ECCLES RFC THE HOME OF HOME GROWN 1897 Official Match Day Programme Season 2019-20 - Price £2 ECCLES v WINNINGTON PARK NORTH TWO WEST SATURDAY 11TH JANUARY 2020 K.O. 2.15PM ECCLES LADIES v CREWE & NANTWICH CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH TWO SUNDAY 12TH JANUARY 2020 K.O. 2.15PM
CLUB INFORMATION
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome to Eccles Rugby Football Club A warm welcome to all the teams playing at Eccles RFC this weekend. This is officially our 122nd anniversary and although we’ve only played here at Gorton Street for the last 71 years we’ve always had our home in this community. One of the great things about our club is our inclusivity; teams for Mini’s, Juniors, Girls, Colts, Ladies and Men means you can come down to the club Saturday or Sunday and be entertained. The 1XV gained promotion last year playing attacking rugby with renewed conviction, something which we hope cascades down through the club this season. At Eccles RFC we place great importance on developing youth and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing some of our talented Home-Grown colts stepping up to play in the seniors this coming year alongside our new recruits. For the start of the new season the club has installed a new 3G artificial turf floodlit training area which all teams will benefit and the technical area on the edge of the first team pitch has also been replaced and expanded meaning that some players will not even get mud on their boots ! The club would also like to thank all the volunteers for their dedicated effort. We’d not be able to operate without their contributions. I can’t name all them all as I’m limited to one page, but you all know who you are. The club would also like to thank their sponsors as the financial support you contribute greatly helps with maintaining our facilities and activities. We also now offer ‘Walking Rugby’ on Monday night at 7pm which, for those who’d like to give it a try, has no age, gender, or ability limitations. I would also like to thank our volunteers who operate our DofE section which complements the ethos of rugby and offers so much to young people in their future life. Congratulations to the groups who have achieved their Bronze, Silver or Gold award this year. Once again, welcome to the club and please enjoy your day. Our clubhouse bar is CAMRA award-winning and (for those over the age of 18) I’m informed has a fine selection of match refreshments. Mark Dutton, President, Eccles RFC
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME Welcome to Eccles Rugby Football Club. I would like to offer a warm welcome and a Happy New year to Winnington Park Rugby Union Club and all our club members in this first home game of 2020. The last time both clubs met back in September, Winnington Park were flattered by a 49-25 victory, which does not reflect a hard fort game from both sides. Following a good start to the season, Eccles have hit a bad losing streak, and need to re-find that winning formula for this second half of the season, as we currently sit 3rd from the bottom. There is still a lot to play for, as a mere 5 points would take us to 8th place and a midtable position. On Sunday we welcome Crewe & Nantwich Ladies to Gorton street. Eccles Ladies have improved as the season goes on and this will prove a good test as Crewe and Nantwich were victors by 86-10 when we met each other back in October. We believe in Rugby for all and we take pride in our Home-Grown principles. Our Junior programme regularly produces talented young players and last year we were delighted to see eight Eccles lads wear the red rose of Lancashire. Boys are not the whole story either, as our Men’s and Ladies sections share the same belief and commitment to player propagation. We achieve everything we do in, and for, our community, through the efforts of dedicated volunteers and the generous support of sponsors who share our ambition and passion. Thank you to all our referees, who like players, work during the week and then step out onto the field to officiate. They do their jobs under pressure and I would encourage rugby spectators and staff to understand and be more appreciative of their role in rugby. Without them we would not have the games today. Cheers Thorpey
