Latest News
Weems takes the wheel for 2010...
6 Feb 2010
A few weeks back, Spartans returned to training on a day just made for football and a exciting future for the club as well. New Head Coach Cyrill Weems taking his first session of the 2010 season (Coach Weems can be seen taking quarter back drills with Jon Bowden & Andrew Jelley). As reported last year Coach Weems has a wealth of experience playing both at Wisconsin and the Detroit Lions before going into arena football, so this should help to make both vets and new players better players for 2010. Also at his first training session was Wes Bourke who will be looking after the Defensive backs (Coach Bourke can be seen working with his new charges).
A good turn out on the first session was proof all the closed season winter training had paid off, the club now awaits the players currently playing with the ARU Phantoms to return and get into Coach Weems's schedule.
Coaches Brendan Bride & Dean Gibson both return to coach and work along side coach Weems to gain experience and give the club the longevity it needs for future seasons to come.
Youth turn out in numbers...
6 Feb 2010
The season's training also commenced for the Spartans Youth side who after providing the seniors with some good talent have started to increase there own numbers again. Coach Dave Barham was pleased with the turn out but could still do with having more players on his roster. Coach Barham's contact details are on the web site for any prospective new comers to contact him with applications.
Junior training starts at 11:45am at our home ground, Hannakins Farm.
The 2010 Season starts now!...
13 Jan 2010
This Sunday sees the start of what promises to be THE year for the Essex Spartans.
Senior training starts at 12 noon at our home ground, Hannakins Farm.
Returning seniors require full kit. New members who have not yet bought new kit should bring a gum shield and appropriate footwear for either grass or astroturf.
Everyone involved with or wanting to be involved with the Spartans should keep an eye on the Forum as this is the first place for breaking news and friendly banter!
Regardless of the weather, Spartans train and play. See you all Sunday!
Rookie Spartans take on the weather...
04 Dec 2009
The Spartans would like to thank the 18 rookies who turned up in terrible weather conditions to try out for next years team. The standard was high and Coach's Cyrill Weems, Marc Saunders and Brendan Bride were all impressed. The trialists carried out a full warm up and were put through various scheduled disciplines by the coaches to gauge speed directional change and overall ability either with running the ball, catching the ball and duplicating coverage's. At the end of the session the trialists got to meet coach Weems at close quarters and a Q & A session took place outlining the club's hopes and targets for next year for next season.
Manager Tony Palmer said "it was great to work with such enthusiastic people with no agendas, and the guys who helped from our current squad were extremely helpful and as one of the trialists said we have been made very welcome here today". Unofficial sessions will take place up until the Christmas holidays and the entire squad will resume training in January.
More good news was announced this week when it was confirmed that Wes Bourke will be coaching the Spartans secondary for season 2010. Wes was a outstanding player with the great Tiptree Titans side and will now bring his experience to the Spartans. Wes will also be able to tap into the experience of coach Weems who played D.B. at the Detroit Lions and in Arena Football. Welcome Wes I'm sure our young men will look forward to working with you.
Finally, Kieron #55 will be off to Australia soon, and won't be back till mid January. Therefore the website will probably not get updated. Everyone involved with or wanting to be involved with the Spartans should keep an eye on the Forum as this is the first place for breaking news and friendly banter!
Tony Palmer
General Manager
Try Outs Announced...
15 Nov 2009
The Spartans will be holding player try outs on Sunday 29th November from 10am to 12 noon at their home ground Hannakins Farm. All people attending should bring a gum shield, boots or good trainers for astro turf and sweats. Changing facilities will be available. All people who have already applied to join the club will be informed by letter as promised but any other people wanting to try out please be at the ground for 09:45 for registration.
All present players if required will be informed if their attendance is required to help, as this is for new players only. If you are coming from a club already in the BAFL please could you inform us of any debt you may have with your previous club so it does not impede your transfer at a later date. We at the Spartans look forward to your attendance and the best of luck to all those attending.
Tony Palmer
General Manager
NFL Wembley 2009...
25 Oct 2009
The NFL came to Wembley again this year, and many of the Spartans were to be found around the stadium. Offensive Lineman Kieron Goymer somehow managed to blag full VIP entry and was dining with many of the celebrities and owners of NFL Franchises, including Dr. John York, co-owner of the San Francisco 49ers. This is probably as close as any of our players have come to the Vince Lombardi trophy - and closer than he got to the Tampa Bay cheerleaders!
Spartans welcome a True Legend...
12 Jul 2009
The Essex Spartans are delighted to announce the former Wisconsin Badgers star Cyrill Weems has joined the club in an advisory capacity.
Cyrill, who returned a interception 82 yards for a Touchdown in the 1996 Copper Bowl helping the Badgers under Coach Barry Alvarez to defeat the Utah Utes, also has experience in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and in Arena football before retiring in 2001.
He began his career as a scholarship Quarterback at the University of Wisconsin before converting to cornerback and starting at this position in his junior and senior years at the school. Playing in the NCAA Big Ten along with his subsequent pro experience has given Cyrill a high level of knowledge of the game and the Spartans are extremely proud that he has chosen to impart this knowledge to both the coaching and playing staff.
