Humber Warhawks & Scunthorpe Alphas Announce Merger

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The Humber Warhawks and Scunthorpe Alphas are proud to announce a merger of the two clubs ahead of the 2026 season – a move that will redefine the future of American football in the Humber region.

Following several weeks of consultation and work with British American Football Association (BAFA) officials, this bold step comes as part of an ongoing effort to stabilise, strengthen and grow the sport by consolidating resources and talent across this region, at both senior and youth level. With the two clubs previously operating in such close proximity, the Warhawks and Alphas faced the challenge of a divided talent pool, with both players and coaches often spread thin. This merger provides the perfect opportunity to combine expertise, deepen coaching resources, and cultivate a competitive environment that will propel the sport to new heights. It will also help ensure longevity and sustainability for the sport across the entire region – something that was not as achievable with the two clubs playing as separate entities.

“This merger is an exciting milestone, not just for our teams, but for the entire Humber region,” said Humber Warhawks general manager Heather Hammett. “By joining forces, we are no longer just two individual clubs – we are creating something much larger, a true regional powerhouse that connects communities that have long been passionate about American football. Our goal is to create a programme that not only raises the level of competition, but also creates a pipeline for young talent in the area. A programme that represents the strength, pride, and passion of our community. A programme that will help ensure that American football is played in this region for decades to come.”

For the 2026 season, the newly-merged adult team will compete under the Humber Warhawks banner in Division 2 – a move that we acknowledge may disappoint Scunthorpe Alphas supporters. However, this difficult decision was made with the long-term sustainability of the sport in the town and the region firmly in mind, and we urge fans to rally around the team during this exciting transition. This season marks the beginning of a new chapter for American football in the Humber region, with a complete rebrand expected in the near future, signalling the dawn of a fresh identity, vision, and approach to the sport that will benefit both current and future generations.

As part of the merger, it has been agreed that all home games for the 2026 season will be played at Quibell Park in Scunthorpe – the recent home of the Scunthorpe Alphas. Quibell Park has a rich history when it comes to American football in this area, having also previously been the home of the Scunthorpe Steelers in the late 80s/early 90s.

“Keeping American football in Scunthorpe was hugely important to the team,” said Alphas general manager Lloyd Jones, who will now become co-GM of the merged club. “Increasing numbers of American football fans came to Quibell last season to show their support for the sport in our area, and we wanted to ensure that their commitment and passion is rewarded with more live football in 2026. Supporters can expect the same high-quality gameday experience that they have come to know and love over the years – while the name and colours of the club may be changing, the ethos of providing a fun and family-friendly atmosphere will remain.”

Looking ahead, the expansion of youth football in the Humber region is a major component of the merger. A key part of the long-term plan will involve developing both flag and U16 contact teams across the Humber area. These youth teams will feed into a dedicated U19 squad and, ultimately, the senior team, creating a robust pathway for local talent to develop and thrive.

“Youth development will be a key focus going forward,” added Heather. “We plan to create a clear pathway for young athletes to progress from flag football all the way through to the senior team. This merger allows us to invest in growing the sport at the grassroots level, giving youngsters across the Humber region the opportunity to play, develop, and dream big. By bringing the two clubs together, we are giving our youth teams a solid foundation, a broader reach, and a greater chance to thrive.”

Each team will have its own unique identity within the youth setup, ensuring that the spirit of local pride is maintained. As part of this initiative, the Scunthorpe Alphas youth teams will continue to play under the current banner going forward, meaning the Alphas name will live on following this merger.

“The Scunthorpe Alphas name means a lot of things to a lot of people, and we are delighted that we can preserve that name going forward,” said Lloyd. “What the Alphas achieved in such a short space of time was truly phenomenal, and to lose the name would have been a huge blow to the men and women who dedicated so much time and energy into creating something that became so special to so many people. What better way to continue the legacy than to ensure that every young American football player in the town of Scunthorpe going forward will always be an Alpha!”

The Scunthorpe Alphas U19’s contact team is currently scheduled to compete in the Division 2 North during the 2026 season, while the U14s flag team will compete in the BAFA Flag League. Plans for further youth programmes in surrounding areas, including Hull, will be revealed at a later date.

Meanwhile, the newly-merged adult team will kick off the 2026 season in April, with the club’s full Division 2 schedule set to be released in the near future. Stay tuned to the existing Warhawks and Alphas social media pages for the fixture release, as well as all of the latest news and updates following the merger. Welcome to a new age for American football in the Humber region.

All media enquiries should be directed to media@alphas-football.co.uk or gm@humberwarhawks.com.