Brighton Bears was a British basketball team based in Brighton, Sussex. From 1984 to 1999 the club was known as the Worthing Bears and was based in the town of Worthing, 12 miles west of Brighton. The Bears played in the top-flight British Basketball League (BBL) until 2006 when the franchise folded. The final season was notable for the signing of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who played three games for the Bears. The league's franchise for the Brighton-area, originally put on hold, was intended to be occupied by the Brighton Cougars from the 2008–09 season but the Cougars bid was rejected, with the league favouring rival candidate Worthing Thunder.
| Brighton Bears | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| League | British Basketball League | ||
| Established | 1973 | ||
| Folded | 2006 | ||
| History | Brighton Bears 1973–1984 Worthing Bears 1984–1999 Brighton Bears 1999–2006 | ||
| Location | Brighton, Sussex and Worthing, Sussex | ||
| Team colours | Blue and White | ||
| Ownership | Ricky Perrin | ||
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Season-by-season records
edit| Season | Div. | Pos. | Pld. | W | L | Pts. | Play-offs | Cup | Trophy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worthing Bears | |||||||||
| 1990–1991 | BBL | 7th | 24 | 10 | 14 | 20 | Quarter-final | Quarter-final | 1st round |
| 1991–1992 | BBL | 3rd | 30 | 22 | 8 | 44 | Semi-final | Semi-final | 1st round |
| 1992–1993 | BBL | 1st | 33 | 31 | 2 | 62 | Winners | Runner-up | 1st round |
| 1993–1994 | BBL | 2nd | 36 | 30 | 6 | 60 | Winners | Winners | Semi-final |
| 1994–1995 | BBL | 7th | 36 | 20 | 16 | 40 | Winners | 4th round | Semi-final |
| 1995–1996 | BBL | 7th | 36 | 19 | 17 | 38 | Quarter-final | 4th round | Runner-up |
| 1996–1997 | BBL | 11th | 36 | 12 | 24 | 24 | DNQ | 4th round | Quarter-final |
| 1997–1998 | BBL | 12th | 36 | 7 | 29 | 14 | DNQ | 4th round | 1st round |
| 1998–1999 | BBL | 13th | 36 | 4 | 32 | 8 | DNQ | 1st round | 1st round |
| Brighton Bears | |||||||||
| 1999–2000 | BBL S | 6th | 34 | 11 | 23 | 22 | DNQ | Quarter-final | 1st round |
| 2000–2001 | BBL S | 6th | 34 | 9 | 25 | 18 | DNQ | 1st round | 1st round |
| 2001–2002 | BBL S | 2nd | 32 | 21 | 11 | 42 | Semi-final | 1st round | Quarter-final |
| 2002–2003 | BBL | 2nd | 40 | 30 | 10 | 60 | Runner-up | Winners | 1st round |
| 2003–2004 | BBL | 1st | 36 | 30 | 6 | 60 | Semi-final | 1st round | Runner-up |
| 2004–2005 | BBL | 5th | 40 | 22 | 18 | 44 | Quarter-final | Winners | Runner-up |
| 2005–2006 | BBL | 8th | 40 | 17 | 23 | 33 | Quarter-final | 1st round | 1st round |
Notes:
- From 1999–2002, the BBL operated a Conference system. Brighton competed in the Southern Conference.
- DNQ denotes Did not qualify.
Trophies
editLeague
edit- NBL Division One Winners: 1987/88 1
- BBL Championship Winners: 1992/93, & 2003/04 2
- BBL Championship Runners Up: 1993/94, & 2002/03 2
- BBL Southern Conference Runners Up: 2001/02, & 2002/03 2
Playoffs
edit- NBL Division One Play Off Winners: 1987/88 1
- BBL Championship Play Off Winners: 1992/93, 1993/94, & 1994/95 3
- BBL Championship Play Off Runners Up: 2002/03 1
Trophy
edit- BBL Trophy Runners Up: 1995/96, 2002/03 & 2003/04 3
Cup
edit- National Cup Winners: 1993/94, & 2002/03 2
- National Cup Runners Up: 1992/93 1
- BBL Cup Winners: 2004/05 1