Dates: August 1992
Venue: Toulouse, France
Age Range: U18 (Kitted)
Data status: ✅ Basic results confirmed; partial squads (GB, France, Germany, Austria) recovered; some game scores missing.
The inaugural European Junior Championship in Toulouse, France (1992) proved a tough but historic experience for the Great Britain Crusaders.
Britain travelled with a squad of 40 players, all aged 17, following only a handful of tryouts and training camps. They faced host nation France in the semi-final, eventually losing 7–0 despite a landmark moment — Clive Smith (London Capitals) caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Alan Ennis (Leeds Cougars) to record what is believed to be the first-ever touchdown in European junior kitted football. Unfortunately, the score was ruled out and France went on to take control.
In the bronze medal game, Great Britain were outmuscled and outsized by Italy, falling 42–0. The Crusaders’ defence, led by standouts such as David Guy (Bournemouth Renegades), Chris Riley (Gateshead Senators), Jason Savage (Gateshead Senators) and David Owen, worked tirelessly, but could not contain Italy’s powerful line.
Tournament manager Tony Owen later described the competition as a “farce,” highlighting several challenges:
- GB fielded an under-17 squad, while other nations used players up to 19 years old.
- Organisation issues meant French referees were drafted at the last minute, with inconsistent officiating.
- In the final itself, between Finland and France, officials even had to use jerseys and string as down markers after the chains went missing.
Despite the difficulties, Owen praised the coaching staff under Gary Marshall and the squad’s determination, noting the experience would lay the groundwork for stronger GB squads at future championships.
The championship ultimately ended with Finland beating France 16–7 in the final to claim the first European Junior title.
🏅 Medal Summary
U19
- Gold: Finland — beat France 16–7 (Final)
- Silver: France
- Bronze: Italy — beat Great Britain 40–0 (Bronze Final)
👥 Participants
U17: Finland, France, Great Britain, Italy
🇬🇧 Great Britain Recap
Division: U19 – but sent a U17 squad
Record: 0–2 (Lost to France & Italy; finished 4th).
Key results:
- Great Britain 0–26 France (group)
- Great Britain 0–40 Italy (Bronze Final)
Britain’s Crusaders side of 40 players came together only in June 1992 after two tryouts and three camps. A planned warm-up vs Holland was cancelled. Despite two disallowed touchdowns and a missed field goal, GB were outmatched by France in Toulouse.
📊 Known Results — All Games
| Date | Stage | Matchup | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 1992 | Semifinal | Finland vs Italy | 38–0 |
| Sept 1992 | Semifinal | France vs Great Britain | 26–0 |
| Sept 1992 | Bronze Final | Italy vs Great Britain | 40–0 |
| Sept 1992 | Final | Finland vs France | 16–7 |
🧑🤝🧑 Squads & Staff
Great Britain Crusaders
Players :
OFFENSE
QB
- L Fraser — Gateshead Senators — #10
- A Ennis — Leeds Cougars — #12
- D Yems (QB/K) — London Ravens — #11
RB
- C Barker — Nottingham Hoods — #23
- J Harrison — Gateshead Senators — #25
- B Summerfield — North West Spartans — #27
WR
- N Seddon — Norwich Devils — #29
- R Smith — London Capitals — #80
- S Peck — N P Panthers — #81
- P Oates — Steel City Titans — #18
- L Jones — Farnham Knights — #24
- A Harrup — Farnham Knights — #28
OL
- P Michaud — Leeds Cougars — #70
- S Green — Gateshead Senators — #76
- S Cliff — Leeds Cougars — #61
- S Nason — Farnham Knights — #62
- W Hill — Birmingham Bulls — #72
- T Rutherford — Leeds Cougars — #71
TE
J Savage — Gateshead Senators — #93
Defense:
DL
- R Callaghan — London Capitals — #94
- G Whalley — Bournemouth Renegades — #90
- S Riley — Gateshead Senators — #73
- S Deller — N P Panthers — #74
- L Fairchild — Southend Sabres — #75
LB
- A Rose — Southend Sabres — #97
- N Gimson — Bournemouth Renegades — #92
- C Wilde — Ipswich Cardinals — #41
- L Day — Southend Sabres — #44
CE
- A Scott — Norwich Demons — #52
- D Guy — Bournemouth Renegades — #1
- M Grimm — Bristol Aztecs — #2
- D Lloyd — Birmingham Bulls — #3
S
- M Bushell — Southend Sabres — #4
- M Chilton — N P Panthers — #5
- D Wilson — Gateshead Senators — #6
Staff:
- Head Coach — Gary Marshall
- Offensive Coordinator — Mike Reeves
- Receivers — Ian Feeley
- RBs — Dave Barham
- QBs — Dave Green
- OL — Paul Owen
- Defensive Coordinator — Graham Jessett
- LB — Allan McMillan
- DBs — Albert Lambert
- DL — Jason Mellet
Manager — Tony Owen
Medical — Walter McKone, Laura Rosenthal.
Team Finland
Offense:
- QB Petrus Penkki, TAFT Vantaa
- QB Jussi Julin, Rangers Jyväskylä
- WR Sebastian Nilsson, Roosters Helsinki
- WR Timo Kyyrä, Admirals Rauma
- WR Eero Wuorensola, Roosters Helsinki
- TE Teemu Kuusisto, Roosters Helsinki
- TE Toni Länsivuori, Rajaritarit L-ranta
- RB Olli Rounaja, Northern Lights Oulu
- RB Sami Repo, TAFT Vantaa
- RB Patrick Ellison, TAFT Vantaa
- RB Andreas Taalas, Rangers Jyväskylä
- RB Sam Mattsson, Colts Espoo
- OL Åke Halttunen, Roosters Helsinki
- OL Olli Vilanka, Roosters Helsinki
- OL Petri Piirainen, TAFT Vantaa
- OL Jukka Pääkkönen, Rangers
- OL Arttu Lehti, Rocks Tampere
- OL Esko Veräjänkorva, Trojans
Defense:
- DB Roope Noronen, Roosters Helsinki
- DB Martti Mäyry, TAFT Vantaa
- DB Kimmo Kari, East City Giants Helsinki
- DB Markus Viljanen, East City Giants Helsinki
- DB Marko Juutilainen, Eagles Kotka
- LB Mikko Väänänen, Roosters Helsinki
- LB Niclas Carpelan, East City Giants Helsinki
- LB Tuomas Kukkonen, East City Giants Helsinki
- LB Martti Reilander, Trojans Turku
- LB Matti Lottonen, Falcons Falcons
- LB Teemu Paukkula, Admirals Rauma
- DL Jarkko Porkkka, Roosters Helsinki
- DL Petteri Kauppinen, TAFT Vantaa
- DL Henri Kankkonen (Kurki), East City Giants Helsinki
- DL Janne Kankare, East City Giants Helsinki
- DL Roope Piipponen, Colts Espoo
- DL Lauri Pajunen, Whips Helsinki
Coaches
- Head coach Juha Liedes
- Assistant coach (RB) Hannu Koivusalo
- Assistant coach (WR) Matti Sorsa
- Assistant coach (OL) Jorma Hytönen
- coordinator Antti Hemminki
- Maintenance Team leader Reijo Ailasmaa
- Doctor Juha-Matti Leppävuori
- Guardian Markku Syrjä
- Guardian Ulla Lehikoinen
- Guardian Antti Passila
📚 Sources & Notes
- Newspaper clipping: “French send Brit kids hopping mad in Euro championships” (1992).
- GB Lions Crusaders selection sheet (1992).
- Tournament program excerpts (France, Germany, Austria squads).
- Wikipedia: European Junior Championship of American football.
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