Bid to set up new American football team in Morecambe and Lancaster

A group of gridiron enthusiasts are hoping to start an American football club in the Morecambe Bay area.
The NFL coming to London has seen the popularity of the sport surge in the UK.The NFL coming to London has seen the popularity of the sport surge in the UK.
The NFL coming to London has seen the popularity of the sport surge in the UK.

The Morecambe Bay Storm, as the team will be known, will be based in the Morecambe and Lancaster area to meet the increased demand for one of the UK’s fastest growing sports.

The surge in popularity is due in part to the investment by the American National Football League (NFL) who schedule regular season games at the new Wembley Stadium each year.

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The sport has never fully lost a foothold in the area where Coach ‘Scud’ Fairhurst has been involved for nearly 30 years, playing for and coaching the areas previous team the Lancaster Bombers and latterly the university’s collegiate team who were formed from the former city club.

Morecambe Bay Storm.Morecambe Bay Storm.
Morecambe Bay Storm.

There has however not been a team open to non-university students for 25 years since the Bombers moved to the Bailrigg campus in 1991.

A meeting to discuss the formation of the new team is being held at the Vale of Lune Rugby Club on Wednesday, January 20 at 7pm.

Coach Fairhurst is hoping a wide range of people will come down with the option to set up men’s, women’s, junior and non-contact teams ahead of potential entry into a league structure in 2017.

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He said: “There are now more than 200 UK teams competing across a wide range of levels from non-contact flag for 12 years and above to contact for 14 years and older irrespective of gender.

Morecambe Bay Storm.Morecambe Bay Storm.
Morecambe Bay Storm.

“With the biggest event on the gridiron fans’ calendar Superbowl 50 being held in California on February 7 we are hoping this will introduce even more people to our sport.

“Even if you don’t want to play we will need people with a broad range of skills to help run the club so please if you are a fan of the game come down and show your support.”

For more information on the club email [email protected], visit www.morecambebaystorm.com, follow @TheStorm2016 on Twitter or search Morecambe Bay Storm on Facebook.