Early years (1986–1989) The
Chiltern Cheetahs were formed in the summer of 1986 by a group of friends based in
Amersham, Buckinghamshire. With some outside help, the team developed and they played their first friendly on 30 November 1986—a 0–9 defeat to the St Albans Kestrels played at the home of
Chesham United football club in front of 1800 spectators. A further three pre-season matches were played after the New Year; an 18–6 win against the F14 Tomcats, a 41–2 win against the Bristol Blackhawks, and a 34–9 win against the Chiltern Panthers. After these pre-season successes, they entered league competition in the summer of 1987, competing in the Capital League's County Division. They finished with a record of seven wins and three defeats, narrowly missing out on the playoffs. The Cheetahs moved to the British National Gridiron League the following year, but were affected by the loss of their two American coaches. They performed slightly better in 1989 despite losing more players, winning three out of their ten games.
1990–1995 The following season, the Cheetahs were moved to the Southern Conference of the BNGL's Premier Division, but they struggled once again, finishing bottom of the four-team group with just two wins out of ten. This resulted in the Cheetahs being relegated to Division One, where they were assigned to the East Midlands Conference. They moved home once again, playing their games at Newlands Park College in
Chalfont St. Giles. They began the season with two ties away from home, before narrowly losing their first home game against the Stratford Tempests due to a last minute
field goal. 1992 saw them winning six of their games, again narrowly missing out on a playoff spot. Their first real success came in 1993. After appointing a pair of new coaches, the team won all but one of their games to win the First Division South Central Conference, claiming their first ever conference title and qualifying for the playoffs. They were drawn at home to the Weymouth Renegades, whom they beat 15–8 with their three running backs each getting over 100 yards. The following season also saw them struggle, with two of their three wins coming as the result of the London Mets forfeiting their games.
1996–1997 1996 saw the Chiltern Cheetahs celebrating their tenth anniversary with a friendly match against the visiting Hamlen Dragons—the Cheetahs defeated their German opponents 60–0. Compared with 1997, the next few seasons were unremarkable with The Cheetahs generally finishing in mid-table.
2004–2005 It wasn't until 2004 that they again experienced success, when they finished top of Division 2 South East with ten wins out of ten. This meant they finished at top seeds in the entire division, and so were assured of home draws. A 30–6 win over the
South Wales Warriors in the quarter-final was followed by a 34–6 semi-final win over the
Sussex Thunder. This set up their second playoff final, this time played at the
Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield in front of 1440 spectators. They did not finish the season with another win, losing 16–32 to the
Doncaster Mustangs. Despite losing the final, the Cheetahs were promoted to Division 1A of the
British American Football League. After winning their first match against the
Southern Sundevils, they struggled at this higher level and only managed to win one more of their games, ultimately finishing third out of four teams in their group. This was still to gain a wild-card slot in the playoffs and they made the most of this opportunity, defeating the Staffordshire Surge and the
London Blitz to gain a place in the final for the second successive season. As with their first playoff final eight years before, they played the Bristol Aztecs and lost only by a single touchdown.
2006–2007 They didn't recover from this and lost all ten games in the following season, only managing to score 32 points. They were therefore relegated back to Division 2, where they played the 2007 season in the South East Conference at their new home in Watford. They continued to struggle, winning only two of their ten games.
Watford Cheetahs (2008–2012) In 2008, the team were renamed the
Watford Cheetahs and were reassigned to the Eastern Conference, where they finished with a record of two wins, seven defeats and one draw.
2010 2010 was an eventful year for the Cheetahs. Drew Anderson was appointed as head coach, numerous adjustments and new arrivals made it a busy off season, including the Cheetahs being transferred to the
BAFACL Division 2 West. The pre-season began with two scrimmage games v.
London Blitz and
Cambridgeshire Cats. They began the 2010 League campaign 3–0 with consecutive wins away from home including a 27–14 win against the
Cornish Sharks. Three consecutive defeats then followed, twice against the
Berkshire Renegades and an unfortunate defeat away to
Hampshire Thrashers, which made the Cheetahs 3–3. Two thrilling come-from-behind home wins v.
Gloucester Banshees and runaway divisional leaders
Hampshire Thrashers, which gave the Cheetahs a chance of gong into the playoffs. A 35–13 loss at home to
Milton Keynes City Pathfinders stopped any Cheetahs playoff chances and the season ended with another home defeat to
Cornish Sharks. The Cheetahs finished the season 5–5 and 3rd position in the division.
