Trotters come to Sheffield

Since basketball is essentially an American game, it is a bit of a surprise to learn that they were formed by an Englishman, one Abe Saperstein in fact back in 1926. They were initially called ‘Savoy Big Five’ after Chicago’s Savoy Ballroom. They played their first game in January 1927 and changed their name in 1930 to ‘Harlem New York Globetrotters’.

The team was soon a force to be reckoned with and by 1940had won their first ever World Basketball Championship. Also that year, the team established its now world famous basketball training camp.

The theme ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ was first heard at a Globetrotters match in 1946 and was adopted as their official theme in 1952. By then they had become the master showteam that they are today. This side of the Globetrotters legend began with the signing of one of basketball’s all-time greats, Reece ‘Goose’ Tatum. It was he that organised and developed most of the team’s comedy routines, followed by Bob Karstens who made history as being the first Caucasian to be under contract to the team.

In 1954, probably the most famous of all the Globetrotters made his debut. ‘Meadowlark’ Lemon – the Clown Prince of Basketball, went on to play for the team for 24 years! And it wasn’t just his clowning that made him famous. In a televised match, he threw the ball backward over his head into the basket. From the half-way line! He formed a magical partnership with ‘Curly’ Neal, one of the sport’s greatest dribblers. Neal signed up in 1963 and stayed for 22 years!

Even today they have legendary players like Special K Daley, Big Easy Lofton and Flight Time Lang.

Their tours of Britain were always sell-outs and it became a Bank Holiday tradition for the BBC to show their matches on the TV. A much missed joy. They even had their own cartoon TV series!

Their skill is unmatched, after all, they are a serious sports team as well. On September 12 1995, they lost a match 91-85. It was their first loss since January 5 1971, when they lost a match 100-99. That record breaking winning streak lasted 8,829 games!

The team are also ambassadors of the sport of basketball. In their 88-year history, they have visited 118 countries and have played before 123 MILLION fans. Doesn’t that just knock ya out!

The thing about The Harlem Globetrotters is that the statistics about them just run on and on. They are a superb basketball team, and only lost 300 out of their first 9,000 games. Add to that the fact that they are entertainers par excellence and it is little wonder that they sell out arena wherever and whenever they go. When they appeared at the Manchester Evening News Arena in 2007, a sell out crowd were spellbound by the sheer magic of their play, and yet again we are promised more of the same.

This year, in their ‘Fans Rule World Tour, they are coming to Sheffield, bringing an exciting new show with more basketball skills and wizardry and providing some great family entertainment. The two and a half hour show is full of tricks, spins, spectacular slam dunks and lots of laughter.

And following on from its’ success last year, they are letting the fans vote for one of three revolutionary rules to add even more spice to the game.

Firstly, there is the Hot Hand Jersey: both teams have a ‘Hot Hand Jersey’ that they will pass around. If the wearer scores, his points will be doubled.

Then there’s Make or Miss, where the quarter begins with only two players per team. If a team scores, they get another player, if they miss then the player who misses leaves the court, leaving their team short-handed.

Finally, there’s Trick Shot Challenge. This is where each coach can challenge the other team to make a trick shot. If they score, they get five points, but if they miss – the other team gets the points.

The Harlem Globetrotters will be performing their magic at the Sheffield Motorpoint Arena on Monday April 7. Tickets are priced from £15 to £42 from all the usual agencies.