordshire Zak Senior - Birmingham David Izinyon - Surrey Harry Shelton - Hertfordshire Nik Evans - Birmingham Ben Abbott - Greenwich Ben Davies - Loughborough Maxwell Stevens-Petitjean - Birmingham
Defensive backs Dave Jennison - Hertfordshire Tobi Ugundipe - Loughborough Sam Jeater - Birmingham Will Hobbs - Sheffield Hallam Chris Moreau - Birmingham Ashley Hopkinson - Stirling Ben Rawthore - Liverpool John Moores Stefan Rivera-Gonzalez - London
Final Roster for the 2015 Friendly vs FinlandGB Students Roster
Under-19 team The Great Britain U-19 American Football team represent the nation in international competition of youth American Football.
Personnel Staff Head coach Head coach & special teams coordinator: Scott Rowe
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator: Andy Scott Offensive quality control: John Moore Offensive line: Pete Jones & Frankie Pankhurst Wide receivers: Clive Anthony-Palumbo & Jared Gray Running backs: Jonathan Chilton
Defensive coaches CO-defensive coordinator & defensive line: Martin Hume CO-defensive coordinator: Jack Watson Linebackers: Mike Ripley Assistant linebackers: Max Muchenje