Wilmington Renegades
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Founded | 1966 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 1967 |
| League | Atlantic Coast Football League |
| Based in | Wilmington, Delaware |
| Arena | Baynard Stadium |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division titles | 0 |
The Wilmington Renegades were a minor league American football team based in Wilmington, Delaware. They joined the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL) 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]
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]
