Sussex Swans

The London Swans are an Australian rules football club based in London, England, previously based in Crawley and known until 2007 as the Sussex Swans.

The Sussex Swans were formed towards the end of 1990, with the British Australian Rules Football League quite keen to expand with teams outside London. The Sydney Swans donated on the first set of footy jumpers that was to last three years. It was intended to replace the Sydney Opera House logo with a representation of the Brighton Pavilion when a new set of jumpers was needed.

The Swans' first game in the BARFL was on 21 April 1991 at King's Manor Upper School ground in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex against the Bristol Bears. The Swans were defeated by a large margin. In the first year the Swans lost every game with the team largely being made up of British players and with only an average of four Australians. Their first victory finally came during the 1992 season.

In 1993 the Sussex Swans moved to Crawley Rugby Club, won the first game of the season against the Bristol Bears and then beat the East Midland Eagles in round two - the only time to date the Swans have led the BARFL ladder.

1998 saw the Swans reach the BARFL Premiership finals for the first time, losing to the Wimbledon Hawks in the semi-finals. 1999 saw the Swans reach the semi final of the Pre Season Cup for the first time, though they were defeated by the more experienced Wandsworth Demons.

In 2001, ten members of the Swans' squad were selected for the British Bulldogs side for the Atlantic Alliance Cup held in London. And the Swans made it through to the semi-finals of the pre season cup narrowly missing out on a grand final spot after being defeated by North London. (future AFL player Michael Rix then on o/s travel played in these matches). The Sydney Swans at this time were again supportive and interested in the club. And donated a set of playing jumpers to the club. Sent directly after an AFL game in Adelaide. This gesture was warmly received. The Swans also gained media attention in the back pages of the Melbourne's 'Herald Sun' in 2001 after an audacious attempt to lure AFL bad boy Wayne Carey to play while he was in AFL limbo.

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