Essex Head Coach Dean Gibson said “We are thrilled to have Cyrill join the Spartans as he has experience of playing both sides of the ball at a very high level. I am very much looking forward to Cyrill working with myself and the rest of the coaching staff to help the team continue to improve as part of our rebuilding programme. It is very rare for players of Cyrill’s calibre to be available as a resource to teams in the UK and we intend to make the most of his experience and knowledge”.
“ Cyrill becoming part of the Spartans set up is a massive boost to the club” commented Spartans GM Tony Palmer. “Our training session today was the best we have had in a long time. The players are all very eager to learn from Cyrill and the Coaching staff are all delighted that he has joined us. Along with Cyrill’s signing we are currently developing a multifaceted off season programme designed to ensure the Spartans are a force in the division in 2010”.
Any players wishing to join the Spartans are welcome to contact GM Tony Palmer by Clicking Here.
Calling all Spartans! 2009 starts now...
06 Jan 2009
The Essex Spartans are happy to announce that Senior training sessions will start on 25th January at Hannakins Farm, Billericay.
The sessions will commence at 12 noon until 2pm and for the first time, we will start as we mean to go on, training on the astroturf.
The poor weather has caused delays with the soccer fixtures on the astroturf, so the Spartans have had to wait a little longer to re-start this year but we would rather that, than start our new season swimming in the mud!
People wanting to learn the game and players who have not suited up for a while are very welcome to attend as well as the current squad and anyone looking for a new challenge.
Training is where a winning season starts....see you on the 25th
Juniors Return to Training
29 Oct 2008
The Essex Spartans Junior team resume training at Gloucester Park, Basildon from Sunday 2nd November; 11am - 1pm.
New players (age 13 upwards) are always made very welcome - please call Head Coach Dave Barham on 01268 793260 for further information.
2008 Awards Night - Results
23 Oct 2008
On Friday the 17th October the Essex Spartans held their annual end of season presentation, this was at The Holiday Inn at
Basildon's Festival Leisure Park. A good turn out promised a great evening for every one.
Winners of the trophies for offensive player of the year and defensive player of the year were Gary Cohen on offence and Shulba Hunt on defence.
The special teams trophy went to Craig Willis. The much sought after lineman trophies went to Shulba on defence and Greg Simpson on offence.
Best newcomer to the team was Luke Whitney with most improved player going to Dan Baker, clubman of the year went to the ever present Chris Hunt.
Coaches awards went to Assistant Head Coach Duncan Leslie and Head Coach to Dave Barham. Coaches also honoured were Craig Brittney (D/Backs),
Marc Saunders (Linebackers) and Alistair Beaton (Offensive Co-ordinator). An award also went to Andrew 'Chip' Chipperfield our excellent stats man.
MVP awards were also presented - a list of these will follow shortly. The overall MVP of the season was Gary Cohen who due to work commitments
could not make it.
A signed football and a framed picture were also presented to Coach Barham for his work over the last 2 seasons. The team also presented
Tony Palmer the General Manager with a framed hand crafted portrait of a Spartan player with a Spartan logo which was signed by coaches and
players.
A raffle was held which raised a good sum of money and a San Diego Chargers throw back helmet was auctioned which raised £ 160 for the club.
A good night was had by all and the team now looks forward to the 2009 season.
2008 Awards Night
19 Sep 2008
The 2008 Awards Presentation Night will be held on Friday the 17th of October at the Holiday Inn Basildon.
Players, fans, friends and family will be eager to see the crowning of the Most Valuable Player of 2008 - the biggest award of the night.
Tickets will cost £ 10 which includes a buffet. There will also be a raffle, fully licensed bar and music late into the evening.
Players will be sent a ticket order form during w/c 6th October which will also give them a chance to vote for their players player of the year
(offense, defense and special teams).
If previous years are anything to go by then this will be a great fun, family night out and a good turnout is encouraged! So, put the date in
your diary and start thinking about who your MVPs are!
Spartans Say Thanks To Top Fan
01 Sep 2008
Top Spartans fan Frank Wood was presented with his very own game shirt before the last game of the season as a gesture of thanks for the
many years of support he and his wife Audrey have given to the club.
Cheers Frank and see you again next season!
Spartans Launch New Range Of Team Merchandise
19 May 2008
The Spartans have teamed up with game shirt suppier Rhino Sports to offer official Essex Spartans branded merchandise.
The range includes replica game shirts, team polo shirts and hats and can be found in the Shop.
Spartans Twinned With Indians
08 May 2008
The Essex Spartans are pleased to announce that they have just been twinned with Billerica Memorial High School
in Billerica, Massachusetts.
The Spartans home town of Billericay in Essex has been twinned with Billerica for the last 10 years. The local twinning society thought
it would be good, as part of the twinning of the 2 towns, to have the 2 football organisations linked too. For more information visit their
website.
Memorial High go by the name of the Indians and play in a uniform similar to the Green Bay Packers. On a recent visit Manager Tony Palmer
met people from the Billerica society and exchanged game shirts and gave a family Spartans t-shirts. The Indians provided game tape from the
schools athletic director and Coach Peter Flynn who looks forward to exchanging tapes and cementing relationships between the 2 programmes.
Tony Palmer said:
"Hopefully this will provide us with access to players and coaches that can help move the club in the right direction in future years. I'm sure
Coach Barham will be looking forward to meeting his American counterpart, and the people of Billerica said they look forward to meeting and
making the Spartans players welcome on visits to the States."
