Welcome to the home of the Bangor MudDogs American Football Club. The MudDogs are a member team of the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL), in the new Northern Division. They are heading into their second season in the league, after a disapointing rookie season last year. Whilst still a relatively small squad they have quickly earnt a reputation as a team that never gives up & always enjoys playing, no matter the result. Which has made them everyones favourite underdogs. Check back for regular updates from the MudDogs!
Latest NewsFirst of all, we would like to apoligise for the lack of updates to this site over the past year. While the results of the past year haven't gone our way, things have improved, with only one blow out result, and many others not truely reflecting how the matches went.
Although the season is now over, the last couple of weeks have still been busy for the MudDogs. It started with the annual Athletic Union awards here in Bangor, where Club President Andrew Briscoe was awarded full colours, and final year Left Tackle Charles Holden was awarded Half Colours. The highlight of the evening however was when the MudDogs were awarded the Athletic Unions Varsity Team of the year. This followed the impressive performance by a smaller strength squad in this years Varsity match which was in Aberystwyth, where the MudDogs lost when Tarannau broke a 14-14 deadlock by squeezing in a score with roughly 30 seconds left on the clock, winning the match 22-14.
Last Friday saw the clubs AGM & awards evening. The new committee was elected then. Next years president will be line captain & this years freshers rep, Stephen Cook. The new secretary will be long time player James Slack & the treasurer is DB Jamie Dixon. While the new Social Secretary is another DB, Max Duffin. Finally this years awards were given out. Rookie of the year went to Quarterback Ben Archer. Most Improved Player of the Year went to rookie lineman Greg Keefe. Most Valuable Player for the Offense went to Charles Holden as he picked up his second award this year, while the MVP on defense went to defensive back Dominic Howard. Most Valuable Player of the Year went to Tight end and Defensive End Peter Williams.
Merchandise - 2/12/2010We are proud to unviel our new Merchandise range! Need something to help keep warm for the very cold winter months? Or are you life? Then look no further than the official MudDogs merchandise shop! & more designs on the way, we have all your Green & Gold needs!
Yesterday saw a disappointing loss to rivals Aberystwyth. However it was a huge step forward for the 'Dogs, reducing a 72 point loss in the two teams last meeting to just 16, as well as seeing their first ever score, a pass from Rookie QB Ben Archer to WR Kieran Clark. The game saw a lot of improvements, with several errors that can be worked on before the next game two weeks time in the Steel City against the Sabres! A full match report will follow shortly.
The clocks have gone back, the nights are drawing in and the biggest season of football is about to get underway.
Week 1 of the BUAFL season sees some cracking match ups as teams look to start the season with a win to build momentum towards achieving a play off berth in February.
In the Border Conference the Spartans will be hoping that thrashings from Geordies is confined solely to the confines of the soccer pitch whilst the Edinburgh Napier Knights will be looking to be the first team to beat the Tigers in over a year of regular season football.
The Northern Conference sees a mouthwatering clash between the Leeds Celtics and the Sheffield Sabres and whilst it is too early to make definitive predictions on which teams will be hoisting silverware aloft at the end of the season, the outcome of that game could go a long way to determing Conference champions. At the same time, the MudDogs from the Northern Conference will take on Tarannau from the South Western Atlantic Conference in a spicy Welsh derby.
In the MAC the bragging rights for Leicestershire are up for grabs as the Longhorns look to punch a hole in the hull of Loughboroughs Fast Boats and in the SWAC new boys the Bath Spa Bulldogs will be tested by the fast developing Demons team from Exeter.
In the Thames Valley and South Eastern Conferences there is an all new league affair as the Regents travel to the Burners whilst old hand Phil De Monte will take his Panthers to Royal Holloway to tangle with the Bears.
Before all of that, the back to back undefeated champion Birmingham Lions will host Carnegie in the biggest game in British student sport - xpLosION.
This weekend sees the start of the new BUAFL season. On Saturday 6th November the season will kick off in style with the Birmingham Lions anual season opener xplisION against MudDogs rivals Leeds Carnegie. However the real action starts the next day when Bangor takes on old rivals Aberystwyth. Last season saw the MudDogs fall to two humiliating defeats as they failed to compete with the more expericnced Aberystwyth team. However the 'Dogs have come back this year, stronger & more experienced than ever before!
With over twenty returning players, some of which represented Senior Teams over the summer, & a strong coaching staff, there has been a strong recruitment drive over the last couple of months. With plenty of new recruits, the MudDogs have gotten stuck in, with all the rookies impressing the coaches & fighting for starting positions with the returners.
As well as new players & coaches, the MudDogs will also be sporting a new kit for 2010. It's been chosen to tie in with the Universities colours, and will serve as the away strip for the MudDogs in future years when they return to their Green & Gold.
Kick off is 1pm at Treborth Playing Fields, directions to which can be found here, alternatively bus routes & time tables can be found here, with the 44a leaving Bangor town centre getting to the Bridge at 12.17 giving you enough time to get down to the pitch & settle down before kick off. Can spectators please note they will not be allowed into the team area, or within 12 feet of the pitch this year. This isn't to spoil your view of the game, but is for health & Safety reasons.
The BUAFL will operate a six conference structure from this coming season with each conference having a unique name and brand.
The brands for the conferences are currently being finalised and will be launched shortly, coinciding with an update of the competitions section of the League website.
The conferences will form the bedrock of the competitive structure for future years, with the piot Flag competition operating on a conference basis.
The League is also committed to working to strengthen localised development through the conference structures.
When launched, copies of the logos will be available for teams to use on their publicity materials.
A lot of work has been put in behind the scenes over the summer months. The new president Andy Briscoe, whilst not playing for the Chester, has streamlined the club, slimming down the committee to just five people, the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Secretary & Fresher’s Representative. For details on these click here.
The Coaching staff has also received a lot of attention. Barry Jones has taken over the reins as Head Coach, while Neil Harrold has become the new General Manager, helping the president in the running of the club, while also staying on as an assistant coach. Kelvin Whithers has become the Offensive Coordinator, & Coach Jones has also recruited a number of coaches from the Chester Romans, including Simon Wainright as Defensive Coordinator. For more details click here.
There has also been lots of recruiting going on the last week. Lots of effort has been put in by far too many people to mention here, but you know who you are, & we couldn't run the club without all your efforts. At Serendipity well over a hundred people signed up, & both rookies days had an impressive turnout, despite the weather on Thursday. If you want to get involved with the club, but couldn't make it to either Rookie Day, don't worry. Just turn up to training, and the coaching staff will be more than happy to get you involved.
Training this year takes place on Wednesdays, 8.30 to 10 pm on the Astroturf at Maes Glas, the grass pitches next to the astro on Saturdays from 10am-1pm, & from 10-12pm (pick up at 9.30am from Ffridd Security) at Treborth Playing Fields on Sundays. For more details click here.
Finally our schedule for 2010/2011 is below.
November 7th - Tarannau Aberystwyth - Home
November 21st - Sheffield Sabres - Away
November 28th - Lancaster Bombers - Away
December 5th - Leeds Carnegie - Away
December 12th - Manchester Tyrants - Home
February 13th - York Centurions - Home
February 20th - Liverpool Fury - Away
February 27th - Huddersfield Hawks - Home