FOR NIGHTHAWKS, READ “PHOENIX”
Three years ago, the Merseyside Nighthawks were in disarray. Playing staff numbers were low, morale rock bottom after a 0-10 season which almost was the end of the road for the club that was the first American Football club founded on Merseyside. However the spirit to play BAFL football remained strong and rising from the ashes of that dismal 2005 season, and on the back of the reorganisation of the BAFL, the Nighthawks improved, and in 2008, they had risen to win their first conference championship in 16 years, with an 8-2 regular season record. Defeat by Tamworth Phoenix followed in the Play offs, but even to reach the play offs was a major achievement for Head Coach Charlie Holland’s team. Provided they can hold onto players like QB Tim Parr, the Nighthawks should continue their rise from the ashes next season and the possibility of contesting the 2009 BAFL Division 2 bowl, and perhaps promotion to Division One, no longer looks a distant dream, but a definite possibility.
