Many thanks to Stephen Mudd who is the Historian and Author of this excellent document originally produced by David and Doreen Sheppard in May 1994

1991 - High Scores Low Points

The biggest problem from a moderately successful campaign in 1990 centred on the impossible job facing a player/coach just how much time do you devote to each role; especially when you are such a fierce competitor, wanting to do the best at everything you tackle? That was the problem faced by Dan Moore and although he had been consistent in his style of play, leadership off the field had suffered. That fact was evident when on the one occasion Moore sat out a game, at Gateshead, all aspects of the team were better prepared to produce an emphatic performance- The news that Moore was not to return as Head Coach was therefore not a surprise and it was hoped that the Cougars would use previous experience to the full to appoint a non playing Coach in the near future

Money was obviously tight for all dubs following the Budweiser pull out, so the news that imports of any nationality were to be cut to two (one on offence and one on Defence) for the coming season were obviously well received. This news, however, was not as well received as the news of a new League sponsor, following many promises and false alarms. This time though it was the real thing, as it was announced that drinks giants Coca-Cola were to sponsor the League with a proposed three year package reported to be worth in the region of £1 million. The new sponsors were not just going to put money in and sit back they saw the League as a good marketing vehicle as fans were to find out throughout the season as free gifts and competitions were in plentiful supply.

Back on the playing front, the League were announcing plans which they hoped would consolidate their position as the major force in British Football, as well as securing the future of the game for years to come. The existing elite division (now reduced to 17 teams following the collapse of the Allstars) would run with two Conferences as the previous season, but plans were being drawn up to create a 10 team second division of clubs considered 'of sufficiently high standard', and whilst teams were not approached, the League soon received applications from interested parties to enable them to finalise plans at an early date. Unfortunately as one new League was created, Britain Lost the NCMMA as a direct result of having teams transfer to both Division Two and the growing BNGL

As mentioned earlier. money was tight and the Cougars were no different to other teams as they were finding it hard to make ends meet Early indications were that our imports from the previous season would not be returning and finding enough finance to bring over any imports would be hard, so on the face of it Leeds were struggling on both player and coach fronts. However, as is usual with the Cougars, all was not as it seemed, for no sooner had it been announced that Dan Moore was not to return, it was announced that the Cougars had a new Head Coach. Rushing sensation Chris Thomas was to return, but this time he was vowing to stay on the sidelines to concentrate on coaching and although many fans would miss his experience on the field, they, must have been relieved to have a full time coach.

Miraculously things were looking good all of a sudden as Thomas announced he would be bringing over friend and assistant coach Cliff Harvey to help out with both sideline and playing duties, as well as having located our new Quarterback for the season. Everything appeared to be on course and when it was announced that Tiggy Bell was to return, following his year at the Spartans where he'd had limited playing time, you could have been forgiven for thinking that somebody up there did actually like the Cougars after all. The acquisition of Ben Torriero from the Harrogate Hawks only strengthened this belief as our backfield with the option of using Thomas in an emergency, would be as good as any in the League

Building up to the season, the home-based players were hard at work on basic fitness and technique, looking forward to the arrival of Coach Thomas and new Quarterback Rick Marsiliand Unfortunately just as everything appeared to be going to plan, our world fell apart for having spent a few days in the country, and been introduced to the fans, Marsiliand decided that he would not be able to settle here and promptly returned home. It was too late to obtain the services of another Quarterback and with only a month to go before they began the season the Cougars were without an offensive leader. Coach Thomas thought long and hard before announcing that he would line up behind centre, which although filling the gap left Leeds in exactly the same position as last year, a position they had hoped to avoid.

Things could have been worse, but at least this year the Cougars would have two pre-season run-outs before getting down to the serious competition, two games in which to work things out , not a lot but better than nothing. A 40 - 7 demolition of the out-classed Barnsley Bears in a hastily arranged scrimmage following the pull out of their original opponents was a useful work out for the team, and one which coach Thomas would use for our run-out against a higher class of opponent in the next match. Two weeks later Leeds were to face the newly formed Essex Gladiators, who were still finding their feet following the Chelmsford.Colchester merger, and had lost two earlier friendly games. The game itself was a dour defensive struggle, typically scrappy for the time of year, and showed that the Cougars intended to run the ball an awful lot during the coming season. A 14 - 8 victory for the Cougars was just about the right result but with a tough opening schedule the fans were left concerned as to how their favourites would fare against some real opposition.

