Community Sport: Nighthawks ready to touchdown in the big league.

Byline: BY MICHAEL McGUINNESS Daily Post Correspondent

LIVERPOOL and Everton will forever be the dominant sporting icons in Merseyside. But a revitalised American Football club is aiming to challenge that.

The Merseyside Nighthawks, established in 1986, are in the third tier of the British leagues, having narrowly missed out on the play-offs last year.

Sean Mooney, Nighthawks player-coach since 2004, believes the sport should be given more credibility in Britain as the progress made has not had the praise it deserves.

A recent surge of coverage has come from the inaugural NFL game played outside America at Wembley last year, yet the Nighthawks defender still doesn't believe enough is done to give the sport the chance in the UK.

"The sport gets nowhere near the credibility, coverage or respect it deserves," Mooney said. "To understand the game you have to play it and try it. We get the usual jibes about the helmet and shoulder pads from rugby and football lads, but the 'protection' is often used offensively"

Mooney also believes that the 'soccer' culture across Merseyside hugely overshadows the progress made by the team, who play their home games at Birkenhead Park Rugby Union Club in Wirral.

However, in terms of national coverage, new technologies have helped towards the globalisation of the sport. This is how Sean and many other Nighthawks came to join the club.

"It was not on the TV much and no Internet meant that information was hard to come by," he explained. "The Internet and the televising of more games meant I could watch it more easily. Then while watching TV a weekly magazine was advertised, I bought the magazine and saw a game report for the Nighthawks, contacted them and the rest is history

"The 80s were the heyday of American Football in the UK. Since then we have continued to provide competitive football in the Merseyside area, while other teams have fallen by the wayside."

"Our aspirations are to continue to provide football that is available to anybody," he said. "We are hoping to continue to improve our level of playing and coaching.

"Last season we had our most successful season for a long while. Next season we are hoping to challenge for the Division Two title which brings promotion to BAFL Division One."

There is, however, a long way to go before the BAFL leagues can rival the standard of the top leagues in America.

"Players in the NFL as athletes and physical specimens are arguably the best athletes in the world," added Mooney. "For size, strength and speed they are unrivalled. But also the variety of players is unequalled.

Americans play the game as children - it's in their blood."

One Nighthawks player, Grahame Warby is set to have trials with a side in America.

Off the field, however, Nighthawks have had to contend with tragedy following the death of player Kyle Jones.

"Kyle was a gentleman," he said. "When he came to training as a rookie, it was clear that he was going to fit right in with the Nighthawks.

"He was a local Birkenhead lad, he was full of life and character. He never missed a training session, even when he twisted his knee he came every week, offering support cheering his team mates on.

The news of his untimely death hit the club like a sledgehammer.

"It was an amazing gesture that after only a few months at the club his team-mates were asked to carry his coffin at the church service."

In his honour the club renamed the 'Rookie Player of the Year' the Kyle Jones Award, which Mark Brunson won in 2007.

The Nighthawks are sponsored by Liverpool-based flooring company OPTIMA, who help with travel costs, which can be quite expensive when playing at the likes of the Glasgow Tigers.

The Nighthawks are always on the lookout for new players, staff and volunteers, and welcome anyone to take part regardless of experience.

Anyone who is interested in joining call 07845 605020 or visit www.merseysidenighthawks.com

For size, strength and speed they are unrivalled SEAN MOONEY

CAPTION(S):

Merseyside Nighthawks in action against Dundee Legends; Sean Mooney (centre) and his Merseyside Nighthawks team-mates