2011 In 2011, the club celebrating their 25th anniversary, with more several comings and goings in the playing roster and coaching staff. Linebacker Jamie Brown was installed as the team's new defensive co-ordinator and a partnership on offense between retired kicker Douglas Andrews and quarterback Martin Brown, after the departure of previous coach Adrian Stemp. Brown became the team's new starting QB ahead of the established Paul Symonds, who took the opportunity of also playing wide receiver as well as quarterback after recovering from an arm injury sustained the season before. Backup quarterback Nik Maxey, who once played for the Great Britain Crusaders (Under 18) and Bulldogs (University) teams, would also take a more active coaching role as the 2011 season unfolded. Head coach Drew Anderson announced toward the end of the season that he would step down to become the head of BAFA's Community Football scheme. Before the 2011 season kicked off, Cheetahs formed a partnership with the
University of Hertfordshire Hurricanes team, culminating in two scrimmage games to help prepare the Hurricanes for their winter football season. So successful were the games that several players, led by former Cheetahs linebacker Richard Ward, also returned and he brought a few former Hurricanes players with him to play for the Cheetahs in the 2011 season. The club also announced that they would form a Youth Kitted team with help from the local youth and community authority. Before the season kicked off proper in April, the Cheetahs were transferred back to the Eastern Conference of BAFA's Community League to be reunited with their old rivals from Kent, Norwich, Bedfordshire, Essex and Milton Keynes, who themselves spent a season with the Cheetahs in the West Conference joined them back in the East. The season began with the team away from home against the
Bedfordshire Blue Raiders in which the Cheetahs shut out their Bedford-based rivals 15–0. Another shut-out in the following game, which would be the team's 25th Anniversary Game at home against
Norwich Devils with the Cheetahs winning over the Devils 37–0. The Devils announced shortly after that they could not continue playing for the remainder of the season which meant the Cheetahs had an extra win under their belts, albeit by default. A history-making third shut-out in succession happened in the next game away in Kent against the
Maidstone Pumas. The Cheetahs winning 61–0. This made the Cheetahs 4–0 for zero points conceded the Cheetahs' season. The Cheetahs themselves would suffer a shut-out themselves in the following game away against the Kent Exiles. The Cheetahs, failing to move the ball effectively at a drizzle-soaked Crockenhill suffered an 18–0 loss in what was the Conference-topping game. A bruising 31–20 loss against a physical and much improved
Milton Keynes City Pathfinders team pushed the team further out of the Playoff picture with the season record standing at 4–2. The following game, the Cheetahs at home at a sweltering Fullerians (with temperatures well in the high 80s) against the table-topping
Essex Spartans in which the Cheetahs ran out 19–6 winners. A defeat away at Milton Keynes by 20–16 would ultimately stop the Cheetahs' post-season Playoff hopes. The Cheetahs exacted revenge against the Exiles in the return-game at home by 23–14 which saw the game suspended temporarily in the 4th quarter by a brief thunderstorm. The final home game then saw the Cheetahs win over Bedfordshire by 43–6. The Cheetahs finished the 2011 season with their first winning season since their 10–0 season in 2004 with a record of 7 wins for 3 losses and 0 ties, and the fourth lowest points-conceded in the entire division.
Back to fighting form (2013–present) After a dismal 2012 season that resulted in the cheetahs finishing 3–7, the pre season for the 2013 campaign saw a number of changes in cheetah personnel, committee and coaching staff, the cheetahs began recruiting players from all over Hertfordshire to strengthen their ranks. With the return of a few old faces to the team, this led to the Cheetahs managing a complete U-turn in their season, finishing 6–4, just narrowly missing out on the playoffs. With convincing wins over both Milton Keynes pathfinders and Kent exiles that season there was no doubt the Cheetahs were a serious team and ready to be contenders in the next season. The 2014 season sees a return to dominance for the Cheetahs, despite the departure of offensive co-ordinator Coach Lowry, the Cheetahs were joined by Coach Brown taking over the defensive co-ordinator role and Coach Shu leading on the offensive front. With a change of venue to the University of Hertfordshire Sports Village, the Cheetahs had seen a boost in moral and were currently sitting at 5–0 and leaders of their conference. 2015 was a season with mixed fortunes for the Cheetahs. Huge offseason upheaval led by chairman at the time Al Tepper led to a new home ground at
St Albans Rugby Club, which has given the club space and resources to grow, and to improve their game day facilities, helping them to launch a cheerleading squad and flag team. Growing numbers of younger players in the Senior squad has also led to one of their players, Stuart Butcher, representing the Great British Student Lions in their recent victory over their Finnish counterparts. Early season results included a narrow loss (14–12) at Ouse Valley, and a win at home against the Cambridgeshire Cats. Ultimately, the Cheetahs went 4–6. A number of changes occurred within the Cheetahs hierarchy at the start of the 2016 season. Former player Conrad Elliott took over as head coach and defensive coordinator, whilst Luke Clark made the step-up to chairman alongside his other duties as committee member and offensive lineman. On the field, results did not go the Cheetahs way. A 0–10 season was ultimately saved by off-field spirit and a willingness to rebound in 2017. Unfortunately Coach Elliott had to step down after the season, with offensive coordinator Roger Brown taking over as interim head coach – the beginnings of a restructuring of the coaching and committee structure for the 2017 season. 2017 was a year of improvement for the Cheetahs as the senior team would go on a 7 Game win streak under Roger Brown. Starting with a 63–0 Win over the Hastings Conquerors and followed by subsequent 50 Point games against the Berkshire Renegades, Maidstone Pumas and Bournemouth Bobcats. The Cheetahs would make the playoffs even after injuries caught up with the team which lead to them dropping their last 3 games. The Cheetahs went into the playoffs believing they could go the distance but came up short against a promotion driven Wembley Stallions in a 27–0 Loss. Whilst promotion was the goal, a 7–3 Season was a huge motivator. With a Junior side that went 3–3 and were Southern Trophy Runners up in an 8–6 Game against the Solent Seahawks and Youth Program who looked strong to start the season. Due to personal circumstances Roger Brown had to leave the club, and Craig Barnes was voted in as the new head coach. Will Sparke took over duties as offensive coordinator, having previously assisted with special teams. ==Uniform==