SUNDAY 21ST JULY | 14:30
Welcome back to Norton for what will be our final home game of the season, and one that I hope will be a celebration of all the hard work that has gone into this year for all of our players, coaches, support staff and of course our fans.
Last time at home things didn’t go to plan for us and we didn’t represent Sheffield Football in the way that we aspire. We all slip up at times but we let our emotions get the better of us and that’s not who we are. We didn’t get the revenge win, but we did right ourselves in the rematch against the Rams a couple of weeks later, and I was proud of how each person attacked that game. It showed both on the field and off it, and it has really helped us all to understand why we have the high standards we set for ourselves.
As I write this, we don’t yet know if our playoff window has closed. We may know before kick-off, we may not know until afterwards, but frankly it doesn’t matter. Of course, we strive for success on the field and would love a play-off run, but if we were 7-0, 0-7, or anything in between, this Team would give 100% against the Alphas and push for victory no matter what.
Sometimes I forget just how far we’ve come since the 2022 off-season and how lucky we are that Sheffield has a football Team. We’ve come a very long way in a very short period of time, and we can look forward to Sheffield being the home of the Giants for a long time and with a very bright future. We will continue the hard work into 2025, and the on-field rewards will come.
I’d also like to close out this year by drawing attention to the extra efforts that the Team have put in away from the game itself. Our community work has continued to be a huge focus and our most recent events were both very successful in themselves (especially this months litter pick and Pinknic event) but we’ve also been recognised by Sheffield Council for that good work, which is absolutely fantastic and long may it continue.
sheffield giants - 15
Yorkshire Rams - 27
As has become the norm in 2024, the early series’ of Q1 were testy and low scoring. The Giants offence took to the field first, with new Quarterback #14 Jacob Hardy looking to get the ball downfield. The first two series were turnover heavy, with an early interception in one and a fumble on the next, but matched by the typically stellar Giants defence forcing a punt from the Rams followed by a Field Goal try that was missed under pressure.
As the game entered the second quarter and the new offensive line-up struggled to punch the ball in – making yards and gaining first downs, but unable to get beyond the oppositions 40 yards line – the defence started to tire in the heat and as the minutes on the field racked up, the Rams eventually broke through with a running touchdown and the converted XP.
The floodgates seemed to open, with the Rams scoring in 3 successive possessions (both of the next drives ending in passing touchdowns, with extra points converted) and winding down the clock to go to half time at 21-0 and little sign of what was to come.
The Rams offence started Q3 and quickly drove down the field for a rushing touchdown. The extra point was no good though, and the D came off the field energised rather than downtrodden, which translated to an offence raring to go after the half time break. The drive was run heavy, with workhorse #30 Elliott Jeffrey taking a number of carries, and finally getting the Giants off the mark with the score himself after the short pass from #14 taken 35 yards down the sideline for the score.
Momentum seemed to be shifting, especially after some very heavy QB hits from #45 Phil Jarrett, but a speculative Punt Return
fumble turnover decision extended a Rams drive unexpectedly. The Giants matched with their own punt (driven the entire length of the field by #9 Will Morgan) and then the game got interesting.
On the next Giants offensive drive, Hardy hit #87 Luke Spooner for the 40 yard catch and run, ultimately landing just short of the end zone at 2 yards. At such short distance the only answer was to hand the ball off to Jeffrey, but unfortunately the extra effort to extend over the goal line resulted in a fumble and the ball was lost back to the Rams.
On that next Rams play though defensive pressure saw the Rams QB lose the football, kicking it out of bounds and conceding the 2 point Safety (with the Giants diving at the ball attempting to gain a full 6 point touchdown to no avail).
At 27-08 there was still so much more drama to be had but, with 3 very positive drives from the Giants offence – the first breaking into the 40 yard mark again but being unable to score, the second an agonising catch and run from #82 Michael Knee-Robinson that ultimately ended with the ball stripped at the goal line, the third yielding a short pass to Spooner resulting in the touchdown after a sharp cut back that put half of the Rams defence out of step. XP was nicely converted by Morgan and the score became 27-15.
