World Footy News

A team from the English city of Sheffield took the field for the first time in 2008 - with the student-based Sheffield Thunder completing a handful of games in the ARUK Central Division, before pulling out of the league due to the pressure on the squad of combining running the footy club with university commitments.

Aussie Garth Nevin, previously of the New York Magpies, recently took over the reins at the Thunder and is planning to get the club onto the pitch full time in 2010.

Nevin has been playing footy since he was 11 years old, playing junior football for the Hampton Park Redbacks, Fountain Gate Gators and the Narre Warren Magpies in Melbourne's South East, and even playing league representative football for the Mornington Peninsula-Nepean FL Sharks at under 17s and 18s level.

"I played at Narre Warren up until my 21st birthday. Playing in a grandfinal, the highlight was kicking the last goal of the game with 30 seconds to go to steal victory by 4 points. I had a year off then went back to my original club Hampton Park Redbacks to play with old friends for 3 years."

"I then packed up and moved to New York, where I found the NY Magpies. The experiences and memories I have for playing for them for 2 years will never be forgotten, they are an amazing club."

"Having moved to Sheffield in late 2008, the nearest Australian football team I could find was the Manchester. Wasn't very interested in driving an hour and a half to get to training, then to drive it again to get home. I took up Rugby Union for the first time!"

Around a month ago, Nevin was attending some training for work. The assessor heard his Australian accent, and asked if liked Australian Football. "He put me in contact with the coach of the Huddersfield Rams, so I contacted him and he told me about the Sheffield team that needed someone to take the reins."

"I looked them up on Facebook, contacted Brian Clarke and the rest is now in the makings..."

As far as Nevin is aware, none of the 2009 Thunder are still active, but he encourages anyone who was involved to get back in touch. Likewise, Nevin hasn't yet had any contact with players of the Doncaster Saints club who existed around 30km up the road a few years back.

"Our closest affiliated club is the Huddersfield Rams - great club & guys - who are now in their second season. On their first night of training for the 2010 season they had 19 players. I hope to emulate them and reach for the same success, they won a lot of trophies in 2009."

"I am tapping in to my various football contacts, e.g my new Marketing manager Dylan Bryant who lives in Hong Kong, previously was responsible for the New York Magpies, and all the football mates I have all over the world."

The Thunder are looking for sponsorship, sports grants and things of this ilk. Encouragingly, they already have been offered a ground where they can train.

As far as potential opposition goes, before the ARUK Central league starts back up in 2010, the reigning premiers Huddersfield Rams will be the first challenge. "I have also been contacted by the Gateshead Miners, up in Newcastle, wanting a game as soon as we have a full team on the pitch."

Anyone wanting to get in touch with the Sheffield Thunder and play some footy in the Steel City can contact them via their new Facebook group.