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Sponsorship
Having sponsored the youth team last year Fast Lane is now the major sponsor of this local American football club for 2008-2009.
The Fast Lane Farnham Knights
 www.farnhamknights.com
Knights Sign New Deal And National Treasure.
14/05/08
Aldershot’s very own Premiership American Football Team is looking forward to the start of the new season with a new name, new shirts and several top rated new players.
The team, whose first home game at Aldershot’s Army Rugby Stadium is on Sunday 15th June at 2.30pm, are celebrating signing a major new sponsorship deal with local company Fast Lane. Having sponsored the youth team last year Fast Lane will become the major sponsor of the club for 2008-2009, which will now be known as the Farnham Fast Lane Knights.
The Knights had a highly successful year in 2007, with both the Senior and Youth teams reaching the finals in Sheffield and the Seniors winning the Division One national title and being promoted to the Premier division.
“I’m delighted to support this local club” said Peter Olive, Managing Director of Fast Lane “they made enormous progress last year and 2008 promises to be even more successful. We are proud to be associated with the Knights.”
The Knights are also welcoming many new players to the club including the British American Football League’s current MVP (Most Valuable Player), Quarterback Tim Spaull. Tim’s arrival at the club coincided with two of his team mates returning to play for the Knights after a short break, Liam and Luke Smith.
Head Coach of the Knights Ian Ellis said “picking up last years league MVP is a coup for the knights and Tim has proven to be a key member of our team in the pre season. The additional players we have welcomed to the club
will ulimately help lift the team back to being one of British footballs elite programs'
The Knights have also seen Junior Price, Clive Palumbo, Rolan Williams and Andy Boyle transfer from the legendary London Olympians as well as players from Sussex, Plymouth, Hull and Reading. They have also signed six new players from local rugby and athletics clubs.
Paul Stubbs who recently joined the team said “The Knights offer a great opportunity for players who want to improve and work hard, they offer high quality coaching and the chance to be part of an awesome unit of guys who fight hard for what they achieve.”
Entrance to Knights games is free and everyone is welcome to come along.
The Farnham Knights start the year in the Fast Lane
25/02/08
Fast Lane, a consulting and training company, has entered into a two year deal to sponsor the Farnham Knights American Football team.
Having sponsored the youth team last year Fast Lane will become the major sponsor of the club for 2008-2009, which will now be known as the Farnham Fast Lane Knights.
The Knights had a highly successful year in 2007, with both the Senior and Youth teams reaching the finals in Sheffield and the Seniors winning and being promoted to the Premier division.
“I’m delighted to support this local club” said Peter Olive, Managing Director of Fast Lane “they made enormous progress last year and 2008 promises to be even more successful. We are proud to be associated with the Knights”
The Knights will be playing in a new look kit to emphasise the new sponsorship.
“The link up with Fast Lane is important to us in our quest to become National champions at both Senior and Youth level in the same year, a feat not achieved before” commented David Maskell, Chairman of the Farnham Fast Lane Knights. “The fact that we have signed up on a two-year deal gives us the confidence to move forward together.”
The Farnham Fast Lane Knights play their first home game at the Aldershot rugby stadium on 15th June against Coventry Cassidy Jets. Their first game of the season is being played away to London Olympians at Crystal Palace Athletics Stadium on 11th May.
Perfect! - The Knights go clear to the Championship!
Farnham Knights 47-7 Ipswich Cardinals
The last time the Knights had a perfect season was in 2000 - back then they went undefeated through the regular season and then defeated the Ipswich Cardinals in the Championship game at Don Valley Stadium by 41-7. They say lightening doesn't strike twice but the only difference this time was that the Knights scored 6 more points to become BAFL Division 1 National Champions with a season perfect 12-0 record.
The Knights were considered to be favourites as they had beaten the Cardinals twice in the regular season. Doubt however was cast on that after the Ipswich side signed a new American standout receiver just before the play offs began. The addition of 6'6" Mike Weber had pundits predicting a Knights downfall in the Championship game.
