The Bedfordshire Blue Raiders are proud
to announce the signing of former Kent Exiles Head Coach Craig Ramsay as
Defensive Co-ordinator and Minor League Hall of Fame Member Bob Shaw as
Offensive Line Coach.
Coach Ramsay was a founder member of the East Coast Leopards in 1985 and a Britbowl winner in 1990 as a player with
the Ipswich Cardinals. He had an impressive and successful coaching
history with the Norwich Devils before moving on to be Head Coach at the Exiles
in 2007.
"I'm excited by the new challenges that
being in charge of a defense with a team entering it's first year in the
BAFL will bring.” Said Coach Ramsay, "I'm looking forward to working with
new players, both rookies and experienced, as well as facing teams I've not
coached against before."
Coach Shaw joins the Blue Raiders after a season coaching
the Cornish Sharks. In the past he has coached with the Peterborough Saxons,
Cambridgeshire Cats, London Mets and Team England. He was voted into the Minor
League Hall of Fame in 2005 and has been an assistant coach with the RAF
Alconbury Spartans DODDS High School football team for eight years.
Blue Raider Head Coach Wallis said,
"We have ambitious plans for our coaching structure this year, and
attracting people like Coach Ramsay and Coach Shaw is crucial for those
plans. They aren't just good coaches, but they are good people as well,
and that's why people will play for them.
I first met Coach Ramsay in 2005
when I coached against him, and knew from that point I wanted to
work with him one day. As soon as I knew he was living in the area and
available I wanted him on the team in some capacity as soon as possible.
I've worked with Coach Shaw for a
number of years in the past, and he's one of the nicest people I've ever met.
He always produces quality offensive lines and I'm looking forward to seeing
him work with our young lineman. I know a number of teams approached him and
I'm flattered that he chose the Blue Raiders."
The Blue Raiders continue to practice
every Sunday at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane,
Bedford and new players are always welcome to join the team at any time. So
anybody interested in joining the Blue Raiders, or any aspect of American
Football in the UK, should contact Head Coach Chris Wallis on 01954 231355
or via email at headcoach@bedfordshireblueraiders.co.uk