The two-time champion Claymont Buccaneers remain on the losing end of securing their own football field in Claymont.
“We're constantly doing this but to no prevail. We're on the outside looking in, trying to find a place to play in Claymont," said Isaac Carn. "We're winning these championships, we're representing Claymont and we we're not even playing [championships] in Claymont.”
Carn, the Buccaneers owner and head coach, led the team to two consecutive Independent Football League (IFL) championships in 2006 and 2007. However, he says his team can’t secure a home field because the available space in Claymont is scarce and landowners aren't willing to share terrain with them.
“There's only a certain amount of space, I guess. And people are trying to hang onto what they're trying to hang onto,” he said.
For years the Buccaneers practiced and held games at various locations including: Archmere Academy, Mount Pleasant High School and Lums Pond in Bear. The Buccaneers currently practice at Claymont Elementary (on Thursday nights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and play home games at Appoquinimink High School in Middletown (on Sunday afternoons).
Carn has attended Community Coalition meetings in Claymont to lobby for a field but nothing has changed. He credited Sen. Catherine Cloutier (R-Heatherbrook) for scouting potential locations for the team, but “she's having no luck” finding one.
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About the Buccaneers Founded in 2003 by Isaac Carn, the Claymont Buccaneers have been one of the top teams in the Independent Football League (IFL). The Buccaneers won two consecutive championships in 2006 and 2007. Carn said he established the team to provide more people with a chance to play professionally or for recreation. |
Tavaris Walters, wide receiver, said not having a field has affected Buccaneer fans.
“At times we [played] at Lums pond and there's no place to sit,” Walters said. “I don't care if you're the Philadelphia Eagles, nobody is going to go out there and stay out there for three hours [while] standing with their kids to watch a football game.”
Middle linebacker Richard Booker said the Buccaneers haven't received the support they deserve.
Running back Milton Creary said people have heard stories about the team but haven’t had the chance to see them in action. Creary believes a field in Claymont would provide worthwhile entertainment to the community.
“I could guarantee, if we had our own field we'd be sold out.”
Although Carn doesn't know when or if his team will receive their own place to call home, he said he's motivated by naysayers.
“People tell you, you can’t do something and you prove them wrong.”