The Knights started with the ball and drove confidently into Cardinal territory , however the Cardinal Defense forced a fumble at their own 25yd line and the Ipswich side had the ball for the first time.
The Knights Defense took the field, the Knights D had a great season and yet appeared to be under estimated by many of the so called expert commentators - the next 60 minutes of play was to go down as firm evidence that this unit are every bit as valuable to the Knights as their record breaking Offense. Amani Naea and Owen Thomas got in early on the tackle stats as the Knights sent the Cardinals 3 and out. The Ipswich punter kicked the ball directly out of bounds to deny Jon Wyse the opportunity to return the ball - but the Cardinals short kick was to be a feature of the game that consistently gave the Knights good field position.
The Knights then embarked upon an 11 play drive that saw QB Ashley Heath hit Jon Wyse twice for quick gains interspersed by some strong running from Kingsley Ejiogu. The Cardinals Defense stiffened again however and the Knights settled for Steve Belchers 29yd Field Goal to put them 3-0 in the lead.
The Cardinals next drive saw them stopped again in 3 attempts and a fourth down kick, again out of bounds, gave the Knights the ball back in good field position. Stuart Timms who started his career with the Wight Rhinos before moving to the Knights (with Head Coach Steve Rains) back in the 80's featured heavily in stopping the drive - the former Knights standout from from the early days was playing in his first ever British Bowl game having been out of the country in the USA for some time. His timely return to the Knights fold saw him record a game high 17 tackles.
It took the Knights just 5 plays to move the ball into the Cardinals endzone with the versatile Jon Wyse sprinting in from 11yards out on a misdirection play. Steve Belcher kicked the extra point and the Knights lead 10-0.
The Cardinals Offense then got some success as they moved the ball deep into Knights territory to the 3yd line. But disaster struck for them in the form of the Knights big #15 Andy Crowther, on this way to a stunning 4 Sack performance, Crowther sacked the Cardinal QB and in the process knocked the ball loose. Linebacker Owen Thomas attempted to scoop the ball up but couldn't quite manage it, in the process however he knocked the ball clear of the pile and fellow Linebacker Moses Tomas picked it up and ran 50yards down the length of the field to record the Knights second TD of the day. Steve Belchers PAT kick missed narrowly left and the Knights lead 16-0.
The Knights Defense was immediately back in action with linebackers Timms, Tomas and Naea all competing for tackling stats the result was another 3 and out and a short punt to give the Knights another posession.
Two incompletions however saw the Knights forced to punt (something they had only done 5 times previously in the season) - the Cardinals however only managed a 4 play drive before another short punt out of bounds to avoid the Superman return ability of Jon Wyse and his blockers.
QB Ashley Heath engineered a promising drive to the Cardinal 30yd line hitting leading receiver Ally Reid on two key receptions. Unfortunately however a second Knights fumble saw them give the ball up to the Cardinals and with only two minutes remaining in the half it was to nevertheless prove costly for the Knights. The Cardinals drove into Knights Territory and QB Jackson went deep to WR Eddie Gray at the Knights goal line - the Knights looked certain to intercept the ball as first one and then another defender got their hands to the ball - unfortunately for the Knights the ball popped out of their grasp right into the grateful hands of WR Gray who then stepped into the endzone for a score. Vawder- Zanden added the extra point kick and the Knights lead was cut to 16-7
Rodney Edgerton returned the kick off to the Knights 38yd line with 57seconds remaining in the half. A good run from Kingsley Ejiogu nearly ended in disaster as he fumbled and then recovered the ball. On the next play however the Knights were not so lucky as their 4th fumble of the evening was recovered by Luke Box.
The Cardinals had just 26 seconds to try to shake the Knights before the break - former GB Defensive Back Simon Kockleburgh however saw to it that no further damage was done to the Knights as he batted away a last second pass to WR Gray. The teams therefore went into half time at 16-7
The Knights coaching staff gave the players a reminder that the Championship had to be won and the team responded perfectly.
