Multiverse Football

Football as it could have been

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Beginnings

In 1982, interest in American Football grew from replays shown on Channel 4. The IFL, desperate for cash, sold the European rights to replay IFL games. Wednesday Night Replays showcased all the leagues' games. Midway through the season, the SEBC broadcasters were replaced with UK announcers with great success. (This also triggered a lawsuit between the SEBC and the IFL that was later settled out-of-court.)

After the IFL-NAFL merger, there was still a growing appetite for American Football. Channel 4 continued Wednesday Night Replays with their choice of NAFL games played on Sunday. This led John Bassett and friends in RAF Croughton to discuss the creation of a league in the UK with possible expansion into Europe. In 1985, the UK League of American Football fielded 32 UK teams. Despite a recession, funding from the NAFL and American beer companies five full seasons of play.

The Next Phase

In the 90s, the beer companies withdrew their sponsorship, but the NAFL European Trust was established to keep American football alive. The league expanded and contracted, but is still fielding teams in two divisions with a handful of associate teams.