Wilmington Renegades

The Wilmington Renegades were a minor league American football team based in Wilmington, Delaware. They joined the Atlantic Coast Football League as the Wilmington Clippers on February 20, 1966.[1] Most of the team's ownership and management carried over from another Wilmington football franchise, the Wilmington Comets of the North American Football League.[2] The team's first signing was Dick Christy, former running back with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Boston Patriots, and New York Jets.[3]

Wilmington Renegades
Founded1966
Folded1967
LeagueAtlantic Coast Football League
Based inWilmington, Delaware
ArenaBaynard Stadium
Championships0
Division titles0

Despite losing $80,000 in 1966, the Clippers returned to the ACFL for the 1967 season. The team announced a five-year working agreement with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in March 1967, which saw the Eagles help with the cost of running the team.[4] Despite the agreement, the Clippers continued to lose money and announced their dissolution in September 1967, just two games into the regular season.[5]

The league stepped in immediately and offered to finance the franchise, which was renamed as the Renegades.[6] Newspapers reported the team's full name alternately as the Wilmington Renegades or Delmarva Renegades. The franchise ceased operations permanently in November 1967, canceling their final two regular season games.[7]

Season-by-season
YearLeagueWLTFinishCoach
Wilmington Clippers 1966Atlantic Coast Football League4704th, Southern DivisionTex Warrington/Ron Waller
Wilmington Clippers/Renegades 1967ACFL2702nd, Southern DivisionRon Waller

Further reading
  • Ryczek, William (2014). Connecticut Gridiron: Football Minor Leaguers of the 1960s and 1970s. McFarland. ISBN 0786478330.

References
  1. "DeFilippo Will Not Coach Here". Evening Journal. March 10, 1966.
  2. Katzman, Izzy (March 14, 1966). "Clippers to Play in 10-Team Loop". The Morning News.
  3. Katzman, Izzy (March 23, 1966). "Dick Christy First to Join Clippers". The Morning News.
  4. Feldner, Karl (March 29, 1967). "Clippers Tie Up With Eagles". Evening Journal.
  5. "Wilmington Clippers Drown In Red Ink". Delaware County Times. September 7, 1967.
  6. "ACFL to Assist City Grid Team". The News Journal. September 11, 1967.
  7. "Football Clippers Disband for Year". The Pittsburgh Press. UPI. November 4, 1967.
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