|
Ref. |
Team
|
Divisions |
History |
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1 |
Tigers |
Div. 1:
1975-1982
|
"Turnford Tigers" were founder members of the Women's League, and inaugural
League Champions. Playing variously at Hemel and Hoddesdon, by 1981 they
were in Colchester, but still named just "Tigers". Withdrew from Division 1
in 1982, having never finished outside the top four! |
|
2 |
Cleveland Eagles |
Div. 1:
1975-1980 |
Cleveland Eagles were founder members of the Women'sLeague in 1975, and one
of the top two teams in the competition's early years (winning the title in
'78 and '79). In 1980, however, having finished second, they withdrew. |
|
3 |
Luton |
NBL1:
1975-1980
NBL2: 1981-1983
1993-1995 |
"Corvus Cornix" were founder-members of the Women's League in 1975, playing
at Cambridge. In 1978 they moved, to become "Corvus Luton", but in 1980
withdrew from the league. In 1981 Luton entered NBL2 North, switched to the
South in '82, and pulling out again in 1983; I've kept their record with the
earlier club. Luton Raiders appeared in NBL2 in 1993, but they also lasted
just two seasons. |
|
4 |
Enfield (ex-Southgate) |
NBL 1:
1975-1985 NBL 2:
1985-1988 |
Southgate Wisps were founder-members of the Women's League in 1975. Won the
League three times in a row, from 1981-83. Became Enfield Browns in 1984,
but relegated in '85. Withdrew in 1988, after finishing last for second time
in three seasons. |
|
5 |
Barking & Dagenham / London YMCA |
NBL 1:
1975-1997 |
London YMCA Bobcats were founder members of the League in 1975, but when the
men's team decamped to Kingston in 1979 the women retained their own
identity, and continued to play at Central London YMCA, achieving two second
place finishes. In 1993 they moved to play at Goresbrook Leisure Centre, as
Barking & Dagenham Bobcats, and achieved another second place finish in '95.
In 1997, having slipped to mid-table, a famous name was extinguished when
they pulled out of the league, having only ever played in the top division. |
|
6 |
Edinburgh All Blacks |
NBL:
1976-1977 |
One of three Scottish "expansion" teams in the League's second season - a
merger experiment which lasted just one year. Finished fourth. |
|
7 |
Polonia (Edinburgh) |
NBL:
1976-1977 |
One of three Scottish "expansion" teams in the League's second season - a
merger experiment which lasted just one year. Finished fifth. |
|
8 |
Boroughmuir Aces |
NBL:
1976-1977 |
One of three Scottish "expansion" teams in the League's second season - a
merger experiment which lasted just one year. |
|
9 |
Nottingham Wildcats |
NBL 1:
1977-1979
1980-
NBL 2:
1979-1980 |
Nottingham are the longest-surviving team with continuous membership of the
women's NBL, having first entered the league in 1977, as Radcliffe Wildcats.
They were relegated in 1979, but promoted again (as Nottingham Wildcats) a
year later, and have been members of the top division ever since. |
|
10 |
TSB Norwich |
NBL 1:
1977-1978
NBL 2: 1998-2000 |
Norwich Coe-Stars were admitted to NBL1 in 1977. Finished next to last and
relegated in '78. Withdrew 1983. |
|
11 |
Ipswich Bobcats |
NBL 1:
1987-2001
EBL 1:
2002-2004
NBL 2:
1977-1978
1979-1987
2001-2002 |
Ipswich Bobcats were admitted to NBL1 in 1977, at the same time as Division
2 was introduced, but they finished last, with just one win, and pulled out.
There were back, in NBL2 South, a year later, and consolidated over the next
few years (including one season in the North), before winning NBL2, and
promotion in 1987. They remained in Division 1 for 14 seasons, and finished
in fifth place in 2001, but with many established players leaving the area
(for University) they then opted to return to NBL2 (North). They were
restored to the top divisdion in the reorganisation of 2002, but after two
seasons of struggle they withdrew to concentrate on their Junior
development. |
|
12 |
Solent Stars |
NBL 1:
1978-1985
EBL 1: 2004-
NBL 2: 1977-1978
1995-1999
EBL 2: 2003-2004 |
Founder members of NBL2 in 1977, and promoted after one season. Initially
achieved respectable results, but as the parent club ran into financial
difficulties, the women's team declined; they finished last in 1985, and
withdrew. Solent Pacers re-enetered NBL2 in 1995, became Solent Suns in '97,
and withdrew in '99. Solent Stars re-entered EBL2 South in 2003, won the
Division and qualified for EBL1 in 2004. |
|
13 |
Wanstead Griffins |
NBL 1:
1978-1979
NBL 2: 1977-1978
1979-1984 |
Waltham Abbey Griffins were founder-members of NBL2 in 1977. Finished second
and promoted in '78. Failed to win a game in NBL1, and relegated. Became
Wanstead in 1982. Withdrew in 1984. |
|
14 |
Malory Lewisham |
NBL 2:
1977-1981 |
Founder members of Division 2, 1977. Withdrew 1981. |
|
15 |
Sheffield Hatters |
NBL1:
1980-1982
EBL1:
1984-
NBL2: 1977-1978
1979-1980
1982-1984 |
Founder members of Division 2, 1977, but pulled out after one season.
