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{{Short description|British basketball team based in London, England}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2016}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox basketball club
{{Infobox basketball club
| color1 = #000000
| color1 = #000000
| color2 = #FFFF00
| color2 = #FFFF00
| color3 = #000000
| name = London Towers
| name = London Towers
| logo = LondonTowersLogo.png
| logo = LondonTowersLogo.png
| imagesize = 200px
| imagesize = 200px
| league = [[British Basketball League]] <br> and [[English Basketball League|EBL Division 3]]
| league = [[British Basketball League]] <br /> and [[English Basketball League|EBL Division 3]]
| established = 1984
| established = 1984
| folded = 2009
| folded = 2009
| history = '''Tower Hamlets''' <br> 1984-1989 <br> '''London Docklands''' <br> 1989-1991 <br> '''London Towers''' <br> 1991-2009
| history = '''Tower Hamlets''' <br /> 1984–1989 <br /> '''London Docklands''' <br /> 1989–1991 <br /> '''London Towers''' <br /> 1991–2009
| arena =
| arena =
| location = [[London]], [[Greater London]]
| location = [[London]], [[Greater London]]
| ownership = {{flagicon|Greece}} Costi Zombanakis
| ownership = Costi Zombanakis
| colours = Yellow, Black and White
| colours = Yellow, Black and White
| h_body = FFFF00
| h_body = FFFF00
Line 25: Line 28:
}}
}}


'''London Towers''' were a professional [[basketball]] team based in [[London]], [[England]]. They enjoyed considerable success in the 1990s, collecting 3 titles in the [[British Basketball League]] (BBL) as well as regularly competing in European competitions such as the [[Euroleague]] and [[Saporta Cup|EuroCup]]. They contested a fierce rivalry with fellow London team [[Greater London Leopards]] for much of this spell. After several years of decline with financial difficulties and venue issues, owner Costi Zombanakis pulled the first team from the BBL in the summer of 2006, and although the team continued in the regional [[English Basketball League]], the London Towers brand folded in 2009.
'''London Towers''' were a professional [[basketball]] team based in [[London]], [[England]]. They enjoyed considerable success in the 1990s and early 2000s, collecting 3 titles in the [[British Basketball League]] (BBL) as well as regularly competing in European competitions such as the [[Euroleague]] and [[Saporta Cup|EuroCup]]. They contested a fierce rivalry with fellow London team [[Greater London Leopards]] for much of this spell. After several years of decline with financial difficulties and venue issues, owner Costi Zombanakis pulled the first team from the BBL in the summer of 2006, and although the club's second team continued in the regional [[English Basketball League]], the London Towers brand folded in 2009.


==Franchise history==
==Franchise history==
Line 38: Line 41:


===Towers rise===
===Towers rise===
It was 1991 when the franchise which came to sit astride British basketball finally gained its most well-known label. Renamed '''London Towers''', but still playing at Newham the club's fortunes turned around in the [[1991–92 British Basketball League season|1991-92 season]], as they finished fourth, and a move to the Sobell Sports Centre in [[Islington]] saw them finish third in 1993. In 1994 they moved to [[Wembley Arena]], and it was there that they enjoyed their best seasons, winning five titles in two seasons, from 1995 to 1997.
It was 1991 when the franchise which came to sit astride British basketball finally gained its most well-known label. Renamed '''London Towers''', but still playing at Newham the club's fortunes turned around in the [[1991–92 British Basketball League season|1991-92 season]], as they finished fourth, and a move to the Sobell Sports Centre in [[Islington]] saw them finish third in 1993.


