The rise of American Football across the south

  • Watch this report from ITV Meridian's Chlöe Oliver

In the UK, football is overwhelmingly the most popular sport around. It is entrenched in British culture and the Premier League in particular is a huge institution.

However, in recent years there has been an upward trend for American sports, like American Football. It is one of the country's fastest growing sports.

American Football is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK

There are currently 62 adult teams across the country, with many in the south, including Bournemouth Bobcats, Solent Thrashers in Southampton and the Oxford Saints.

  • Pete Fields, Coach of Rushmoor Knights

American football has only been taken seriously as a recognised sport in the UK in the last two decades.

American Football was brought to the south coast by American and Canadian soldiers during the Second World War Credit: British Pathe

The first game of organised American football to be played in the UK was between US Navy servicemen on 23 November 1910, in a match known as the Silver Cup.

The sport gradually grew in popularity over the latter half of the 20th Century and now teams play regularly across the south.

There are an estimated 13 million American Football fans in the UK, and with its rising popularity, games have become more accessible through the internet.

In recent years there has been an upward trend for American sports, like American Football.

Harvey Macey plays for Rushmoor Knights alongside his father. He originally joined after becoming injured through english football.

  • Rich Balderson and Harvey Macey   

It's now believed some US leagues might relocate teams to the UK because of the increased coverage of the sport.