| Greenwich Mariners | 1.000% |
|---|---|
| Hertfordshire Hurricanes | 0.750% |
| UEA Pirates | 0.375% |
| Kent Falcons | 0.375% |
| Essex Blades | 0.375% |
| Anglia Ruskin Phantoms | 0.375% |
| Canterbury Chargers | 0.125% |
| 2010/2011 |
|---|
| Pre-Season |
The History of the Essex Blades
In 1998 it had looked like Andrew Laing, long time player/coach from Norwich was going to move to Essex for a new job. He mentioned to some people that he had a plan to start a BCAFL team at the University of Essex (this was a bit of a strange thing to say, as he had never even visited Essex University). About the only part of this plan Andy seemed to have clear was the team would be called "The Tempests" because he knew where he could borrow some shirts with that name on them. The job fell through, and Andy chose to stay in Norwich for another year.
In September 1999 Rob Seal did leave Norwich and began studying at Essex. Rob had heard rumours that Andy was trying to start a team, so contacted the UEA Pirates trying to get in touch with him. Andy, forgot to reply to Rob's email and the whole idea seemed to have lost any momentum.
In April 2000 Andy's wife did get a job in Essex, and he persuaded her to move to Chelmsford, because he thought that was where Essex University was (true!). Andy then discovered that Essex University was in Colchester and again the idea seemed to lose momentum.
November 2000 and Martin Boffey (UEA 1998-2001, Blades 2001-2003) comes to visit Andy and mentions off hand the old plan to start a team at Essex. Andy suddenly (and for no apparent reason) kicked into action. He printed some quick posters up and he and Martin went to the campus and put them up. A week passed and then some phone calls and emails began to come in from prospective players (For the record Ado Cooper was first, with Rob Seal not far behind). Andy agreed to meet Ado a week later and a second round of posters went up announcing an un-official practice.
10 guys turned up for the first practice, the only equipment was two balls, and there was no kit. After the practice, a team meeting was held and a committee was elected (Rob Seal was elected president, Ado Cooper Secretary, Simon Wesley treasurer and Darren Over Social Secretary). Also the team name was chosen and "The Blades" was created. The ten guys also agreed to play a "friendly" against UEA set for Dec 2000 (just three weeks on).
