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

1993 - CARRY ON REGARDLESS

Farce, complete farce. That is the only way to describe the 1993 season which had promised so much only to conclude with demise of the NDMA 'Superleague' and the possibility of a merger with the British National Gridiron League (BNGL) to give Britain a united league structure for the future. Seems like a case of #deja-vu' but we are assured things will work out this time, and for once all parties seem to be pulling in the right direction

Early indications for the season were that the league would be run along the lines of the previous season i.e. National and Division 2, once talks to unify NDMA and BNGL Leagues had floundered because acceptable terms could not be agreed. The sudden, if not altogether unexpected, withdrawal of sponsorship by Coca-Cola meant times would be tight and despite lengthy efforts to find a replacement the League would continue without sponsorship for the present In the final analysis it was decided to merge both National and Division 2 sides to provide a single 19 team strong league divided into three conferences, with both conference and inter-conference games scheduled to provide competitive games and continue long standing rivalries.

Seemed like a good idea, but like so many others before it was doomed to failure. The Cougars were placed in the Northern Conference along with Glasgow Lions, Gateshead Senators, and Manchester Spartans from the old National Division plus Stoke Spitfires and Edinburgh Phoenix from Division Two and could reasonably have expected to play a full season of close games to finish with a probable 6 - 4 record. Alas, all such thoughts proved premature as both Edinburgh and Stoke withdrew from the League at an early stage to be followed only 7 days before kick-off date by the Manchester Spartans, who announced their intention to concentrate on European games rather than the domestic game. Along with the withdrawal of the Kent Mustangs and Southern O's the League was in turmoil with only 14 teams one below the minimum number required for a League to be recognised. Worst of all was the Conference line-ups which the League decided to let stand rather than re-align leaving the Northern section with only, three teams and the exciting prospect of a six game regular season with the top two teams destined for the play-off spots. Teams were facing lop sided schedules, Cardiff had to postpone their season opener and later left the League with the result that credibility, began to suffer, and although the season was eventually concluded the only way forward seemed to be a complete re-think which Hopefully will take place for the 1994 season.

All the troubles and turmoil were along way off when the Cougars decided to put the post behind them and approach former coach Chuck Brogdon with the offer of the Head Coach position towards the end of 1992 following the resignation of Doug McLean Brogdon was pleased to be taking over the reins again, but was under no illusions as to how hard the job would prove if a successful team were to be built Plenty, of potential existed, but the Cougars were to be all British for the coming year, with a new and untried Quarterback at the controls in the shape of ex- Aston University passer Chris Hatfield and a small squad which would undoubtedly prove a weakness as the season progressed.
The Cougars were approached early in the year with an invitation to host a game against the touring Oregon All Stars High School team, and whilst the proposed date fell early within pre-season preparations it was felt to be a worthwhile training exercise The invitation was accepted and a large crowd gathered at Farsley Celtic ground on a bitterly cold Tuesday evening to witness the action. Leeds took to the field first in their usual white shifts to be followed by the All Stars team - also in white! Talk about confusion, I suppose we should be grateful it didn't begin to snow!

The game itself was a good, well fought contest which saw the visitors jump into a 22 point lead before the Cougars found their feet and began to strike back It was a difficult game for many of the Cougar players as the 7pm kick-off meant many of them were arriving straight from work and it was therefore understandable that they started slowly. If the first half belonged to the All Stars, then the Cougars took the second with a third quarter touchdown run from Barry Morgan sparking them into life Good runs from the ever reliable Tiggy Bell got Leeds within sight on a couple more occasions, but they were unable to capitalise whilst excellent defensive play kept the visitors in check The final score of 22 - 6 was a creditable performance so early in the year and certainly sent the crowd home feeling well entertained.

