Steve Hampson


Stephen "Steve" Hampson is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played as a in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and coached rugby league in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.
He played club level rugby union for Vulcan RUFC in Newton-le-Willows, and representative level rugby league for Great Britain, and at club level for Wigan, Illawarra Steelers, Halifax, Salford Reds and the Widnes Vikings.

Playing career

Club career

Hampson played at fullback for defending champions Wigan in their 1987 World Club Challenge victory against the visiting Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. He also played in their 1991 World Club Challenge victory against the visiting Penrith Panthers. He spent almost ten years as a player for the club between 1983 and 1993. During his Wigan career, he made 296 starts, scoring 55 tries, 48 conversions and 3 drop goals, a total of 319 points. Wigan reached the Challenge Cup Final eight times while Hampson was at the club, but he missed the first three Challenge Cup Finals due to injury.
Hampson played as an interchange/substitute, i.e. number 14, in Wigan's 34-8 victory over Warrington in the 1985 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1985–86 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Sunday 13 October 1985, played in the 28-16 victory over Warrington in the 1987 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1987–88 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Sunday 11 October 1987, played in the 22-17 victory over Salford in the 1988 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1988–89 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 23 October 1988, and played in the 5-4 victory over St. Helens in the 1992 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1992–93 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 18 October 1992.
Hampson played in Wigan's 11-8 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1985–86 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1985–86 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 11 January 1986, played in the 18-4 victory over Warrington in the 1986–87 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1986–87 season at Burnden Park, Bolton on Saturday 10 January 1987, played in the 12-6 victory over Widnes in the 1988–89 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1988–89 season at Burnden Park, Bolton on Saturday 7 January 1989, and played, and scored a drop goal in the 15-8 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1992–93 Regal Trophy Final during the 1992–93 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 23 January 1993.
In 1989, he played alongside fellow import Andy Gregory for the Illawarra Steelers in the NSWRL premiership.
After being released by Wigan in 1993, he went to play for Halifax, Salford Reds and Widnes Vikings.

Representative career

Hampson was selected to go on the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour, and the 1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand. He was capped 12 times for Great Britain between 1987 and 1992.

Coaching career

Hampson was coach of Lancashire Lynx between 1999 and 2000.
He has worked as a fitness conditioner for Sale Sharks, Lancashire CCC, and in rugby league at international level with Great Britain.
As part of the 2010 Wigan Warriors coaching staff re-structure Hampson became the Assistant Under 18's Coach.