The Leicester Longhorns Annual General Meeting will be taking place on Tuesday 20th March 7pm-9pm in The Ken Edwards Building, LT1.
All registered players are entitled to vote at the AGM regardless of whether they are here next year or not so please make sure you attend.
Any member of the team can run for a position on next years committee. Start thinking about whether you'd like to take on a committee role.
MVP's for the DMU game will be awarded at the AGM. There will also be a presentation of the clubs finances and running, find out where your money has been going!
Leicester lost by one point on sunday after going up by two touchdowns in the first half with a 3rd called back for an inadvertent wistle just before half time.
The second half saw DMU fight back scoring a touchdown and a 2-point conversion and a final touch down.
With less then a minute left, Leicester marched down the field only to be stopped inside the 10 yard line while time ran out.
Leicester 14 - 15 DeMontfort
Full Game report Coming Soon.
The sun sets on yet another surprising season of British American football. After a weak start to the season, it would have seemed that all was lost for the longhorns, but after a close win verses Coventry the Longhorns really let go and spread their wings. Following this dramatic and hard fought victory, they really came out of their shells to deliver an unrelenting torrent of winning spirit, thrashing the Warwick Wolves 52-12. A week later saw a clean sheet against the stallions further building momentum on the runaway train the team has evolved into.
A tough game verses Loughborough on the 4th left the longhorns feeling down, but not disheartened. The Longhorns held the Aces to ransom for most of the game only falling short to a few minor mistakes. By the end of the second quarter it was any mans' game with the Longhorns trailing 13-7.
Head Coach Lee McMahon was quoted to say "We were as good as them (Aces) for 80-90% of today", which is reflective of the general feeling in the increasingly confident Longhorns camp.
After losing out to Loughborough in a battle for the coveted Rosebowl, the Longhorns turn their sights to burning their name into the plaque for the first ever UoL v DMU American football varsity trophy; a title both teams will be battling for harder than ever, after all the Longhorns were once composed of players from both Universities - this is about pride.
What does the Varsity trophy mean to the longhorns?
"As an individual I cannot wait for the challenge of a competitive, passionate and physical game. As a team however, this first ever varsity has much larger significance. It is another fixture on our schedule with silver wear at stake. A win on the 11th will cap off a great season and set a precedent for future encounters." Robin Eagle, Offensive line.
"Being a captain and the quarterback of the first ever varsity between the Longhorns and DMU Falcons is something that I never would have imagined when I first started playing American Football as a 5th string fresher last year. We know their coaches and no doubt we'll go for a drink with them at the end of the game, but this is the first EVER game between the two Leicester teams, moreover if we get a win, it'll be the best record this club has had in the league for about 10 years, everything really is on the line for us. Its' been a great transitional year for us, we're a young team and have been learning a completely new system with coaches in new roles, and we've really found our feet and have been on a great run of form. But for me, it's all about this varsity game, we simply HAVE to win." Tom Newnham, Quarterback.
The Falcons have not lived up to potential in their first season, but looks can be deceptive and Falcons are capable of hiding their Talons. The Longhorns have a few tricks of their own however and are gearing up for what could be one of the most exciting fixtures of this years Varsity season.
David Dale
The Bad weather has continued to cause havoc across the country and the second game in a row has had to be called off for the Longhorns.
The university decided the pitch was too dangerous to play on and stopped all sports team who use the pitch from using it.
The game has not yet be rescheduled.
The DMU varsity game has had to be called off due to the cold weather causing the pitch to be un usable. The game has be rescheduled for the 4th of March.
With the team's first win in the bag, the Longhorns were looking to kick start the new year the way they finished the last with another win on the season.
From the opening whistle Leicester were relentless scoring 28 unanswered points in the first half with rushing touchdowns from David Bissel (who was playing his first game of the season after missing the first half due to injury) and Alex McCormick.
The second half saw the wolves start to claw their way back relying more on their running game to score their first points of the game. Leicester started a bit shakily losing some turnovers but thanks to the defense stepping up (and a defensive line made up on mostly offensive players) they were able to maintain a large lead conceding only one more touchdown.
