Established 1976 Colours Dark Blue with Light Blue Hoop alternative Red
Club House, Westmills playing fields, Bridge road, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7PA, England, UK
Tel. 01388 602922
The initial meeting was in early 1976 March/April, after being advertised in the local paper by Ted Robinson who was Manager of King James I School and Community Association. The idea had arisen during a discussion by Ted and Tony Howells the Headmaster od King James.
The meeting took place in the Music room following a very good response to the advert. The meeting was chaired jointly by Ted and Tony. Some of those present were:- Derek Robinson, Paul Pomfrett, Dave Bowron, Rod MacLeod, Les Wood, Jeff Short, Doug Rodham, Mike Gill, Mike Gaffney, Ian Alderson. A pitch and changing facilities could be made available at the school and a number of benefits would gained by membership of the Community Association. After a good deal of discussion and offers of help from variuus sources the first fixture was ... Darlington, and a further one with Newton Aycliffe. The meeting agreed that more Rugby players might attend the next meeting if it were held on licenced premises, Paul Pomfett agreed to the use of the Wear Valley Hotel where he was landlord.
The first objective was to be officially recognised, and a application was made to the Durham County Rugby Union with the help of Jack Cavanagh and Bill Grigg . On June 15th the club was made a member of the Durham County Union.
A 50 copies of a letter were circulated to interested parties. A pre season meeting was held in the Wear Valley Hotel at 8.00pm on July 16th. In further meetings more friends and colleagues were brought.
The first set of Club rules were produced :- This document amounts to four pages.
A list of interested parties includes D. Beavis, Dave Bowron, Derek Robinson, Doug Rodham, G.A. Caygill, Ged Robinson, Geof Bell, Ian Alderson, Ian Henderson, J.W.M. Gill, Jeff Ramsey, Jeff Short, John Barker, Julian James, K. Parker, Les Wood, Michael Colleary, Mike Gaffney, Mike Gill, Paul Pomfrett, Paul Sowerby, R. John Cutting, Rod MacLeod, Ron Williamson, Ted Robinson, Tony Harrison, Trevor Vickers.
Initially all members had to register as members of KJ Community Assocation, the Association donated #50 towards a team strip. The pitch used was the "Dell" with changing at the school gym. After the matches local pubs were used, The Wear Valley Hotel, The Queens Head and others.
The next major step was the aquisition of the Vulcan Pub in Peel Street, in a completely filthly and run down state. The refurbishment was a major team effort. Visits by the County President John Cava, the County Secretary John Scott and the County Treasurer, bringing praise of the achievements.
At this time both Washington (1976) and Seaham (1977?) were being formed.
1976/77 Senior Team Captains 1st J.R.Walker 2nd 3rd Colts Notable Events The first County Junior Clubs XV was formed and in the first match against Seaton Carew the club was represented by Mal Graham and J.R.Walker who scored the first ever try for this county team, the county went on to win the match..
1977/78 Senior Team Captains 1st L.Wood 2nd 3rd Colts Notable Events
1978/79 Senior Team Captains 1st .Tinkler 2nd 3rd Colts Notable Events
1979/80 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts N.G.Walker Notable Events
1980/81 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts N.G.Walker Notable Events
1981/82 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts E.Farrer Notable Events
1982/83 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts .Bell Notable Events
1983/84 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts .Bell Notable Events
1984/85 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts .Bell Notable Events
1985/86 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts .Bell Notable Events
1986/87 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts M.McNair Junior Teams U15's U13's Stuart Finnxx Notable Events
1987/88 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts M.McNair Junior Teams U15's U13's Stuart Finnxx Notable Events
1988/89 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts W.Bond Notable Events
1989/90 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts P.W.Sowerby Junior Teams U15's U13's Stuart Finnxx Notable Events
1990/91 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts W.Bond Junior Teams U15's U13's Stuart Finnxx Notable Events
1991/92 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts W.Bond Junior Teams U15's U13's Stuart Finnxx Notable Events
1992/93 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts W.Bond Junior Teams U14's U12's Stuart Finn Coaching, only one game Notable Events West Mills Clubhouse Opened with three changing rooms and three pitches, supported by a Lounge and Function room.
1993/94 Senior Team Captains 1st P.W.Sowerby 2nd G.Hamilton 3rd G.Henderson Junior Teams Captains U15's U13's Stuart Finnxx Notable Events Champion Coaching
1994/95 Senior Team Captains 1st S.D.Errington 2nd D.Robinson 3rd P.Brown Junior Team Captains U16's Stuart Finn U14's Babis Alexandratos U13's Richard Crane Notable Events The flooding of the pitches, windsurfing. Winners of the Durham County Plate Champion Coaching
1995/96 Senior Teams 1st 2nd 3rd Colts Junior Team Captains U17's Stuart Finn U15's Babis Alexandratos U13's Richard Crane Mini/Midi
1996/97 Senior Team Captains 1st 2nd 3rd Junior Teams Captain U17's U16's Graham Atkinson
1997/98 Senior Team Captains 1st 2nd 3rd Junior Team Captains U17's Ben Griffen Hosted local schools Year 7 competition
1998/99 Senior Team Captains 1st 2nd 3rd Hosting local schools Year 7 and 8 competitions on Wednesday evenings
v13 Updated October 1 1998