Are We Still Talking Double Dutch?

Are we still talking Double Dutch?

In the 2014 BUCS season the Stirling Clansmen went undefeated, claiming the National title in a gritty title clinching battle with the Birmingham Lions. At the helm of the offence was their talismanic quarterback, Luis “Dutch” Stephenson. Famed for his bravado and distinctive golden “mullet” he delivered on his promise to secure the title, and his exploits were etched large in the annals of BUAFL.

Let’s wind the clock forward to the current season, and who should be under centre for Division one north powerhouse, the Sheffield Hallam Warriors? Why it’s none other than Stephenson. No longer resplendent in the green of Stirling, he now cuts a dash in the burgundy and black. The big arm and the Mullet are still in full force, and Hallam are hotly tipped to secure the Northern Conference Championship, thereby returning to the BUCS premier division. That would give him the distinction of being a double BUCS champion, taking the title at both Premier and Division one levels.

His route to Hallam has been long and spectacular, so let’s take a look at his football journey. Dutch’s first exposure to the gridiron was in Cincinnati, his father worked for a global corporation and that led to the family moving to different countries, normally on a four year cycle. His coaches at that time didn’t really see him as a quarterback, giving him reps at receiver, corner and defensive line, but his love for the game was born. It was during his time in Ohio that he met and played soccer with another BUCS legend, former Trent Renegades safety, Chris Stone. After his time in the states, the next move was to Holland, but with no opportunity to play football, he became a talented field hockey player. It was time to graduate from high school and move on to university, having considered his options, he chose to apply for the University of Stirling, home of the legendary Clansmen, he was accepted and the rest, as they say, is history.

Having graduated from Stirling he had numerous offers to play in Europe. He chose to play in Poland, but what he had been offered didn’t materialise and he returned home after just one game. Undaunted he ventured back into Europe, this time landing in Finland, but again things weren’t as they had been promised, and three games later, he was once more on his way back. He wanted to continue his studies and looked at Hallam as a potential landing spot. He messaged head coach Richard Batty, asking if the Warriors programme had room for a quarterback, the answer, was a resounding yes! Hallam had been re-building following a season in the premier north division that saw them relegated, and coming into the 2016-2017 season they were most pundits favourites to get promoted again. It wasn’t a perfect regular season though, as UCLAN inflicted a surprise loss on the Warriors, despite the efforts of Stephenson and his more than able back-up, Ewan Chisholm. They bounced back though and did the double over their closest rivals, Leeds Carnegie. They progressed through the play-offs to set up the Northern Conference Championship game against Leeds, who had just pipped Nottingham in a nail-biting over-time finish the previous week. They were expected to do the triple over their Yorkshire neighbours, but it didn’t work out that way as Leeds, relying on their grinding run game, edged past Hallam.

After the game, Stephenson was philosophical. ”Season over. No promotion. Devastated, but life goes on. So pleased to have played with so many great guys that are graduating and leaving me behind, Ronel, Mark (Barney), Barney, Rickerby, Tyler, Mike, Slingsby, not to mention the defensive guys (I didn't forget about you Colfer). But I've been lucky to have been a part of this historic team. Been an absolute privilege to be coached by Kharchi and Richard Batty. Looking to next year already, what else can you do? Good luck to Liam Austin and the boys at Leeds Beckett, show the south that the North is king”.

So, we didn’t witness a dose of “double dutch” this year, but as he said, he will be back next season. No doubt, he’ll be tossing the pigskin and the golden mullet in equal measure!