Our second pre-season game saw us travel yet again to take on the Birmingham Bulls and as usual we came away on the wrong end of a 35 - 8 scoreline. The score, however did not tell the complete story as the Cougars actually took the lead early in the game with a Tiggy Bell touchdown following a fumbled punt which the Cougars recovered deep in Birmingham territory. The Bulls were not their usual fluent selves and were finding it difficult to move the ball against a tight Cougar Defence Moving the ball was also a problem for Leeds and despite the good start they trailed 13 - 6 at the break

The second half started badly for Leeds as a sock on quarterback Hatfield for a big loss gave the ball to the Bulls on the 13 yard line. Two plays later it was 21 - 6 with the conversion. The Bulls were moving, they had the momentum and despite conceding a third quarter safety, they, never let the tiring small Cougar squad back into the game. The final score flattered the Bulls, and many who saw the game were left wondering just how die Bulls would fare that season in the ultra-tough Midland Conference, as they seemed to lock their usual confidence. (A final season record of 4 - 6 which saw them miss the play-offs confirmed many peoples suspicions).

Coach Brogdon was not too despondent about the pre-season results as he noted good points in both fixtures, as well as highlighting areas where improvements had to be made in preparation for our opening league fixture against the Gateshead Senators, this fixture gave Leeds the perfect opportunity to get off to a winning start against one of the weaker teams, although winning on opening day had always been a problem and the Senators had beaten us on their own patch lost season.

History was not about to repeat itself on either count as the confident Cougar squad steadily, but surely closed down the Senators and took charge of the game immediately from the opening kick-off. The ball was returned over halfway and a quick 36 yard Bell run left the Cougars on the home two yard line. The run up the middle proved fruitless and a quick slant to receiver Sephton with the exact repeat for the conversion gave Leeds an instant 8 - 0 advantage Gateshead, who were fielding their new import quarterback Shackleford for the first time, hit back toward the end of the opening quarter with a touchdown pass to level the scores. 'Shack Attack! Shack Attack! ` proclaimed the scoreboard, but I think the Cougar Defence misinterpreted this as they set about hunting down the quarterback with the result that he was sacked a total of _five times and rarely found any time to release the ball to his speedy receivers.

With such sustained pressure it was no surprise when, following a safety to end the first quarter, Leeds then proceeded to dominate the game on both sides of the ball. Twenty two points followed in the second quarter with two Bell touchdowns from 62 and 9 yards sandwiching a superb 29 yard touchdown pass from Hatfield again to receiver Sephton At half-time and with the score at 32 - 8 the game was over, although the Senators came out and played a more respectable running game which saw them move the ball in the third quarter The Cougar Defence was up to the challenge and tightened up just when it had to and prevented Gateshead reducing the deficit until well into the fourth quarter when a second touchdown pass added a further six points. Not to be outdone the Cougars roared back to end the game on another Bell touchdown and conversion for the final 40 - 14 scoreline

And there they were, a win on opening day in a game which saw both offence and Defence in control. looking forward to the following weeks home clash with the Lions from Glasgow who were back in the top flight of football following a years enforced exile to Division 2. A classic the game was not as penalty flags rained down from all directions making it difficult for the teams to produce a fluent flowing game. The fans were impatient and players tempers were beginning to fray as the first half drew to a close with neither side having troubled the scoreboard, although the Lions had twice been stopped within the Cougar 10 yard line. A handling error by Cougar quarterback Hatfield at the snap was recovered by the grateful lions and three plays later they led 7 - 0 with little time left in the half

The second half began in almost identical fashion as another fumbled snap again gifted the ball to the Lions at the home 23 yard line, although tough Cougar Defence appeared to have salvaged the situation as they pushed back the Lions. Facing a third and 20 the Lions were rewarded for their bravery as a bullet like pass found a receiver wide open at the back of the end zone with the PAT making the score 14 - 0.

Unable to move the ball and relying almost solely on the run the Cougars were not looking as if they would score and were certainly not presenting the Lions defence with any problems as they just stacked up against the run. A further Lions touchdown in the final moments condemned the Cougars to a home shut-out for the first time since early 1988 when the Spartans triumphed by 21 - 0.

Two weeks later we were on out travels for the return game in Glasgow and although the result was the same the Cougars put up a much better show. Having fallen behind to an early Lions score, Leeds threatened and only some sterling defensive work by the home side resulted in the ball being turned over on downs within the ten. The Lions could do nothing with their next possession and were then amazed as quarterback Hatfield went to the air to connect with wide receiver Joe Martin for a 47 yard scoring strike. The two point conversion giving them the lead at 8 - 6.

