National Basketball League (United Kingdom)
Encyclopedia
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a British
basketball
league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League
.
-based teams Avenue and Sutton, Sheffield Scorpions and Liverpool Bruno Roughcutters from the North, Midlands club Loughborough All-Stars and touring team RAF Fliers.
After several successful seasons expansion was implemented to 10 teams, and in 1975 saw the addition of Division 2. The 1978-79 season was the first to adopt the post-season Playoff format, while a year later the National Trophy was created.
In 1987, there was a breakaway by the league's elite clubs looking to formulate a fully professional league in the United Kingdom
. The new league, operated by a new body, British Basketball League
, was established as the country's top and only fully professional basketball league, though it retained the name National League Division 1, which was followed by Division 2 and Division 3 beneath it.
. Because of this, the lower divisions were renamed and restructured to fit accordingly. From the 1993-94 season, Division 1 was renamed as the Budweiser Basketball League (BBL), thus having a domino effect where the previous Division 2 was rebranded as NBL Division 1 and Division 3 became Division 2, forming the bottom of the three-tiered National League structure.
That season also saw the last relegation between the top-two divisions (BBL and Division 1), as last-placed Oldham Celtics were demoted into the new Division 1 for 1994-95. Their replacements were Sheffield Forgers
and Leopards, which signalled the start of the current 'buy-in' policy operated by the BBL, whereby teams can only buy a place in the league, operating a franchise system. 1997 saw the addition of Division 3 to the structure, welcoming new teams such as Reading Rockets
, Taunton Tigers
and the Manchester Giants B team
.
However Division 3 only lasted for one season, as another reorganisation took place the following year, in 2001, which saw an expanded NBL Conference and Division 1, while Divisions 2 and 3 merged to form a regionalised format, with Division 2 North and Division 2 South. In 2003, after three seasons, the BBL ditched its North-South Conference format, and reverted to a single league of ten clubs. During the same year, the National Basketball League was rebranded as the English Basketball League
, and once again was retructured with a new format.
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...
league. The league started in 1972 and continued through to 2003 renamed the English Basketball League
English Basketball League
The English Basketball League is a semi-professional and amateur basketball league in England. It forms the second-tier of competition below the professional British Basketball League....
.
1972-1993
Though an earlier attempt was made to form a nationwide league in 1960, it wasn't until 1972 that the National League truly took-off. The first season compromised of just six clubs, plucked from regional and district leagues around the country, and was run in effect, as a trial league. The six teams consisted of LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based teams Avenue and Sutton, Sheffield Scorpions and Liverpool Bruno Roughcutters from the North, Midlands club Loughborough All-Stars and touring team RAF Fliers.
After several successful seasons expansion was implemented to 10 teams, and in 1975 saw the addition of Division 2. The 1978-79 season was the first to adopt the post-season Playoff format, while a year later the National Trophy was created.
In 1987, there was a breakaway by the league's elite clubs looking to formulate a fully professional league in the United Kingdom
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...
. The new league, operated by a new body, British Basketball League
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....
, was established as the country's top and only fully professional basketball league, though it retained the name National League Division 1, which was followed by Division 2 and Division 3 beneath it.
1993-2000
In 1993, the NBL restructured after the top division reverted to the name British Basketball LeagueBritish 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....
. Because of this, the lower divisions were renamed and restructured to fit accordingly. From the 1993-94 season, Division 1 was renamed as the Budweiser Basketball League (BBL), thus having a domino effect where the previous Division 2 was rebranded as NBL Division 1 and Division 3 became Division 2, forming the bottom of the three-tiered National League structure.
That season also saw the last relegation between the top-two divisions (BBL and Division 1), as last-placed Oldham Celtics were demoted into the new Division 1 for 1994-95. Their replacements were Sheffield Forgers
Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield...
and Leopards, which signalled the start of the current 'buy-in' policy operated by the BBL, whereby teams can only buy a place in the league, operating a franchise system. 1997 saw the addition of Division 3 to the structure, welcoming new teams such as Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets is a basketball club based in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. Currently Reading Rockets play in the English Basketball League Division 1. Reading Rockets work with around 1,000 young players every week in Berkshire...
, Taunton Tigers
Taunton Tigers
The Taunton Tigers are a charity-funded basketball team competing in the English Basketball League Division 3 South League. The team is based in Taunton, Somerset and play all their home games at Wellsprings Leisure Centre, which has a capacity of 500 seats. Formerly a Division One side, the...
and the Manchester Giants B team
Manchester Magic
Manchester Magic is an English basketball team from Manchester, competing in the English Basketball League, Division 3. They play their home games at the Amaechi Basketball Centre, which was funded by former NBA star John Amaechi....