Leicesters offence continued to move the ball well finishing the game 51 to 12 which should give the team a huge boost heading in to their Varsity game next week against the DeMontfort Falcons on Superbowl Sunday.
Full Game report Coming Soon.
Having decide to wear shirt and ties to all games this season, the Leicester Longhorns are pleased to announce official club ties are now in. Players will be awarded their game time after they have played their first game for the team.
The Longhorns clinch their first win of the season right before the christmas break against the Coventry Jets and former coach Roman Von Der Goltz After a fumble on the opening kick off Leicester managed to recover the ball with great field position but failed to open the scoring. Both teams then moved the ball but failed to convert into points due to penalties pulling both teams backwards but thanks to an unconverted touchdown and a fieldgoal in the last seconds of the first half, Leicester managed to enter halftime leading 9-7. Coventry started pulling back in the second half grabbing the lead with a field goal but a late rushing touchdown by Alex McCormick in the fourth quarter gave Leicester the lead leaving Coventry less than a minute score but an interception in the dying seconds by Andy Gleadle sealed the victory for Leicester.
Full match report coming soon
Since Nathan Brown has stepped down from the Social Secretary role, the team has been forced to find a replacement committee member. Jola Obisesan who is a big contributer to the team on the football field put him self forward to seek election. He was seconded by president David Bissel and then voted in as the Leicester Longhorns newest committee member. We would like to congratulate Jola on his election and thank Nathan both for his work as Social Secretary this year.
The longhorns lost their third game this season in a very close game agaist Northampton. Both teams run a vary similar style of offence and were neck and neck for most of the game with both teams breaking runs for big gains. It came down to a two-point conversion to tie the game after a vital touchdown in the final minutes to take it to over time but a fumbled snapped ended the drive and allowed Northampton the take a knee and wind out the clock to take the victory and remain unbeaten.
Unfortunatly due to other commitments, Nathan Brown will no longer be able to maintain the teams Social Secretary role. The third year player has made a great contribution to the committee this year. Nathan will remain a player for the team and we thank him for his time and dedication.
Longhorns @ Bombers - 8 - 14
After tasting defeat against Lincoln at home the week before, the Longhorns looked fired up and ready to take the fight to Lancaster. Lancaster had also felt the pain of losing, but on a scale higher than the longhorns had suffered. Both teams had something to prove.
The game opened explosively for the longhorns, with Leicester running back Jola Obisesan breaking free of a beautifully formed wedge on the first play to force the Bombers to concede the first touchdown of the day, followed by a two point conversion; a bitter reminder of the merciless thrashing that had been delivered to them the week prior.
Keeping up the pace, the longhorns looked tough, aggressive and down right in control of the game, with the D forcing the bombers offense off the field repeatedly after several three and outs. The Longhorns offense looked promising; notably Running back Sam Shoen making a huge fifty yard run off of a power left play, leaving the bombers defence in his dust. The Longhorns kept up their intensity, finding themselves comfortably within the bombers red zone on numerous occasions only to be shut out on fourth down each time. Unfortunately with no uprights the longhorns were denied several field goal opportunities which would have ramped up their score significantly.
Half time score: Longhorns 8 - Bombers 0.
The second half saw the bombers begin to adjust on defence, but the longhorns stayed consistent. Both teams exchanged possession numerous times before anything significant happened. The bombers managed to take a hold of the ball in the Longhorns red zone only to be shut out and denied a potentially equalising TD.
Several exchanges of the ball later, Longhorns Linebacker Karl Sced picked off a beautifully thrown Bombers pass to show the longhorns were still alive and kicking. Unfortunately injury befell Longhorns Lineman Jackson Todd as he kept the bombers from advancing on a 4th down play.
The Bombers soon regained possession on the ball and with a well-executed deep pass they strolled right into the Longhorns endzone. They converted after the touchdown to drag themselves back into the game. At this point the Longhorns began to look a little lost and unable to up the bombers again.
