Jets Look To Europe

The Coventry Jets are looking to return to European competition in 2011 after taking a year out during a restructuring period for the club. 2010 was the first year since 2006 that the perennial British title contender hadn't tackled Europe's finest and saw the Berlin Adler take the Eurobowl title. Coventry's likely destination though is the EFAF Cup, where a former Jet tasted success this year. Alistair Bailey, who was part of the Coventry's 2008 National Title winning side, lifted the trophy with Swiss side the Calanda Broncos.

Bailey, who played primarily for the Jets at outside linebacker, transferred to the Broncos at the end of 2009 and helped guide the Chur based club to a perfect season, securing the Swiss title as well as the EFAF Cup. That perfect season included two victories over the Zurich Renegades, who defeated the Jets in the 2009 competition. For Coventry to get back amongst Europe's elite on the field they need to put in some work off it. The club are currently appealing for sponsors to help raise the entrance fee.

If the Jets can raise the funds in time to cover their bond they'll gain entry to the group stages as British runners-up. The London Blitz, who took part in EFAF last season, are likely to enter once again, taking Britain's other place. Previous European opponents for Coventry have included the Prague Panthers, Madrid Osos, Valencia Firebats, Oslo Vikings, Tirol Raiders and Milan Rhinos.

Since the Cassidy Group withdrew their sponsorship in 2008 the Jets have found it increasingly difficult to compete internationally. The programme made incredible strides in a short space of time. The 2007 campaign was short-lived, a one-sided mauling of the Madrid Osos in Nuneaton wasn't enough to help the Jets past the group stage as they fell in Austria to the Cineplexx Blue Devils.

Head Coach Gerry McManus and his team made dramatic strides the following year, again comfortably defeating Spanish opposition, this time the Valencia Firebats were easily dispatched at Warwick University. That result was followed up by the Jets' first ever competitive victory away from home, a thrilling win over the Oslo Viking in the Norwegian Capital

After McManus briefly retired the Jets found it tough in 2009, with no home game Coventry found themselves on the receiving end of heavy defeats in both Zurich and Prague. The main threats in 2011 will likely come from the Scandinavian countries as well as the usually strong competitors of France, Italy, the Netherlands and of course Switzerland.