.
2000-2003
In 1999, the BBL restructured with a North-South conference system, and the following year the National Basketball League replaced Division 1 with the eight-team NBL Conference as the second-tier after the BBL. Subsequently Division 2 became Division 1 and Division 3 became Division 2, with the addition of a new Division 3 forming effectively the fifth-tier of the structure.However Division 3 only lasted for one season, as another reorganisation took place the following year, in 2001, which saw an expanded NBL Conference and Division 1, while Divisions 2 and 3 merged to form a regionalised format, with Division 2 North and Division 2 South. In 2003, after three seasons, the BBL ditched its North-South Conference format, and reverted to a single league of ten clubs. During the same year, the National Basketball League was rebranded as the English Basketball League
English Basketball League
The English Basketball League is a semi-professional and amateur basketball league in England. It forms the second-tier of competition below the professional British Basketball League....
, and once again was retructured with a new format.
English Basketball League
The Conference was disbanded, and EBL reverted the National Leagues to EBL Division 1, Division 2 and a regionalised North-South Division 3, with Division 4 (a reincarnation of the one-time old Division 3 of 2000) returning to the fold in 2006.Season-by-season records
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000/01 (NBL Conference) | |||||||||
| 1 | Plymouth Raiders Plymouth Raiders The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004... |
|21 | 19 | 2 | 38 | ||||
| 2 | Worthing Thunder Worthing Thunder Worthing Thunder is a basketball team from Worthing, England. Founded in 1999, until recently they competed in the top-tier British Basketball League, having previously having dominated the lower leagues in recent years, winning back-to-back English Basketball League Division One titles in 2006 and... |
|21 | 16 | 5 | 32 | ||||
| 3 | Teesside Mohawks | |21 | 15 | 6 | 30 | ||||
| 4 | Manchester Magic Manchester Magic Manchester Magic is an English basketball team from Manchester, competing in the English Basketball League, Division 3. They play their home games at the Amaechi Basketball Centre, which was funded by former NBA star John Amaechi.... |
|21 | 9 | 12 | 18 | ||||
| 5 | Coventry Crusaders Coventry Crusaders The Coventry Crusaders is a Coventry-based basketball team competing in Division 1 of the English Basketball League. They play their home games at the Coventry Sports Centre, alternatively at the North Solihull Sports Centre, and the junior teams play at the Coventry Sports Centre... |
|21 | 7 | 14 | 14 | ||||
| 6 | InterBasket London | |21 | 7 | 14 | 13 | ||||
| 7 | Solent Stars Solent Stars The Solent Stars is a basketball team from Southampton, who until 2007 competed in the English Basketball League, Division 1. From 1987-1990 they competed in the British Basketball League, and were one of the founder teams.... |
|21 | 6 | 15 | 12 | ||||
| 8 | Sutton Pumas | |21 | 5 | 16 | 10 | ||||
| 2001/02 (NBL Conference) | |||||||||
| 1 | Teesside Mohawks | |18 | 17 | 1 | 34 | ||||
| 2 | Plymouth Raiders Plymouth Raiders The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004... |
|18 | 14 | 4 | 28 | ||||
| 3 | Solent Stars Solent Stars The Solent Stars is a basketball team from Southampton, who until 2007 competed in the English Basketball League, Division 1. From 1987-1990 they competed in the British Basketball League, and were one of the founder teams.... |
|18 | 11 | 7 | 22 | ||||
| 4 | Kingston Wildcats Kingston Wildcats -History:Kingston Wildcats are a basketball team from Kingston, who competed in the English Basketball League Men's leagues. They now compete in the Surrey League. The team was founded in 1983 and played as Tolworth Reckers in the Surrey League until 1994 when as Chessington Wildcats they moved... |
|18 | 11 | 7 | 22 | ||||
| 5 | Manchester Magic Manchester Magic Manchester Magic is an English basketball team from Manchester, competing in the English Basketball League, Division 3. They play their home games at the Amaechi Basketball Centre, which was funded by former NBA star John Amaechi.... |
|18 | 9 | 9 | 18 | ||||
| 6 | Worthing Thunder Worthing Thunder Worthing Thunder is a basketball team from Worthing, England. Founded in 1999, until recently they competed in the top-tier British Basketball League, having previously having dominated the lower leagues in recent years, winning back-to-back English Basketball League Division One titles in 2006 and... |