Returned in 1979. Promoted 1980 (from 3rd in North), but relegated after two
seasons without a win. Promoted (North champions) 1984. Consolidated during
the late '80s, before winning their first League title in 1991, and going on
to become the most successful Women's team of all time. Finally topped the
All-Time League table in 2001. |
|
16 |
Liverpool Ajax |
NBL 2:
1977-1978 |
Founder members of Division 2, 1977. Withdrew 1978. |
|
17 |
Bath (ex-Frome) |
NBL 1:
1984-1986
NBL 2:
1977-1984 |
Oakleigh (Bristol) were founder members of Division 2, 1977. Moved to Frome
in '78. Won D2 South in 1981, but not promoted. In 1983 they appear to have
moved to Bath, who promptly won the D2 title and gained promotion. In 1986
they finished third … and disappeared. |
|
18 |
Coventry Cagers |
NBL 1:
1979-1980
NBL 2: 1978-1979 |
Entered NBL2 in 1978. Won the (five team) division and promoted to NBL1 in
1979. Lost all 14 games, and withdrew, 1980. |
|
19 |
Northampton 89ers / Cobras |
NBL 1:
1980-2001
NBL 2:
1978-1980 |
Northampton made an inauspicious debut in NBL2 in 1978, when they finished
the season with just one win, but as "Avon Northampton" they won NBL2 South
the following season, and gained promotion to Division 1. They became the
most successful team of the 1980s, winning their first league title in 1984,
and five more by 1990. They continued, as one of the main rival to
Sheffield's domination in the '90s, until the club changed ownership in
2000. Since the franchise retained the team's place in NBL1 (now as
Northampton Cobras), I have kept the records together. In their second
season, however, the Cobras found that a promised sponsorship deal did not
materialise, and they withdrew from the league in mid-season. We have
included the seven games they played that year in their record. |
|
20 |
London Towers / Crystal Palace |
NBL 1:
1979-1991
1996-2000
NBL 2:
1995-1996
2000-2005 |
Crystal Palace were admitted directly into NBL1 in 1979, and remained there
until 1991, when, a year after the men's team withdrew from the League, the
women's team was taken over and moved to Thames Valley. In 1995, with a
men's team back in the league, a Crystal Palace women's team re-entered,
into NBL 2, and so this is the team which inherits the old Palace record.
Promoted (from 2nd place) after one season. Finished last in 1998, but
stayed in NBL1 when the whole club "merged" with London Towers (and
continued to play at CPNSC). Relegated in 2000; just missed qualifying for
EBL1 from Regional Qualifying leagues in 2004, but then win EBL2 South, and
promoted, in 2005. |
|
21 |
Stockport Lapwings |
NBL 1:
1981-1991
EBL 1:
2004-
NBL 2:
1979-1981
1999-2004 |
Entered NBL2 in 1979, as Brinnington Lapwings. Won North section, and
Championship, in both 1980 and 1981 and gained promotion, changing name to
Stockport. Played as "Manchester Belgrade" from 1983 to 1986 and "Manchester
Giants" from 1990-91 (but still playing in Stockport on both occasions).
Finished last in NBL1 in 1991, and dropped out. Re-entered NBL2 North in
1999. Won promotion to EBL1 in re-organisation (via Regional qualifying
leagues) in 2004. |
|
22 |
Sandwell Sportsco |
NBL 1:
1982-1984
NBL 2: 1979-1982 |
Birmingham Sportsco entered NBL2 North in 1979. Became West Bromwich in
1981, and won propotion in '82. Became Sandwell in 1983, and withdrew in
'84. |
|
23 |
Chesham / Hemel Hempstead |
NBL 1:
1986-1987
1991-1993
NBL 2: 1979-1986
1989-1991 |
Hemel Hempstead entered a women's team into Div.2 South in 1979. "Hemel &
Watford" in 1984. Promoted in 1986. Relegated/withdrew in '87. Hemel
re-entered Div2 in 1989. Promoted 1991. Moved to Chesham in 1992; relegated
and withdrew, '93. |
|
24 |
Kings Lynn |
NBL 2:
1979-1987
1988-1989
1991-1992 |
Entered NBL2 North in 1979. Withdrew 1987. Re-entered NBL2 South in 1988, to
'89. Back into NBL2, for one more season, in 1991. |
|
25 |
Doncaster Panthers |
NBL 1:
1982-1983
1998-1999
2000-2002
EBL 1:
2004-
NBL 2:
1980-1982
1983-1998
1998-2000
EBL 2:
2002-2004 |
The Women's team from the Doncaster franchise entered NBL2 in 1980, and won
promotion in '82. Relegated, without a single win, in '83. In 1985 they
survived the demise of the men's team, retaining the name "Panthers". Won
Division 2 in 1998, and promoted to NBL1, but relegated after one season,
with a single win. Promoted again in 2000, despite finishing third in the
North ... and proceeded to win a third of their Div 1 games next season!
