The Northwich Spartans, in red and white, took on the London Ravens, in black and gold (Image: Jed Bradshaw)
The Northwich Spartans, in red and white, took on the London Ravens, in black and gold (Image: Jed Bradshaw)
A LANDMARK moment in the history of American Football in the UK is set to be recognised in Northwich.
Back on October 2, 1983, the town hosted the first match between two British American Football teams as the Northwich Spartans took on the London Ravens.
That first game, played at the Moss Farm Leisure Complex, gave rise to dozens of teams across the country playing the sport by the end of the decade.
Pete O'Flanagan - who played for the Spartans that day - his wife Shirley, and British American Football historian Kevin Jefferson have been campaigning to commemorate the momentous occasion.
Now they have secured a brass plaque which will be installed on Saturday, October 3, at Northwich Cricket Club - the nearest building to the field where that first game took place.
Shirley, of Bruche in Warrington, said: "To say the three of us are very excited about the plaque being unveiled is quite an understatement.
"The history and heritage of the game of American Football between British teams all leads back to this 'first game' in Northwich.
The plaque commemorating the historic game
The plaque commemorating the historic game (Image: Kevin Jefferson)
"It involved many ex-rugby players from both Northwich and Warrington trying to learn a 'new' sport and have fun.
"And my, how the sport has grown. It has been our privilege to be instrumental in bringing this commemorative plaque to fruition, and we thank everyone who has helped us to achieve our goal."
An unveiling ceremony for members of the public, as well as past players and other interested parties, will take place at 2.30pm.
Guests are encouraged to wear any original playing or supporters shirts at the event, or alternatively team colours of red, black, and white for the Spartans, or black and gold for the Ravens.
The Northwich Spartans
The Northwich Spartans (Image: Jed Bradshaw)
The event will also include a gathering in the cricket club’s bar, where there will be a slideshow of images taken on the historic day.
Pete, a former Spartans player, previously told the Guardian: "I don’t think we realised at the time we were part of something historic, that was going to become revolutionary.
"There were only two teams in the country at the time, we didn’t realise it was going to morph into something massive.
Pete O'Flanagan
Pete with his 1986/87 GB Lions jersey (Image: Pete O'Flanagan)
"For us, it was like we’d learned this new sport and we were fortunate to be playing it.
"At the end of the day there were up to 132 teams in the country with kit in the late 1980s.
"Virtually every town and city had a team, and we were the first two that kicked it all off."
The Northwich Spartans
The Northwich Spartans (Image: Joe Carroll)