The 1989 season of the NDMA Youth Kitted League was held during the autumn, following directly after the traditional summer league had concluded. This unusual timing meant that many young players competed in two full seasons within the same calendar year, a testament to both their dedication and the growing appetite for youth American football in the UK.
The National Division Management Association (NDMA) was a newly formed body in 1988, operating under the wider umbrella of the Budweiser League. It was created to oversee the National Division—essentially the top tier of British American football—comprising the country’s 15 most elite clubs. Entry into this top flight was governed by strict criteria, including on-field performance, financial stability, stadium infrastructure, and notably, the requirement to field a fully kitted youth team.
The 1989 youth season reflected the ambition of this new structure. With two teams finishing the regular season unbeaten, emerging rivalries, and a championship game decided by a single safety, the year delivered a unique blend of high drama and high standards—further accelerating the momentum behind the UK’s expanding youth kitted football scene.
📊 League Standings
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
%
Leicester Panthers
6
6
0
0
192
36
1.000*
London Olympians
6
6
0
0
74
26
1.000*
Birmingham Bulls
6
4
2
0
82
37
0.667*
Fylde Falcons
6
2
4
0
64
168
0.333*
Northants Stormbringers
6
2
4
0
88
159
0.333
Manchester Spartans
6
2
4
0
64
83
0.333
Manchester Allstars
6
0
6
0
37
92
0.000
Summary: The Leicester Panthers steamrolled through the season with the league’s top offense and a stout defense, while the London Olympians remained unbeaten with a defense-first identity. Birmingham pushed both hard, while Fylde and Northants battled mid-table. The Allstars, despite spirited performances, ended the year winless.
🔥 Semi-Finals
In the semi-final round, the Olympians shut out the Birmingham Bulls with a commanding 30–0 win, relying on their physical defense and efficient execution. Meanwhile, Leicester continued their offensive onslaught, posting a massive 50–0 shutout of the Fylde Falcons.
Semi-Final Results:
London Olympians 30–0 Birmingham Bulls
Leicester Panthers 50–0 Fylde Falcons
🏆 NDMA Youth Kitted Bowl
Saffron Lane, Leicester
In an unexpected defensive showdown between two unbeaten powerhouses, the Leicester Panthers edged the London Olympians by a razor-thin 2–0 scoreline. It was a tightly fought battle defined by field position and discipline. The Panthers sealed the championship with a safety—the only points in the game—highlighting how even the smallest margins can decide titles.
Championship Final:
Leicester Panthers 2–0 London Olympians
🧩 Final Notes
Leicester capped a perfect season with a defensive gem in the final.
The Olympians allowed just 2 points all season—but those were enough to deny them the title.
1988 – Two Touch
The 1988 season of the Junior American Football League (JAFL) was a landmark in scale and competition. With over 70 youth teams across 12 regional conferences, it reflected the rapid expansion of the sport throughout the UK. From defensive masterclasses to offensive juggernauts, this season had it all.
📊 Eastern Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Tiptree Titans
10
9
0
1
343
10
Cherokee Braves
10
7
2
1
251
33
Colchester Eagles
10
7
3
0
194
146
Southend Wildcats
10
3
7
0
69
147
Basildon Wildcats
10
2
7
1
45
244
Colchester Tridents
10
0
9
1
0
322
Summary: The Titans were utterly dominant, conceding just 10 points all season. The Braves and Eagles followed strongly, but Tiptree looked every inch the national contenders from start to finish.
📊 East Anglian Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Cambridge Coyotes
8
6
1
1
129
60
Norwich Demons
8
5
1
2
96
50
Ipswich Cardinals Jnrs
8
4
3
1
92
34
North Sea Tigers
8
3
5
0
63
110
Peterborough Hustlers
8
0
8
0
16
142
Summary: A tight three-way battle saw Cambridge edge out Norwich and Ipswich in a strong showing for the region. Peterborough struggled to gain traction in a tough division.
📊 Home Counties Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Luton Junior Flyers
8
8
0
0
244
0
Bedford Yearlings
8
5
3
0
151
52
Herts Spirits
8
4
4
0
124
82
Oxford Jnr Bulldogs
8
3
5
0
38
182
Chiltern Cheetahs
8
0
8
0
16
257
Summary: Luton were flawless, going unbeaten and unscored upon—an extraordinary defensive feat. Bedford and Herts kept it competitive behind them.
📊 London Central Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
London Acorn Lasers
8
8
0
0
326
6
Ealing Eagles
8
6
2
0
146
80
Heathrow Jets
8
3
5
0
103
101
Westminster Warriors
8
2
6
0
36
168
Kingston Bengals
8
1
7
0
37
293
Summary: The Lasers were lights-out on both sides of the ball, posting one of the highest point totals in the country. Ealing were solid runners-up, but nobody could match London Acorn’s firepower.
📊 London & East Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Maidstone Pumas
8
6
0
2
216
22
Kent Rams Jnrs
8
5
1
2
235
22
Elm Park Eagles
8
3
4
1
99
60
Medway Mustangs
8
3
4
1
111
140
Biggin Hill Flyers
8
0
8
0
8
425
Summary: A strong defensive conference led by undefeated Maidstone and high-scoring Kent. The top two teams were separated by just a single win in a close-fought division.