Alas, that was the signal for the Lions to step up a gear, although it took a bad snap on

• Cougar punt to get them on their way, as a loose ball was picked up and returned for

• score by the grateful Glasgow defence This was followed by an 80 yard drive which climaxed with a 26 yard touchdown pass and just moments from the break the Cougars trailed by 21 - 8. Leeds needed to gather themselves to mount a quick comeback and Eddie Harry nearly produced the dream reply as he ran back the kick-off only to be tackled 10 yards from the end zone Without any time-outs remaining the Cougars could not control the few seconds that remained and the half ended with them just 3 yards short of the score they deserved.

The second half kick-off broke the hearts of the Cougars as the Lions succeeded where Leeds had earlier failed and ran back the kick for an 86 yard score- Neither side threatened from that point and the game ended 28 - 8 in favour of the Lions.

With only three games played the Cougars found themselves in the amazing position of playing the next game to secure a play-off spot as a win against Gateshead would surely be enough to secure the 'runner up' spot in the Northern Conference. Already having lost their opening two games and arriving with a squad of only 20 players there was a danger that the game would turn into a complete rout although to their credit the Senators battled all the way in their usual fashion. The Cougars battled well and more importantly kept their concentration focused on the job in hand as they set about their work The opening score was set up with a blocked punt and quick reactions from ex junior Robert O'Reilly as he grabbed the bouncing ball in the end zone. Not to be outdone, the offence then began to put points on the board commencing with an absolute peach of a pass from Hatfield to Martin for a 45 yard strike which was then followed by, a typical Tiggy Bell sweep for 70 yards and a 22 - 0 half-time scoreline.

The second half belonged to the run and Tiggy Bell in particular as he added further touchdown runs of 70, 43 and 23 yards to go with the one yard surge from fullback Charlie Brown for a full-time score of 50 - 0. Whilst the offence was piling on the points it should also be realised that the Defence played an equally large part in the overall victory as they limited the Senators to just 30 yards total offence. They exerted great pressure on the Gateshead quarterback and once again gave him no time to release the ball.

So there they were, a good all-round performance had ensured play-off action with only two inter-conference games left in our shortened regular season. Our visit to play the Nottingham Hoods, never one of our happy hunting grounds is probably best forgotten as on the warmest day of the year the small Cougar squad were completely routed by the Hoods. Our rare excursions into Nottingham territory broke the games predictable

pattern, although the only time we really threatened did produce a touchdown - 1

unfortunately this was a pass interception on a broken play which was returned the length of the field by the jubilant Hoods. A final score of 39 - 0 really did reflect the difference between the teams as the Cougars did not perform on the day - maybe they were dazzled by the Hoods new look kit'

The following week at home to the Leicester Panthers saw a completely different side to the Cougars, as despite trailing by 7 - 0 at the half they had performed well, moving the ball well on three good drives only to be stopped by penalty flags. The second half, once it eventually got started, at the fourth attempt was a real 'hum dinger as Leeds marched the ball downfield to threaten as the Panthers tried to defend against the run, when surprisingly they went to the air only for the pass to be intercepted. A return deep into the Leeds half was followed five plays later by the score for a 14 - 0 Panther lead.

Needing something to restore pride and waken the crowd the Cougars responded immediately as the kick-off was fielded at the 5 yard line by Tiggy Bell. How all those tackles were evaded still remains a mystery as more than once he appeared to have been stopped only to emerge, legs pumping, as he headed for the end zone. With the two point conversion good the Cougars trailed 14 - 8 and memories of the previous years game must have entered every Cougar supporters head at that moment

Leeds were growing in confidence and the Panthers needed to shift the momentum back their way quickly as the Cougars threatened yet again. Facing a fourth and goal from about the three yard line the Leicester defence pounced as Bell took the ball and swept right only to find no way through despite a tremendous effort. Leeds had been denied the score, and as is often the case quickly conceded the points themselves to trail 21 - 8. The Cougars, however, refused to quit and replied almost immediately through a 20 yard Eddie Harry run just on the two-minute signal. The attempted on-side kick was gathered safely by the Panthers who then set about running down the clock only to rub salt into the Cougar wounds by firing a touchdown pass on the final play to give them a totally flattering 28 - 14 margin of victory.