The Giants did drive down the field one more time, but ultimately ran out of time. Whilst some of the focus will be on what could have been, in what was ultimately a losing effort, the leap in 3 weeks from the first game to the second and the refusal of this Giants Team to accept the loss will be the longer lasting take-away for everyone involved.
NName
DEFENSIVE LINE
BAGIR , Mustafa Burak DL
64BAILEY, Callum DL
92BOTTE, Charlie DL
42CARVALHO, Fernando DL
60COMERIE, Troy DL
62COSTELLO, Edward DL
93LAFFERTY, Kane DL
59MATTOCK, Alex DL
04 PAYNE, Thomas DL
99PINDELER, Bastien DL
LINEBACKER
08BURGER, Ronan
HAMMOND, Charlie
52HENNEY, Stefan
45JARRETT, Philip
07KENTZER, James
16KENYON, Andrew
47MAHACHI, Tafadzwa
02MARSDEN, Anthony
98MCWHIR, Aaron
51SCHOFIELD, Findlay
58SHAW, Thomas
43WALLIS, Joseph
Joel
Kieran
Jacob
Nathaniel
Casey
Jacob
Ben
Matthew
Adam
Marios
Levi
Jorden
Joseph
Thomas
GREEN, Rob
Alex
Michael
67KARLIK, Ahmet OL
73MCCALLUM, Michael OL
75MOSLEY, Abraham OL
70THOMPSON, Alex OL
78WATSON, Michael
RUNNING BACK
03ABRAHAMS, Barron RB
DOMINGOS, Aro RB
37HODGKINS, Ben RB
30JEFFREY, Elliott RB
MUSGROVE, Jordan RB
11SINGH, Kieren RB
31SLINGSBY, Anthony RB
TIGHT END
85BENNETT, Luke TE
86HARRISON, Harry TE
18THOMPSON, JonathanTE
WIDE RECIVER
01ANCEY-TAYLOR, Ben WR
17CHARLON, Iago CastroWR
84DOLAN, Thomas WR
80HADABORA, James WR
23HEWLING, Harrison WR
19INVERARITY, Euan WR
82KNEE-ROBINSON, MichaelWR
83TODD, Alex
40WATERMAN, Thomas
Ethan
Josh
How did you first discover football?
Watching Eyeshield 21 [a Japanese manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata] as a kid was the first time I ever heard about American Football. Then I discovered there was a small team in my hometown, gave it a try and it was a revelation.
You travel a decent distance to Sheffield. What brought you to the Giants?
Well I didn’t know a lot about Britball before coming here so I looked at every team around and the Giants looked like the most professional out there, so I went to the open training, had a great time and stuck to it.
How does playing for the Giants, or playing in England, compare to your previous experience?
In England there is a lot more young players because of the university availability, so it’s nice to see a new generation playing football and enjoying it. It’s a great opportunity to spread the love of American Football.
Now you have been here the majority of a season, what do you like about the Giants?
My unit. We were definitely the position that was the most present in training and in game. A lot of great guys who put in the work and bring the hype to the game – shout out to them.
And how are things going for you personally?
It’s the first season where I have had the time to put the work in at training and at the gym without my job getting in the way so I think it had a great impact on my way of playing and helped me step up a lot. Consistency and preparation does wonders.
If you had to pick one, what would be your highlight of the season so far?
I had 3 tackles for loss in a row vs Chester Romans!
How have you found working with Coach Nando and Coach Ellie with the D Line?
I have been very lucky to have two coaches. It was great to learn from both of them because both of them
view the game differently and teach differently so you can choose from different methods.
And how do you find Coach Eli as a Defensive Coordinator?
He is very good at adapting practice and drills to help fix what we are lacking.
How are you feeling about the upcoming game against Scunthorpe?
They have a big Offensive Line in front of us and a really fast Quarterback, so it will be an intense and tough game. Let’s destroy them!
