Titans Double Header in the Manchester Sun

By Timothy Foster

The Manchester Titans hosted their second double header of the season at a sunny Belle Vue on Saturday 20th June with Titans Women taking on Teesside Steelers and Titans Men tussling with the East Kilbride Pirates. The game day team put on a fantastic professional show with the tailgating enhanced by the presence of the Killa Carbs Pizza Company, Cocktail Cartel, Vanoffee, and a very active and welcoming merchandise stand. 

Erika Patao (LB, #14) and Emily Rodrigues (DB, #15) with the tackle on the Teesside RB (20 June 2026). Photo by Hannah McManus.

The first game saw Titans Women play a game of two halves. In the first half they struggled to gain momentum on the offence, but the defence gave a strong performance following an equally impressive outing at Birmingham Lions the weekend before. They were down 0-8 at the end of the first quarter and strong Teesside running in the second quarter saw two more TDs. Going into half-time it was 0-22.

Madeleine Tjalma with a TD run (20 June 2026). Photo by Malcolm Burke.

At the start of the second half a switch to Madeleine Tjalma (#1) at QB put Titans on the front foot with a series of run-plays. In the 4th Quarter Maddy ran in a TD from her own 41-yard line to put points on the board for the Titans. After a FT score of 6-22, many of the Teesside team and the Titans Women’s team stayed to watch the Titans game against East Kilbride.

From left to right: Charlie Martin (QB, #16), Destiny “Tiny” Olusegun (DL, #90), Robin Paier (DL, #98) on 20 June 2026. Photo by Malcolm Burke.

Our Manchester Titans were led onto the field by the sword-carrying Sam Wilson (WR, #88), cheered on by a crowd of over 300 fans, with 18 pupils of Highfield Primary School making themselves heard – “Lets Go Titans, Lets Go!!” This was no ‘artificial noise’ but pure human exuberance! The power play from the Titans started from the first whistle and a strong first quarter saw them lead 28-0. The first TD was from the pace of Hafeez Bisiriyu (RB, #34) who found an edge to run in from deep. Sam Wilson was found in the endzone by QB Josh Mills (#3) and then great blocking allowed rushing TD’s from Hafeez and Nathan Jewkes (RB, #12), both again from deep. All single point conversions were good from Alex Lenkowski (#17).

Sam Wilson (WR, #88) vs East Kilbride, 20 June 2026. Photo by Malcolm Burke.

The first play of the second quarter was a more impressive repeat of Brad Temple’s (WR, #1) catch and run-in from the Coventry game. EKP scored with a great catch but failed in a two-point conversion. Nathan Jewkes found a seam starting from his own 20-yard line and powered to the endzone supported by wingmen blockers and a field goal from Alex Lenkowski saw a half-time score of 45-6. Squad rotation in the second half saw good displays from Alex Ross (QB, #8) and the return from injury from Charlie Martin (QB, #16) and two field goals from the 100% boot of Alex Lenkowski brought a final score of 51-6.

Dan Ward (DB, #6) and Herminio Manga (RB, #80) with the tackle on Special Teams (20 June 2026). Photo by Malcolm Burke.

A special shout out is deserved for aggressive defence from LBs Rory Dodgson (#2) and Abdul (“Mad Dog”) Madougou (#18). The standout performance however was from our “12th Man”, the boys and girls from Highfield Primary who entertained the crowd with their chanting throughout the game and were rewarded at the end of the game with players signing their Titans merchandise and autograph books. On Father’s Day weekend there were a number of proud Dads in the stands who would echo the young voices: “T-I-T-A-N-S Titans are the very best!” on a day under Belle Vue Blue Skies remembered for the running of Maddy, Hafeez, Nathan, and Brad and our 12th Man. Our thanks go out to the teachers and pupils of Highfield Primary - special teachers make special memories.

Highfield Primary on their school trip to cheer on the Manchester Titans (20 June 2026). Photo by Karina Foster.

Titans Women play at home next on Saturday 4 July. Our Titans U19s play at home on Sunday 26 July.

The men’s team are back at home on Saturday 1 August. Get your tickets here!

Back to back away wins take Titans to 4-0

By: Timothy Foster

Since the CEFL Quarter Final learning experience, benchmarking themselves against one of Europe’s finest, our Manchester Titans have played and convincingly won two away games at Nottingham Caesars (7-45) and Coventry Phoenix (7-40). At the halfway point of the regular season of the BAFA Premiership North Titans stand at 4-0 with three wins on the road.

