Back In The Day!
By Tony Shorey

National Cup Final Season 2005/06 Memories
The Fans Perspective
Mike Head

After all the tough times for those involved with Leopards and the determination of people to not let the name die, the club winning its first silverware, as a EBL club, was a very special day and probably the most emotional I have ever been at a sporting event.

Reading Rockets were the benchmark team at the time.  Talented, very well coached but on their day, the Leopards, with two very good imports in Troy Selvey and Demetrice Williams and experienced English talent Seaman, Ogunjimi, Salter etc. were capable of beating anyone they faced.  I remember Leopards jumping out to a great start with Selvey establishing himself in the paint and Salter/Ogunjimi hitting 3 pointers, but foul trouble was coming and this allowed Rockets to get close. 

Despite Seaman, Williams, Selvey and Roger Lloyd (what a character he was) fouling out, Leopards bravely held on, thanks in no small part to Sam Salter hitting 4 free throws late on when the pressure was really on.  He was the man we wanted at the line in this situation.  I remember Tony Shorey saying "Sammy must have ice in his veins". 

Troy Selvey won the games' MVP award, think his dunks helped him get it.  The jubilation us fans felt was matched by the Team.  This was probably a career highlight for some of them.  In the bar the famous National Cup was passed around, kissed and hugged.  The London Leopards name was engraved on it from 1997 and was now on it again and I hope we can put our name in the winners column again this year with a win over Bristol.

 

Tony catches up with ex-Leopard's Coach

JON BURNELL

The transition started when I was playing for Rebels at Stevenage. The American head coach at the time, who incidentally was an assistant to Billy Mims at the original Leopards, left the team during the season, and I was asked to take on the role as player/coach. Then the following season I was asked to assist Mark Clark as player/assistant. Mark was not able to complete the season as Head Coach, he therefore asked me to take on the role as Head Coach. It was a natural transition, but just seemed to have happened gradually. (Mark stitched me up!!!!!)

2.  What are your memories of the Cup winning season, having had a few player changes along the way. How did you end up with the winning team?

Simple. We had the winning team together for the mid part of the season. We recruited Demetrius Williams mid season which made what was already a good team click. But the season was unsettled following the Cup Final after losing Williams to Europe.

3.  Did you prepare differently for the Final than a normal League game?

Yes, we did. We knew we would be playing Reading so had time to plan. We knew where their strengths lay and planned our defensive set up slightly different to normal. We had weeks to set this up, rather than the week to week planning in the regular season.

4.  I remember you saying you were so confident of winning that you took two suits to the game so you could look sharp in the post game celebrations, what gave
you such confidence?

Having a team with many special characters shall we say, it was all bravado and a showing of confidence. If I believed, they believed. I also knew the special ones would be up to their tricks, cutting ties and throwing water butts around so I knew I would need something to travel home in either way!! (They got both suits anyway!)

5.  You are now coaching at Hemel alongside your Cup Final coaching opponent Dave Titmuss, how are you finding it?

Having played for Coach T as a junior and senior, internationally, and coached against and now with him, our 30 year relationship has come full circle. We have always been friends. Working with Coach T at Storm is first class. His levels of preparation and attention to detail are second to none. I am always learning and improving my coaching skills with both senior & junior teams. All very enjoyable.

Best of luck in the Cup Final!

Tony catches up with ex-Leopard

SAM SALTER

The year before I signed with the Leopards I played with the Kingston Wildcats, we played against Leopards twice that year winning both games and in both games I played well.  I must have caught Jon Burnell's eye and I became a player they were interested in signing. I ran into Adrian Jones who at the time was an assistant coach with Leopards, that summer at a Hosana basketball event at Crystal Palace and he expressed some interest so I passed my number onto him.  Dave Ryan called and we came to an agreement.

2. How did you enjoy your time at the Leopards?

I played for Leopards for 3 seasons, they were one of the most professional teams I have ever played for and consider myself part of the Leopards family.  I really enjoyed my time with the organization!

