1991 WLAF season

January 2025 1991 WLAF season March 23, 1991 – May 27, 1991 World Bowl '91 June 9, 1991 Wembley Stadium, London London Monarchs 1992 WLAF seasons The 1991 WLAF season was the inaugural season of the World League of American Football and was the first transatlantic sports league. The regular season began on March 23, and concluded on May 27. The postseason ran from June 1 until June 9, when the London Monarchs defeated the Barcelona Dragons 21–0 in World Bowl '91 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Attendances Average game attendance was 25,361.League History http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id23.html WLAF 26 May 2014 At London, Barcelona, Frankfurt and Montreal, attendances surpassed early expectations.Stellino Vito WLAF attendance surpassing early hopes in Europe and Canada https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/04/07/wlaf-attendance-surpassing-early-hopes-in-europe-and-canada/ 26 May 2014 Baltimore Sun April 7, 1991 The Monarchs' home attendance led the league, with an average of 40,481 in the regular season.Eichel Larry In Europe, WLAF's Game Was More Than Football http://articles.philly.com/1991-06-08/sports/25787825_1_three-european-franchises-wlaf-new-league https://web.archive.org/web/20141029114542/http://articles.philly.com/1991-06-08/sports/25787825_1_three-european-franchises-wlaf-new-league dead October 29, 2014 26 May 2014 The Philadelphia Inquirer June 8, 1991 The dress rehearsal for the World Bowl, London v Barcelona at Wembley in week 10, attracted 50,835 fans,WLAF History: 1991 http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id165.html WLAF 26 May 2014 while the same week Frankfurt v Sacramento received a bigger crowd, 51,653, with around 10,000 more fans turned away. The World Bowl was attended by 61,108. Regular season Week 1 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, March 23 London Monarchs 24–11 Frankfurt Galaxy https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-monarchs-make-a-winning/191919902/ Rob Moore 28 The Independent Monarchs make a winning start March 24, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks 3–9 Sacramento Surge https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-skyhawks-open-on-a/191910066/ Gary Traynham B1 The News and Observer Skyhawks open on a downer as Surge wins 9–3 March 24, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Montreal Machine 20–5 Birmingham Fire https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-montreal-machine-off-to/191925747/ G4 The Toronto Star Montreal Machine off to rousing start March 24, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sunday, March 24 New York/New Jersey Knights 7–19 Barcelona Dragons https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-ledger-dragons-slay-knights-as/191923710/ Associated Press 35 The Star-Ledger Dragons slay Knights as es-Rutgers' QB stars March 25, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, March 25 San Antonio Riders 34–35 Orlando Thunder https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-thinder-has-lightning-st/191916665/ Don Banks 5C St. Petersburg Times Thunder has lightning start in winning WLAF opener March 26, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Week 2 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, March 30 Sacramento Surge 10–17 Birmingham Fire https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-fire-checks-surge-fo/191912362/ Neal Sims B1 The Birmingham News Fire checks Surge for first win March 31, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks 20–58 Orlando Thunder https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-bell-thinder-bolt-by/191910325/ Bill Fay S-13 The Tampa Tribune Bell, Thunder bolt by Skyhawks 58–20 March 31, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sunday, March 31 New York/New Jersey Knights 18–22 London Monarchs https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-monarchs-ove/191920072/ Associated Press C8 Corpus Christi Caller-Times Monarchs overtake Knights 22–18 April 1, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, April 1 Frankfurt Galaxy 10–3 San Antonio Riders https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-angelo-standard-times/110738199/ Schuyler Dixon B1 San Angelo Standard-Times Riders fall in home opener April 2, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Barcelona Dragons 34–10 Montreal Machine https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-machine-debut-sou/191924566/ Bill Beacon The Canadian Press C8 The Hamilton Spectator Machine debut sours on 53,238 April 2, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Week 3 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, April 6 Orlando Thunder 12–35 London Monarchs https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer-more-glory-on-the-grid/191918465/ John Duncan 47 The Observer More glory on the grid April 7, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Barcelona Dragons 26–14 Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-skyhawks-cant-clear-runw/191910508/ Elson Armstrong, Jr. B1 The Herald-Sun Skyhawks can't clear runway April 7, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Frankfurt Galaxy 27–17 New York/New Jersey Knights https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-star-36549-turn-out-to-see/191922379/ Scott Menscher D9 The Standard-Star 36,549 turn out to see winless Knights lose to Frankfurt April 7, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sunday, April 7 Sacramento Surge 3–10 San Antonio Riders https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-bigger-crowd-se/191912580/ James Coburn A1 San Antonio Express-News Bigger crowd seen for next Riders game April 8, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, April 8 Birmingham Fire 10–23 Montreal Machine https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-montreal-wins/191925886/ Associated Press 9D The Philadelphia Inquirer Montreal wins before 27,766 April 9, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Week 4 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, April 