GORTON STREET GAZETTE ‘Recognition’ Part 5 of the Eccles RFC WW2 Story. ‘S. Rider 1903’ - Pictured Right Centre The outbreak of war in September 1939 led many men and women of the district to volunteer for duties that would assist the war effort, especially on the Home Front. The club’s archives contain a letter from member Sam Rider, dated Nov 1939, apologising for his absence at committee meetings due to his commitment in the evenings to voluntary ARP (Air Raid Precaution) work - a high risk occupation in an Industrial area targeted by enemy bombers. At the committee meeting of 1st December 1939 Hon. Treasurer Arthur Gilbody, tabled a motion that Mr S.R.Rider be elected as a the very first Honorary Life Member of the Club. Supported by Norman Bisbey (Chairman) and Tom Povey (Captain) it was unanimously carried in recognition of Sam’s active association with Eccles for over 50 years. In his youth Sam had been a regular player at Eccles until 1914 when WW1 had suspended Rugby fixtures. A published match report dated 23rd December 1903 described an 8th successive victory for Eccles with Sam scoring one of the tries to defeat Manchester Welsh. Between the wars Sam served as Eccles Chairman (1925-1937), then President and County Representative, duties it was noted Sam "discharged with characteristic cheerfulness”. As the German U-Boats torpedoed shipping convoys in British waters and the Government were preparing to announce rationing would include butter, bacon and sugar, Mr Gilbody wrote to Mr Rider on 23rd December 1939 to inform him of the news. During 1940, Sam steadfastly continued his enforcement of blackouts and trusted service to Eccles RFC by becoming a Trustee of the club's funds, alongside Norman Shaw, ensuring its survival through the Blitz to the end of the war. Sam Rider, a responsible dependable man, we salute you.
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