The Cardinals first play of the second half saw Defensive End Andy Crowther make his second sack of the day, again forcing a fumble which was recovered by the Cardinals at their own 10yd line. QB Jackson scrambled out of bounds for a 1yd loss on the next play and then on third down he attempted to pass the Cardinals out of trouble - the Knights Defensive Captain Jay Cashman however stepped in front of the pass and took his interception 14yds into the endzone for a Knights score - the second by the Defense. Steve Belcher added the PAT kick and the Knights lead 23-7.
Two Knights penalties either side of Crowthers third sack of the day saw the Ipswich team making headway into Knights Territory. Stuart Timms made three successive bone crunching tackles but the Cardinals still moved to the Knights 10 yd line. Having been stopped with no gain on two rushing plays by the Knights Defensive line the Cardinals went to the air. Continuing the excellent performance by the Knights Defenders Linebacker Owen Thomas picked off the pass at the 4yd line and returned it to the Knights 9yd line.
Kingsley Ejiogu, on his way to an MVP winning 182yds, ran the ball out to the 15yd line but a Cardinal sack and a Knights penalty saw the Souther Conference Champions pinned back at their 9yd line. QB Ashley Heath stood calmly in the pocket on the next play to find WR Rodney Edgerton with a 20yd pass play. Ejiogu then showed the form that had helped the Knights go clear all year as he broke a sideline run, following some key blocks from LT Peter Fields, LG Paul Biscombe and FB Pete Fulford, to go 60yds to a Knights Touchdown. Steve Belcher added the extra point and the Knights lead 30-7.
The Cardinals desperately needed to hit straight back and Eddie Gray took over at Quarterback to try to spark a change of fortune. DB Simon Kockleburgh defended Grays 1st down pass and then tackled him for a 1yd loss on second down. Facing 3rd and 11 at their own 21yd line Gray went to the air. All he found was the Knights Flyin Hawaiin Amani Naea - he picked off the pass and went 26yards untouched into the endzone - Steve Belcher added the extra point after Naea's war spear celebration and the Knights lead 37-7.
Jackson returned as the Cards QB on the next drive. Two incompletions however were followed by Andy Crowthers 4th sack of the day as he downed Jackson for a 17yd loss. The Cardinals abandoned the out of bounds punt and suffered for it as Rodney Edgerton returned a short kick 30yds to the Ipswich 20yd line.
A good run from Ejiogu was cancelled out by a Knights penalty and the Aldershot based team decided to settle for Steve Belchers 31yd Field Goal to extend the lead to 40-7 as the final quarter began.
5 Plays later the Cardinals turned the ball over on a failed 4th down attempt as they tried to fight their way back into the game.
QB Ashley Heath found Steve Belcher down the sideline for a 31yd gain before finishing the drive with a 3yd scoring pass to WR Chris Reynolds. The young #11 was the Knights third leading Receiver on the year - but he had not scored during the 2007 season - it was a timely situation to break that duck with just 9 minutes of the season remaining. Steve Belcher reliably added the PAT and the Knights lead 47-7
The Cardinals next drive ate up some clock as they pounded the ball on the ground. When they went to the air however Simon Kockleburgh picked off Jackson's pass to effectively end the game giving the Knights the BAFL Division 1 crown and a move back into the Premier division next year.
Knights Head Coach Steve Rains said "This was a fitting end to a great season. This is the 5th time we have been to the Don Valley National Finals in 8 years - we have now won three times and it still feels great!. Our supporters were fantastic as always and it was fantastic to see our Youth Team here to support us - the guys all appreciated that and they made our journey up to collect the Cup one that we will always remember".
