Derby Storm
Encyclopedia
Derby Storm was a former British Basketball League
(BBL) franchise from the city of Derby
, Derbyshire
. The team took the decision to sit out the 2002-03 season
after failing to find a suitable venue for home games. Despite early efforts for a new arena, the franchise never returned to playing action.
Founded in 1984 as the Derby Turbos later changed to Derby Rams in 1985, the team was a founder member of the franchise based, professional BBL
when it was set up in 1987. Another name change took place in 1991, becoming the Derby Bucks, and in 1993 the franchise withdrew from the BBL
due to financial problems, but was "rescued" and allowed to re-enter before the new season began.
The team became known as the Derby Storm in 1995 and was the first British
basketball
club to own their own venue, the Thunderdome aka Storm Arena, which was in fact a converted factory. The compact arena was definitely one of the most characteristic venues in the League, and often the subject of many jokes from rival fans.
Storm were given permission to "sit out" the 2002-03 season
, to generate finance and find an alternative venue , but having not returned since, the franchise membership with the BBL has lapsed. Basketball remained in the city however as fans took it upon themselves to take control of Storm's reserve team and reform them as Derby Trailblazers
. The Blazers adopted one of Storm's former homes, the Moorways Centre, as their home venue.
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
(BBL) franchise from the city of Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
. The team took the decision to sit out the 2002-03 season
British Basketball League 2002-03
The 2002-03 season was the 16th campaign in the history of the British Basketball League.-Teams:-Notable occurrences:*Attracted by the opening of the brand-new 4,000-seat Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Edinburgh Rocks uprooted from their aging Meadowbank venue in Edinburgh and moved 45 miles west to...
after failing to find a suitable venue for home games. Despite early efforts for a new arena, the franchise never returned to playing action.
Founded in 1984 as the Derby Turbos later changed to Derby Rams in 1985, the team was a founder member of the franchise based, professional BBL
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
when it was set up in 1987. Another name change took place in 1991, becoming the Derby Bucks, and in 1993 the franchise withdrew from the BBL
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
due to financial problems, but was "rescued" and allowed to re-enter before the new season began.
The team became known as the Derby Storm in 1995 and was the first British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
club to own their own venue, the Thunderdome aka Storm Arena, which was in fact a converted factory. The compact arena was definitely one of the most characteristic venues in the League, and often the subject of many jokes from rival fans.
Storm were given permission to "sit out" the 2002-03 season
British Basketball League 2002-03
The 2002-03 season was the 16th campaign in the history of the British Basketball League.-Teams:-Notable occurrences:*Attracted by the opening of the brand-new 4,000-seat Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Edinburgh Rocks uprooted from their aging Meadowbank venue in Edinburgh and moved 45 miles west to...
, to generate finance and find an alternative venue , but having not returned since, the franchise membership with the BBL has lapsed. Basketball remained in the city however as fans took it upon themselves to take control of Storm's reserve team and reform them as Derby Trailblazers
Derby Trailblazers
Derby Trailblazers is a semi-professional basketball team from Derby, who compete in the English Basketball League Men's Division 1. The team was founded in 2002 from the feeder club of Derby Storm, the professional outfit competing in the British Basketball League, who went out of business during...
. The Blazers adopted one of Storm's former homes, the Moorways Centre, as their home venue.