3. Thinking back to the Cup Final, how did the team plan the defeat of Reading?

We had played Reading once before we met them in the Cup Final, I seem to remember we wanted to dictate to them and try and control the tempo of the game.  We really wanted to push the ball so that they were on the back foot, also wanted to keep the ball out of EJ Harrisons hands and force someone else to be their catalyst.  I think we had a well balanced team that season, everyone knew their roles and we played well together plus everyone liked each other.  This made it really easy to play hard for your teammates. It was unfortunate Demetrius left that season, we could have made a serious push in the playoffs.

4. Can you remember much of the game?

It was a tough game, very close throughout and went to the wire.  A very intense game, it felt like every possession was the most important of the game but that’s how finals are.  I remember we got in foul trouble, both Troy and Demetrius fouled out but we had a strong bench and they came up big for us.  I remember how loud the crowd was it felt like a Euroleague game, great atmosphere.  That game was definitely a highlight in my career and I'm very proud to be part of the win and more importantly part of that team.

When the final buzzer went everyone came running out on the court, pandemonium!!!  I remember coming out of the showers and Fred, Vince and Dave had the beer and it flowed throughout the night.  I never came back on the bus, upset I missed that, because I heard it was a riot but my Aunt lives in a little village just outside of Birmingham.  Kayla and I ended up at the village pub, they were not ready for me!!  Great game, great win and a great night!!!

5. Describe how you felt as you walked up to take those free throws at the end of the game?

I've taken thousands and thousands of free throws in my career, I am very confident shooting free throws.  It was a big moment in the game and I was able to keep my composure and hit those shots.  I wanted to be the one to shoot those shots as I knew I was going to make them, I've always been that type of player.  I don't think nerves can come into it, if your not relaxed you’re not going to shoot the same way as you usually would.  Kayla was more nervous than me, she told me afterwards she had to watch through her fingers.

6. Do you keep in touch with any Leopards teammates?

I still speak to some of the guys, not necessarily from that team, but still speak to Roger Lloyd, Gareth Laws, Carl Latham-Henry, current Leopard Lukas Volskis and Fred.  Most of the guys I played with at Leopards made it out to my wedding a few years after that game which was special for me.

7. Where did you go next after your time at the Leopards?

After Leopards I took a few years off, I came back last season with the Brixton Topcats who I was also able to help win the cup. This season I was playing with Medway Park Crusaders but I have had to stop playing unfortunately.

8. What are you up to now?

I've just finished playing with Medway and I am coaching at a local high school.  I really do miss playing but at 36 don't have the knees to keep up with these young guys.  Still living in London though and am looking forward to coming to a Leopards game soon.

Tony catches up with ex-Leopard

ERROL SEAMAN

I played a season with the Reading Rockets, the team we beat in the Cup Final! I was fortunate enough to play on a very talented team that year, we won the National Cup and unfortunately lost in the playoff final.

2. I remember seeing you play for the now defunct Manchester Giants.  Was your time there a world apart from anything else in British Basketball?

The Manchester Giants organisation was first class from top to bottom! I have very fond memories of my time there. It was my rookie season, having just graduated from North Georgia and I was very fortunate to play behind some fantastic players who were excellent professionals and people. We had so much talent that year, we actually lost in the two Cup Finals to Sheffield Sharks and London Towers, but we ended up winning the Northern Conference and the playoff final. It was sad that the team had to fold due to financial losses, I would have loved to remain there for several years.

3. How did you come to play for the Leopards?

I secured a teaching job in Hackney that summer and was looking for a competitive team this side of London.  My close friend Steve Ogunjimi played for the Leopards the previous year. He spoke highly of the set up and I thought I could help the organisation.  To this day my first year with the Leopards was my finest year as a basketball player.