Boris Gavin (LB, #55) with the tackle (30 May 2026). Photo by Jude Armitage.

First came a trip to Nottingham on May 30th, with Titans playing in White and Blue. Cade Makin (DL, #94) scooped up a fumble and rumbled over from short range, sparking riotous celebrations. Djoss Balela (DB, #0) ran in a pick-six, and great end-zone catches by Connor Greenhalgh (WR, #11) and Brad Temple (WR, #1) kept the scoreboard moving. A five yard burst from Matt Kinsey (RB, #26) found a seam for a TD and ‘twinkle-toes’ Sam Penfold (WR, #10) somehow found his way down the Titans’ sideline, at pace, to run in another score [“it’s ‘cos I have small feet” he explained], and the immaculate boot of Alex Lenkowski saw all extra point conversions and a Field Goal. The only response from Nottingham was from a great catch (and then missed tackle) in the third quarter. Otherwise, [Defensive Coordinator] JD’s defence were impenetrable.

Celebrations for Sam Penfold (WR, #10) and the Titans (30 May 2026). Photo by Jude Armitage.

The trip to Coventry was a more daunting proposition on paper (so it’s a good job we play on 4G!). Coventry took to the field bristling with confidence in an Aztecs-like all-orange kit (Titans were in Blue and White). As we have seen in the past three seasons, the first quarter arm-wrestle was tough. Alex Lenkowski settles the nerves with a Field Goal, but two personal fouls marched Titans back into their own redzone and Phoenix converted that advantage with a great catch and extra point to go 7-3 up. That was the last seen of any Phoenix threat and JD’s defence held strong throughout. Josh Mills (QB, #3) ran in a ‘keeper’ to put Titans up by 10 at the end of the first quarter.

Phoenix Offence smothered by Titans Defence (14 June 2026). Photo by Kieran Grant.

The second quarter was surreal. Brad Temple took a catch at pace to run in a TD and Kristian Dean (WR, #15) scored his first TD for the Manchester Titans in the Adult Contact League with a good catch in the endzone. Inside the two-minute warning FJ (DB, #13) ran in two identical pick-sixes with Titans heading into the half at 7-37! The second half saw fantastic squad rotation, with everyone stepping up repaying the faith shown by [Offensive Coordinator] Alex Challands, JD and rest of the coaching squad. The final play saw Sam Jones (DL, #59) take down the Phoenix QB for his first sack as a D-Lineman. 

Kristian Dean defying gravity vs Coventry Phoenix (14 June 2026). Photo by Kieran Grant.

Author’s note: This is the first match report written by this author since 2007 (and the first for American Football), so apologies for any (slight) inaccuracies and artistic licence!

Djoss Balela with the tackle (14 June 2026). Photo by Kieran Grant.

The Titans’ next game is at home against the East Kilbride Pirates on Saturday 20 June.

Week 1 Review: Titans beat Nighthawks, Titans Women Lose by 1 Point

The first weekend of the BAFA National Leagues powered by Union Jack Classic saw two of our teams travel for an away fixture - one team to Durham, another to… South Manchester?

Saturday - Manchester Titans Women vs Teesside Steelers

Starting our weekend on Saturday 18 April in Maiden Castle, Durham the Titans Women took the Steelers by surprise by scoring first. RB Emily Rodrigues #15 in her debut as a Titan got the first points on the board on the opening offensive drive which set the tone for the rest of the game. The Steelers’ speedy RB Gaby Derrick racked up most of the points for Teesside but it was close and competitive throughout with the Titans up by one point at the half. 

With mere moments left in the fourth quarter, QB Liz Majka #22 found WR Jess Dovey #30 in the endzone, making it 25-26. A daring attempt at a 2-pt conversion to take the lead unfortunately fell short of the mark. The atmosphere was electric and both teams congratulated each other on a solid performance, looking forward to the rematch at Belle Vue on 20 June.

We got Head Coach Scott Tomlinson’s thoughts after the game:

“Honestly the game was a spectacle. A massive shoutout to the two coordinators I have, George Foster (OC) and Stuart Robinson (DC). They adjusted well and kept us in it. We knew our expectations this season, the team banded together and we’re now already hitting those targets. Having 5 people debut for Titans is a huge achievement and shows that this team will only go from strength to strength not only this season but even further into the future. Looking forwards to the game against Solent [on 2 May] - every game will be competitive but if we continue to execute as we have been it’s going to make for a very entertaining game.”