|18 | 9 | 9 | 18 | ||||
| 7 | Reading Rockets Reading Rockets Reading Rockets is a basketball club based in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. Currently Reading Rockets play in the English Basketball League Division 1. Reading Rockets work with around 1,000 young players every week in Berkshire... |
|18 | 7 | 11 | 14 | ||||
| 8 | InterBasket London | |18 | 5 | 13 | 10 | ||||
| 9 | Coventry Crusaders Coventry Crusaders The Coventry Crusaders is a Coventry-based basketball team competing in Division 1 of the English Basketball League. They play their home games at the Coventry Sports Centre, alternatively at the North Solihull Sports Centre, and the junior teams play at the Coventry Sports Centre... |
|18 | 4 | 14 | 8 | ||||
| 10 | Sutton Pumas | |18 | 4 | 14 | 8 | ||||
| 2002/03 (NBL Conference) | |||||||||
| 1 | Teesside Mohawks | |22 | 21 | 1 | 42 | ||||
| 2 | Plymouth Raiders Plymouth Raiders The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004... |
|22 | 18 | 4 | 36 | ||||
| 3 | Reading Rockets Reading Rockets Reading Rockets is a basketball club based in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. Currently Reading Rockets play in the English Basketball League Division 1. Reading Rockets work with around 1,000 young players every week in Berkshire... |
|22 | 16 | 6 | 32 | ||||
| 4 | Worthing Thunder Worthing Thunder Worthing Thunder is a basketball team from Worthing, England. Founded in 1999, until recently they competed in the top-tier British Basketball League, having previously having dominated the lower leagues in recent years, winning back-to-back English Basketball League Division One titles in 2006 and... |
|22 | 15 | 7 | 30 | ||||
| 5 | Manchester Magic Manchester Magic Manchester Magic is an English basketball team from Manchester, competing in the English Basketball League, Division 3. They play their home games at the Amaechi Basketball Centre, which was funded by former NBA star John Amaechi.... |
|22 | 12 | 10 | 24 | ||||
| 6 | Kingston Wildcats Kingston Wildcats -History:Kingston Wildcats are a basketball team from Kingston, who competed in the English Basketball League Men's leagues. They now compete in the Surrey League. The team was founded in 1983 and played as Tolworth Reckers in the Surrey League until 1994 when as Chessington Wildcats they moved... |
|22 | 11 | 11 | 22 | ||||
| 7 | Sutton Pumas | |22 | 11 | 11 | 22 | ||||
| 8 | Oxford Devils | |22 | 11 | 11 | 22 | ||||
| 9 | Solent Stars Solent Stars The Solent Stars is a basketball team from Southampton, who until 2007 competed in the English Basketball League, Division 1. From 1987-1990 they competed in the British Basketball League, and were one of the founder teams.... |
|22 | 7 | 15 | 14 | ||||
| 10 | Ware Rebels London Leopards The BA London Leopards is a British basketball team who competes in the English Basketball League Division 1. The team was established in 1997 as Ware Fire, but following the demise and eventual closure of the former British Basketball League franchise Essex Leopards in 2003, a supporters group... |
|22 | 4 | 18 | 8 | ||||
| 11 | Hackney White Heat Hackney White Heat Hackney White Heat is an English basketball team from the district of Hackney in London competing in the English Basketball League, Division 3. Established in 1999. Pops Mensah-Bonsu played for the team.... |
|22 | 3 | 19 | 6 | ||||
| 12 | Coventry Crusaders Coventry Crusaders The Coventry Crusaders is a Coventry-based basketball team competing in Division 1 of the English Basketball League. They play their home games at the Coventry Sports Centre, alternatively at the North Solihull Sports Centre, and the junior teams play at the Coventry Sports Centre... |
|22 | 3 | 19 | 6 | ||||
See also
- Basketball in EnglandBasketball in EnglandBasketball, although invented in the United States, has a very long history in England, having been introduced there by the YMCA almost immediately after it was created. World War I and II further spurred its popularity. The four highest profile team sports in the United Kingdom are football,...
- British Basketball LeagueBritish Basketball LeagueThe 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....
- English Basketball LeagueEnglish Basketball LeagueThe English Basketball League is a semi-professional and amateur basketball league in England. It forms the second-tier of competition below the professional British Basketball League....