Defensive Co-Ordinator Graham Jessett said "Defensively - 4 Sacks, 4 Interceptions and 3 Touchdowns - do I really need to say more? Some people mistook our approach to playing all of our people during the regular season as a sign of weakness as we conceded some points without the starters. I think the stats today give a comprehensive answer to those thoughts"
Special Teams Co-Ordinator Ian Ellis concluded "This was a team performance - we have had a season of team performances - we regularly tell people its Knightime and for Division 1 this year it has been from the start to the beginning"
Make that a double! - Knights invade Sheffield!
Farnham MH Knights 49-14 Redditch Arrows
The Knights organisation completed a tremendous double as the Senior team maintained the clubs 100% record at the Army Rugby Stadium in Aldershot to progress to the BAFL Division 1 National Championship game at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield on the 22nd September.
It will be a double Bowl weekend for the Knights as earlier in the day the Knights Youth team had continued their own undefeated season by beating the Bristol Aztecs by 35-8 in their Semi-Final to progress to the BYAFA National Championship game on the 23rd September at Don Valley.
The game between the Knights and the Arrows was eagerly awaited - the Knights with the most productive Offense in the Division (490 points in 10 games) against the Arrows with the meanest Defense (conceded just 51 points in 10 games).
The game could not have started in a worse way for the visitors from Worcestershire or in any better way for the Knights. On the first play of the game the Knights Defensive Back Jason Conroy pounced to intercept a pass from Richard Wilde the Arrows QB. This gave the Knights the ball at the Arrows 36yd line and the Knights star Running Back Kingsley Ejiogu followed some crushing blocks to open the scoring on the very first Knights play. Steve Belcher added the extra point kick and the Knights lead early 7-0
The Arrows looked to steady the ship by turning to their running game - Knights leading tackler Owen Thomas held them short at the Knights 31yd line on the 6th play of the drive - following a false start penalty which took them out to the 36yd line the Arrows coaching staff rolled the dice and went for a fourth down conversion but Wilde's pass was incomplete.
Ejiogu and the Knights Offensive Line then made the failed fourth down attempt all the more painful as he raced the required 54yds for a touchdown that stretched the lead to 14-0 after Steve Belcher's kick.
The Arrows were determined to show that the horrendous start to the game was just a blip and they bounced straight back on their next series. Speedy Running Back Errol Wilson caught a short pass from Wilde and then broke a tackle to burst clear for a stunning 69yd touchdown. The visitors added the extra point and the game stood at 14-7 to the Knights.
The Knights Offense having scored on two one play drives then stalled on a 5 play drive that saw them lose 20yards in Penalties.
The Arrows tried again to convert a fourth down after the Knights Defense stooped them at the home team 27yd line - again with the Knights Defensive backfield providing excellent coverage the pass fro QB Wilde fell incomplete.
Two successive first downs following a Heath to Jon Wyse reception and a 14yd run from Ejiogu saw the Knights at the Arrows 22yd line. Kingsley Ejiogu then completed his hatrick of Touchdowns as he raced into the endzone to extend the Knights lead to 21-7 as the quarter ended.
The second quarter then developed into a slightly bizarre scoreless affair. Perhaps it was the tension of play off football - but a seemingly clean game developed a rash of yellow flag penalties as the BAFRA refereeing crew led by a Dutch Official outgained both teams in the quarter. Halftime saw the score still at 21-7 - second Quarter stats showed the Knights gained 47yds, the Arrows 24 yds and the BAFRA crew 135yds! (105yds against the Knights and 30yds against the Arrows)
After firm advice to the players at half time from the Knights coaching staff normal service resumed in the third quarter and Football took over again from Flagball.
The Knights stretched their lead on the first series after as Jon Wyse took a 46yd pass from QB Ashley Heath all the way to the endzone to complete a 4 play drive. Steve Belcher added the extra point and the Knights lead 28-7
The Arrows were down - but certainly not out. Their next drive , 9 plays, ended on another failed fourth down conversion pass. However an uncharacteristic Ejiogu fumble on the next play saw them back in possession and in good field position at the Knights 35yd line. Ten plays later they converted a fourth down pass to as Wilde hit WR Grove in the endzone. The extra point put the game at a two score 28-14 margin.