13 Frankfurt Galaxy 10–16 Sacramento Surge https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-union-surge-defense-spark/191912761/ Andy Cox D1 The Sacramento Union Surge defense sparks victory April 14, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com New York/New Jersey Knights 44–0 Montreal Machine https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-graham-leads-knights-over-mac/191923891/ Associated Press S14 The Standard-Star Graham leads Knights over Machine, 44–0 April 14, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sunday, April 14 Orlando Thunder 13–33 Barcelona Dragons https://www.newspapers.com/article/sarasota-herald-tribune-undefeated-barce/191918632/ Associated Press 3C Sarasota Herald-Tribune Undefeated Barcelona rolls April 15, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, April 15 San Antonio Riders 37–15 Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-high-point-enterprise-struggling-sky/191910727/ Craig Miller 3B The High Point Enterprise Struggling Skyhawks stay grounded April 16, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com London Monarchs 27–0 Birmingham Fire https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-how-low-will-it-g/191920291/ Richard Scott B10 Birmingham Post-Herald How low will it go? April 16, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Week 5 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, April 20 Montreal Machine 7–45 London Monarchs https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-patriot-news-gelbaugh-london-win-5t/191920475/ Associated Press C9 The Patriot-News Gelbaugh, London win 5th in row April 21, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks 28–30 Frankfurt Galaxy https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-light-galaxy-pass-up-skyhawk/191910927/ Associated Press C6 San Antonio Light Galaxy pass up Skyhawks April 21, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Barcelona Dragons 14–22 San Antonio Riders https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-light-riders-stun-undefeated/191917040/ David Whitley C1 San Antonio Light Riders stun undefeated Barcelona April 21, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sunday, April 21 Birmingham Fire 31–6 Orlando Thunder https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-thinders-blunders/191918970/ George Diaz 1C The Orlando Sentinel Thunder's blunders let Fire rage out of control April 22, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, April 22 Sacramento Surge 20–28 New York/New Jersey Knights https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-knights-survive-last-minute-s/191912950/ John Brennan D5 The Record Knights survive last-minute scare April 23, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Week 6 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, April 27 Montreal Machine 7–17 Frankfurt Galaxy https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-frankfurt-rolls/191922816/ Associated Press 12C San Antonio Express-News Frankfurt rolls by Montreal April 28, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Barcelona Dragons 29–20 Sacramento Surge https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle-spring-football/191913107/ Frank Cooney C8 San Francisco Chronicle Spring football is not the real thing April 28, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Orlando Thunder 6–42 New York/New Jersey Knights https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-statesman-knights-all-alone-a/191919138/ Scott Menscher 43A The Herald Statesman Knights all alone at the top April 28, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sunday, April 28 Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks 10–35 London Monarchs https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-skyhawks-now-06-after-lo/191911110/ Associated Press B4 The Herald-Sun Skyhawks now 0–6 after loss April 29, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, April 29 San Antonio Riders 12–16 Birmingham Fire https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orange-leader-fire-downs-riders-in-w/191917225/ Associated Press 6A The Orange Leader Fire downs Riders in WLAF April 30, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Week 7 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, May 4 Birmingham Fire 6–11 Barcelona Dragons https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-fire-fizzles-again/191924976/ Associated Press 15B The Anniston Star Fire fizzles again May 5, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Frankfurt Galaxy 17–14 Orlando Thunder https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daytona-beach-news-journal-late-coll/191919313/ Sean Kernan 6C The News-Journal Late collapse by Thunder opens the door for Galaxy May 5, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Montreal Machine 26–23 Sacramento Surge https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-special-teams-falter/191913308/ Jim Van Vilet C1 The Sacramento Bee Special teams falter in Surge's 26–23 loss May 5, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sunday, May 5 New York/New Jersey Knights 42–6 Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer/112024487/ Dane Huffman D1 The News and Observer Skyhawks fall to Knights 42–6 May 6, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, May 6 London Monarchs 38–15 San Antonio Riders https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-monarchs-maul-r/191917424/ Tim Griffin 1-B San Antonio Express-News Monarchs maul Riders, 38–15 May 7, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Week 8 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, May 11 San Antonio Riders 7–17 Barcelona Dragons https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-light-rough-times-abroad/191917576/ Doug Cress C1 San Antonio Light Rough times abroad May 12, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com London Monarchs 22–7 New York/New Jersey Knights https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-ledger-knights-sackes-as-41219/191920667/ Daryl Bell 5-1 The Star-Ledger Knights sackes as 41,219 watch May 12, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sacramento Surge 33–45 Orlando Thunder https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-thunder-finds-it/191913521/ Matt Hayes D-11 The Florida Times-Union Thunder finds its feet in defeat of Surge May 12, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sunday, May 12 Birmingham Fire 3–10 Frankfurt Galaxy https://www.newspapers.com/article/anchorage-times-galaxy-come-back-to-beat/191923028/ Associated Press D8 Anchorage Times Galaxy come back to beat Fire May 13, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, May 13 Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks 6–15 Montreal Machine https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-machine-beats-s/191911450/ Associated Press E8 The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Machine beats Skyhawks, ties for East Division lead May 14, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Week 9 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, May 18 Montreal Machine 10–27 San Antonio Riders https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-riders-mess-up/191917759/ Tim Griffin 1-B San Antonio Express-News Riders mess up Machine May 20, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com London Monarchs 45–21 Sacramento Surge https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-monarchs-beat-surge/191913691/ Associated Press D7 The Sunday Oregonian Monarchs beat Surge 45–21 in WLAF May 19, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Sunday, May 19 Frankfurt Galaxy 10–3 Barcelona Dragons https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-light-barcelonas-loss-gives/191923184/ Associated Press B4 San Antonio Light Barcelona's loss gives London title May 20, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, May 20 Orlando Thunder 20–14 Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-skyhawks-give-toug/191911607/ Dane Huffman C1 The News and Observer Skyhawks give tough effort in loss May 21, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com New York/New Jersey Knights 14–24 Birmingham Fire https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-fire-shows-some-spa/191924185/ Jeff Dickinson C5 The Huntsville Times Fire shows some spark May 21, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Week 10 Date Visiting team Final score Home team Source Saturday, May 25 Sacramento Surge 24–13 Frankfurt Galaxy https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-surge-rolls-to-2413/191913913/ Larry Zani C1 The Sacramento Bee Surge rolls to 24–13 win over Galaxy May 26, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Birmingham Fire 28–7 Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chapel-hill-news-fire-torches-skyhaw/191911804/ Kerr Houston B1 The Chapel Hill Newspaper Fire torches Skyhawks May 26, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com San Antonio Riders 9–38 New York/New Jersey Knights https://www.newspapers.com/article/poughkeepsie-journal-knights-rock-riders/191917938/ Bill Sullivan 8E Poughkeepsie Journal Knights rock Riders, 38–9 May 26, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Monday, May 27 Barcelona Dragons 20–17 London Monarchs https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-monarch-dealt-f/191920951/ Associated Press 3-B San Antonio Express-News Monarch dealt first loss, 20–17 May 28, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Orlando Thunder 33–27 Montreal Machine https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-thunder-machine-make-most/191919503/ 22 The Standard Thunder, Machine make most of final game May 28, 1991 February 22, 2026 Newspapers.com Standings https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O5IiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ha4FAAAAIBAJ&hl=de&pg=1430%2C6436739 WLAF standings Associated Press May 28, 1991 The Item 4B August 2, 2012 Sumter, South Carolina http://www.footballdb.com/standings.html?lg=WLAF&yr=1991 1991 WLAF Standings The Football Database August 2, 2011 Postseason Bracket Semifinals World Bowl '91 London Monarchs 42 New York/New Jersey Knights 26 Barcelona Dragons 10 Birmingham Fire 3 London Monarchs 21 Barcelona Dragons 0 All-World League team Offense Position First team Second team Wide receiver Jon Horton, LondonGene Taylor, BarcelonaByron Williams, Orlando Dana Brinson, LondonMonty Gilbreath, NY/NJCarl Parker, Sacramento Tackle Steve Gabbard, LondonMike Withycombe, Orlando Scott Adams, BarcelonaTheo Adams, London Guard Paul Berardelli, LondonGary Frank, Frankfurt John Guerrero, OrlandoBarry Voorhees, Barcelona Center Doug Marrone, London Curtis Wilson, Sacramento Quarterback Stan Gelbaugh, London Scott Erney, Barcelona Running back Tony Baker, FrankfurtRicky Blake, San Antonio Judd Garrett, LondonEric Mitchel, OrlandoEric Wilkerson, NY/NJ 1991 All-World League Team https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E9xOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G40DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2788%2C4740459 The News Boca Raton, Florida 5D May 25, 1991 August 2, 2012 Defense Position First team Second team Defensive end Bruce Clark, BarcelonaMark Mraz, Frankfurt Donnie Gardner, San AntonioShawn Knight, Sacramento Nose tackle Roy Hart, London Darrell Phillips, BirminghamMike Teeter, Frankfurt Outside linebacker Danny Lockett, LondonTracy Simien, Montreal Marlon Brown, LondonRon Sancho, NY/NJ Inside linebacker John Brantley, BirminghamTim Walton, San Antonio Ron Goetz, BarcelonaPete Najarian, SacramentoKen Sale, London Cornerback Anthony Parker, NY/NJCorris Ervin, London John Holland, BirminghamRichard Shelton, Montreal Strong safety Greg Coauette, Sacramento Tim Broady, Frankfurt Free safety John Miller, Birmingham Dedrick Dodge, London Specialists Position First team Second team Kicker Phil Alexander, London Björn Nittmo, Montreal Punter Chris Mohr, Montreal Kirk Maggio, Birmingham Special teams Erroll Tucker, Orlando (PR) Richard Shelton, Montreal (PR) Operation Discovery Phil Alexander, London Victor Ebubedike, London References 30em Category:NFL Europe (WLAF) seasons WLAF season, 1991