===Euro trip===
===The Wembley Days===


In 1994 the Towers made the short move across North London to the prestigious [[Wembley Arena]] complex, splitting home games between the Arena itself and the adjacent Exhibition halls. It was here that they enjoyed their best seasons, winning multiple titles including the Budweiser League Championship, League Playoffs and 7-up trophy.
The [[1996–97 British Basketball League season|1996-97]] season saw the Towers make their European debut appearance, competing in the newly named EuroCup. After qualifying from the group stage with a 4-6 record, they exited the competition in the round of 32 losing to Saratov by five points over two legs. The following season also saw them take part in the Eurocup, this time finishing bottom of their group with a 1-9 record. The team took a break from European competition for the 1998-1999 season following the merger with Crystal Palace, but went on to take part in further European competitions including the Saporta Cup, NEBL (Northern European Basketball League), and even the prestigious [[Euroleague]] in 2001. Over this time the Towers managed some impressive victories against large European clubs like Olimpia Milano and Darussafaka, Turkey.<ref>http://www.euroleague.net/final-four/london-2013/news/i/108759/from-ymca-to-the-towers-london-clubs-in-european-competitions</ref> Towers were the first English Club team to beat an Italian Series A team in Italy.


The [[1996–97 British Basketball League season|1996-97]] season also saw the Towers make their European debut appearance, competing in the newly named EuroCup. After qualifying from the group stage with a 4–6 record, they exited the competition in the first knockout round losing to Avtodor Saratov of Russia by five points over two legs. The following season also saw them take part in the Eurocup, however this time they finished bottom of their group with a 1–9 record.
===Moving in together===


===Heading South===
Once more though, in 1998 the Towers home venue proved too expensive and the team moved out of Wembley, "merging" with fellow BBL team [[Crystal Palace Basketball|Crystal Palace]] and splitting games between the two arenas until in 1999 they moved full-time to the [[Crystal Palace National Sports Centre]].


With their Wembley venue proving expensive and presenting problems for European competitions, in the summer of 1998 Towers "merged" with fellow BBL team [[Crystal Palace Basketball|Crystal Palace]]. The 1998–1999 season saw games split between Wembley and [[Crystal Palace National Sports Centre]], with the team moving full time to Crystal Palace for the following season.
In 2005, the Towers launched a second team, London Towers II, in the [[English Basketball League]] as a stepping-stone for their development players. In their first season in Division 3, the team finished runners-up.


Towers continued to be one of the British Basketball League's top teams, winning Southern Conference titles and the Uniball Trophy. They also regularly competed in European competitions such as the Saporta Cup, NEBL (Northern European Basketball League), and even the prestigious [[Euroleague]] for two seasons, coached by NBA Championship winning coach Nick Nurse in one of these years.
===End===


===The End===
Plans for their own Arena, linking with their community and development work, had been rumoured for several years but in 2006, the London Towers first team pulled out of [[British Basketball League|BBL]], for a "one year break". As a result, the second team London Towers II continued to fly the flag, competing in the [[English Basketball League]] Division 3 while still operating all of is youth and development teams. Such a step had also been taken in the past by both [[Manchester Giants]] (see [[Manchester Magic]]) and [[Derby Storm]] (see [[Derby Trailblazers]]) and neither has yet returned to the top league.


Despite working on plans to build their own arena for a number of years, linking with their community and development work, in 2006 the London Towers first team pulled out of [[British Basketball League|BBL]], for a "one year break". In common with at least two other teams who followed this path at around the same time, they were never to return. The recently started second team, London Towers II, continued to fly the flag for a few seasons, competing in the [[English Basketball League]] Division 3 and operating the club's youth and development teams, before also folding.
The deadline for entry into the 2009-2010 English Basketball League had closed and London Towers failed to submit a team, therefore there will be no senior men's London Towers team for the foreseeable future.


==Head coaches==
==Head coaches==
* Mark Dunning
* [[Kevin Cadle]]
* [[Kevin Cadle]]
*Lino Frattin
* Lino Frattin
*Ron Abegglen
* [[Ron Abegglen]]
*Nick Nurse
* [[Nick Nurse]]
*David Lindstrom
* David Lindstrom
*Robbie Peers
* Robbie Peers
* Gary Lyttle

:Assistant Coaches - [[Tony Garbelotto]], Andre Alleyne, Graham Wilson, Darren Johnson, Alex Fuhrmann, Julian Martinez, Joe Lofthouse.