The Knights however hit straight back. Ejiogu picked up 8yds on the first play of the Knights drive - Jon Wyse took the next hand off 50 yards to the endzone to extend the Knights lead to 35-14 after Belcher reliably converted.
The Arrows next drive took the game into the fourth quarter but they were forced to punt following a QB sack by Andy Crowther.
The Knights then embarked on their longest (penalty free) drive of the game as they ate up the clock on 13 play drive that concluded in big Dave Carpenters 2 yard plunge into the endzone. Belcher added the extra point and the Knights lead 42-14.
The Arrows next drive was stopped again by a sack - this time from Defensive Tackle Richard Rochester and a short punt out of bounds set up the Knights at the visitors 39yd line.
Balancing the pass and the run the Knights moved the ball to the Arrows 11yd line from where QB Ashley Heath hit leading receiver Ally Reid for an score that sealed the game. Steve Belcher added the extra point and the Knights lead 49-14.
The Arrows, who battled the Southern Conference Champions bravely all day, came out passing to try to get a consolation score. Linebacker Gavin Maloney however stepped in front of Wilde's pass to make his second interception of the season.
The Knights gave back up Running Back Andy Gibson one shot at the endzone - he broke a tackle to gain 12yds to the Arrows 10yd line. The Knights were knocking on the door of another score but recognising the Arrows contribution to the game and with just a minute remaining they elected to take a knee to end the contest and advance to their 5th Don Valley final since the Bowl games moved there in 2000.
Knights Head Coach Steve Rains said "I could not be more pleased - the task of taking two teams to Sheffield is a logistics nightmare but we would not have it any other way. The guys have done a great job all season - we knew Redditch would be tough opponents and full credit to them they gave us some difficult moments in the game. We also know that our opponents in the Final , the Ipswich Cardinals will be hungry for revenge as we beat them twice in the regular season. We understand they have reloaded and they did a great job to win through in Scotland. Let nobody be in doubt - this Knights team want to be Champions but they are not taking any of the predictions into account, we know if we want that accolade the Cardinals will make us fight every step of the way for it and we have to prepare to face that job"
Defensive Co-ordinator Graham Jessett added "This is step 11 of our 12 step plan to the Championship. The guys did a great job but they know the hardest step is the one to come - the 11 previous games count for nothing once you are in that Final"
Special Teams Co-ordinator Ian Ellis concluded "We will be at full strength for the Final with the return of Moses Tomas , Gavin Hart, Paul Wakeford and Stuart Timms and we will need to be as the Cardinals will be keen to spoil our weekend in Sheffield".
Details of the Britbowl weekend in Sheffield (22nd/23rd September) along with ticket prices etc can be found at http://www.bafl.org.uk
Undefeated Knights lift the Conference Championship
Farnham MH Knights 47- 6 MCP Ipswich Cardinals
The Knights secured the BAFL Division 1 Southern Conference Championship with a convincing win in their last regular season home game against the second placed Ipswich Cardinals. The Knights record moves to 9-0 with just their away game to the Sussex Thunder to play before the play offs begin.
This game was a re-arranged fixture after the weather scratched the original date in July - unfortunately the Cardinals had a number of players missing due to holidays and it was an undermanned squad that contested this fixture - undermanned but not understrengthed as the Cardinals key players made this a real contest for the home team.
The Knights Offense opened the game and with Kingsley Ejiogu back in the backfield after a week away they moved the ball into Cardinal territory. The visitors however were fired up and determined to prove that their lack of numbers meant nothing - in the first meeting between the clubs the Knights had failed to score in the first quarter - the only time that has happened this year. The Cards defense stiffened and the Knights faced 4th down at the Cardinal 33yard line - the Knights coaching staff put their faith in former London Monarchs kicker Steve Belcher and he slotted a season long 50yard Field Goal to open the scoring. Knights lead 3-0.
