The driving force behind the plaque was Pete O'Flanagan, his wife Shirley, and British American Football historian Kevin Jefferson (Image: Studio Williams/BAFA)
The driving force behind the plaque was Pete O'Flanagan, his wife Shirley, and British American Football historian Kevin Jefferson (Image: Studio Williams/BAFA)
A LANDMARK moment 'which changed the course of sporting history in Britain' has been commemorated 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.
And yesterday, October 3, a brass plaque honouring the historic occasion was unveiled at Northwich Cricket Club - the nearest building to the field where that first match took place.
The unveiling was the culmination of a 10-year dream for Warrington couple Shirley and Pete O'Flanagan - who played for the Spartans that day - and British American Football historian Kevin Jefferson.
Pete, 70, of Bruche, said: "The plaque is stunning. This moment is the end of a long dream.
The plaque in place on the wall of Northwich Cricket Club
The plaque in place on the wall of Northwich Cricket Club (Image: Studio Williams/BAFA)
"It means so much just knowing how much everyone appreciates this. It looks good and represents who we are and what we were.
"[The early years of the Northwich, and later Manchester Spartans] were our glory days. Now everyone coming here will know what happened that day for years to come."
The camaraderie was evident as players who featured in that first game, fans, and coaches travelled to Northwich to witness the unveiling.
Guests included coach Keith Jones, a retired US armed forces colonel; Giovanni Rossato, who scored the first points for the Ravens in the game; and the family of Spartans founder Bernie McDerra.
Players in the original game, fans, and family members gathered to witness the occasion
Players in the original game, fans, and family members gathered to witness the occasion (Image: Studio Williams/BAFA)
Pete added: "The day has been fantastic. Meeting up with everyone has brought back such good memories.
"And the fact they have come all these distances to enjoy the day with us, it's very special."
The majority of the funding for the plaque came from the British American Football Association (BAFA), with Pete, Shirley, and Kevin self-funding the remainder.
Kevin said: "[This plaque] honours a moment which changed the course of sporting history in Britain.
A Northwich/Manchester Spartans American Football helmet
A Spartans helmet was among the memorabilia on show (Image: Studio Williams/BAFA)
"What began as an ambitious idea, fuelled by courage, determination and an enduring love of the game, became the foundation upon which British American Football was built.
"This commemorative plaque, will stand as a permanent tribute to those pioneers - players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and supporters - whose vision and commitment transformed a dream into reality.
"In unveiling this plaque, we do more than commemorate a game.
"We celebrate the birth of a sport, honour the pioneers who made it possible, and ensure their remarkable contribution will be remembered by generations to come."
American Football memorabilia at the unveiling
American Football memorabilia at the unveiling (Image: Studio Williams/BAFA)
Shirley thanked all those who helped realise the plaque dream, including Paul Cornick of the Northwich & District Heritage Society, Dr Steve Arnold of Radio Circle, and Ian Grassby, the chairman of Northwich Cricket Club.
She added: "It is a momentous day to be celebrated and remembered long after it is over.
"Those first players were 'pioneers' of the sport in Britain, even if at the time they didn't quite grasp the significance of the day."