==Season-by-season records==
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="font-size:100%;"
|+ class="nowrap" | Seasons 1984-1991
|-bgcolor="#efefef"
!rowspan="2"|Season
!rowspan="2"|Division
!rowspan="2"|Tier
!colspan="6"|Regular Season
!rowspan="2"|Post-Season
!rowspan="2"|Cup
!rowspan="2"|Trophy
!rowspan="2"|Head Coach
|-
! Finish
! Played
! Wins
! Losses
! Points
! Win %
|-
|colspan="13" align=center bgcolor="white" | <span style="color:black;">'''Tower Hamlets'''</span>
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1984–85 National Basketball League season|1984–85]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[English Basketball League|NBL 2]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|II
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1985–86 National Basketball League season|1985–86]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[English Basketball League|NBL 2]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|II
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1986–87 National Basketball League season|1986–87]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[English Basketball League|NBL 2]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|II
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1987–88 British Basketball League season|1987–88]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[English Basketball League|NBL 1]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|II
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1988–89 British Basketball League season|1988–89]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[English Basketball League|NBL 1]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|II
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|colspan="13" align=center bgcolor="white" | <span style="color:black;">'''London Docklands'''</span>
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1989–90 British Basketball League season|1989–90]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|8th
|style="text-align:center;"|28
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|style="text-align:center;"|26
|style="text-align:center;"|4
|style="text-align:center;"|0.071
|style="text-align:center;"|Did not qualify
|style="text-align:center;"|Last 16
|style="text-align:center;"|Pool Stage
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1990–91 British Basketball League season|1990–91]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|9th
|style="text-align:center;"|24
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|23
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|style="text-align:center;"|0.041
|style="text-align:center;"|Did not qualify
|style="text-align:center;"|Last 16
|style="text-align:center;"|Pool Stage
|style="text-align:center;"|
|}