HEAD COACH NOTES Hello and welcome to everyone visiting Gorton Street today at our first home fixture of 2020. The club has the 1XV at home this Saturday facing Winnington Park and on Sunday, the Ladies are entertaining Crewe & Nantwich here at Gorton Street. The 1XV will certainly be looking to return to winning ways today after recent poor form despite losing against Winnington Park earlier in the season, a game in which both sides played well but the opposition just had the edge in the second half. Our defeats against Rochdale, Sefton and Tarleton however, were consistent in our inability to be creative enough or strong enough in the second half to seize control of close contests. In all three of those games we did not capitalise on the early points and pressure we accumulated. Furthermore, the players did not respond well to handling the pressure of the different interpretations of the laws by match officials, week by week. Both things we look to improve upon today as Eccles, after a positive start to the campaign, now find themselves third from the bottom of the table with 4 wins and 10 losses. Our opponents Winnington Park, currently in ninth place, arrive in good form with hopes of raising their team even higher. The Ladies 1XV, are also finding some games tough such as Manchester away last weekend but at the same time have had some good wins against Sefton, Birkenhead Park and Sunderland and are finding good form this season, they have the opportunity with a win on Sunday to move up the table where they currenty occupy the fifth position. Good Luck to everyone this weekend and thank you for all your support. Sam Simpson, DoR / Head Coach , Eccles RFC
The Duke of Eccles - Still the best Bates to play at the club. Ultra Welding Equipment Proud to support Eccles RFC
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME
MENS LEAGUE TABLES ECCLES MEN 1XV NORTHERN DIVISION NORTH TWO WEST Manchester Rochdale Glossop Leigh Anselmians Southport Bolton De la Salle (Salford) Winnington Park Tarleton Aspatria Eccles Sefton Aspull GAMES RESULTS P W D L POINTS F TOTALS A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 14 12 0 2 550 204 346 60 11 1 14 12 1 1 373 211 162 57 7 13 11 1 1 378 210 168 55 9 14 14 14 13 14 13 14 14 14 14 13 8 2 4 365 309 56 46 8 9 0 5 410 41 69 45 6 7 1 6 311 372 -61 37 5 6 1 6 312 310 2 3 4 6 0 8 251 414 -163 26 1 4 0 9 332 383 -51 26 5 4 0 10 283 366 -83 26 5 4 0 10 322 378 -56 23 2 4 0 10 309 389 -80 22 4 3 0 11 266 392 -126 21 4 3 0 10 260 443 -183 18 2 0 0 2 3 2 1 1 5 5 5 2 5 4 ECCLES MEN 2XV County Courier Services Division 2 North Leigh 2XV Orrell 2XV Tarleton 2XV Littleborough 2XV Aldwinians 2XV Keswick 2XV Leyland Warriors 1XV West Park (St. Helens) 2XV De La Salle (Salford) 2XV Eccles 2XV Southport 2XV Oldham 2XV GAMES 12 11 11 11 11 9 9 12 10 11 12 11 P W D L RESULTS POINTS F TOTALS 8 0 4 325 205 120 45 0 7 1 3 377 192 185 41 0 7 0 4 203 171 32 41 0 7 0 4 201 193 8 40 0 7 0 4 281 218 63 32 0 6 0 3 190 62 128 31 0 5 0 4 182 34 48 30 0 4 0 8 167 281 -114 29 0 4 1 5 218 240 -22 27 0 3 0 8 223 312 -89 23 0 3 0 9 189 350 -161 23 0 3 0 8 144 342 -198 20 0 A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 1 0 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