Placed in WNBL (i.e. Div 2) in reorganisation of 2002. Qualified for EBL1,
through Regional Leagues, in 2004. |
|
26 |
Worthing / Brighton Magic |
NBL 1:
1982-1986
NBL 2:
1980-1982
1986-1988
1999-2003 |
Brighton entered NBL2 South in 1980. Promoted (2nd in South) 1982. Moved
"next door" (along with the Men's team) in 1984, to become Worthing Wasps.
When Worthing withdrew from the Men's League in 1986, the women (who had
finished next to last in NBL1) returned to their roots, to play in NBL2 as
Brighton. Finished next to last in NBL2 in '88, and withdrew. "Brighton
Magic" re-entered NBL2 in 1999 (once more playing at the same venue as the
men). Moved to Worthing again in 2002 (now sharing a venue with Worthing
Thunder) but dropped out a year later. |
|
27 |
Derby/Ilkeston/Grantham |
NBL 1:
1985-1987
NBL 2: 1980-1985
1987-1989
1999-2002 |
Ilkeston Swifts entered NBL2 North in 1980. Became "Erewash" ()playing at
Sandiacre) in 1982. Promoted (from 2nd in NBL2) in 1985, and moved to Derby.
Won just one game in two seasons, relegated in 1987, and moved to Grantham.
Finished last in NBL2 North in 1989, and withdrew. Derby Storm then entered
NBL2 North in 1999, and I've kept their record with the earlier club.
Withdrew in 2002. |
|
28 |
Islington Falcons |
NBL 2:
1980-1982 |
Entered NBL2 South in 1980. Lost all 12 games in first season; won three in
second year, but withdrew in 1982. |
|
29 |
Bolton |
NBL 1:
1984-1985
NBL 2: 1981-1984 |
Entered NBL2 North in 1981. Promoted (from 3rd in North) in 1984. Finished
mid-table … and dropped out. |
|
30 |
Slough |
NBL 2:
1981-1984 |
Slough Scorpions entered NBL2 South in 1981. Withdrew 1984. |
|
31 |
Newcastle |
NBL 2:
1982-1983 |
Entered NBL2 North in 1982. Won all 12 games, the National Trophy and the
Championship … and withdrew! |
|
32 |
Colchester |
Div. 1:
1983-1984
NBL 2:
1982-1983 |
In 1982, Colchester basketball club entered a team into NBL2, playing at the
venue just vacated by the "Tigers" who had just pulled out of the League.
The team won the Division in its first season, and gained promotion, but
pulled out after just one year in NBL1. |
|
33 |
Kingston |
NBL 1:
1984-1990
NBL 2:
1982-1984 |
"Club Kingston" entered NBL2 South in 1982. Promoted (from second in South)
in '84. Survived the defection of the "parent" men's team to Glasgow, in
1988, but though the men returned in 1989, the women withdrew in 1990. |
|
34 |
Great Yarmouth |
NBL 2:
1982-1986 |
Entered NBL2 in 1982. Won just seven games in four seasons, and withdrew in
1986 |
|
35 |
Uxbridge |
NBL 2:
1983-1985 |
Entered NBL2 in 1983. Withdrew 1985. |
|
36 |
London Jets |
NBL 1:
1987-1989
1990-1994
NBL 2:
1983-1987
1989-1990 |
London Jets (a rare team, who played both North and South of the Thames, at
Swiss Cottage and Southwark, before moving to Aldgate in East London)
entered NBL2 South in 1983. Gradually worked their way up the table, from
last place in 1984 to second in '87, and promoted to NBL1. Finished last,
but stayed up as Div. 1 expanded. Finished bottom again, and relegated in
'89. Bounced straight back up, and survived two next-to-last finishes, then
edging up to a best-ever ninth ... and dropping out in 1994. |
|
37 |
Rugby |
NBL 2:
1984-1985 |
Entered NBL2 in 1984. Won the Division and promoted to NBL1, but withdrew
before the start of the season. |
|
38 |
Brixton Topcats |
NBL 1:
1986-1992
1993-1994
EBL 1: 2004-
NBL 2: 1985-1986
1992-1993
1994-1995
2001-2004 |
Entered NBL2 in 1985. Promoted in 1986. Relegated in 1992; promoted in '93;
relegated in '94. Withdrew 1995. Re-entered NBL2 South, 2001. Promoted in