4. Can you remember much about the build up and the Cup Final itself?

You know, Cup runs have a lot of elements that combine to bring success, a cohesive team, a talented team, some great individual performances and a bit of luck along the way! I remember some fine wins along the way, where everyone contributed some top performances. Once we got to the finals I was very confident, we had an excellent team that year, a complete team with facilitators, shooters, slashers, rebounders, defenders.  It was a shame what happened with Demetrius because I believe we would have won the playoffs also. I remember being in total control of my game! I was feeding Troy for dunks, rebounding, scoring... but then I got into some early foul trouble and sat out the bulk of the game, but that was what was so special about that year's team, we had some many pieces to compensate for my absence. I remember Steve O hitting a big 3 down the stretch!  At that point I had won the National Cup 3 times in 4 years, but this was my most rewarding trophy because I was so integral to the team. I'll never forget the VIP treatment the Leopards organisation put on for us before and after the final either, some great memories.

5. What have you been up to since leaving the Leopards?

Since leaving the Leopards I have been working as a Sports Science and Public Services Lecturer, I have also been doing some motivational speaking and personal development training for the past 3 years. On the basketball front, I have played the last three years for the Eastside Eagles, and I just got married this summer!

6. Do you keep in touch with many of your old team mates?

Apart from Steve O, who I see all the time, I definitely have to make more of an effort to stay in contact with the boys. Despite how our season ended we had a team that could have been dangerous for years, but unfortunately we play ball in the grand ole UK!  LOL

In the Leopards build up to the National Cup Final on
Sunday, 29th January 2012
Tony catches up with ex-Leopard

TROY SELVEY

1. How did you end up playing for the Leopards?

I ended up playing for the Leopards after a transfer from the Coventry Crusaders. I played against the Leopards when Scoop Whicker and Brandon Kephart were on the team but Scoop was leaving. Leopards and Crusaders made a deal that allowed me join the Leopards. The best move in my professional playing career. 

 2. How did you enjoy your time in England at the Leopards?

The time I had playing for the Leopards was great, I really enjoyed the team, the fans and the management. The best I had in the time I played professionally overseas. I have so many fond memories of the time I spent with the Leopards.

3. Thinking back to the Cup Final, did the team do anything different in the build up?

Thinking back on our run up to the Cup Final, I can't remember that we did anything different, but what stands out in my mind is the the team itself which had an "us against the world" mentality.  We really did try our best at all times to play for each other and do what was best for the team.  Everyone played their role which I now realize as time has passed, is very hard to come by. 

4. Can you remember much of the game

I remember the game very well. We played Reading Rockets and we were very excited about that. They were the class of our league at the time and we had just had a tough league game with them shortly before the Cup Final. I personally remember being very excited to be there in the game and playing in front of our fans and the crowd that was there. I am reminded of the game often as I have been fortunate to have some photos made into a poster which still hangs in my home today. The Cup Final and the time I spent with the Leopards family is a time I will never forget. 

5. Where do you keep your National Cup Final MVP Trophy?

My National Cup Final MVP Trophy sits in my awards case that I have in my sports recreation room along with some of the other awards and trophies I have been honoured to receive. I realize how lucky I have been to be able to obtain that award as a individual player, but understand I would not have been able to do that without the help and support of the great team we had. 

6. Do you keep in touch with any Leopards team mates?

I do keep in touch with Dave Jones on a fairly regular basis.  I also talk with Dave Ryan from time to time. But I have to admit I don't talk to the rest of the team as much as I would like. I do get updates every now and then and I do check the Leopards website to follow the team's progress from time to time. But I don't do it as much as I would like.  

7. Where did you go next after your time at the Leopards?

After I left the Leopards I went on to play for a team in Uruguay for a short time.  From there I went on to play the next year and half in Romania for the BC MURES Tigers. 

8. What are you up to now?

After I was released from BC MURES I came home and began to train kids, as I had done in the summers during my time as a player. This became such a rewarding thing for me that I started a basketball program for kids to play and train during the spring and summer, called CAL Elite Basketball. I also began working with kids in an after school program, where I was a Director for the past 3 years and also ran basketball camps and clinics. 

