CHEDDARHEADS TIMELINE (1998-2000)

March 1998
The Cheddarheads are officially born, when during a whole weekend of episodes of Jerry Springer on UK Living (the Godfather of Cheddar some may say), Shuggie and Preston decide to spray paint their cheeseheads with a distinct red and yellow tartan design.

Also this month, Shuggie is ejected from a Monarchs pre-season party in London.

April 1998
Our first game as Cheddarheads in the newly named NFL Europe, see us travel to Barcelona where the Claymores lose on a last second FG miss by Gary Parker. STV's Touchdown Scotland captures us on TV, and beams us back to Scotland.

In a week 2 game in Bristol between the Fire and Monarchs we meet Fire K Danny Kight for the 1st time.

May 1998
After a dreadful 0-4 start to the season, Claymores finally win, beating the Dragons 30-10 at Murrayfield. The Cheddar Curse is lifted.

Cheddarheads go on-line during this month.

In Week 6, a chance break in the schedule allows us to carry out a historic 3 games in 3 days - known as the Triple Cheddar Header.

Later in the month, the Claymores knock off the Monarchs 27-24 at Murrayfield. It will prove to be the last ever meeting between these 2 rivals as the Monarchs will be put to sleep at the season.

June 1998
World Bowl 98 in Frankfurt sees the Fire clinch their 1st title, knocking off the Galaxy 34-10. Shuggie performs a dodgy version of the song "Hey Baby" for NFL Films which he will have to live down for years.

At season's end we've managed to watch 15 NFL Europe games in 9 different cities!

December 1998
We repeat the Triple Cheddar Header in the US, driving to 3 NFL games in Washington, Charlotte and Miami in 3 days - over 1,200 miles apart!

While in Washington, DC we make an appearance on ABC's serious political show Nightline. Wearing our Cheddarheads outside the Capitol Building, we pledge our support for Bill Clinton who is being impeached inside! (We like to think we helped Bill survive this scandal).

April 1998 - The Cheddarheads debut in Barcelona

May 1998 - The Triple Cheddar Header

May 1998 - Claymores defeat Monarchs in last ever meeting

June 1998 - World Bowl 98 sees the Fire win for the 1st time

December 1998 - First US Tour as "The Cheddarheads"

March 1999
Preston goes to training camp for the first time, where it is now based in Orlando. The Claymores who are training at The Citrus Bowl, look to have an exciting QB in prospect in Dameyune Craig.

Along the way he acquires a handycam from NFL Films, who have requested that we film the season on the road from a fans perspective. In the end three seperate shows will air on the NFL Blast show - that is aired all over the world.

Mickey Mouse gets cheddared.

April 1999
In week 2 in Berlin we thrash the Thunder 48-14 for our first ever road win as Cheddarheads. Preston gets caught on German TV placing an NFL Europe sticker onto a blonde German girls breast. Preston invents the phrase "2-0 Baby".

The Claymores players and entourage famously celebrate the victory in the team hotel. ("The Night of the 1000 Beers").

May 1999
Handycam Mark I gets stolen in Week 5 in Dusseldorf along with Preston's passport. Replacemnets are drafted in!

Claymores QB Dameyune Craig passes for pro record 611 yards in a 42-35 win in Frankfurt. At 4-2 we look a good bet for the World Bowl.

June 1999
In Week 7 in Barcelona we blow a 28-3 lead, losing a key matchup 42-35 with the Dragons. Despite being dejected, we manage a hell of night back in Sitges, with Dragons OL Deron Thorp among others.

The season ends in Amsterdam with our 4th straight loss 30-22 as we finish with a disappointing 4-6 record.

World Bowl 99 the following week sees the Galaxy beat the Dragons 38-24 in Dusseldorf. It's the German's city first hosting of the World Bowl - and thanks to the fans it's the best week long party the league has seen yet.

Oct 1999
We're back in the US doing The Toilet Bowl Tour. This sees us doing NFL games in New York, Baltimore, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. We also take a college game for the 1st time - in Athens, Ohio.

The tour is filmed for NFL Films. Along the way we manage to catch up with new Colts K Danny Kight. We also visit the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio where Dameyune Craig's shirt is now on display after his 611 yard night back in May.

Orlando 1999 - Mickey gets cheddared

Berlin 1999 - Our first road win

Frankfurt 1999 - Claymores QB Dameyune Craig has just passed for 611 yards

World Bowl 99 - Galaxy beat the Dragons 38-24 in Dusseldorf

Canton 99 - Craig's shirt on display

March 2000
Preston returns to training camp in Orlando. Predicts that new Claymore RB Aaron Stecker will lead the league in rushing (he does). Also predicts Admirals QB Dan Gonzalez will be a star (who?).

April 2000
Claymores start 2-0 again before falling in Berlin in Week 3.

In Week 5, our now tradtional mid-season swoon in Dusseldorf leaves us at 3-2. The Schlosser still tastes good however.

May 2000
Claymores break the Hampden Hoodoo by blanking the Dragons 28-0 in Week 7. It's their first win in 4 attempts there. The close positioning of the away bench near the home crowd is an improved factor which Preston excels in. Victim #1 is poor Dragons QB Tony Graziani.

June 2000
Back to back sensational wins see the Claymores clinch a spot in WB2000. First they demolish the Admirals 42-10 in "The One-Way Game". The following week at Hampden they hold off the Fire 31-24 thanks to a last second Stecker TD. Thanks to an Admiral loss later that night, the Fire also clinch and a wild fan party is had that night back in Edinburgh.

After a meaningless Week 10 loss in Barcelona Shuggie has a minor altercation with Dragons S Brad Trout over the fact that the Claymores are in the WB, and Trout's Dragons are not.

WB 2000 in Frankfurt sees the Claymores fall to the Fire 13-10 thanks to a last minute Pepe Pearson TD. Despite the loss Stecker is named MVP. The game would be Jim Criner's last in charge of the Claymores.

September/October 2000
The Cheddarlenium takes place. This sees us take in 4 NFL games and 2 college games covering 2,000 miles in 12 days. We start off in Denver and end up in Minnesota. Along the way we run into ex NFLEers George Coghill, Sam Clancy and Aaron Stecker as well as seeing future Claymore Dante Hall in action for the Chiefs. The whole tour is covered by Sky Sports later in the year.

Tampa 2000, Back to Training Camp

Frankfurt 2000, Kevin Greene celebrates our 17-14 win

The ride back to the World Bowl in 2000 was a thirsty one

World Bowl 2000, Claymores fall to Fire 13-10

USA 2000, The Cheddar-lenium Tour

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