2004, in reorganisation via Regional League qualification |
|
39 |
Birmingham |
NBL 2:
1985-1989 |
Entered NBL2 in 1985. Won NBL2 South in 1989 … and withdrew! |
|
40 |
Tyneside |
NBL 1:
1988-1991
NBL 2:
1986-1988 |
"Tyne Tees" entered NBL2 in 1986, and won promotion (second in the division)
in '88. Played in Division1 as Tyneside and then Gateshead (playing at
Gateshead LC under both names) and then Tyneside again when they moved to
play at South Shields. Finished third from bottom in 1991, and disappeared. |
|
41 |
Swindon Sonics |
NBL 2:
1986-1988
1990-1991
2001-2003 |
Swindon Lynx entered NBL2 in 1986, for two seasons. Returned for one more
(this time winless) season in 1990. Re-entered NBL2 South in 2001, for
another two years. |
|
42 |
Tameside Rowdies |
NBL 2:
1986-1987 |
One of only two teams with a point-less record. Entered NBL2 in 1986, lost
all 18 games and withdrew. |
|
43 |
Cardiff Clippers |
NBL 1:
1988-1990
1994-1995
NBL 2:
1987-1988
1993-1994
1997-2000
2001- |
Cae'r Castell Cardiff entered NBL2 in 1987. Won the division, and promoted,
1988. Cardiff Buccaneers, 1989. Withdrew 1990. Cardiff Flyers entered NBL2,
1993. Promoted 1994. Withdrew 1995. Cardiff Clippers entered NBL2, 1997.
Withdrew 2000. Re-entered 2001. |
|
44 |
Sunderland |
NBL 2:
1987-1994 |
Entered NBL2 in 1987. Withdrew 1994. |
|
45 |
Liverpool/Cheshire/Wirral |
NBL 1:
1992-1995
NBL 2: 1987-1992
1995-1998 |
Wirral entered NBL2 in 1987. Won D2 North in '89, but stayed in Div2. Became
Cheshire (playing at Ellesmere Port) in 1991. Promoted (D2 Champions) 1992.
Became Liverpool in 1994. Relegated 1995, and returned to Wirral. Back to
Liverpool in 1996; won D2, but stayed down. Withdrew in 1998. |
|
46 |
Leicester Amazons |
NBL 1:
1989-1990
1991-1993
1997-1999
NBL 2:
1988-1989
1990-1991
1993-1997
1999-2000
2001- |
Entered NBL2 South in 1988. Promoted 1989. Relegated 1990. Promoted 1991.
Managed two seasons in EBL1, to 1993; relegated. Promoted 1997. Relegated
1999. Withdrew in 2000. Re-entered 2001. |
|
47 |
Moss Side |
NBL 2:
1988-1989 |
Entered NBL2 North in 1988, but left in '89, despite third place finish. |
|
48 |
Kirklees |
NBL 2:
1988-1989
1990-1991 |
Entered NBL2 North in 1988, for one season. Re-entered NBL2 in 1990, but
withdrew again (despite 5th-place finish) in '91. |
|
49 |
PAWS London Capitals / Harlesden |
NBL 1:
1977-1978
1996-1997
EBL 1: 2003-
NBL 2: 1988-1989
1990-1996 |
Harlesden Amazons entered NBL2 in 1988. Withdrew after one season, but
returned the year afterwards. Became Stonebridge in 1992, and back to
Harlesden after one year. Won Div2 in 1996, and promoted to Div1, for one
year. Withdrew when relegated in 1996. In 2003, North-West London took over
the London Sting franchise, and the women's team became London Capital
Sting, renamed PAWS London Capitals in 2004. |
|
50 |
Rhondda Rebels |
NBL 1: 1990-
NBL 2:
1989-1990 |
Treorci entered NBL2 in 1989, and promptly won the division. Promoted to NBL
1, they changed their name to Rhondda Rebels, gradually establishing
themselves as one of the top teams in the league, and taking the League
title out of England for the first time in 2001. |
|
53 |
Thames Valley Tigers |
NBL 1:
1991-2003 |
Thames Valley effectively took over the Crystal Palace team, and franchise,
in 1991, but I've kept their record distinct [see C. Palace, ref. 20, for
reasons]. The Tigers maintained the team's high profile, regularly finishing
close to the top of the table, but in 2003 their funding from the parent
club dried up, and they withdrew from the League. |
|
51 |
Northampton 86ers |
NBL 2:
1989-1992 |