{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
:Assistant Coaches - Tony Garbelotto, Andre Alleyne, Graham Wilson, Alex Fuhrmann, Darren Johnson, Julian Martinez, Joe Lofthouse.
|-bgcolor="#efefef"
!rowspan="2"|Season
!rowspan="2"|Division
!rowspan="2"|Tier
!colspan="6"|Regular Season
!rowspan="2"|Post-Season
!rowspan="2"|Cup
!rowspan="2"|Trophy
!rowspan="2"|Head Coach
|-
! Finish
! Played
! Wins
! Losses
! Points
! Win %
|-
|colspan="13" align=center bgcolor="yellow" | <span style="color:black;">'''London Towers'''</span>
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1991–92 British Basketball League season|1991–92]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|4th
|style="text-align:center;"|30
|style="text-align:center;"|21
|style="text-align:center;"|9
|style="text-align:center;"|42
|style="text-align:center;"|0.700
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Last 16
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1992–93 British Basketball League season|1992–93]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|3rd
|style="text-align:center;"|33
|style="text-align:center;"|25
|style="text-align:center;"|8
|style="text-align:center;"|50
|style="text-align:center;"|0.757
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Last 16
|style="text-align:center;"|Pool Stage
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1993–94 British Basketball League season|1993–94]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|5th
|style="text-align:center;"|36
|style="text-align:center;"|21
|style="text-align:center;"|15
|style="text-align:center;"|42
|style="text-align:center;"|0.583
|style="text-align:center;"|Quarter-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Last 16
|style="text-align:center;"|Pool Stage
|style="text-align:center;"|Mark Dunning
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1994–95 British Basketball League season|1994–95]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|3rd
|style="text-align:center;"|36
|style="text-align:center;"|28
|style="text-align:center;"|8
|style="text-align:center;"|56
|style="text-align:center;"|0.777
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Quarter-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Pool Stage
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1995–96 British Basketball League season|1995–96]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|1st
|style="text-align:center;"|36
|style="text-align:center;"|32
|style="text-align:center;"|4
|style="text-align:center;"|64
|style="text-align:center;"|0.889
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=silver|Runners Up, losing to [[Birmingham Bullets|Birmingham]]
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|Winners, beating [[Sheffield Sharks|Sheffield]]
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|Winners, beating [[Worthing Bears|Worthing]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Kevin Cadle]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1996–97 British Basketball League season|1996–97]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=silver|2nd
|style="text-align:center;"|36
|style="text-align:center;"|26
|style="text-align:center;"|10
|style="text-align:center;"|52
|style="text-align:center;"|0.722
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|Winners, beating [[Essex Leopards (1994–2003)|Leopards]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|Winners, beating [[Chester Jets|Chester]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Kevin Cadle]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1997–98 British Basketball League season|1997–98]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|6th
|style="text-align:center;"|36
|style="text-align:center;"|23
|style="text-align:center;"|13
|style="text-align:center;"|46
|style="text-align:center;"|0.638
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=silver|Runners Up, losing to [[Sheffield Sharks|Sheffield]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Kevin Cadle]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1998–99 British Basketball League season|1998–99]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|3rd
|style="text-align:center;"|36
|style="text-align:center;"|24
|style="text-align:center;"|12
|style="text-align:center;"|48
|style="text-align:center;"|0.667
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|Winners, beating [[Thames Valley Tigers|Thames Valley]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Last 16
|style="text-align:center;"|Quarter-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Lino Frattin
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[1999–2000 British Basketball League season|1999–00]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL S]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|1st
|style="text-align:center;"|34
|style="text-align:center;"|23
|style="text-align:center;"|11
|style="text-align:center;"|46
|style="text-align:center;"|0.676
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Quarter-finals
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|Winners, beating [[Manchester Giants (1989–2001)|Manchester]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Ron Abegglen
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[2000–01 British Basketball League season|2000–01]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL S]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|1st
|style="text-align:center;"|34
|style="text-align:center;"|27
|style="text-align:center;"|7
|style="text-align:center;"|54
|style="text-align:center;"|0.794
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Competed in [[Euroleague]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Nick Nurse]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[2001–02 British Basketball League season|2001–02]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL S]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=gold|1st
|style="text-align:center;"|32
|style="text-align:center;"|21
|style="text-align:center;"|11
|style="text-align:center;"|42
|style="text-align:center;"|0.656
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Last 16
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Lino Frattin <br /> David Lindstrom
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[2002–03 British Basketball League season|2002–03]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|7th
|style="text-align:center;"|40
|style="text-align:center;"|19
|style="text-align:center;"|21
|style="text-align:center;"|38
|style="text-align:center;"|0.475
|style="text-align:center;"|Quarter-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=silver|Runners Up, losing to [[Chester Jets|Chester]]
|style="text-align:center;"|David Lindstrom
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[2003–04 British Basketball League season|2003–04]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|3rd
|style="text-align:center;"|36
|style="text-align:center;"|23
|style="text-align:center;"|13
|style="text-align:center;"|46
|style="text-align:center;"|0.638
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Robbie Peers
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[2004–05 British Basketball League season|2004–05]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|3rd
|style="text-align:center;"|40
|style="text-align:center;"|29
|style="text-align:center;"|11
|style="text-align:center;"|58
|style="text-align:center;"|0.725
|style="text-align:center;"|Quarter-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|1st round
|style="text-align:center;"|Semi-finals
|style="text-align:center;"|Robbie Peers
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[2005–06 British Basketball League season|2005–06]]
|style="text-align:center;"|'''[[British Basketball League|BBL]]'''
|style="text-align:center;"|I
|style="text-align:center;"|4th
|style="text-align:center;"|40
|style="text-align:center;"|22
|style="text-align:center;"|18
|style="text-align:center;"|44
|style="text-align:center;"|0.550
|style="text-align:center;"|Quarter-finals
|style="text-align:center;"bgcolor=silver|Runners Up, losing to [[Newcastle Eagles|Newcastle]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Pool Stage
|style="text-align:center;"|Robbie Peers
|}


==Home arenas==
==Home arenas==


:[[London Arena]] (1989-1991)
:[[London Arena]] (1989–1991)
:Newham Leisure Centre (1991-1992)
:Newham Leisure Centre (1991–1992)
:Sobell Sports Centre (1992-1994)
:Sobell Sports Centre (1992–1994)
:[[Wembley Arena]] (1994-1999) - split games between Crystal Palace from 1998.
:[[Wembley Arena]] (1994–1999) - split games between Crystal Palace from 1998.
:[[Crystal Palace Sports Centre]] (1998-2007) - split games between Wembley Arena until 1999.
:[[Crystal Palace Sports Centre]] (1998–2007) - split games between Wembley Arena until 1999.
:Harris Sports Centre [http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/CentreDetails.asp?cat=33] (2007-2009)
:Harris Sports Centre [https://web.archive.org/web/20071227080345/http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/CentreDetails.asp?cat=33] (2007–2009)