Full time score: Longhorns 8 - Bombers 8
With the full time scored tied, the game progressed to a sudden death overtime. The Longhorns won the coin toss and were raring to go driving the ball up to the Bombers six, being denied the points they desired on fourth down. The longhorns defence stepped up, shutting out the bombers Offence neatly to give possession back to Leicester. The longhorns came incredibly close, with several well executed plays bringing them to the Bombers 1 yard line. Contentiously, the longhorns were denied a TD on the 4th down and the ball was placed firmly back in the hands of the bombers. After an emotional standoff, the Bombers finally produced a controversial touchdown and were awarded the game.
A well fought battle for the longhorns, but at the end of week 2, it is only natural to feel disheartened by an 0 and 2 record.
Final score after overtime: Longhorns 8 - Bombers 14
David Dale
The first mandatory training session for the Longhorns will be taking place on this week on Tuesday the 4th of October aimed at all the returning players.
The team will be holding its introductory meeting on Wednesday evening on the University campus (Attenborough tower Lecture theatre 3) followed by a trip to our local sponsor Varsity on London Road. Any new players looking to attend should meet on the Charles Wilson steps at 6.30pm.
This will be followed up with a taster session for new players on Thursday 6th of October, on Nelson Mandela Park, which will be designed to give a hands on introduction to the sport. No experience is necessary, but those wishing to participate should bring boots, a gumshield and plenty of water.
Regular season training will begin on Sunday the 9th of October at Stoughton Road Fields at 10:30am.
It is with great pleasure that we announce a new sponsorship deal with Americandy. Americandy are an American confectionary store specialising in American drinks and sweets. They are situated in the High Cross Shopping centre in Leicester.
Why not pay them a visit and grab all your favourite sweets and chocolates from across the pond?
The Longhorns will be continuing their recruitment drive with a stall at this years freshers fair. The fair will be open from 9am on Monday the 3rd of October and will be running all day. It will also be open on Tuesday for most of the morning and into the afternoon.
If you are interested in joining the Longhorns or would like more information on the team or about the sport then please pop down for a visit. Alternatively you can contact our committee or coaching staff via the contacts page.
This years AGM meeting saw the election of a whole new committee for the 2011/2012 season.
Last years social secretary David Bissell was promoted to the Team President role and has already been making a lot of decisions which will benefit the club including taking part in meetings with the Leicester University Sports Director to organise funding and to engage the club more heavily with the University.
Chris Holder has taken over from Tom Boughey as Treasurer and Tom Grant was elected to Secretary. All game day responsibilities such as collection of match fees, setting up the field and taking care of kit fall to James Newman. Nathan Brown has taken David Bissell's previous position as Social Secretary and will be organising all social events for the club.
This year we have two extra positions filled by Tom Newnham and Mike Ainscow who are to assist the other committee members with any jobs which need extra assistance.
We wish the new committee the best of luck running the club for the upcoming season, and have high hopes they be extremely successful as we proceed with our new look team.
With the departure of Duncan Burford, Phil Rudkin, John Price and Roman Von Der Goltz, there has been quite a large turn over in coaching staff.
The Head Coach position was filled by Lee McMahon, who served as the Offensive Line coach and Defensive Line coach for a number of years. Rob Wylie has stepped up from coaching running backs to take on the Offensive co-ordinator role. Rob has played at senior level and coached youth, University and senior football in this country.
Former Defensive Backs coach Alec Grant has taken over from Phil Rudkin as Defensive Co-ordinator. Other coaching changes include Nikk Chapman coming back to the Longhorns to coach Tight Ends and former captain Tommy Gibbs coaching Linebackers with Andy McKenzie who has moved from coaching Backs. James Ashmore has also moved from Quarterbacks coach to help the Defensive Backs.
Keeping with the theme of change, it is with great pleasure that we announce the new uniforms for the upcoming season.
Since the Longhorns began in 1985 they have played in blue jerseys with white pants and helmet but with the team splitting from De Montfort they have joined the new Leicester University initiative called "Team Leicester". The aim is to have all the sports teams playing in matching uniforms and merchandise supplied by kukri. The uniform will consist of bottle green jerseys and game pants with maroon trim down the side, topped off with the traditional white Helmets.
We all have fond memories here of the blue and white, but hopefully with all the benefits being part of 'Team Leicester' brings with it, the colour change will be a very successful one.