THE BRITISH
HEYSHAM
AEROPLANE COMPANY
ATOMS
The first season was a steep learning curve
playing established clubs such as Nutgrove and
Carr Mill from St Helens, Brookhouse from Wigan
and old rivals Bamber Bridge, Atherton and
Adlington Rangers.
The season was moderately successful and the
Atoms finished about half way up the League.
Dave Crow represented the Atoms in this first
season and is still associated with the Club as
Secretary.
Due to the restructuring of the Leagues the Atoms
moved up to the 8th Division and to date the Club
has never been relegated in its History which is
some achievement.
The following year Andy Aldren joined the club
and his long and illustrious career took him to be
the most capped Atoms player with 423 games
under his belt.
The only other player to crack the 400 game mark
is Club Treasurer Andy Helme who made 414
appearances.
Far from being a 1 or 2 season wonder the Atoms
were beginning to establish their credentials
Heysham
Atoms
The foundations of the Heysham Atoms
Rugby League Club go back some three
years prior to them entering the North West
Counties League in 1986.
Originally they were a group of employees
from Heysham 1 Power Station, then run
by C E G B, playing rugby union fixtures
against other power stations within the
organisation.
Many of the players were from Traditional
Rugby League areas such as Wigan,
Warrington, St Helens and Widnes and were
not content playing the 15 a side code.
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ISSUE 45
and support began to gather in the district and
further links were cemented with the Trimpell
Club which is still their home today.
At this time the first Atoms junior team was set
up with Peter Thorpe running an U14’s side. He
was responsible for bringing through the likes of
Gareth Pinington, Darren Walker, Simon Brooks,
and Lee Harvey to mention a few who went on to
represent the Atoms over a number of seasons.
Neil Fox, Dom Harrison, Chris Needam, Gary Butler
and Pete Livingstone bolstered the playing ranks
and an influx of rugby playing Firemen, along
with ex Wigan Pro Phil Stott, saw the Club really
take off in the early nineties.
Promotion and Cup Trophies came thick and fast
in this purple patch for the club and at the height
of interest the club were putting out 6 teams
every weekend – 2 open age sides, a ladies team
and 3 junior sides.
Things have settled down somewhat since then
but the Club has maintained a side capable of
competing in whatever league they have been in
and to this date have never conceded a fixture in
their 27 year History.
In 1986 they decided to play Rugby League
and had a season of friendly fixtures against
various North West Counties sides.
These games proved quite successful and an
application to join the North West Counties
League was made and accepted.
The first season they joined the League
in Division 9 and were sponsored by the
Smugglers Den in Morecambe who supplied
the shirts and the after match refreshments
although the games were played at the
Trimpell Ground.
At this time the Club was coached by ex-pro
Jim ‘Hippo’ Hamilton who had played for
Workington, Blackpool and Keighley. The bu