QUICK 10 WITH.....HAVERHILL GRIFFINS

 

Haverhill is a market town in Suffolk, bordering Essex and Cambridgeshire. The Stour Brook runs through the town and joins up with the River Stour.

The town dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and the market within the town is recorded in the Doomsday Book. There is a Tudor House which was allegedly given to Anne of Cleves as part of her divorce from Henry VIII but most of the original buildings in Haverhill were destroyed by a great fire in 1667.

Haverhill made a claim in 2004 for the first ever laser-lit sculpture on a roundabout, called the Spirit of Enterprise.

In sporting terms the town has two non-league football clubs, Haverhill Rovers and Haverhill Borough, who both play in the Eastern Counties Football League. There is a thriving tennis club affiliated with the Lawn Tennis Association and is home to a golf course, cricket and rugby club. It also home to Suffolk's only baseball team, the Haverhill Blackjacks who compete in the British Baseball Federation Single-A South league. 

The Haverhill Griffins competed in the BFU East last season but were unable to make the playoffs, finishing with a 5-9 record, and will compete in the BFO East for 2021. They have the 9th pick in the 2021 BFO Draft.

Their GM has appeared on the league's "From Cali To Kent" podcast with his cheery, comedic tones and he hopes to bring sporting success to Haverhill in 2021.

This is Cockles, the GM of Haverhill Griffins, and these are his Quick 10 Questions.

1. How did you get involved in the league?

I simply saw a thing on Twitter and thought, I'd love to represent the mighty town of Haverhill. I feel I could have done better after last year.

2. What team do you support and why?

Seattle - Through a family my mother made friends with.

3. How did you get into the NFL?

Carrying on from the question above, I grew up near two huge USAF bases in East Anglia, for security reason I cannot divulge their names but they rhyme with Baconheath and Mildenball :).

My mother made friends with a lady who had a husband who was Chief Medical Officer for the bases and they had children of a similar age to me. For years we went to their home for thanksgiving and watched games. They were from Spokane, WA and so I was indoctrinated to be a Seattle fan, so I remember when they were bad.

4. Who is your favourite player and why?

It would be easy for me to say Russell Wilson or Marshawn Lynch and they are probably the answer, but for a player who isn't on my team, Drew Brees. I've always thought he was brilliant.

5. What is your experience with fantasy football?

Losing, over many years. I jest - It's fair to say I've improved over time. I've learned from each draft and after each season.

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

Great idea, but it will be horrific logistically, particularly when factoring in matches versus West Coast sides.

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

Nearly all sport. Big football fan and have been a grassroots men's coach and manager for a while in the Cambridgeshire County Leagues. Plus I'm a geek so fantasy football falls right into that niche.

8. What's your favourite film?

Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back.

9. What's your favourite music?

Generally anything with a guitar. Failing that, if I have a beer or two I'll give any song a go on Karaoke haha!

10. Who is your Super Bowl tip this year?

As of typing, I think it will be Rams versus Chiefs and Rams win because of their Defense (that hurts to say).

We would like to thank Cockles for taking the time to answer these Quick 10 Questions from the Kingdom of Haverhill. Please feel free to print off the special, limited edition Cockles beard mask above and when there is a Brit Towers BBQ we can all turn up with Cockles masks.

The Commish

#OneCommunity