Under the current situation the Cougars could not have asked for a tougher start to the season than the Birmingham Bulls. Well renowned for being poor starters to the season, a home fixture against the Bulls, having had only limited action and practice time during the past month was not the start the required, but it was the start they had. The Bulls were virtually everyone's favourites for this years honours and indeed looked impressive as they opened with a mixture of run and pass plays to score on a 14 yard pass play. Equally impressive was the Cougar response as Quarterback Thomas drove his troops downfield before plunging over from the four and adding the conversion for an 8 - 7 lead. Solid defence and good running from the Cougars backfield were keeping the Bulls in check but penalties and lack of variety in play calling were limiting the Cougars. The stalemate was broken before the interval though as the Bulls regained the lead for a narrow 15 - 8 advantage at the half

The Cougars were playing well to contain the Bulls, but the second half saw Birmingham cut loose as their own backfield strength made its mark Four rushing touchdowns and a field goal resulting from a Cougar fumble ensured the Bulls controlled the ball for most of the half and against a weakened, tiring Defence the final margin of victory flattered the visitors. One consolation score from Cockburn ensured some respectability to the 45 - 14 scoreline, but once again the Cougar faithful had witnessed an opening day set-back

Seven days later the Cougars entertained the Nottingham Hoods who were idle on opening day and therefore beginning their season with the visit to Leeds. Any thoughts that they would be rusty were sensationally disproved as the Hoods opened with guns blazing to surprise the Cougars and open up an impressive 27 - 0 lead after only one quarter. The Cougars were reeling under the onslaught with the Hoods Defence swanning to close down any attempt to run the ball and when the Hoods scored again to close the half at 23 - 0 few could imagine just how different the game would be in the second half

Seemingly more settled the Cougars began to fight back Good blocking allowed the running game to flourish and just when the Hoods believed all the Cougars could do was run, Quarterback Thomas surprised them by launching a pass. With the Hoods pushing up against the run they were not prepared and the crowd was brought back to life with an 85 yard catch and run by ex-junior Mark Sephton Having restored their advantage with a short yardage run the Hoods had the game in the bag but were again surprised as Thomas and Sephton combined again for a 70 yard score which, with a late safety, closed the scoring at 40 - 14.

Standing at 0 - 2, Leeds now needed to rescue their season, for although the offence was racking up the yards, their single dimensional gameplan was too predictable and easy, for an experienced Defence to close down. The visit to the newly named Northwest Spartans offered that opportunity, for although they had won the Bowl in the previous years season, they had been decimated by the mass defection of players and were only a shadow of their old selves. Staffing at their usual slow pace, the Cougars struggled to move the ball against a tough Spartans Defence, whilst their own U looked good in closing down the Home side. Following a scrappy, scoreless first quarter, the Spartans unexpectedly took the lead on a storming run from half-way which was converted for a 7 - 0 advantage. Chris Thomas brought Leeds back into the game as he rounded off an impressive drive with an 8 yard dart to leave the Cougars trailing by a point

With the Spartans driving again, the whole momentum of the game swung back towards the Cougars as the defence recovered a Jumble within sight of their line to launch the offence toward another score A long drive downfield was capped by Quarterback Thomas as he dashed in from the nine to make it 12 - 7 and from that point the Cougars took control. The Defence began to control the whole game, pressurising the Spartans offence and forcing the interception which brought them their final points on a short yardage Cockburn run which was converted for a closing 20 - 7 margin.

The Cougars had their first win, and whilst any win is a good win, the truth was that the Cougars had laboured early in the game whilst only pulling away against a tiring team in the second half The Glasgow Lions would prove to be a very much different proposition as they arrived in Leeds with a perfect 2 -0 record, having just beaten Nottingham in a game which was to become famous for all the wrong reasons as the officials handed the ball to the Lions stating that 113 second remained in regulation time, and that was enough for them to win and cause uproar

No such controversy in the Cougar - Lions match up as for once the Cougar offence started well to open the score on Tiggy Bells first touchdown run of the year, a 35 yard gallop down the middle of the field. The Lions responded quickly to trail 7 - 6 and the Cougar offence looked set to extend their lead at the Lions 22 yard line when, stripping the ball from Bell the Glasgow Linebacker Yeats returned the ball 68 yards for a 12 - 7 lead. Building confidence in their new offensive gameplan, featuring new Quarterback
Carlos Pastorelli a recent pick-up from pre-season opponents Barnsley Bears, the Cougars again took the lead on a Joe Martin scoring catch and were looking every bit the match of their opponents when disaster struck

The Cougars offence were dealt two quick savage blows as they lost Chris Thomas with a knee injury, to be quickly followed by a rib injury to Tiggy Bell. Glasgow didn't need any further invitation as with the Cougar offence unable to mount any serious drive they had complete control of the ball against a tiring Cougar Defence further weakened with an ankle injury to Linebacker Steve Shaw Scores followed on every possession to keep the scoreboard operator busy as the under strength Cougars were ripped apart by the Lions. A final score of 76 - 28 was made respectable by a Cougar team that never gave up, but, with injuries and a 1 - 3 record they must have been a little worried

Back to back fixtures against fellow cellar dwellers, the Blackpool Falcons, now took on significant proportions if the Cougars were to post a winning season, as with tough away games to finish the season a defeat would render the remaining games meaningless. Good vocal support from the fans would be vital to spur on the team through difficult times, but three heavy home defeats had driven away the casual fans, who only like to follow a winning side, leaving the true hard-core of supporters having to shout a bit louder. Supporter numbers were falling generally, but if the Cougars were worried about dwindling attendances they must surely have felt for the Olympians whose two home games had attracted only 90 and 48 fans! , The attraction of the newly formed London Monarchs providing too much of a distraction.

