On February 9, keen American Football fans in Cumbria Dwill tune in to the 59th edition of the NFL’s showpiece finale, alongside its famous half-time show. 

Sadly for those who prefer to see players throwing an egg rather than kicking a ball, this once-a-year fixture is as much as fans can get living in this part of the UK. 

As per British American Football, Cumbria is the UK’s largest region without a recognised side of any kind, with any up and coming players forced to travel as far as Newcastle or Edinburgh if they fancy a game. 

It’s certainly not been from a lack of trying. For nine years, Furness Phantoms American Football Club was Cumbria’s premier option for players, but less than two weeks before the UK went into lockdown in 2020, the club was forced to forfeit the season due to a player position shortage.

The club, which was based in Ulverston, opted to merge with close rivals Morecambe Bay Storm ahead of the 2022 season, but just a few months later and the club folded, leaving Cumbria without any sort of American Football team. 

It seemed as if hope was on the horizon when, in 2022, Cumbria Wildcats formed, holding its first taster session in Kendal in June of that year. 

The club regularly appealed for new players to attend but it seems clear that the interest simply wasn’t there at the time, as after fewer than 10 taster sessions throughout the summer, the idea seemingly just lost all momentum, and the concept of Cumbria Wildcats has since disappeared without a trace.

It must be said that Border City Centurions in Carlisle have enjoyed success in recent years but play a primarily non-contact version of the sport known as Flag Football.

While that may be suitable for younger children looking to get into the sport, those considering a career in it simply don’t have the same options as those interested in football or rugby for example.

Perhaps now in 2025, with American Football continuing to grow in popularity again in the UK, and with the Superbowl on the horizon, it is time that Cumbria tried once again to offer opportunities in the sport in this region.