Despite defeat the Cougars received a tremendous ovation from their supporters for the way they had played, and had the satisfaction of knowing that their next game, despite a 2 - 4 record, would be in the play-offs. The play-offs were still a month away and without a game the Cougars had to keep their thoughts focused as the play-off picture emerged. They were unable to plan specifically as they did not know who they would face, but were watching the scene closely. An away tie was a certainty and the chances were that it would be a Conference winner, so when paired with the Thames Valley Chargers the Cougars must have felt that they had a good chance to advance, as although the Chargers were 8 - 0 for the season, the Southern Conference was considered the weakest in the League.

The large band of travelling fans were quickly rewarded for their long journey as fan favourite Bell opened the scoring with a 69 yard scamper. The Cougar Defence responded well to preserve a 6 - 0 first quarter lead until just before the break when, pinned deep in their own half, Thames Valley found some room to run and tied the score on a superb 82 yard sprint The game was anybodies at this stage although there were still a few surprises to follow in the second half

The Chargers opened the half and marched the ball to halfway from where quarterback Williams fired a touchdown pass to speedy receiver Tilbury for a 12 - 6 advantage The Cougars were not going down without a fight and, spurred on by the large crowd, the defence brought t them back into the game when receiver Peter Brook who was doubling up at defensive back due to the Cougars having only 22 players in action, stepped in smartly to intercept a quick slant pass and returned the ball 15 yards to tie up the game at 12 all. The Cougar lead was again restored early in the final period when Bell repeated his first quarter scamper to record his second 69 yard score of the day but the extra point conversion again failed.

With two minutes left in the game the Chargers mustered one last effort and another Williams to Tilbury strike, this time from 23 yards, brought them level again. Veteran running back and kicker Charles was called upon to win the game, but again the extra point kick failed, to the relief of all Cougar fans. As the Chargers re-started extra time loomed. The Cougars fielded the ball but just when they needed to control the clock they were unable to move downfield and were forced to punt Kicking the ball downfield would surely have left the Chargers with too much to do and would have ensured overtime however, it was not to be as the ball went straight up in the air and with approx 60 seconds left Thames Valley had the ball in good field position. A couple of 'safe' plays set the ball up and the Chargers called on Charles to attempt the field goal which would give them victory. Having missed two conversion kicks he must have been under pressure but despite every Leeds fan in the ground praying for him to miss, this kick was destined to be good.

The Cougars had lost 21 - 18 in a game which they could have won. They new it the fans knew it and Thames Valley knew it The game had been a tremendous advertisement for the British game, having been closely contested by two evenly matched sides and the lengthy ovation from the exhausted fans bore testimony to that fact

The season was over, but once again the Leeds Cougars had left their mark with another opponent and gained tremendous respect whilst making many new friends. The planning could now start for the following season when building on the success of 1993 it would be hoped the Cougars could mount a serious challenge for honours, and after four years at least register a winning season again. With the existing talent available plus the promising stream of Juniors now emerging the future looks to be good, especially as it has been decided to bring over an American QB to lead the assault.

With the merger between leagues all but finalised and new league structure unveiled, the Cougars would be relieved to have been placed in the new Senior League, First Division elite six but on reflection, the realisation that tough times would lie ahead must have been daunting. However, true to the great Cougar spirit the team would surely ' v relish this challenge and although many people would say they were fortunate to have attained such high status in view of recent playing performances they would be aiming to dispel any talk of them being a team to tip for the drop as early as possible.

Once again excitement abounds for the build up to the new season, and although everyone loves a winning team, the Cougars have been and will continue to be followed by their loyal band of supporters come what may. Success would be nice, but to the fans that is a bonus to be hoped for because as long as the Cougars play they will be there to cheer then ion for years to come. just as they have been for the last ten.