Sport
The chemical industry's creation of ammonia in the town also led to the formation of one of Billingham's two football teams, Billingham Synthonia, Synthonia being a portmanteau of Synthetic Ammonia, and of similar origins is Billingham Synthonia Cricket Club. Billingham also is the home of Billingham Town F.C.
The town also has its own ice hockey team (the Billingham Stars) in the English National Ice Hockey League, whose home rink is the TFM Radio Ice Arena.
The town has one Rugby Union Club 'Billingham Rugby Union Football Club' which has four senior teams, the 1st XV currently playing in National 3 North, 4 leagues from the Premireship. The 2nd XV (Lions) currently playing in The 'Candy League' Division 1. The 3rd XV currently playing in The 'Teesside Merit League'. The Colts playing a competitive Saturday Colts League. The club has a promising junior section ranging from u7 minis to u16's with teams winning Durham county cups and leagues. Players who have come through the junior section have gone on to higher levels. Chirstopher Hyndman most notably playing for England under-21s and Northampton, with younger players still coming up through the ranks with positive futures in the game.
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Famous quotes containing the word sport:
““Justice” was done, and the President of the Immortals, in Æschylean phrase, had ended his sport with Tess. And the d’Urberville knights and dames slept on in their tombs unknowing. The two speechless gazers bent themselves down to the earth, as if in prayer, and remained thus a long time, absolutely motionless: the flag continued to wave silently. As soon as they had strength they arose, joined hands again, and went on.
The End”
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“For generations, a wide range of shooting in Northern Ireland has provided all sections of the population with a pastime which ... has occupied a great deal of leisure time. Unlike many other countries, the outstanding characteristic of the sport has been that it was not confined to any one class.”
—Northern Irish Tourist Board. quoted in New Statesman (London, Aug. 29, 1969)
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)