What do you get up to when you’re not training or playing with the Giants?
I am passionate about two things in life – American Football and my job as a blacksmith. So most of the time if I’m not training or in the gym I’m working.
Tell us something about you that fans of the Giants won’t know.
I did sport for the first time in my life when I was 18. I was overweight and not happy about my life at the time. American Football changed my life and helped me become a better person by giving me discipline and love for sport. So what I want to say is that it’s never too late to start something and become good at it, you just need to put in the work.
Name: Bastien Pindeler
Position: Defensive Line
Number: 99
Previous Team: Templiers Elancourt
Years Playing: 4
Giants Playing Debut: 2024 @ Humber Warhawks
Favourite NFL Team: Baltimore Ravens player info
Head Coach
FLYNN, Matt Head Coach
Coordinator
LILLEY, Adam
MARSDEN, Anthony
ROWLEY, Dave
Positional Coach
HARDY, Jacob
MONAGHAN, Oli
TANNER, James
MORRIS, Summer
JOHNSON, Ellie
CARVALHO, Fernando
Assistant Coach
EVANS, Harvey
MCWHIR, Aaron
SHERRIDAN, Matthew
GUINNESS, Mikey
Offensive Coordinator
Defensive Coordinator Special Teams Coordinator
Quarterbacks
Offensive Line
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Defensive Line Defensive Line
BURKE, Kieran Offence
Staff
MOON, Dominic
DYSON, Jack
TIDSWELL, Dave
THOMSON, Scott
Linebackers & Special Teams
Defensive Backs
Defensive Backs
Strength & Conditioning
Head Physio
Team Statistician
Team Photographer
Team Photographer
Adult Team Committee
MOXON, Tom
MCCALLUM, Zoe
FLYNN, Matt
BERRY, Adam
ROBERTS, Darren
RUDD, Chloe
MULAY, Shubhankar
GIAGMOUROGLOU, Eleni
ROBERTSON, Will
BOWMAN, Lewis
GORMLEY, Shannon
KARLIK, Ahmet
FLYNN, Verity
EVANS, Harvey
Team Ambassador
Team Manager
Head Coach
Partnership & Facilities Manager
Marketing & Comms
Manager
Digtial & Media Manager
Equipment & Kit Manager
Gameday Manager
Recruitment Officer
Grants Officer
Welfare Officer
Player Liaison
Charity & Community Officer
Placement Student
ellie johnson- Defensive Line
So Ellie how did you first discover American Football?
Football has always been a part of my life since I moved to the United States pretty young. I had the classic high school football experience growing up as I worked for student government/ spirit committee and my little brother played for a while. My first memory of wanting to coach was at 12 years old when mid his practice I walked up grabbed a shield and started helping the actual coaches. I got really involved starting university as I was too injured to play my own sport but knew I wanted to remain involved in sport. I’m pretty sure I pestered them into hiring me as the second I was on campus I was begging them to let me be an unpaid intern. I was hired as a general intern and it spiraled pretty quickly from there.
That probably feels pretty ‘normal’ for the US, but very much not the norm for Britball! So why coaching football specifically?
The culture of it in the States originally. Nothing better than being under the lights in a rowdy stadium
shout blasting from the speakers. That attraction brought me to the passion and the finesse of the game - it is so technical when you break it down. Teaching someone to sprint full force and put a QB in the dirt without hurting anyone is a challenge and it is a very fun one at that.
Did you have any preconceived notions of Britball, compared to the various levels of the Sport in the US that you’ve been exposed to, and any surprises/challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The largest challenge will always be equipment, in the States even the small programs have most items but here it is more of a make do scenario. This has forced me to be creative and try new things (some loved, some absolutely hated by my players). It’s given me massive respect for all the programs here though - this is a sport ran by people with so much passion for the game, even though its relatively new and not largely funded. Sheffield is an (American) Football city - even if it doesn’t know it yet!
It certainly is. And what brought you to the Giants?
