The Essex Leopards, or just Leopards as they were more commonly known, was a British basketball team competing in the British Basketball League. Established in 1994, the Leopards franchise was one of the most successful teams of the 1990s, dominating the domestic scene with local rivals London Towers.
Originally playing out of the London Arena as Leopards and later Greater London Leopards, the team was moved to Brentwood in 1999, and in 2002 the name was changed to the Essex Leopards. For financial reasons the team decided to "sit out" the 2003–04 season of the BBL and while every effort was made to find a buyer for the franchise, the Leopards soon folded completely.
Season-by-season records SeasonDivisionTierRegular SeasonPost-SeasonTrophyCupHead coach Finish Played Wins Losses Points Win % Leopards1994-95BBL16th362313460.638Quarter-finalsPool StageSemi-finalsBilly Mims1995-96BBL14th362313460.638Quarter-finalsPool StageQuarter-finalsBilly Mims1996-97BBL11st36288560.777Runners UpQuarter-finalsWinners, beating SheffieldBilly Mims Greater London Leopards1997-98BBL11st36297580.806Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsQuarter-finalsBilly Mims1998-99BBL18th361917380.527Quarter-finalsPool StageRunners UpBilly Mims 1999-00BBL S15th341123220.323Did not qualifyQuarter-finalsQuarter-finalsBob Donewald2000-01BBL S12nd342410480.705Semi-finalsQuarter-finalsRunners UpBob Donewald2001-02BBL S14th321616320.5001st roundSemi-finalsLast 16Chris Pullem Essex Leopards2002-03BBL110th401129220.275Did not qualifyPool StageQuarter-finalsMike Taylor
New team This was not the end though, as in 2004 a merger took place between Ware Rebels and Leopards Alive (an organisation of supporters of the defunct Greater London Leopards), and renamed as the Essex & Herts Leopards. In 2006, the team was renamed again to London Leopards, and currently play in EBL Division 1, the league below the BBL.
See also Essex Leopards
References