I am now currently in my second year as a high school basketball coach at Rocklin High were I am the Head Coach of the Freshman team and the Head Assistant for the Varsity team. 

I also have been blessed to be able to be married to a wonderful woman named Megan and she has blessed me with a beautiful 3 year old daughter named Alanna. Life for me is very good and I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to play for such a class organization as the Leopards in my time as a player, which helps me everyday to try my best to provide for the players I now coach. 

My goal is one day to maybe come back and be part of the Leopards coaching staff and rejoin the family that means so much to me.

9. Have you got a message for the Leopards going forward?

Good luck, play hard and smart and bring home another Trophy!

Tony catches up with ex-Leopards' Coach

CHRIS PULLEM

1. How did you end up coaching the Leopards?

Bob Donewald and I worked together in the New Jersey Nets organisation and developed a friendship over time. When Bob took his first coaching job in England with Leicester, I started following the BBL closely. Then Bob moved on and asked if I had interest in the position with Riders. I met with a representative from the club in Connecticut but we couldn't work out a deal.

Later, the Worthing job opened and Bob called to see if I had an interest. I did. He immediately called Worthing on my behalf and I took the job. We started the season in fairly good shape, then, after a disagreement with management, I resigned from the position. I was 27 years old at the time and didn't handle the situation properly. It was a decision I would regret for several years.

When Bob left the Leopards for an assistant coaching position with the Charlotte Hornets, we had a long phone conversation. Bob knew I wanted another opportunity to coach in the BBL so he introduced me to Ed and Annie-T Simons. After two or three conversations, we were able to agree to terms. It was an opportunity to coach, in my opinion, the greatest franchise in British Basketball!

2. How did you enjoy your time in England at the Leopards?

My wife Lisa and I talk about our time with Leopards almost every day! The good times were great. The bad times weren't too bad either thanks to dear friends. We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to be associated with Leopards basketball. ...and Ed and Annie-T were amazing!

3. Any memorable Leopards games?

At Chester, the 44 point 4th quarter game. Chester were nearly untouchable that season. Mookie, James Hamilton, Calvin Davis, Pero Cameron, John McCord and Coach Peers were beating everyone soundly. Our game plan was to pound the ball inside off the dribble or pass. when we went down 16 in the 3rd, I was beginning to doubt our strategy...then Mookie fouled out. Next was James, then Calvin. By keeping to our game plan, we were able force Robbie to run his bench which was noticeably weaker than the all-world starting 5. At that point, it was a race against time. We knew they couldn't stop us, but we had to make up an enormous deficit. Thanks to some terrific leadership from our English players, Martin Henlan and Carl Miller and crafty play from Rod Brown, Jason Kimbrough, and Rico Alderson, we were able to get a huge road win!

4. Do you keep in touch with any of the old Leopards?

I kept in touch with Rod Brown, Jason Kimbrough and Ravonte Dantzler for a few years but, unfortunately, we've fallen out of touch. I do keep up with some friends back in England, the Simon family, Dave Ryan, Sean and Lisa Worrall, and you, Tony!

5. Where did you go next after your time at the Leopards?

It was a very difficult decision to leave Leopards. But Lisa and I really wanted to start a family in the USA, so I took a Head Coaching position with Bellarmine University. Soon after, we had our first daughter, Jordana. Our second, Caroline, followed 20 months later.

6. What are you up to now?

I'm an Economic Developer in Kentucky. I have facilitated over $300mm in new development in the past three years. Apart from new development, I work with existing industry to identify opportunities to expand their business and work more efficiently. I also serve on several public policy committees at the state level and have worked as a lobbyist for various initiatives.

I'm not completely detached from basketball. I represent a few players as their agent (I'm the best type of agent...I take ZERO commission!) and hold individual instruction sessions with college athletes during their off season. Next summer, I hope to establish a brand of basketball coaching clinics and skill development camps in the UK starting with the Greater London area. It's a dream of ours to relocate to England some day so I can get back to coaching...but it probably won't happen until I retire!

