The New York Jets are making their first appearance in the NFL International Series.

The NFL International Series returns to London for its ninth year In October, giving British fans the chance to see their favourite stars in action. Making their first appearance at Wembley Stadium is the New York Jets, taking on the Miami Dolphins on October 4th. In preparation for the Jets' visit to London we look at the history of this AFC East franchise.

History

New York currently boasts two NFL franchises - the Giants and the Jets. It was sports broadcaster Harry Wismer that floated the idea of bringing another team to the Big Apple during the first organisational meeting of the American Football League (AFL) in 1959. The Giants had been an ever-present in American football since 1925 but Mr Wismer believed the city was ready for another franchise.

Originally called the New York Titans, they were seen as the natural rival to the more established Giants. Wismer proudly proclaimed that "Titans are bigger and stronger than Giants" but it would be a few years where they would be able to challenge. Financial struggles in a decrepit Polo Grounds saw a five-man syndicate purchase the franchise and rename them the Jets in 1963.

Under the ownership of Webb Ewbank and with quarterback prowess of the legendary Joe Namath, the Jets started to come to prominence. It culminated in the 1968 AFL Championship, with a hugely impressive 11-3 record, and ultimately a shock victory against the Baltimore Colts at Super Bowl III - the Jets' one and only appearance in the grand final.

They then endured a dismal time during the 1970s before rallying in the 1980s. They appeared in four play-offs during the era and this continued into the early the 1990s when they reached the post-season in 1991. The team struggled during the 90s with Rich Kotite overseeing their two worst ever seasons with records of 3-13 and 1-15 in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

The turn of the new millennium brought renewed optimism under the ownership of Woody Johnson. Since 2000, the Jets have featured in six play-offs but have failed to return to the Super Bowl.

Stadium

The Jets have been playing their home matches at the state-of-the-art MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey since 2010. The franchise has had a long-standing ground share with the Giants since the Jets moved into Giants Stadium, also in New Jersey, in 1984. It was no doubt an irk for Jets fans having to play in a ground named after their bitter rivals.

Prior to the Giants Stadium, the Jets were based at Shea Stadium in the Queens area of New York City. However, the MetLife Stadium provides both the Jets and Giants with a modern day ground which can suit all their needs.

The 82,566-capacity stadium became the first East Coast ground to hold a Super Bowl in 2014 when Super Bowl XLVIII took place between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, which the Seahawks won 43-8. MetLife Stadium also played host to WWE's WrestleMania 29 in 2013.

Key player

If the Jets are to succeed in London, much will depend on the performance of wide receiver Eric Decker. Signed from the Denver Broncos in 2014 on a five-year deal worth $36.25 million (£23.3 million), Decker has gone on to top the Jets' performance table in terms of receiving yards in the past season, clocking up 962 in his first campaign.

He arrived from Denver with a good pedigree after winning the AFC Championship with the Broncos in 2013 and featuring at the proceeding Super Bowl. In 2012, he was named the AFC Receiving Touchdowns Leader. During his career he has wracked up 38 touchdowns for both the Broncos and the Jets.

A strong performance from Decker will help to drive the Jets to victory.

Super Bowl history

Unlike neighbours the Giants, who have won the Super Bowl no less than four times, the Jets have one Super Bowl appearance to their name - but what an appearance. On January 12th, 1969, the Jets arrived at the Miami Orange Bowl for Super Bowl III as AFL champions. They faced the much-fancied Baltimore Colts.

However, despite the odds being stacked against the Jets and facing prestigious talents such as Earl Morrall and Johnny Unitas they had the legendary quarterback Joe Namath among their ranks. It was Namath who would prove to be the difference as the Jets went in at half-time 7-0 up, thanks to a four-yard touchdown from Matt Snell.

Two field goals from Jim Turner gave the Jets a commanding 13-0 lead going into the fourth quarter and despite a late touchdown from the Colts, New York triumphed 16-7. It is still regarded as one of the biggest upsets in American sports history. Not only was it a victory for the Jets but it was a victory for the American Football League against the National Football League.

2014 season

The 2014 campaign has been one to forget for Jets fans as they ended the campaign bottom of the AFC East with 4-12 record. It started in promising fashion with an opening day win over the Oakland Raiders but this was proceeded with an eight-game losing streak including an embarrassing 31-0 defeat to the San Diego Chargers.

Jets only won three of their remaining seven games but ended the season with a morale boosting 34-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins in the Sunshine State.