QUICK 10 WITH.....CARDIFF HYDRA

 

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, known as the City and County of Cardiff. It is the location for the Senedd (Welsh Parliament).

Archaeological evidence from various sites show that the area was used as a settlement at around 6000 BC. Four Iron Ages forts and enclosures have been identified within the boundaries of Cardiff.

Prior to the Roman conquest, Cardiff was part of the territory of Silures, a Celtic British tribe in the Iron Age. A fort was established by the Romans near the River Taff in AD 75. It was a series of fortifications in the area which acted as border defences. William The Conqueror began work on the abandoned Roman fort during the Norman occupation and Cardiff Castle has been at the heart of the city ever since.

Cardiff is a massive sporting centre. It was awarded the title of European City of Sport in 2009. Cardiff Arms Park is famous for Rugby Union, the scene of the Welsh Grand Slams in the 1970's, six 5 Nations titles and the venue for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. The National Stadium was replaced by the Millennium Stadium in 1999, for the Rugby World Cup and is home for the Welsh national football and rugby teams.

Cardiff City are the only professional football club in the city and the only non-English team to win the F.A. Cup. It also the centre for British Baseball and the Cardiff Celts compete in the English Basketball League. Cricket is prominent in the area due to Glamorgan County Cricket Club with the World Rally Championship hosting the Wales Rally GB. Of course there is Rugby with Cardiff Blues competing in the Pro14.

Cardiff Hydra are a re-brand from the 2020 Cardiff Royals. They won the BFC West with a 10-3 record and made it all the way to the BFC Bowl only to lose out to Bedfordshire. The team had two GM's last year. The initial GM left and the Bristol Trojans GM was interim until a permanent replacement was found. That replacement came in the off-season. He initially joined the new British Bulldog set-up, but quickly found himself in the BFC for 2021.

This is Anthony, the GM of Cardiff Hydra, and these are his Quick 10 Questions.

1. How did you get involved in the league?

I'm in a Sleeper dynasty league with Chris, the GM of the Deal Broncos. He asked me if I was interested in joining the newly formed British Bulldog league. I had seen lots of chat on Twitter about the BFFL and was always curious how to join, so I jumped at the chance. I was assigned a team and posted it on Twitter. Next thing, I get a DM from Murf (interim at Cardiff) saying that the GM position at Cardiff Hydra was open, so here I am.

2. What team do you support and why?

Miami Dolphins. Back in the 80's. Of course it didn't hurt that we had the likes of Marino and the "Marks Brothers". I lived in Florida for 5 years in the early 2000's, so I managed to go and watch a few games in what will always be known to me as Joe Robbie Stadium. Unfortunately, I never got to see Marino play live as he had already retired by the time I moved there, but I was fortunate enough to attend the game against the Ravens where they retired his #13 at half-time. Marino and Shula on the filed together!

3. How did you get into NFL?

I started watching the NFL when it was broadcast on Channel 4 in the early 1980's. I would have been around 6 or 7 years old and I liked the Dolphins from there.

4. Who is your favourite player and why?

Not really one to have favourites, although I'm partial to an RB for sure. Always enjoyed watching Eric Dickerson. In more recent times, when he wasn't being an idiot, I loved me some Le'Veon Bell.

5. What is your experience with fantasy football?

Been playing redraft for around 10 years. Started on ESPN and my original keeper league (3x Champion!!) is still going strong with all the original members. 2020 was my first year in Dynasty and I've joined 5 leagues already. Wish I had got involved sooner. The BFFL is my first foray into IDP, which is going to take some getting used to.

6. What are you views on a potential London franchise?

Not for it really. I go to at least 2 games a year and I like the novelty of different teams attending and I think that's why it's a sell-out every single time. I just don't see it being feasible over the long-term.

7. What other hobbies/sports do you enjoy apart from NFL?

I play golf 2 or 3 times a week (when we are allowed). I'm not very good, but I love it.

8. What's your favourite film?

I thought about this for too long, as there are too many to mention. Action has to be Aliens, drama I'll go for Shawshank Redemption and comedy Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

9. What's your favourite music?

I'm not massively into music, but I find I always have to have some playing. BBC Radio 6 covers my taste in music with around 95% of what they play.

10. Who is your Super Bowl tip this year?

It pains me to say, as they are AFC East rivals, but I think it will be the Bills, as long as they strengthen their run game.

We would like to thank Anthony for taking the time out to answer the Quick 10. We welcome him to the league and his catapult from British Bulldog up to BFC and we hope he enjoys not only his first season in the BFFL but his first season in IDP.

The Commish

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