Tony catches up with ex-Leopards player

CALVIN FOWLER

1. How did you end up playing for the Leopards?

I was placed through to the Leopards by my college coach, Chris Pullem. He used to coach the Leopards before he came to my university, Bellarmine. Coach Pullem had me send my game film to Jon Burnell, and within a week I had a contract sent to me for a 2 year deal with the Leopards.

2. How did you enjoy your time in England at the Leopards?

I really enjoyed my time in England with the Leopards, I met so many great people, made new friends and got the opportunity to play basketball in a different country, it was an awesome experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life!

3. Any memorable Leopards games?

Every game was a memorable game for me while playing for the Leopards, I played every game like it was my last. It was a job that many of my peers back home in the States wish they had. I never took anything for granted.

4. Do you keep in touch with any Leopards team mates?

I keep in contact with a few of the players. I email Dave Ryan from time to time and give him some insight on some players that I think the Leopards may be interested in. I speak to Duncan Ogilvie, who is currently playing in Spain, quite often.

5. Where did you go next after your time at the Leopards?

After playing for the Leopards, I returned home to finish up my last semester of college. Being in England that season helped me grow not only as a player, but as a man. I realised that basketball was very important to me, but my education was more important. So I went back to take care of some unfinished business.

6. What are you up to now?

I am currently playing basketball in Amman, Jordan right now, I will be sure to keep you all posted on any other moves I make!

Tony catches up with ex-Leopards Coach

BILLY MIMS

1. How did you end up coaching the Leopards?

In the summer of 1994, I was running a summer basketball camp as the Head Coach at an NCAA DII school, Barry University in Miami, Florida, when I got a telephone call from Barry Dow in London. We had just come off a great season at Barry and my best player, Anthel Hicks, was a 1st Team NCAA DII All-American and pro prospect. Barry was calling to tell me about a new franchise he was helping to start in London and wanted to talk with me about Anthel as a prospect for his team, the Leopards. I did everything I could to sell Anthel to him and spent over an hour on the phone with him. The next day, he called me back to see if I was interested in coaching overseas. He wanted to fly me to London ASAP and interview me for the Leopards head coaching position.

On Friday of that week, as soon as our camp ended, I went straight to Miami International Airport and boarded a flight for England. Barry Dow picked me up at Gatwick early that Saturday morning and took me straight to the Guilford Spectrum to watch a workout of potential English players. After a whirlwind weekend in London, I accepted the job on Sunday night over dinner at Planet Hollywood in Piccadilly Circus with Harvey Goldsmith and Barry Dow. Little did I know just how much that dinner, that night, would change my life!

2. How did you enjoy your time in England at the Leopards?

I loved my time living in London and coaching the Leopards. 1994 to 1999 were probably 5 of the best years ever in my coaching career. We never had a losing season. We won 2 BBL League Titles (the first team to win back-to-back league titles in six years), we won the National Cup once, we returned to the Cup Final once more, and we reached the BBL Final at Wembley once also.

We produced 2 BBL players of the year (Eric Burks and John White), and I was chosen to coach the South squad in the prestigious BBL All-Star game twice by the fans of British basketball (by the way – I believe I’m still the only BBL coach to coach in the All-Star game more than once and never lose, also setting the record for coaching the team to score the most points in BBL All-Star game history!) I have such fond memories of those Leopards teams that I coached, but English basketball and my time at the Leopards brought me something way more important than silverware or championships. I met my wife Lynne one night while dining in Planet Hollywood, our club sponsor for those first few years. We were later married in a fairytale setting in a 1000 year old church in Hythe overlooking the English Channel and my entire Leopards team stood beside me at the wedding! All three of my wonderful children, Courtney, Callie, and Josh were born in England. I have many friends and family still in England, so it will always feel like part of my home to me. Who knows, one day I may return to live there again!

