# Billingham Stars

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.

## Club roster 2022-23

(*) Denotes a Non-British Trained player (Import)

## Retired Numbers

Billingham Stars Retired Numbers :
| No. | Player | Position | Career |
| 1 | Terry Ward | G | 1981–1993 |
| 13 | James Flavell | G | 2004-2019 |
| 29 | Andrew Fletcher | F | 1995–2012 |
| 9 | Paul Windridge | F | 1989-2017 |
| 10 | Scott Ward | F | 1997-2018 |

## 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: (1998/99)
* ENL Playoffs: 3 (2000/01, 2011/12)

### 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)