==Trophies==
==Trophies==
Line 91: Line 450:
{{British Basketball League teamlist}}
{{British Basketball League teamlist}}


[[Category:Sports clubs established in 1984]]
[[Category:Basketball teams established in 1984]]
[[Category:Sports clubs disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Basketball teams disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Defunct basketball teams in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct basketball teams in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Basketball teams in London]]
[[Category:Basketball teams in London]]
[[Category:Sport in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in England]]
[[Category:2009 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:Former British Basketball League teams]]

Latest revision as of 22:10, 18 November 2023

London Towers
London Towers logo
LeagueBritish Basketball League
and EBL Division 3
Established1984
Folded2009
HistoryTower Hamlets
1984–1989
London Docklands
1989–1991
London Towers
1991–2009
LocationLondon, Greater London
Team coloursYellow, Black and White
OwnershipCosti Zombanakis

London Towers were a professional basketball team based in London, England. They enjoyed considerable success in the 1990s and early 2000s, collecting 3 titles in the British Basketball League (BBL) as well as regularly competing in European competitions such as the Euroleague and EuroCup. They contested a fierce rivalry with fellow London team Greater London Leopards for much of this spell. After several years of decline with financial difficulties and venue issues, owner Costi Zombanakis pulled the first team from the BBL in the summer of 2006, and although the club's second team continued in the regional English Basketball League, the London Towers brand folded in 2009.

Franchise history

[edit]

High risers

[edit]

Established as Tower Hamlets, in the borough of the same name, the London-based team entered NBL Division 2 in 1984. By 1989 they finished eleventh, out of the eleven teams in the league and were due to be relegated. However, the Carlsberg League Division 1 was suffering a membership crisis at the time and was about to be reduced to just seven teams. With the newly built Docklands Arena available as a possible venue not too far from the team's base, the Tower Hamlets franchise was admitted to country's top professional league as London's representatives, rebranded as London Docklands for the 1989-90 season.

On the move again

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The following season the Docklands team left the giant arena as they, in common with other basketball teams at the time, struggled with the cost of a big arena rent. They returned "home" to Tower Hamlets and the Newham Leisure Centre, although their first two seasons yielded just three League victories.

Towers rise

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It was 1991 when the franchise which came to sit astride British basketball finally gained its most well-known label. Renamed London Towers, but still playing at Newham the club's fortunes turned around in the 1991-92 season, as they finished fourth, and a move to the Sobell Sports Centre in Islington saw them finish third in 1993.

The Wembley Days

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In 1994 the Towers made the short move across North London to the prestigious Wembley Arena complex, splitting home games between the Arena itself and the adjacent Exhibition halls. It was here that they enjoyed their best seasons, winning multiple titles including the Budweiser League Championship, League Playoffs and 7-up trophy.

The 1996-97 season also saw the Towers make their European debut appearance, competing in the newly named EuroCup. After qualifying from the group stage with a 4–6 record, they exited the competition in the first knockout round losing to Avtodor Saratov of Russia by five points over two legs. The following season also saw them take part in the Eurocup, however this time they finished bottom of their group with a 1–9 record.

Heading South

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With their Wembley venue proving expensive and presenting problems for European competitions, in the summer of 1998 Towers "merged" with fellow BBL team Crystal Palace. The 1998–1999 season saw games split between Wembley and Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, with the team moving full time to Crystal Palace for the following season.

Towers continued to be one of the British Basketball League's top teams, winning Southern Conference titles and the Uniball Trophy. They also regularly competed in European competitions such as the Saporta Cup, NEBL (Northern European Basketball League), and even the prestigious Euroleague for two seasons, coached by NBA Championship winning coach Nick Nurse in one of these years.

