Chorley Buccaneers: Welcome

All of our teams are 5 v 5 and compete up and down England at a competitve club level. We have also had so far 4 players selected to play for Great Britain and 8 players selected to play for England.

We are always on the lookout for new players, people to help out at the club, and new sponsors. If you're interested in either playing or would like to get involved with the club then get in touch with Club Manager Ian Nicolson at ian@chorleybuccaneers.com or 07787 530748

On Saturday the Chorley Buccaneers carried out their sponsored catch-a-thon in aid of Children in Need. With an excellent turnout of nearly 30 players ranging from age seven to age eighteen in cool blustery conditions, the Buccaneers successfully completed their daunting challenge of catching 1500 passes, and managed to do this in under three hours.

Information on specific sponsorship amounts is still coming in, but initial estimates indicate that the club managed to raise over £500 for the BBC organised charity appeal. Speaking after the event, club manager Ian Nicolson said:

"I am exceptionally proud of all of my players today. At the Buccaneers we offer the opportunity to boys and girls ranging from seven to eighteen to play American Football, but we also try to help them to become responsible and caring people. Today has shown me that we are succeeding. The players have worked hard to get sponsors for the Children in Need charity, and the work they carried out today should not be underestimated. The players have run over 8.5 miles during the course of the event, and every single one of them should be proud of what they have achieved."

The Chorley Buccaneers season now draws to a close for 2008, however they will be running taster sessions for any players aged 7 to 12 interested in trying out non-contact American Football. These sessions will run for six weeks from Saturday 15th November and will run between 12:00 and 13:30 (Saturday 20th December will be 13:00 to 14:30). The cost for each session is £2.50. If you would like any more information, please contact Club Manager Ian Nicolson at ian@chorleybuccaneers.com.

This weekend, the Chorley Buccaneers American Football Club, part of the Lancashire Academy of American Football, competed in the National Finals in Grangemouth at the Junior Kitted (14-16) level for the first time in the club’s history. The finals included four teams in total, the top two English sides along with the top two Scottish sides, competing against each other for the title of British champion.

To start the weekend, the Chorley Buccaneers faced the Clyde Valley Falcons in the semi-final, an intimidating opposition boasting an unbeaten record throughout the regular season. A Buccaneers team ably led by quarterback Lawrence Quinn, in his final appearance as a Buccaneer, were confident of producing an upset.

The game started with Clyde Valley jumping out to an early two score lead of 12-0, however the Chorley outfit were made of strong stuff and brought the game within a score on the back of strong running by Running Back Alex Hodson. The comeback was short lived however, with the Falcons scoring a quick touchdown through a run that spanned the entire length of the pitch by their excellent Running Back. The Falcons managed to score once more during the half, taking the score to 24-6 at half-time.

Chorley Buccaneers Head Coach Mark ‘Bud’ Greally took the opportunity at half-time to provide a strong team talk to his players, and clearly his words hit home, as on  the first play of the second half, Joe Bentley took the ball the entire length of the field to score, leaving the game at 24-12 to Clyde Valley.

Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, this was the end of their scoring for the game. The Clyde Valley team managed to score twice more leaving the final score at 36-12 to the Falcons. The game represented a brave effort by the Buccaneers, but the well organised and athletic Clyde Valley team were deserved winners and moved on to the final to face the Glasgow Tigers.

This left the Buccaneers with a third place playoff game against local rivals, the Manchester Titans. For several of the team this would be their last game as a Buccaneer, as they graduate to the Lancashire Wolverine Colts youth setup within the Academy.

The game started out well for the Buccaneers, with a strong start of defence followed up with a touchdown by Sam Johnson on their first offensive possession to take a 6-0 lead. Manchester responded quickly with a touchdown on their next drive and with the Titans scoring from their conversion attempt, they took the lead 7-6. Both teams struggled to break each other down for most of the remainder of the first half, until Manchester scored a touchdown on their last possession of the half. This left the Buccaneers with work to do in the second half facing a 13-6 deficit.

Once again, the Buccaneers management staff gave an effective half-time speech, and again Bentley scored on the opening drive of the second half, although with the Buccaneers still unable to convert their extra point attempt, the score remained in the Manchester team’s favour, 13-12.

