Derby Storm was a former British Basketball League (BBL) franchise from the city of Derby, Derbyshire. The team decided to sit out the 2002–03 season after failing to find a suitable venue for home games. Despite early efforts for a new arena, the franchise never returned to playing action.

Derby Storm
Derby Storm logo
LeagueBritish Basketball League
Established1984
Folded2002
HistoryDerby Turbos
1984–1985
Derby Rams
1985–1991
Derby Bucks
1991–1995
Derby Storm
1995–2002
LocationDerby, Derbyshire
OwnershipMike Horton

Founded in 1984 as the Derby Turbos later changed to Derby Rams in 1985. (which NBA head coach Nick Nurse was a player/coach), the team was a founder member of the franchise-based professional BBL when it was set up in 1987. Another name change took place in 1991, becoming the Derby Bucks, and in 1993 the franchise withdrew from the BBL due to financial problems, but was "rescued" and allowed to re-enter before the new season began.

Future Toronto Raptors coach and NBA championship winner Nick Nurse coached here in 1990.

The team became known as the Derby Storm in 1995 and was the first British basketball club to own their own venue, the Thunderdome a.k.a. Storm Arena, which was in fact a converted factory. The compact arena was definitely one of the most characteristic venues in the League, and often the subject of many jokes from rival fans.

Storm were given permission to "sit out" the 2002–03 season, to generate finance and find an alternative venue,[1] but having not returned since, the franchise membership with the BBL has lapsed. Basketball remained in the city however as fans took it upon themselves to take control of Storm's reserve team and reform them as Derby Trailblazers. The Blazers adopted one of Storm's former homes, the Moorways Centre, as their home venue.

Season-by-season records

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Season Division Tier Regular Season Post-Season BBL Trophy National Cup Head Coach
Finish Played Wins Losses Points Win %
Derby Turbos
1984–85 NBL D2 2 4th 22 16 6 32 0.727 Chris Squire
Derby Rams
1985–86 NBL D2 2 2nd 22 18 4 36 0.818 Chris Squire
1986–87 NBL D1 1 13th 24 4 20 8 0.167 Did not qualify 2nd round (NC) David Lloyd
1987–88 BBL 1 13th 28 4 24 8 0.142 Did not qualify Pool Stage (BT) 2nd round (NC) Clarence Wiggins
1988–89 BBL 1 10th 20 3 17 6 0.150 Did not qualify Quarter-finals (BT) Quarter-finals (NC) Clarence Wiggins
1989–90 BBL 1 5th 28 10 18 20 0.357 Did not qualify Pool Stage (BT) Semi-finals (NC) Ron Whitehead
1990–91 BBL 1 5th 24 12 12 24 0.500 Quarter-finals Pool Stage (BT) 1st round (NC) Nick Nurse
Derby Bucks
1991–92 BBL 1 5th 30 18 12 36 0.600 Quarter-finals Pool Stage (BT) Quarter-finals (NC) Terry Manghum
1992–93 BBL 1 6th 33 14 19 28 0.424 Quarter-finals Semi-finals (BT) Quarter-finals (NC) Terry Manghum
1993–94 BBL 1 8th 36 17 19 34 0.473 Quarter-finals Pool Stage (BT) 3rd round (NC) Terry Manghum
1994–95 BBL 1 9th 36 10 26 20 0.278 Did not qualify Pool Stage (BT) 4th round (NC) Greg Gurr
Derby Storm
1995–96 BBL 1 6th 36 21 15 42 0.583 Quarter-finals Quarter-finals (BT) 4th round (NC) Jeff Jones
1996–97 BBL 1 9th 36 14 22 28 0.389 Did not qualify Pool Stage (BT) 4th round (NC) Jeff Jones
1998–99 BBL 1 7th 36 16 20 32 0.444 Quarter-finals Pool Stage (BT) 4th round (NC) Steve Tucker
1998–99 BBL 1 6th 36 21 15 42 0.583 Quarter-finals Runners-up, losing to Manchester (BT) Quarter-finals (NC) Bob Donewald Jr.
1999–00 BBL NC 1 5th 36 17 19 34 0.472 Did not qualify Quarter-finals (BT) 4th round (NC) Martin Ford
2000–01 BBL NC 1 6th 36 6 30 12 0.166 Did not qualify Quarter-finals (BT) Quarter-finals (NC) Kevin Wall
2001–02 BBL NC 1 6th 32 3 29 6 0.094 Did not qualify Pool Stage (BT) 4th round (NC) John Spezia

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ BBC (9 July 2002). "Derby Storm on hold". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2002.