1986 – England Two touch beginnings
While Scotland launched a full-scale Under-18 league in 1986, England’s junior American football scene began more modestly—but no less passionately—with the JAFFA (North Western Two Touch League). Featuring a small group of pioneering teams from the North West, this first season set the stage for what would become a growing youth movement in British gridiron.
📊 Final Standings – Western Conference
| Team | W | L | T | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L8 Raiders | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Ormskirk Ogres | 0 | 0 | 0 | .625 |
| Liscard Lizards | 0 | 0 | 0 | .625 |
| St. Helens Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | .125 |
Note: Some results are missing from the record, but the standings reflect team placements heading into the playoffs.
🔥 Playoffs
Despite an unbeaten regular season, the L8 Raiders were stunned in the semi-finals, highlighting the unpredictability and intensity of playoff football.
- L8 Raiders 0–18 Manchester Allstars Colts
The Allstars Colts delivered a major upset, shutting out the Raiders and advancing in convincing fashion. - Leeds Cougars 67–0 Ormskirk Ogres
The Cougars exploded offensively in the most dominant display of the season, dismantling the Ogres to reach the final.
🏆 Championship Final
Leeds Cougars 42–0 Manchester Allstars Colts
Leeds proved themselves the class of the league with another overwhelming performance. Their balanced attack and ironclad defense earned them a well-deserved title, completing a near-perfect postseason.
🌍 All-England Championship Match
After clinching the JAFFA title, the Leeds Cougars were invited to face the Southern champions, the Lee Valley Colts, in a one-off All-England Championship game.
- Lee Valley Colts 22–2 Leeds Cougars
Despite their regional success, the Cougars met their match in the Lee Valley Colts. The Southern side outplayed Leeds in all phases, claiming bragging rights as England’s top junior team in 1986.
⚡ Legacy of the 1986 JAFFA Season
Though smaller in scale, the 1986 JAFFA season was no less significant. It marked the beginning of organised youth American football in England and showcased the raw talent and passion already brewing in the North. From the Raiders’ regular-season run to the Cougars’ explosive playoff campaign, these young players laid the groundwork for the expansion of junior football across the UK.