Both teams defence held strong on the following two possessions, and it was Chorley who scored next. Once again the touchdown was scored by Bentley who was having a very impressive day, and he went on to cap the drive off with a conversion from an excellent pass from Quinn. This left the score at 19-13 in favour of the Buccaneers with not much time left, so the Lancashire outfit were looking to hold their rival Titans out of the endzone for the remainder of the game to take a memorable win. This was not to be however, as on the very next drive a quick pass and long run by the Manchester Titans put the score at 19-19 with a conversion attempt to come. Using a clever play the Titans managed to convert, leaving the Buccaneers needing a score with one minute left in the game. The excellent Lawrence Quinn took his team down to the Manchester 10 yard line through a combination of passes and runs, with #88 being influential yet again. It was not to be however, as the Titans managed to cause a turnover and run out the clock to win the game 20-19 and take the title of the best Junior Kitted team in England, and third best team in Britain.

The final between Glasgow and Clyde Valley went in favour of the Falcons in another close game, 37-33, and the Falcons managed to preserve their unbeaten record and earn the title of British Champion for 2008. At the awards ceremony Chorley Buccaneers quarterback and captain Lawrence Quinn was awarded the Most Valuable Player award for the entire tournament, outlining the impression the Lancashire club managed to leave on their opponents.

The Buccaneers also gave their own awards following the event to their Most Valuable Player on offence and defence. The offensive award was given to Joe Bentley for his tireless running and big plays. The defensive award went to Michael Frayne, who was outstanding in both games.

Several players may well be graduating through the ranks of the Academy, but preparations are already beginning for the 2009 season, which will see current club manager Ian Nicolson take over the role of Head Coach, with Mark Greally regrettably stepping down.

Speaking after the finals, Coach Greally said:

“I'm proud of all the players and coaches and the season we've had. Results didn't go our way today but I can't fault the effort in what's been the clubs first appearance in these finals.”

Club Manager Ian Nicolson said:

“This is one of the proudest moments in the clubs history. Today has shown just what talent we have coming through the club. Taking over as head coach of the junior kitted next season is going to mean I have some big shoes to fill with all the success that Coach Greally has had over the past 3 years.”

Chorley Buccaneers have received a massive finacial boost to the club from their devoted sponsor blindsmadeeasy.co.uk. The company has agreed to give the club £1200 a year to help the club keep a healthy bank account and pay for their new training venue of Southlands High School.

The club which is now in it's 7th year of running and is one of the UK's longest running junior american football clubs, has seen clubs like themselves competing one year and then disperse the year after due to lack of money going into the club. "This is a great boost for our club and will really help us to keep going strong for many years to come" Club Manager Ian Nicolson said.

"With our new training venue this year costing us a lot more, it is great to know that we will have fund to pay for it and then funds left to pay for other expenses."

Visit www.blindsmadeeasy.co.uk for low cost and great quality made to measure window blinds.

The Bucs are always looking for players from 7 - 18 and for other sponsors to help keep the club growing. Contact Club Manager Ian Nicolson either by phoning 07809 103647 or email him at ian@chorleybuccaneers.com

The Chorley Buccaneers were in this weeks (20th Feb) Chorley Guardian thanks to Coach Lee Taylor. Coach Taylor who had read an article from a new sports reporter for the Guardian who was asking for people who or involved in different sports other than the likes of Rugby, Soccer (to me anyway) etc.

Coach Taylor made contact with Robert Kelly the reporter and gave some information about the Bucs and the results can be seen in the paper and online. "This is some much needed press" said Club Manager Ian Nicolson, "thanks to Coach Taylor for taking the time to speak to Robert who then came down to take some pictures of the Bucs, and who has also said that he would like to do more reports on us. As we are trying to set a Youth Flag Team up as well, then this couldn't of come at a better time."

Though a couple of minor mistakes are made in the article, it's still great to see our club in the local paper in which we can only will bring us more players. The article has already had someone conctact Ian who is interested in trying to get involved in coaching at the Bucs. If you would like to read the online article then click the link below:

http://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/sport/Buccaneers-kitted-out-for-success.3798954.jp

This year the Chorley Buccaneers have moved their training location from Holy Cross to Southlands High School and they couldn't be happier there. With Changing rooms, Hard Court and a astro turf all available as well as the rugby pitch they train on, it feels to the Bucs as if their christmas's have all come at once.

"It is a great move for the Club, and it definately shows that all the work the backroom staff put in during the off season pays off." Club Manager Ian Nicolson said.  "The fact that if the rugby pitch isn't in a good condition to train on due to bad weather doesn't matter anymore. We now have 2 other options to enable us to carry on training and minimize the chances of our players getting injured."