The Brighton Bears were a British basketball team based in Brighton, Sussex. Dave Goss established the team in 1973.
From 1984 to 1999 the club was known as the Worthing Bears and was based in the town of Worthing, 12 miles west of Brighton. The Bears played in the top-flight British Basketball League (BBL) until 2006 when the franchise folded. The final season was notable for the signing of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who played three games for the Bears. The league's franchise for the Brighton-area, originally put on hold, was intended to be occupied by the Brighton Cougars from the 2008–09 season but the Cougars bid was rejected, with the league favouring rival candidate Worthing Thunder.
In 2021, the Sussex Bears drafted plans for a stadium to revive the Brighton Bears team. In 2025, the Bears and the Thunder teams merged, allowing for teams ranging from Under 12 to Division One.
Season-by-season records
Season Div. Pos. Pld. W L Pts. Play-offs Cup Trophy Worthing Bears1990–1991BBL7th24101420Quarter-finalQuarter-final1st round1991–1992BBL3rd3022844Semi-finalSemi-final1st round1992–1993BBL1st3331262WinnersRunner-up1st round1993–1994BBL2nd3630660WinnersWinnersSemi-final1994–1995BBL7th36201640Winners4th roundSemi-final1995–1996BBL7th36191738Quarter-final4th roundRunner-up1996–1997BBL11th36122424DNQ4th roundQuarter-final1997–1998BBL12th3672914DNQ4th round1st round1998–1999BBL13th364328DNQ1st round1st round Brighton Bears1999–2000BBL S6th34112322DNQQuarter-final1st round2000–2001BBL S6th3492518DNQ1st round1st round2001–2002BBL S2nd32211142Semi-final1st roundQuarter-final2002–2003BBL2nd40301060Runner-upWinners1st round2003–2004BBL1st3630660Semi-final1st roundRunner-up2004–2005BBL5th40221844Quarter-finalWinnersRunner-up2005–2006BBL8th40172333Quarter-final1st round1st round
Notes:
From 1999 to 2002, the BBL operated a Conference system. Brighton competed in the Southern Conference. DNQ denotes Did not qualify.
Trophies
League NBL Division One Winners: 1987/88 1 BBL Championship Winners: 1992/93, & 2003/04 2 BBL Championship Runners Up: 1993/94, & 2002/03 2 BBL Southern Conference Runners Up: 2001/02, & 2002/03 2
Playoffs NBL Division One Play Off Winners: 1987/88 1 BBL Championship Play Off Winners: 1992/93, 1993/94, & 1994/95 3 BBL Championship Play Off Runners Up: 2002/03 1
Trophy BBL Trophy Runners Up: 1995/96, 2002/03 & 2003/04 3
Cup National Cup Winners: 1993/94, & 2002/03 2 National Cup Runners Up: 1992/93 1 BBL Cup Winners: 2004/05 1
References
Sources
External links Official website Previous incarnation of official website (frozen as at summer 2002) Tom Oliver's Brighton Bears photo galleries Official Brighton Cougars website