All change for American Football as Walney Terriers become Furness Phantoms

Walney Terriers will now be known as Furness Phantoms – the name of the first local gridiron team to play the sport, back in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Terriers officials felt with the club not having been based on Walney for several years, it made sense to change name, and Furness Phantoms was the agreed choice.

Set up in 2011, Walney Terriers began life on the island, before switching base twice, firstly to Hawcoat Park and then to Ulverston's Canal Foot, home of Glaxo Sports Club, which is their established base.

Explaining the name change, club chairman David Hughes said: “As our home ground is now in Ulverston, and we hope to attract players and supporters from the whole of the Furness region, we decided a wider-reaching name would be more fitting for our club.

“Furness Phantoms is the name of the original team who played aroud here, so it made sense.”

The change is in name only, with the majority of players who will line up for the team in the British American Football Association NFC Two Central League next year being the same, although the club are always on the lookout for new recruits.

The Phantoms will be holding three rookie days over the coming months to attract fresh blood. These will take place at Kendal RUFC's Mint Bridge on Sunday, November 26; Ulverston Leisure Centre on Sunday, January 7; and Furness Academy on Sunday, January 14.

Pre-season will follow the rookie days, with the 2018 BAFA League season starting in April.

Added Hughes: “If you want to get behind your local American Football team then come and try out the game at our rookie recruitment days. Whether you are a veteran of the game or a complete newbie, all are accepted at any level.

“If you don’t want to play but you have something to contribute and help out this season, then get in touch.”

The club held their annual awards night at Barrow AFC's Crossbar, where multiple prizes were presented for outstanding contributions throughout 2017.​