The home fixture against the Falcons began in typical fashion for a match-up between two struggling teams, with both sides trying to find their feet when Chris Thomas in at Quarterback found Joe Martin with a superb pass from halfway for a 6 - 0 lead. An interception return in the second quarter stretched the lead to 12 points and the Cougars were coasting as half-time approached, when suddenly the Falcons swooped. Following a safety, die offence took charge to score twice within a minute as the stunned Leeds side, having controlled the half, trailed 16 - 12 at the break The break settled the Cougars and Chris Thomas still carrying the effects of injury, calmed their nerves with a 3 yard run to restore their advantage. Blackpool were refusing to quit and hit back in the final quarter to lead 22 - 18 and looked to have secured a vital win as Chris Thomas had a game winning pass intercepted at the Falcons three yard line with less than two minutes remaining. Fate, however, still had a hand to play as, with the Falcons attempting to run out the clock, an unnecessary Jumble was gleefully pounced on by the Cougars and, within the blink of an eye, the Cougars had delivered the ultimate punishment for a 26 - 22 lost gasp victory.

Following a weeks rest the return fixture at Blackpool proved to be even closer as although the Falcons offence recorded over 500 yards, the Cougar Defence responded to die challenge halting them three times within the red zone Rushing touchdowns from Bell and Mitchell, plus a successful two point conversion by Bell, were enough as Leeds hung on for a 14 - 13 victory, improving their season to 3 - 3.

The record was soon improved to 4 - 3 as stay away fans missed an absolute thriller as the Gateshead Senators brought their passing attack and a 0 - 6 record to town. The game kicked off early, to allow people to catch the World Bowl Final later in the day, but any thoughts that the Senators would be affected by their early start were quickly dispelled as the teams played ping-pong with the score to be tied 28 - 28 at the break

Three Bell touchdown bursts, all over 40 yards, plus a Wince Ward catch had appeared to put the Cougars on top, only for the Senators to pull back on every score- The second half was, in comparison, positively pedestrian with Tiggy Bell continuing to torment the Gateshead Defence before Carlos Pastorelli hit Vince Ward with a 35 yard strike which, when converted, gave the Cougars an eight point advantage Still the Senators wouldn't quit and, with time running out they at last found the end zone when following a controlled drive they drew within two points on a three yard scoring lob. With their backs against the wall and overtime looming, the Defence responded magnificently to snuff out the attempted two point conversion and preserve the advantage for a tough 36 - 34 victory.

Any, thoughts of claiming a play off position were well and truly thrown out of the window with the Cougars visit to play the Leicester Panthers as Saffron Lane Playing on a ground where they had never had any success the Cougars replied to an early Panther score when the nations leading rusher, Tiggy Bell, flew in from 13 yards to tie the game at 6 - 6, but from that point it was all downhill. The Panthers, like ourselves trying for the final play-off spot took control of the game to pressure Leeds at every opportunity and raced into a 23 - 6 half-time lead. Three further scores without reply wrapped up a comprehensive 41 - 6 Panther win to break the Cougars winning streak and give them a vital head to - head advantage in the play-off race.

Now needing to win their last two fixtures the Cougars would have to do it the hard way , on the road. The first trip would be the long haul to Glasgow who had so soundly beaten us earlier in the season, and not even the knowledge that they had been banned from using sixteen unregistered players (on action which was to lead to their demotion to Division Two for the following season) would give the Cougars much comfort Indeed the Lions served notice of their intentions whilst venting their anger against the Leeds Defence as they closed down the Cougar running game to control the ball. A Chris Thomas scoring run and a safety were all Leeds could manage as the lions steadily overwhelmed a tiring Defence to finish the game 53 - 8 winners and lead the conference 8 - 0.

With Leicester sinking the Solent Warriors the Cougars were now unable to extend their season and had only pride to play for in their last regular season fixture against the Hoods. Visiting Harvey Haddon Stadium, another of the Cougars less lucky grounds, to tackle the 8 - 1 Hoods was however not the place to call upon pride alone to save the day. With an offence held to less than 60 yards for the day, the Defence spent most of the game on the field as Nottingham steadily built up the score Trailing 35 - 2 at the half and with an offence being kept well in check the Cougars had nothing left to give as they eventually ran out 69 - 2 losers.

No play-off action for only the second time in their history concluded a season many would hope to forget What had begun so encouraging had turned into the season of heavy defeats as teams found it all too easy to close down the Cougars limited offence Of course it could hair been different had our intended Quarterback not decided to return home and allowed Chris Thomas to concentrate on what he was hired to do, namely, Coach. With CT and new boy Carlos Pastorelli doing the best they could, the Cougars managed to win a few in mid-season to rescue the season, but the truth once again was that although the team tried, limitations became obvious and the offence just could not control the football. Faced with so much time on the field it was no wonder the Defence was ground down in so many games after staffing so well, but if the defensive unit could be kept together the Cougars at least had a spring-board from which to launch their next campaign.