Memory Lane

Jocks vs Geordies (2014–2019): Six Years of Blood Bowl, Banter, and Beer

From 2014 to 2019, the Blood Bowl communities of Scotland and the North East of England clashed each year in the Jocks vs Geordies challenge — part Eurobowl training, part friendly grudge match, and entirely an excuse for a cracking weekend of dice, drink, and daftness.

Born from a drunken conversation at Burger Bowl 2014 (between Pipey and Stan Winklepicka), the idea was simple: Scotland’s top Eurobowl hopefuls would face a Geordie All-Star squad in a five-round showdown. The prize? Bragging rights, a glittering trophy of questionable origin, and stories to retell for years.

Across six events, the series produced its fair share of drama:

• 2014 – Gateshead hosted the opener, the Geordies storming to a 23.5–11.5 win.  A wild night out where somebody lost their pants.

• 2015 – Edinburgh’s turn; the Jocks closed the gap but fell 13.5–11.5 after their star player famously “went missing” on day two.

• 2016 – Durham saw the Geordies pull ahead again, 18.5–11.5, fuelled by cheap beer and Thai curry.

• 2017 – In North Queensferry, the Jocks finally triumphed 20.5–14.5, just weeks before Eurobowl Porto.

• 2018 – A tense Seaton Delaval clash ended in a perfect tie — 2.5 rounds each, 15 points apiece — the Jocks retaining the trophy.

• 2019 – Back in Scotland, the Geordies regained the title, winning 3.5–1.5 on rounds.
  
  

The matches were competitive, but the real magic was off the pitch — marathon nights out, missing trousers, mystery disappearances, fried Mars bars, impromptu games in pubs, and legendary hospitality from both sides. Special mention goes to the Kilted Kiwi, who hosted and fed an army of gamers more than once.

A seventh meeting was planned for 2020, but the pandemic — and Blood Bowl’s evolving landscape — brought the series to a close. Still, for those who took part, Jocks vs Geordies remains a highlight: a celebration of friendship, rivalry, and rolling dice until the small hours.

This all but a minor snippet of what happened - The full events were chronicled by various people at the time on the Talk Fantasy Football Forum.  These chronicles have been collated into the Jocks vs Geordie Anthology which you can read here if you want to know what really happened on the streets of Jesmond and who didn't turn up for Day 2?  

JOCKS VS GEORDIES ANTHOLOGY - CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY

2014 - Jocks vs Geordies   GEORDIES WIN!

2015 - Jocks vs Geordies - THE REMATCH

An old article from the NAF site in approximately 2016 to promote the GBBL.  You can read the full article here:  GBBL - The Geordie Blood Bowl League