The people I knew from uniball! They definitely convinced me to show up for an open day and the second I was there I knew I would fit in.
Any personal highlights for you, so far?
Our first win - nothing better than grinding out a big win on the home turf. Or being called “an instigator” by the Romans. To be fair, I am, but only if you’re the opponent….mostly.
And what’s it like working with Coach Eli?
Eli has been great - there’s been a massive focus on both improving fundamentals but also helping our guys fall in love with the sport and you can really see that passion. He also delegates the role of Scout OC to me, so really cannot complain.
Over in the UK you’ve also coached at the university level (mens and womens). How does coaching for the Giants compare to different levels?
There’s unique challenges to adult ball with how diverse the age ranges and skill levels can be. I have guys on my unit who are 19 and then others who are 30-something and it means there’s a lot of support for our rookies. It really does show just how passionate some of these guys are - they’re spending their Thursday nights and Sundays with us, when most have full time jobs, to play football.
The last couple of results haven’t been what we hoped for but what are your thoughts on the game against the Alphas?
I’m excited for it. There’s a chance this is our last game and I am so grateful that it’s at home. One last ride as a group to defend our home turf - it’s gonna be a great one. Defensive line is coming for the DMVP award as a unittheir QB better watch out.
What do you get up to when you’re not training or playing with the Giants?
I’m finishing my masters so working on my dissertation, getting dragged to Costco as the only friend with a membership, and exploring as much of the UK and Europe as I can!
Tell us something about you that fans of the Giants won’t know.
I have owned roughly 30 fish in my lifetime, if that’s a fun fact!
[Editors note: we believe all fish lived happy and long lives]
Role/Unit: Defensive Line Coach
Previous Clubs: University of Oregon Ducks, Sheffield Hallam University Warriors
Years Coaching: 5 .5
Giants Coaching Debut: 2024 @ Humber Warhawks
PLAYING :
Position: Safety
Number: 13 and 63
Clubs: University of Oregon Mixed Flag, Sheffield Hallam University Womens Flag
Years Playing: 2.5
It’s been a fantastic few weeks for our community events and everyone at the Team deserves credit for attending, supporting, or spreading the word via social media for the events we have been participating in.
We were really saddened to be unable to carry out the ever-popular GIANT bucket collection with St. John Ambulance, with the event called off due to sickness within the SJA Team. However, we still used the promotion of the event to spur further first aid awareness and have now signed up a number of players, coaches and support staff on the Team for additional training, which is of course fantastic.
Since then, we’ve run two events. The first being a little pick around the Hillsborough area, with a number of players and coaches helping to keep the streets tidy. Litter was picked, bags
were filled, and horns were honked (in a friendly way!) at the Giants to thank them for their support.
Our second event, just this past weekend, was a celebration of the LGBT community of Sheffield with a number of players & coaches attending the Sheffield Pinknic event at the Peace Gardens. The Team stood out in their bright jerseys and helped to draw a crowd into the event with the QB Net and a throwing competition. We got some great feedback from both the event organisers and from Sheffield Council so it was clearly a huge success.
Thank you to everyone at the Team for supporting these great causes throughout the year, and for continuing to prioritise building our relationship with the community.
The Sheffield Giants American Football Academy has a place for everyone to enjoy the sport; from age 7 to 19, any gender, any size, and any ability.
The Academy offers both contact and noncontact versions of the sport in inclusive, supportive, and most importantly fun teams. All of these are run by experienced and committed coaches every Saturday morning at our Mosborough Training Ground (S20 5AQ).
The Sheffield Giants Adult Flag teams allow adults to play non-contact football in Sheffield. There’s no previous experience or talent required to join the Women’s or Mixed teams, who compete in tournaments / leagues against teams based all across the UK.
The Giants Mixed Flag Team has already begun their preparations for the 2023 season, training every Sunday at Hillsborough College, but it’s not too late to get involved. The Giants Women’s Flag Team begins their training later in the year and practices at the Mosborough Training Ground.