3. Any memorable Leopards games?

I guess one of the most memorable Leopards games I coached would be the great come-from-behind victory over our arch rivals, the Towers, on SKY TV at Wembley Court. We were 20 points down at half-time and our star player Eric Burks was out with an injury. He came out the locker room from half-time in street clothes done for the night. John White took over in the second half and we had a great contribution from two of our English kids late in the game, especially Paul “Cherry” Mundy-Castle.

I also remember winning the National Cup for the first time in 1997 against Sheffield on their own floor. Again we trailed at half-time, but Burks and White were brilliant in the second half and we won the club’s first piece of domestic silverware. How could I ever forget the great win we had in Sheffield over current GB coach Chris Finch and ex-NBA player John Amaechi to claim our second straight BBL title in 1998. Ryan Cuff had been thrown out of the game in very questionable circumstances, but it was Mike DeFoe’s great defense on Amaechi and Robert Youngblood’s resilience that carried us on. Our motto was “RTL – Refuse To Lose” and that night, we practiced what we preached!

4. Are you still in touch with any of the old Leopards?

Yes, I speak often to Eric Burks, whose now the Director of Recreational Sports at my college alma mater, Charleston Southern University. I also talk to Robert Youngblood regularly. He and his wife have bought a home in Orlando not too far away from us, so we get to see them when he’s over here for visits. John White is back in Atlanta, Georgia and we speak every now and then. I also see Karl Brown each year when I return to England in the TV studios working together on the NBA Finals for British Television. My old Leopards assistant coach and close friend, Mark Clark, is doing a great job of developing young English basketball players along with another former Leopards player of mine, Lloyd Gardner at Barking Abbey Academy. I talk to them both regularly with strong regards to recruiting. One of these days, I’m going to get a great English player from them for my team here in Florida!

5. Where did you go next after your time at the Leopards?

From Leopards, I went on to coach another BBL franchise, the Leicester Riders where as fate would have it, my first game in charge at Leicester would be against my old club. In a standing room only Granby Halls, we beat the Leopards and Bob Donewald, the coach who had replaced me. I almost had tears in my eyes prior to tip-off that night as every single Leopards player came over to my Leicester bench and gave me a big hug to welcome me back to the BBL. Eighteen months later, I led Leicester to a double championship season, winning both the 2001 National Cup (again against Donewald and the Leopards with the help of another ex-Leopard, Larry Johnson) and the 2001 BBL Championship at Wembley Arena against Chris Finch and his Sheffield Sharks. I am very proud that those are still the only two trophies ever won by Leicester (the BBL’s oldest club) at the premiership level!

6. What are you up to now?

I am now entering my 5th season as the Head Coach at Florida Tech, an NCAA DII school located in Melbourne, Florida just south of Cocoa Beach and the Kennedy Space Center on the east coast and about 50 miles east of Orlando. Needless to say, my children do love their days out at Disney or Universal Studios. The university is 50 years old here and in my third season, I led the Panthers to only their 5th 20-win season in program history and our highest ever national ranking, #11 in the nation! I have used my time in Europe wisely to help in my recruiting here. Currently our best player is a 6’9” small forward from Pezinok, Slovakia. He plays for the Slovak senior men’s national team, and as a pre-season All-American candidate this year, he is a legitimate NBA prospect. We also have a 6’9” centre from Riga, Latvia, a 6’10” centre from Dublin, Ireland, and a 6’3” guard from Istanbul, Turkey. One day, I’d like to have an English lad here playing for me as well, maybe one developed in the Leopards youth programme! We also return four sophomores who were forced to start last year as freshman due to injuries, and one of them was last year’s Sunshine State Conference “Rookie of the Year.” We start official practice on October 15, and our first game this season will be on Sunday afternoon, November 15. We feel like we have a real good team and can’t wait for the start of the season. You can follow us on the web if you like as we televise most of our games over the internet, www.floridatechsports.com. I will certainly be following the London Leopards all season too. Good luck!!!