Bradford Dragons

The Bradford Dragons are an English semi-professional basketball club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Bradford Dragons
LeagueNBL Division 1
Established2001 (2001)
HistoryBradford Dragons
2001-present
ArenaBradford College
LocationBradford, West Yorkshire
Team colours              
Head coach Chris Mellor
WebsiteOfficial website

The Men's first team currently play in the English Basketball League Division 1, which is the second level of British basketball. In addition to this, junior teams compete at Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 levels. The club's importance to the local community was recognised in 2006 by Bradford Council, which awarded the Dragons a special commendation award for their contribution to community cohesion.[1]

Club History

The Bradford Dragons club was established in 2001 as a local Under-16 club, in response to growing demand from local players for an outlet to play competitive basketball. The club quickly attracted more young players, entering an Under-18 team in the Bradford League for the 2002/2003 season and adding an Under-21 team for 2003/2004. 2004/2005 saw further expansion, with Under-14 and Under-16 teams entering the England Basketball League for the first time.[2]

The Dragons added senior men's basketball to their programme in 2005/2006, entering a Men's team in EBL Division Three (North). The senior team made a steady start to life in the national league, finishing in the top six in each of their first four seasons, narrowly missing out on the playoffs on several occasions. In the 2009/2010 season, the team won the first of two successive promotions, finishing the season at the top of Division Three (North) and making the Playoff semi-finals. A similar record in the 2010/2011 season saw the Men's team reach the top tier of English Basketball, where they have remained to date.[3]

A second Men's team was entered in EBL Division Four (North) for the first time in 2011/2012, with a Women's team joining EBL Division Two (North) in the following season and claiming the title at their first attempt with a 13-2 record.[4] Despite this early success, both teams were disbanded after the 2012/2013 season, although the club hopes to relaunch both teams into national competition in the future.

Players

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team, as has been defined under FIBA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIBA nationality.

No. Position Player
3 G David Walsh
5 G Billy Cousins
7 PG Andreas Lycoudis
9 G Matthew Armstrong
11 G Jermayne Laing
12 F Rihards Sulcs
13 F Ricky Fetske
14 F Kehinde Ogunneye
21 F Clayfell Harris

Notable former players

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.


Season-by-season records
Season Division Tier League Playoffs National Cup Div. League Cup
Finish Played Wins Losses Points Win %
Bradford Dragons
2005-06 D3 Nor 4 5th 16 8 8 16 0.500 Did Not Qualify 1st Round 1st Round
2006-07 D3 Nor 4 5th 20 13 7 26 0.650 Did Not Qualify 2nd Round Semi Finals
2007-08 D3 Nor 4 3rd 20 14 6 28 0.700 Quarter Finals 3rd Round Semi Finals
2008-09 D3 Nor 4 5th 22 14 8 28 0.636 Did Not Qualify 3rd Round Quarter Finals
2009-10 D3 Nor 4 1st 22 21 1 42 0.955 Semi Finals 1st Round Runners Up
2010-11 D2 3 1st 20 17 3 34 0.850 Semi Finals Quarter Finals Semi Finals
2011-12 D1 2 6th 24 15 9 30 0.625 Quarter Finals Quarter Finals Quarter Finals
2012-13 D1 2 12th 26 10 16 20 0.385 Did Not Qualify 2nd Round Quarter Finals
2013-14 D1 2 4th 26 17 9 34 0.654 Semi Finals 2nd Round 1st Round
2014-15 D1 2 8th 24 10 14 20 0.417 Quarter Finals Quarter Finals Semi Finals
2015-16 D1 2 12th 26 6 20 12 0.231 Did Not Qualify 2nd Round Semi Finals
2016-17 D1 2 7th 26 14 12 28 0.538 Quarter Finals Quarter Finals Pool Stage
2017-18 D1 2 6th 24 13 11 26 0.542 Quarter Finals Quarter Finals Pool Stage
2018-19 D1 2 11th 26 11 15 22 0.423 Did Not Qualify 4th Round Pool Stage
2019-20 D1 2 8th 23 12 11 27 0.522 No Playoffs 4th Round N/A

References
  1. "Bradford Dragons, Club History". Bradford Dragons Website.
  2. "Bradford Dragons, Club History". Bradford Dragons Website.
  3. "League Table History". Basketball England. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  4. "League Table History". Basketball England. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
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