THERE are many sports readily available for enthusiasts in Warrington to take up.

Those who wish to play rugby league or football, for example, have an abundance of choice of amateur teams within the area.

When your favourite sport is American Football, how do the people of Warrington get their fix?

The NFL is such a popular sport that the TV ratings for the Superbowl each year have the highest viewing figures of any sporting event outside of a world cup year.

Last year The NFL held a regular-season game at Wembley in October where the New York Giants played the Miami Dolphins. The Giants went on to win the Superbowl back in February this year.

The Wembley game was the hottest sporting ticket of the year with over half a million registrations for tickets within the first 72 hours alone - enough to sell out Wembley five times over.

With the season ending with the Superbowl in February and the new season not starting until September, how do NFL fans keep their fix going or how do people get involved in the sport over here?

The Wembley game has helped to increase the profile and popularity of the sport and there is a new generation of fans now to rival that of the mid-80s explosion.

Playing the game is what a number of Warringtonians do.

There is a British league (The BAFL) and the closest team is the Chester Romans, formerly the Cheshire Romans, and they are now training ahead of their 22nd season.

The season starts in May and ends in August, with the play-offs and Britbowl taking place in September.

Dan Richmond, of Fearnhead, plays full back and running-back for Chester Romans.

He is in his thirrd year with the team.

Dan grew up a rugby lad and got into American football many years ago from watching it on TV.

He can see a lot of similarities between the sports and said: "Running-backs are like impact players, used to draw the defence in and opening them up for the follow-on downs.

"Most rugby positions have at least one similar football position. For instance, if you like to tackle there is the defence; have a good set of hands / dancing feet then you can try out for the offence; and, of course, if you have a cannon for a boot you can always punt or kick."

Chester Romans line coach Gareth Pinnington says of people trying the sport who come from a rugby background: "You tend to find that they will either enjoy the fact that you can hit harder or they will find the pads restrictive, one thing though once tried they will never question the physical aspect of the sport."

The team would love to keep up their Warrington connections and urge anyone interested in trying the sport to go along to training on Sundays from 1pm to 4pm at Chester Rugby Union Club.

"There really is a great atmosphere at the club," said general secretary Simon Taylor, originally from Great Sankey.

"And we welcome anyone to come down, join in or help out on game days. Anyone with an interest in the sport or for anyone wishing to try something new or wanting to get fit then please come down, we have both a youth team (ages 14 to 18) and senior team (18+)."

The club's season starts on May 5 away to Glasgow Tigers.

The first home game is on May 18 against Edinburgh Wolves.

Games are free to attend, with seating available in the covered stand.