The End

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Despite working on plans to build their own arena for a number of years, linking with their community and development work, in 2006 the London Towers first team pulled out of BBL, for a "one year break". In common with at least two other teams who followed this path at around the same time, they were never to return. The recently started second team, London Towers II, continued to fly the flag for a few seasons, competing in the English Basketball League Division 3 and operating the club's youth and development teams, before also folding.

Head coaches

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Assistant Coaches - Tony Garbelotto, Andre Alleyne, Graham Wilson, Darren Johnson, Alex Fuhrmann, Julian Martinez, Joe Lofthouse.

Season-by-season records

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Seasons 1984-1991
Season Division Tier Regular Season Post-Season Cup Trophy Head Coach
Finish Played Wins Losses Points Win %
Tower Hamlets
1984–85 NBL 2 II
1985–86 NBL 2 II
1986–87 NBL 2 II
1987–88 NBL 1 II
1988–89 NBL 1 II
London Docklands
1989–90 BBL I 8th 28 2 26 4 0.071 Did not qualify Last 16 Pool Stage
1990–91 BBL I 9th 24 1 23 2 0.041 Did not qualify Last 16 Pool Stage
Season Division Tier Regular Season Post-Season Cup Trophy Head Coach
Finish Played Wins Losses Points Win %
London Towers
1991–92 BBL I 4th 30 21 9 42 0.700 Semi-finals Last 16 Semi-finals
1992–93 BBL I 3rd 33 25 8 50 0.757 Semi-finals Last 16 Pool Stage
1993–94 BBL I 5th 36 21 15 42 0.583 Quarter-finals Last 16 Pool Stage Mark Dunning
1994–95 BBL I 3rd 36 28 8 56 0.777 Semi-finals Quarter-finals Pool Stage
1995–96 BBL I 1st 36 32 4 64 0.889 Runners Up, losing to Birmingham Winners, beating Sheffield Winners, beating Worthing Kevin Cadle
1996–97 BBL I 2nd 36 26 10 52 0.722 Winners, beating Leopards Semi-finals Winners, beating Chester Kevin Cadle
1997–98 BBL I 6th 36 23 13 46 0.638 Semi-finals Semi-finals Runners Up, losing to Sheffield Kevin Cadle
1998–99 BBL I 3rd 36 24 12 48 0.667 Winners, beating Thames Valley Last 16 Quarter-finals Lino Frattin
1999–00 BBL S I 1st 34 23 11 46 0.676 Semi-finals Quarter-finals Winners, beating Manchester Ron Abegglen
2000–01 BBL S I 1st 34 27 7 54 0.794 Semi-finals Semi-finals Competed in Euroleague Nick Nurse
2001–02 BBL S I 1st 32 21 11 42 0.656 Semi-finals Last 16 Semi-finals Lino Frattin
David Lindstrom
2002–03 BBL I 7th 40 19 21 38 0.475 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Runners Up, losing to Chester David Lindstrom
2003–04 BBL I 3rd 36 23 13 46 0.638 Semi-finals Semi-finals Semi-finals Robbie Peers
2004–05 BBL I 3rd 40 29 11 58 0.725 Quarter-finals 1st round Semi-finals Robbie Peers
2005–06 BBL I 4th 40 22 18 44 0.550 Quarter-finals Runners Up, losing to Newcastle Pool Stage Robbie Peers

Home arenas

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London Arena (1989–1991)
Newham Leisure Centre (1991–1992)
Sobell Sports Centre (1992–1994)
Wembley Arena (1994–1999) - split games between Crystal Palace from 1998.
Crystal Palace Sports Centre (1998–2007) - split games between Wembley Arena until 1999.
Harris Sports Centre [1] (2007–2009)

Trophies

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  • 1995/96 League Champions, National Cup Winners, League Trophy Winners
  • 1996/97 Championship Winners, League Trophy Winners
  • 1998/99 Tournament of Champions Winners, Championship Winners
  • 1999/00 Southern Conference Champions, League Trophy Winners
  • 2000/01 Tournament of Champions Winners, Southern Conference Champions

References

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