The Billingham Stars are an ice hockey team from the town of Billingham in the borough of Stockton-on-Tees in Teesside. They are currently members of the National Ice Hockey League playing in its Division 1 North (Moralee Conference). The Stars play their home games at the Billingham Forum.
The Stars are currently coached by ex-Durham Wasps player Stephen Foster and former Billingham player Richie Thornton.
Notable ex-Billingham players include current GB International and Sheffield Steelers Robert Dowd and Patrice Lefebvre who went on to play 3 games in the NHL for the Washington Capitals.
History The Billingham Bombers were founded in 1971 as members of the Northern League. In 1982 they became a founder member of the British Hockey League and changed their name to the Cleveland Bombers. Between 1991 and 1995 the team played under the name of the Teesside Bombers before reverting to their original name. Between 1982 and 1986 and again between 1990 and 1994, the Bombers played in the Premier League, the top flight division of British ice hockey at the time.
In more recent times the Bombers won the English League Northern section regular season championship and Northern section play off championship during the 2005–06 season.
The Billingham Bombers did not compete in any league due to a refurbishment of their home venue TFM Radio Ice Arena in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons
Ice Hockey returned to the forum in the 2011/12 seasons after merging with the Northern Stars who were facing problems with their home rink, the Metro Radio Arena. The new club was renamed Billingham Stars.
In 2011/12, the club's first season back following two seasons away from Ice Hockey, Billingham Stars were successful in their attempt to become champions of the English National League, Northern Division. The Championship was finally won with the penultimate league match, at home to Trafford Metros in a 2–2 draw, giving Billingham the final point required to ensure the title.
In 2012/13 Billingham Stars finished as runners up to Solway Sharks for both the League and Cup as well as runners up to the Blackburn Hawks in the end of season playoffs.
In 2013/14 season Billingham finished the season in 3rd position and were knocked out of the end of season Playoffs by 2nd placed Blackburn Hawks.
In the 2014/15 season Billingham finished 2nd to Blackburn Hawks, whilst also making the end of season playoff finals at Dumfries, Scotland. Billingham Stars lost the playoff final game vs Blackburn Hawks.
In 2015/16 season Billingham failed to make the Playoffs finishing in 5th position. However, as a consolation they did win the Northern Cup Competition.
Billingham Stars won the 2023/24 English National League, Northern Division championship, confirming the title with a 3-0 away win against Hull Jets. They collected the trophy at their next home game, the following day, against Solihull Barons. They also reached the playoff final, but lost to Blackburn Hawks on a shootout.
In the 2024/25 season, Billingham won the Moralee Cip (formerly the Northern Cup), with a 9-8 win on aggregate against Blackburn Hawks. They went on to win the English National League, Northern Division championship, doing so with a 8-4 away win at Solihull Barons. Then Billingham won a third trophy, winning the Playoff final against Blackburn Hawks 6-3. This led to them entering the first national playoff championship final against the Division One South play-off winners Slough Jets. Billingham won the match 5-4 in overtime, resulting in a fourth trophy for the season. They then played against Slough again in the Division One Championship final, but lost 6-1.
Club roster 2022-23 (*) Denotes a Non-British Trained player (Import) NetmindersNo.Nat.PlayerCatchesDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract2Jacob Hammond2004 (age 18)England2021 from Billingham U1822/2330 Thomas BrownLMiddlesbrough, England2018 from Whitley Warriors22/2331Ryan WardellLSunderland, England2021 from Billingham U1822/23 DefencemenNo.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract7Benjamin Greenhalgh2005 (age 17)England2021 from Billingham U1822/2312Tommy SpraggonRBillingham, England2021 from Billingham U18Two-Way14James Hellens2001 (age 21)England2018 from Billingham U1822/2326Rolands Gritāns*LDaugavpils, Latvia2022 from Whitley Warriors22/2338Stuart Jackson2002 (age 20)England2019 from Billingham U2022/2362Patriks Grigors*LJelgava, Latvia2021 from Dundee Comets22/2381Joseph Dowdle2001 (age 21)England2019 from Billingham U2022/23 ForwardsNo.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract5James MossEngland2010 from Northern Stars22/236Samuel Dowd2005 (age 17)England2022 from Billingham U1822/238Joseph Walls2003 (age 19)England2019 from Billingham U1822/2315Chris Sykes 'A'LSheffield, England2014 from Sutton Sting22/2319Shaun GallowayRBishop Auckland, England2018 from Billingham U2022/2323Jack EmersonLEasington, England2021 from Billingham U1822/2332Michael Elder 'C'RDurham, England2011 from Northern Stars22/2333Finley BradonRDarlington, England2021 from Billingham U18Two-Way40Ethan McLaughlin2003 (age 19)England2022 from Whitley U2022/2370Callum WilkinsonLEngland2019 from Billingham U2022/2377Lewis Hall1999 (age 23)England2021 from Billingham U2022/2388Lucas Dowdle2005 (age 17)England2021 from Billingham U1822/2398Alex PrestonLBillingham, England2021 from Tornado Luxembourg22/23 Team StaffNo.Nat.NameAcquiredRolePlace of birthJoined fromStephen Foster2011/12CoachDurham, EnglandNorthern Stars, ENLRobert Wilkinson2021/22CoachEnglandBillingham U20, England U2032Michael Elder2022/23Player-Assistant CoachDurham, England
2021/22 Outgoing +OutgoingNo.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthLeaving For25Lewis Crisp1999 (age 23)EnglandWhitley Warriors, NIHL 1
Retired Numbers Billingham Stars Retired Numbers No.PlayerPositionCareer 1 Terry Ward G 1981–1993 13James FlavellG2004-2019 29 Andrew Fletcher F 1995–2012 9Paul WindridgeF1989-201710Scott WardF1997-2018
Club Records League titles
ED1: 2 (1998/99, 1999/00) ENL: 5 (2000/01, 2005/06, 2011/12, 2023/24, 2024/25)
Play-Off Titles
ED1 Playoffs: 1 (1998/99) ENL Playoffs: 3 (2000/01, 2011/12, 2024/25) National Playoffs: 1 (2024/25)
Cup Titles
NIHL Northern Cup / Moralee Cup: 2 (2015/16, 2024/25)
Individual Records
Most Games Played: Paul Windridge (569) Most Goals Scored (All Time): Paul Windridge (367) Most Assists (All Time): Paul Windridge (712) Most Points Scored (All Time): Paul Windridge (1,079) Most Penalty Minutes (All Time): Scott Ward (644) Most Goals Scored in a Season: John Hutchings (120) (1987/88) Most Assists in a Season: Pat Mangold (136) (1987/88) Most Points Scored in a Season: Pat Mangold (252) (1987/88) Most Penalty Minutes in a Season: Ricky Box (187) (2006/07)
References
A to Z Encyclopedia of Ice Hockey Elite Prospects - Billingham Stars Roster & Stats Nottingham Panthers Statistical History 1946–2000 by Mick A. Chambers
External links Official Website of the Billingham Stars