New England Knights
The New England Knights are a minor league football team in the North American Football League NAFL. The team was founded in 2000 by Marvin Tillman as the Bridgeport Knights. In their inaugural season the Knights made the playoffs eventually losing to the Harlem Hurricanes by 1 point. In 2001 the Knights achieved their goal of winning a Championship by defeating the Connecticut Giants and securing the N.E.F.A. crown. 2002 saw the Knights go undefeated until losing in the Championship game to the New Jersey Terminators. The Knights went undefeated in 2003 & 2004 winning 2 more N.E.F.A. Championships. In 2004 the Knights were invited to play in the 1st ever North/South Challenge bowl held in Homestead, Florida. The Knights brought their 1st ever National Championship to Connecticut by defeating the Florida Kings 34-17. In 2005 the Knights moved to the G.S.F.L. and continued their streak of making the playoffs. The Knights were again invited to play in the North/South Challenge Bowl and again responded with a victory. In 2006 the Knights were purchased by Steven Fleischman and John Anastasio. Again the Knights made the G.S.F.L. playoffs and won their 3rd National Title in Florida. 2007 saw the Knights move to the N.A.F.L. and once again make the playoffs. In 2008 owner Steven Fleischman assumed sole ownership and moved the Knights into the R.A.F.L. 2008 proved to be another successful season as the Knights secured the North Division Championship of the R.A.F.L. and once again were invited to play for another National Title. The Knights won their 4th North/South Challenge Bowl by defeating the Broward Warriors 40-0. Won again in 2010. Lost in 2012.
The 2007 move to the NAFL capped off a record-setting stint in the New England Football Association (NEFA)and Garden State Football League (GSFL), including five championships in six years. The New England Knights are five time North/South Challenge Bowl Champions. The coach of the team is Greg Volpe.
Titles and achievements
- 5 National / 4 League / 7 Division Titles
- Playoff appearance every year of existence
- #1 Defense in the country 2003,04, 05, 08
- Additional information added 7-3-2013: The above article is fully correct. After 3 years with the Connecticut Chiefs I went over to the Bridgeport Knights as the Director of Football Operations for Gary Dowd, who took over the Knights from Marvin Tillman. We played at various home fields in Connecticut(West Haven, Bridgeport, Branford, Hamden, Milford, Waterbury and Hartford) so we changed our name from Bridgeport to "NEW ENGLAND" to be all encompassing. As the Director of Operations I was involved in every aspect of the team including publicity (TV,radio,news papers & internet, purchasing, promotions, ticket sales, concessions, field negotiations, travel, Sports Information, field announcing and radio and internet broadcasting. I am proud to say the New England Knights have sent players to play in Arena Football, Arena2 and tryouts with the NFL. The team disbanded at the end of the 2011 seasonI can attest to every word printed above as of this date 7-3-2013. Leonard R. Mirto Jr. N.E. Knights HOF 2011