📊 London & West Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Basingstoke Ironsides
8
6
2
0
101
22
Thames Valley Razorbacks
8
5
1
2
50
16
Farnham Knights Jnrs
8
4
1
3
38
26
White Horse Warriors
8
2
5
1
14
131
Silverbacks Jnrs
8
0
8
0
0
8
Summary: A tight three-horse race, with Basingstoke narrowly outlasting Thames Valley and Farnham in a defensively disciplined group.
📊 Midlands Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Northants Stormbringers
8
7
1
0
218
58
Wrekin Giants Jnrs
8
7
1
0
154
54
Burton Barons Jnrs
8
3
5
0
49
123
Locomotive Derby Jnrs
8
1
7
0
30
164
Summary: Northants and Wrekin were inseparable in the standings, both finishing 7–1. Their playoff push would decide who reigned supreme in the Midlands.
📊 North East Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Lincoln Bombers
8
8
0
0
160
30
Nottingham Caesars
8
4
4
0
113
84
Nottingham Outlaws
8
2
6
0
104
170
Newark Vulcan Jnrs
8
0
8
0
28
173
Summary: Lincoln cruised to an unbeaten record and one of the league’s top defenses. Behind them, it was a dogfight for second, with all teams showing flashes of potential.
📊 North West Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Wirral Wolves
8
7
0
1
166
58
Rotherham Braves
8
5
2
1
130
66
Fylde Falcons Jnrs
8
3
5
0
48
143
Lancashire Braves
8
2
5
1
58
70
Stockport Falcons Jnrs
8
1
6
1
44
109
Summary: Wirral stood tall in the North West, with a strong push from Rotherham. The rest of the pack struggled to break even in a tough division.
📊 Southern Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Bournemouth Jnr Bobcats
8
7
1
0
143
26
Portsmouth Warriors
8
7
1
0
108
48
Fortek Falcons
8
4
4
0
36
84
Eastleigh Royals
8
2
6
0
4
125
Cornwall Corvettes
8
0
8
0
0
8
Summary: A tale of two titans—Bournemouth and Portsmouth dominated the South, both going 7–1 and preparing for playoff success.
📊 Western Conference
Team
PYD
W
L
T
F
A
Cardiff Celts
8
8
0
0
231
32
Swansea Dragons
8
5
2
1
126
30
Cheltenham Chieftains
8
4
3
1
146
47
Hereford Charger Colts
8
1
7
0
15
217
Avalon Knights
8
1
7
0
49
241
Summary: Cardiff swept the West, finishing perfect with both power and poise. Swansea and Cheltenham kept pace, but none could topple the Celts.
🔹 Wild Card Round
The Wild Card round featured tightly contested regional runners-up and top wild card teams vying for a place in the main playoff bracket. Kent Rams narrowly edged out Thames Valley, and Cherokee Braves put on a defensive masterclass. Northants and Wrekin advanced convincingly, while Cambridge battled to a gritty win.
Wild Card Results:
Kent Rams Jnrs 12–8 Thames Valley Razorbacks
Basingstoke Ironsides 0–28 Ealing Eagles
Rotherham Braves 6–18 Wrekin Giants Jnrs
Northants Stormbringers 24–6 Nottingham Caesars
Cherokee Braves 26–0 Norwich Demons
Cambridge Coyotes 6–0 Bedford Yearlings
🔹 1st Round Playoffs
The first official playoff round featured some of the season’s strongest teams. Bournemouth and Swansea clashed in a defensive double-overtime thriller. London Acorn Lasers continued their rampage with a strong win over Kent. Meanwhile, Luton Junior Flyers, Tiptree Titans, and Maidstone Pumas advanced confidently, with Northants taking down Wirral and Wrekin upsetting the unbeaten Lincoln Bombers.
Things began to tighten in the quarters. Bournemouth continued their unlikely run with a one-point win over Cardiff in one of the round’s most intense games. Tiptree Titans barely edged undefeated Luton Flyers in a true clash of titans. Meanwhile, the Lasers dispatched Maidstone with ease, and Northants advanced on a forfeit due to Wrekin’s pitch being ruled unplayable.
The final four gathered in Cambridge for the semi-finals. Tiptree’s run remained unbroken, overcoming a resilient Bournemouth side 14–6. The Lasers, as dominant as ever, blanked Northants 10–0 to secure their place in the final. Both games were high-stakes, physical matchups showcasing disciplined defense and playoff-hardened offenses.
Semi-Final Results:
Tiptree Titans 14–6 Bournemouth Jnr Bobcats
London Acorn Lasers 10–0 Northants Stormbringers
🏆 JAFL National Final
Tiptree Titans 10–6 London Acorn Lasers In a showdown between two undefeated juggernauts, the Tiptree Titans triumphed over the London Acorn Lasers in a tense, low-scoring final. Tiptree’s relentless defense proved the difference, frustrating the Lasers’ usually potent offense and securing the Titans’ first national title. It was a fitting end to one of the most competitive and expansive seasons in UK youth football history.
🧩 Final Thoughts
Tiptree Titans finished the season unbeaten with the national crown.
London Acorn Lasers allowed just 16 points all season—including the final—but fell short.
New contenders like Bournemouth, Wrekin, and Northants added regional strength.
The 1988 JAFL season was a showcase of explosive growth, elite competition, and rising standards across the board.