Warriors Looking To Conquer Northern Europe

Britain’s top football programme is getting the chance to test itself against some of the best teams in Northern Europe. Due to divisions in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), leading to the different factions flexing their organisational muscles, the London Warriors will have the opportunity to lock horns with The Copenhagen Towers, Carlstad Crusaders, Uppsala 86ers and Helsinki Roosters in the Northern European Football League. In the western group, the Warriors will be opening their campaign at home against Denmark’s Copenhagen on April 22, followed by a road trip to Sweden to play seven time national champions Carlstad on May 6. In the eastern group, the two Finish teams will be going head to head. The group winners will meet in the NEFL final over the weekend of May 20-21.

The competition presents the team with a great opportunity. “We are looking forward to testing out metal at the European level, it's hopefully the next step in the evolution of our programme” stated acting offensive co-ordinator Marvin Allen. London are looking to utilise the tournament to raise their profile and that of the sport, in both Britain and wider Europe. To enhance the gameday experience the match will be played at the New River Stadium on White Hart Lane. The competition will run alongside the early stages of the BAFA senior season, so the team will need to utilise their strength in depth as they battle on two fronts. I spoke to some key members of the team to see how preparations are going.

Veteran Lineman Kevin Keohane has been playing football for eighteen years, and at 6’4” and 300 pounds he provides the cornerstone for the Warriors offensive line. Starting out at the London Blitz in 1999, he then spent time with the Farnham Knights before moving to the Warriors in 2012, and he hasn’t looked back since. Having won four championships with the team, he also enjoys representing his country as part of the GB Lions, and feels that experience will serve him well in the upcoming games. “I am looking forward to competing against the best that Scandinavia have to offer. These games are going to test us as a team but the coaching staff are going to prepare us physically and mentally to put us in a position to win. Plus, with players experienced in international competition such as myself, Jerome Allen, Dwayne Watson, Victor Bamigboye, Ariel Mofondo and Josh Amis leading the team, I expect us to turn a few heads around Europe." Kevin has already played against elite European opposition. He was with the team when they ventured to Austria to play the Swarco Raiders as part of the “Battle for the Tyrol” in 2015.

For some of the squad though, this will be their first time going up against something other than domestic club opposition. Ball hawking free safety and kick returner Josh Amis, is relishing the prospect. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to compete at the next level, and against some of the top teams in Europe. This will be a new challenge for us as a team, but the players are all really motivated, with the intensity and competition in training having stepped up over the past few months. I’m confident we can do well in the competition and will no doubt showcase the talent that we have in this country!” With the news coming through that Helsinki have signed one of the top import quarterbacks playing in Europe, in the shape of Brandon Connette, Amis and his defensive colleagues will certainly be tested should they get to play the Roosters.

The strength of the Warriors programme isn’t only evident on the field, the quality of their coaching staff is beyond question. I spoke with defensive co-ordinator Jeff Brown to get a coaches perspective on the challenges ahead. Having played in the NFL Europe structure between 2004 and 2007 as a defensive back for the Frankfurt Galaxy, he wanted to give back to the sport that he loves, so he joined the evolving Warriors organisation. Having started playing whilst at university in Leicester, he was recruited directly into the pro ranks, so is more aware than most of what it takes to play at a higher level. For him, it offers the opportunity to further develop the programme, and that’s the most important aspect that this new tournament provides. “We are very excited about being a part of the NEFL competition. Everyone at the Warriors has been working hard to prepare for the European games ahead, as well as what will be a difficult domestic season. The teams in the NEFL that we are going to face all have strong programmes with winning pedigrees, and we look forward to testing ourselves against such teams.”

The first round of games have just been played. Carlstad got the better of Copenhagen 25-8, and Helsinki out gunned Uppsala 41-27, so now the spotlight will be on London, as the Warriors take on the Towers. The game will be held on April 22nd at the New River Stadium on White Hart Lane, set your sat nav for N22 5QW. Kick-off is at 3pm. It promises to be an excellent game, so let’s get behind our national champions as they look to do themselves and Britain proud.

Photos taken by Kyle Hemsley