basement battler

basement battler

In sports, a team that is ranked in a lower division (known as the relegation or "drop" zone) of a given league, and that competes against similarly ranked teams to try and advance into a higher division. Primarily heard in UK. They face another fierce basement battler in this week's match, and a lot is at stake for both teams.
See also: basement
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • at that point
  • in advance of
  • in advance of (someone or something)
  • at this point
  • move forward with
  • any advance on
  • any advance on (something)
  • the top five/ten/etc.
  • the top ten, twenty, etc.
  • a straight fight
References in periodicals archive
However, the nature of most of them, with three defeats by the odd goal, suggests Division 1B's basement battlers are competitive at least.
5THINGS WE KNOW AFTER 5 EDITIONS
But Ward says his basement battlers are revelling in the drama - because their fate is in their own hands.
'BRING IT ON IF YOU DARE' Buckling Broncos warning to drop rivals
And he has revealed his top priority as he prepares to take his Premier League basement battlers to Chelsea for a clash with Maurizio Sarri's superstars, who themselves are bidding to end a run of two successive league defeats.
Siewert to stamp mark on battling Town team
McGinn admits winning the league on their own stomping ground would be the dream scenario following a roller coaster 18 months which has seen the Buddies turn from perennial basement battlers to a rejuvenated side on the verge of winning the league.
Let's get the party started; McGinn desperate to secure title
BORO eased to a convincing 2-0 win over basement battlers Birmingham with some confident displays in every department.
Player ratings
St Mirren left it late as they made hard work of basement battlers Brechin before finally taking top spot in the table.
JACK HIGH; Buds go top but boss Ross wants more
Real Barston's Division Four title ambitions suffered a setback when they surrendered a 2-0 lead to miss out 3-2 against basement battlers Radford Albion - Rich Bramble's double proving decisive
Mark's men denied by leaders; LEAMINGTON & DISTRICT LEAGUE
Forest Green Rovers v Southport Skrill Premier, 3pm SOUTHPORT boss John Coleman is adamant his basement battlers can fight off the travel sickness which has plagued them all season.
Focus on mission to beat the drop; Non-League preview A look ahead to all the weekend's action with DAVID PRENTICE
CARLOS CUELLAR has warned that Sunderland cannot take anything for granted against basement battlers QPR this weekend.
Cuellar: Black Cats will not underestimate QPR's quality players
Meanwhile, basement battlers, Builth Wells, secured a 48-6 bonus-point win over Felinfoel.
Llanharan are on the up with fine success
However, McCarthy said he would rather face the sides who are challenging alongside Wolves for a place in the Barclays Premier League rather than against the basement battlers and his side's performance against Charlton reinforced his point.
McCarthy prefers challenge from rivals; COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP
Alex McLeish has stressed the importance of Blues maintaining a goal difference that is superior to their fellow basement battlers.
McLeish sets out goals; BLUES NEWS
Bynea were able to celebrate their first win of the season in division Five (West) after nine successive defeats with a narrow 13-12 victory over fellow basement battlers St Davids, who have one win to their credit in 12 outings.
First win!
BASEMENT battlers Runcorn were within eight minutes of taking a rare point when Lincoln skipper Brendan McDaid headed the goal from a free-kick which settled this relegation six-pointer.
Football: Linnets undone
Shaun Connor stepped off the bench to fire the Ospreys to a 18-17 victory over basement battlers Connacht at The New Stadium.
Rugby