Sunday - Manchester Titans vs Merseyside Nighthawks

Fast forward to Sunday 19 April, at what turned out to be more of a home game than expected, fans, friends, family, and a very loud cohort of Titans alumni crowded the fences at the Armitage Centre to cheer on their boys in royal blue. Knowing what the people had come to see, the Titans put 7 touchdowns on the Merseyside Nighthawks and still left the crowd wanting more.

We spoke to Head Coach George Foster after the game:

“Fairly happy with the game, it took us a little longer than we would have liked to get fully up to speed but that is to be expected for the first game of the season. Defensively we put on a good show and had answers to everything that Merseyside threw at us which was good to see. Offensively we grew as the game developed and started to really hit our standard in the second half. On specials we had a couple of big returns and blocked up our kicks well. So overall a strong performance but plenty for us to work on over the next couple of weeks as we prepare for Coventry.”

Speaking on the offensive performance, OC Alex Challands said “It was a good effort to get any pre-season rust out of the system ready for a hectic May. We showed strong throughout the game, and ran away with it whilst rotating in the second half, which is a testament to the effort put in throughout the depths of the squad so early on in the season.”

It was a great outing for new players on the squad with one touchdown for ex-Newcastle Viking WR Matt Wilson #81, and one for rookie RB Herminio Manga #80 in their Titans debuts. In the second half of the game back-up QB and ex-Chester Roman Alex Ross bagged himself his first two passing touchdowns in his debut as a Titan. Another Titans debutant Ben Komba got the first interception of the season and his first interception as a Titan. In the meantime, the rest of the Titans defence ground down the Merseyside offence, leaving the Nighthawks with negative yardage on the day. 

A solid 46-0 victory to start the 2026 season puts the Titans at 1-0 after Week 1. 

Both Titans teams play next at home on Saturday 2 May. Titans Women against the Solent Thrashers at 12pm and Manchester Titans against Coventry Phoenix at 3pm. Get your tickets today!

One Club, One Future

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Mixed Adult Contact: 2026 Fixtures

Mixed Adult Contact Fixtures

We’re excited to announce our Mixed Adult Contact fixtures for 2026!

Our season starts with an away fixture on 19 April against a familiar opponent from years gone by, the Merseyside Nighthawks, who secured promotion to the Premiership North with their successful 2025 season.

On Saturday 2 May, we play our first home game of the 2026 season against the Coventry Phoenix, who are looking to be a strong side again this year. This is sure to be a fantastic game. Our Women’s Contact team host the Solent Thrashers in the morning before our game so it’s set to be a big day of football at Belle Vue.

We host another double header at home on Saturday 20 June with our game against the East Kilbride Pirates and our Women’s team facing off against the Teesside Steelers.

After a brief summer break it all kicks off again in July with a trip up to Scotland with our U19s to face the Pirates in a double header on their home turf.

The regular season comes to a close in August with back to back home games against Merseyside on 1 August and the Nottingham Caesars on 8 August.

The winner of the North will host a semi-final against the second seed in the South on the weekend of 22/23 August. The top two teams will meet in the final on 6 September.

Come down to support your Manchester Titans in our campaign to regain the title of Britbowl Champions in 2026. See you there!

All home and away fixtures for the Manchester Titans in 2026. Featured player: Alex Baldry (#87 TE)

Other Manchester Titans Fixtures

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Titans to compete in CEFL 2026

Manchester Titans return to the CEFL in 2026

We are excited and honoured to announce we have been invited to take part in the Central European Football League for the 2026 Championship!

The tournament will kick off on 25 April with Champions and Finalists from different European countries competing for the title of European Champion. There is no group stage in this tournament: the winner of each game will progress to the next round so the stakes are high!

Our first match up will be on Saturday 16 May in the second round of the tournament. We will be traveling to the beautiful shores of Lake Geneva to face none other than the reigning European and French Champions, the Thonon Black Panthers. This will be a very exciting challenge for our team and we relish the opportunity to test ourselves against some of the very best Europe has to offer. 

Fellow British competitors the Bristol Aztecs - the current British Champions - host the Belfast Trojans on 25 April to see who will face Polish Champions the Warsaw Eagles in the second round. It’s definitely an exciting time for British American Football!

Stay tuned for news about the British Premiership fixtures to find out when and where you can watch us play in Manchester. There is plenty more football to come in 2026!

One Club, One Future
Manchester Titans
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