One of the oldest clubs in the UK. Founded in the week
of Super Bowl XX; kitted by the summer of 1986; playing
by September. Coached by Harry Lions in 1988, formerly of
the Manchester Allstars. Won BSL Division Two Bowl in 1999
despite only squeezing into the play-offs with a 4-3-1 record.
Changed their name to the Cheshire Romans for the 2001 season,
and then back to Chester Romans in 2002.
1999 Saw us looking in the best shape
for years, over 45 registered players and a good balance
of veterans and rookies alike, combined with a fresh coaching
structure which gave the team a new look, in fact only 19
players from the previous year return for the 99 campaign.
The opposition had better look out we mean business…….
1999 record Won 4 Lost 3 Tied 1 Play-offs 2.0
The three lost were close fought games which could have
gone either way with the Romans only losing with a combined
tally of 7 points.
The two play-off games were in complete contrast to each
other, the quarter final saw us having to take on Wolverhampton
Vipers in appalling weather conditions, the game showed
the strength and character of The Romans who came out on
top. 10-7.
The Semi-final against AP Surge was as good as advert for
the game you are likely to see, played in the true spirit
of sportsmanship the final result 29-6 to The Romans.
AND THEN THERE WAS THE FINAL……….WHEN
EACH AND EVERY ROMAN SHOWED WHY THEY ARE STILL HERE TO FIGHT
ANOTHER CAMPAIGN…
”It was finest show of stamina, true grit, played
in front of many new found Romans support, who enjoyed a
game to remember…” The Romans taking the lead
from the start, in a punishing temperature around 96 degrees
with no shade..But, NO ONE will tell you they had anything
better to do. THE FINAL SCORE 24-22 to THE ROMANS, we now
line up for 2000 season, and it looks good…….
1998 record Won 5 Lost 5
1997 record Won 3 Lost 7 this was a year of rebuilding for
The Romans.
1996 The Romans were looking good in pre-season
and with the squad returned to strength (retirement…what
retirement) you can’t give up what’s in your
blood. Key players realised there’s no place like
home. The Romans were ready for the season to begin.
The Romans swept away the opposition en route to another
Northern Divisional Championship.
In the quarterfinals we shut out Gwent Mustangs 12.0 and
were sent on the road to play Midland Champs Redditch Arrows.
An injury weakened squad of 19 Romans fought out against
a 40 man Redditch squad only to lose 7.0.
1996 record Won 8 Lost 1 Tied 1 Play-off Won 1 Lost 1
August 11th QuarterFinal Gwent Home Won 12.0 August 18th
Redditch away lost 0.7
Stats for BAFA senior league 1996 final positions
Gavin Woolgar Romans rushing 1751 yards
B. Myers Carterton 1121 yards. P. Sykes Southern 750 yards
1995 this was to be a year of complete
contrast with many changes in the personnel.
After the success of ’94 many players retired on
a high, other key members moved on to play with the Mersey…Hawks
(sorry that’s Night Hawks) but despite the record
0.10 The Romans played as always good hard-nosed football
in the spirit they have always played.
1995 record Won 0 Lost 10
1994 The Romans were at last to be crowned
Northern Divisional Champions in a season which saw us get
a 17.17 tied game against Redditch Arrows (our best result
against them to date). The Championship was clinched in
the penultimate game of the regular season away at Derbyshire
Braves, late in the fourth, tied at 6 on a fourth down inside
the Braves twenty Head Coach Simon Ferguson sent on his
field goal unit. A good snap and allowed kicker Phil Rowe
to convert for the win and the championship. The kick was
good despite clipping the left upright before going over.
In the quarterfinal play-offs The Romans took on The Gladiators
(Colchester) for the first time in 2000 years. The top two
running backs for the season were to clash for the bragging
rights with Romans Gavin Woolgar winning with 208 yards
and 2 TS’s as opposed to Stuart Bretetons 123 yards
no TD’s and 2 fumbles.
In the semi-finals The Romans blew out 36-19 to Cambridge
Cats. 21.0 down after bad first quarter The Romans fought
back but the damage was done.
1994 record Won 7 Lost 2 Tied 2 play-offs Won 1 Lost 1
1993 record Won 6 Lost 4
1992 record Won 5 Lost 5
1991 record Won 1 Lost 9
1990 record Won 4 Lost 6
1989 Entering the last week of the regular
season the Romans were tied with Preston Pirates for a top
spot in the conference with only each other to play, in
a hard fought game The Pirates won 20-18 and The Romans
were sent on the road to the play-offs.
The Redditch Arrows were to pip The Romans in OT in a game
which spectators and officials alike have described as the
most exciting game ever. The Romans trailed by two scores
going into the fourth quarter only to tie the game up with
P.A.T. in the last seconds of the game. OT proved a bridge
too far and The Romans lost to Redditch (who have been the
Roman bogie team ever since).
1989 record Won 7 Lost 2 Tied 1 * Play-offs Won 1 Lost
1
1988 The Romans start to find their feet
losing two games by a narrow margin.
1988 record. Won 3 Lost 7
1987 record. Won 1 Lost 8 Tied 1
1986 The Romans were formed in January
86 when a group of enthusiasts met on the college fields
in Handbridge, Chester to learn the basic skills of the
game. By late June there was a kitted squad of 25 who were
joined by Paul Kissling from Chicago as Head Coach.
The first fully kitted game was September 86 against Rotherham
Redskins, which The Romans won 38-25. Later that fall the
Romans played Portsmouth Warriors clinching another victory.
