Coventry Cassidy Jets complete remarkable turn around.

Posted in: Coventry Cassidy Jets, BAFL Premier    By Pete Evans May 29, 2008 - 11:42:38 AM

In last weekends re-match of 2007’s Britbowl game the Coventry Cassidy Jets came away with a resounding 41-15 victory over the defending champions London Blitz. The result marked a staggering four year turn around that has seen the Jets climb from worst to first, with 35 wins in their last 37 games, in one of the greatest stories in American football’s 25 year UK history.

First step on the road to the top – Jaguars at Oxford Saints.

Back on July 23^rd, 2004 the Coventry Jaguars American Football team limped off the field having been wiped away by the South Wales Warriors, finishing the season with 8 loses in 8 games. By the following June the team (re-named as the Cassidy Coventry Jets) were transformed into a Championship winning organisation with the help of new signings, a dedicated coaching and administrative staff and the support of the Cassidy Group.

The 2005 season ended with a perfect 13-0 record and promotion from Division 2 into Division 1A. And the wins kept on coming in 2006 as the Jets again went undefeated to gain promotion to the top flight of British American Football with a 12-0 record. In 2007 the Jets entered Europe for the first time ending the season ranked 16^th on the Continent and came within a whisker of being crowned National Champions with a narrow 14-6 defeat in the Britbowl final at the hands of the London Blitz.

2008 has already seen the Jets crack Europe’s top 10 with thrilling Eurobowl wins over Valencia and Oslo before a quarter final loss at the hands of the Swarco Tirol Raiders. Beginning the domestic campaign ranked number 2 in the UK, the Jets despatched local rivals the Birmingham Bulls 67-0 before ripping into the Blitz this weekend recording a famous 41-15 win and snatching the mantle of the number 1 team in the country. The Jets now sit on top of the table and aim to stay there…

The future’s bright. Patric Cassidy with the Jets Youth Flag players.

Patric Cassidy, Director of the Cassidy Group said: “What a story this has been. A few years ago we took a punt on sponsoring some local Coventry kids who had a dream to dominate UK Gridiron. Their passion and skills have rewarded our investment and I take my hat off to Gerry McManus [Jets Head Coach] and the boys – we’re very proud of them. Patric’s brother, and fellow Cassidy Group director, James Cassidy added: “We’re delighted with their progress and have agreed a new 3-year deal to take the Jets forward into 2011. They certainly deserve it!”

In other Coventry Cassidy Jets news Dominic Olney was named British American Football League ‘Player of the Week’ becoming the first Coventry born player to take that title. ‘Dom’ was instrumental in the home victory over London, his 95 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown smashed the previous British record, which had stood at 80 yards for 13 years. The speedy wide receiver turned cornerback also broke up 4 passes and ended a promising Blitz drive with his fourth interception of the season. Olney’s 6 solo tackles also led the team.

Next up for the Jets is a trip to Hamilton where they’ll meet the East Kilbride Pirates for their first road game. The Pirates got their season underway this weekend with a 35-8 victory over the Gateshead Senators and will be eager to defeat the Jets for the first time after 3 straight losses. The Coventry Cassidy Jets will be approaching full strength however with the return to training of star wideout James Hossack.

Photos courtesy of Coventry Cassidy Jets

 

 

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