The home defense then went to work against the Cardinal Offense. The visitors picked up good yardage through the air to move into Knights territory. With the Cardinals threatening a tieing score Defensive Captain Jay Cashman leapt to pluck an errant pass from the Cardinal QB to end the visitors first effort.
The Knights then embarked on a time consuming drive which ended in Kingsley Ejiogu running in from 1yd out to increase the scoreline. Steve Belcher added the extra point and the Knights lead extended to 10-0 as the first quarter ended.
The Cardinals made no impression on the scoreboard with their next drive which saw Defensive End Andy Crowther notch up his fifth sack of the season.
The Knights balanced their next drive with Ally Reid and Rodney Edgerton picking up passes from QB Ashley Heath. With Gavin Hart, Paul Wakeford and Andy Gibson all missing from the Knights backfield the club welcomed the return of Joe StLouis to spell Ejiogu and used Jon Wyse as a running back for the first time this year. Wyse and StLouis help moved the ball into Cardinal territory and then Ejiogu returned to race 13yards into the endzone to increase the Knights lead to 17-0 after Belchers PAT kick.
The Cardinals spirit was far from broken however and they came back strongly on their next drive. QB Eddie Gray had been finding some success in the air and after picking up some short yardage he hit an open receiver for a huge 44yd touchdown catch and run. The Cardinals went for a two point conversion try but ran into big Ranti Endeley and the remainder ogf the Knights Defense and the score stood at 17-6.
The Knights Offense stalled on its next drive when an errant Heath pass was picked off by the Cardinal defense. With some momentum going their way the Cardinals came out fighting on their next Offensive series - but the Knights Defense was starting to get their measure and turned the ball over on downs after a failed 4th down conversion attempt.
There was just time before the half for the Knights to move Steve Belcher back into range and his 32yard Field Goal extended the Knights lead to 20-6 at half time.
The Cardinals had the first possesion of the second half - but not for long. Relying on their passing attack they went for another deep pass to try to keep the momentum going their way - Knights Safety Jason Conroy however had other thoughts as he picked off the pass and returned it 40yards, accompanied by some great blocking, for a touchdown for the home team. Steve Belcher added the extra point and the Knights lead 27-6.
The Cardinals were pinned deep by the Knights kick off team and on their first play from scrimmage linebacker Owen Thomas picked off another Cardinal pass returning the ball to the visitors 4yd line. One play later Jon Wyse, showing versatility at running back, slipped into the endzone for a 4yard score to extend the Knights lead to 34-6 after Steve Belcher added the kick.
The visitors were back on Offense with things not going as they planned. A change at QB saw them keep the ball on the ground with some scrambling from the new trigger man - a third down pass however was well defended by Knights DB Ollie Howes and the Cardinals were forced to punt. The Knights Special teams have been just that this year - Special - and Jon Wyse fielded the kick followed some tremendous blocking and returned the ball 59yards for another Knights score. The extra point missed narrowly wide right and the Knights lead 40-6.
There was no further scoring in the third period. The Knights used the depth of their squad in the fourth but were still able to contain the Cardinal attack. Joe StLouis capped his return to Britball with a 17yard scoring run behind the blocking of Full Back Dave Carpenter to end the scoring and start the Knights Conference Championship celebration.
Knights Head Coach Steve Rains said "Full credit to the Cardinals for their determined effort - they were undermanned and that has to have some effect. Nevertheless also full credit to our guys for applying themselves to the task in hand and winning the Conference Championship. We must now prepare to play Sussex away on the 2nd September and then we know we have a very good Redditch Arrows team visiting us here on the 9th September for the Play Off Semi-Final - that will be one not to miss"
Defensive Co-ordinator Graham Jessett added "Fantastic performance from the Knights - our Defense gave up 174 yards to the Cardinals in the first half and just 14 in the second. Our three interceptions create a new club record surpassing the 17 picks achieved in the 2004 season - I believe that also was a good year for the Knights!"
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