MENS FIXTURES-RESULTS Date Mens 1XV HA Results 31-Aug-19 Aldwinians - CUP A 07-Sep-19 Southport 14-Sep-19 Tarleton 28-Sep-19 Aspatria 05-Oct-19 Anselmians 12-Oct-19 Aspull 19-Oct-19 Bolton 26-Oct-19 De La Salle 02-Nov-19 09-Nov-19 Manchester 16-Nov-19 Glossop 23-Nov-19 Leigh 30-Nov-19 07-Dec-19 Rochdale 14-Dec-19 Sefton 21-Dec-19 28-Dec-18 04-Jan-20 Tarleton 25-Jan-20 01-Feb-20 Anselmians 08-Feb-20 Aspull 15-Feb-20 Bolton 22-Feb-20 29-Feb-20 De La Salle 07-Mar-20 Manchester 14-Mar-20 Glossop 21-Mar-20 Leigh 28-Mar-20 Rochdale 04-Apr-20 Sefton 11-Apr-20 18-Apr-20 Southport 25-Apr-20 A 29 - 64W H 37 - 35W 21-Sep-19 Winnington Park A 49 - 25L H 16 - 10W A 29 - 12L H 46 - 22W A 28 - 20L H 15 - 17L H 52 - 22L A 24 - 00L H 22 - 33L A 22 - 10L H 10 - 22L A 17 - 10L 11-Jan-20 Winnington Park H 18-Jan-20 Aspatria A H A H A H H A H A H Littleborough 2XV Oldham 2XV De La Salle Orrell 2XV Keswick 2XV Leigh 2XV Aldwinians 2XV Southport 2XV Tarleton 2XV A H A A H A A H A West Park (St. Helens) H Leyland Warriors 1XV A Mens 2XV HA Results Leyland Warriors 1XV H Post Littleborough 2XV Oldham 2XV De La Salle 2XV Orrell 2XV Keswick 2XV Leigh 2XV Aldwinians Southport 2XV Tarleton 2XV H 35 - 29W A 17 - 00L H 12 - 29L H 12 - 38L A 52 - 07L H 6 - 21L H 7 - 17L A 17 - 58W H 26 - 35L West Park (St. Helens) A 21 - 10L
Eccles 1XV 1. Mark Greenhalgh 2. Tom Egerton 3. Rich Owen 4. Michael Holland 5. Nick Spooner 6. Matt Lambert 7. Tony Haunschmidt 8. Adam Christie # 9. Sam Long 10. James Wright # (Capt) 11. Will Parkinson # 12. Chris Fortune 13. Luke Cullen # 14. Gavin Ackers-Johnson 15. Cammy Oates # 16. Ross Eaton 17. Cameron Higginbottam 18. Damola Ayanlaja-Lowo # #Home-Grown at Eccles RFC Coach-Sam Simpson # Winnington Park 1XV 1. Shaun Underdown 2. Andrew Evans 3. Mike Eaves 4. Dan Snowden 5. Joe Cook 6. Gary Dykes 7. Matt Treacy 8. Dan Williams 9. Matt Cross 10. Jack Williams 11. Sam Brookes 12. Alex Burrage 13. Chris Twigg 14. 15. Cameron Flanagan Jimmy Moran 16. Alex Glendinning 17. Ryan Snow 18. Ben Critchley TODAY’S REFEREE: Peter Barnett (Liverpool Referees Society) TEAM SHEETS
Eccles Ladies 1XV 1. Bonnie Fleming 2. Karen Radband 3. Heather Finch 4. Siobhan Mullen (C) 5. Kathy Kinahan 6. Mollie Young # 7. Rebecca Roden # 8. Freya Waterhouse # 9. Sheena Jamieson 10. Sara Davis 11. Jess Whitling # 12. Georgia Cunliffe # 13. Mikayla Hale 14. Lowri Jones 15. Mia Willemsen # 16. Leah Christian # 17. Emily Thomas 18. L. J. Crawford 19. Denver Mills # 1XV #Home-Grown at Eccles RFC Coach-James Wright TODAY’S REFEREE: Darragh McGrath (MADREFS) Crewe & Nantwich 1XV TBA TEAM SHEETS
DUKE OF EDINBURGHS AWARD In 2011 Eccles became the first rugby club to offers their junior members an opportunity to do the DofE and this has grown year on year. Our participants have achieved very close to 250 medals including 48 Gold awards. Last year we became a direct Licensing Authority, which means we no longer report to Salford City Council, but govern ourselves reporting to the DofE directly. This means we have more autonomy but all participants still need to be associated with the club as we cannot take external participants. There has been a fairly even split between lads and girls. At the end of May 2019, 12 more participants received their Gold Award at Buckingham Palace, a year since the last 10 Golds received their awards and two years since the one’s before. This will be our fourth group of participants we have sent for their Gold awards, three of which have been presented at Buckingham Palace. We have over 92% pass rate, we well above the national average, which a fantastic achievement and has been recognised by the DofE Governing body which lead to us becoming a direct Licensing Authority. Please carry on supporting this great cause and encourage your kids to get involved, it’s not for all so don’t force them but we have had many who have seen what fun and rewards that can be gained and have joined at a later stage. The same is said that some start and don’t progress to different levels and there are lots of reasons for this but they do have until they are 24 years old to complete so it is never an issue with coming back at a later stage. Those that do, create friends and memories for life and nothing can replace these. We also have a few volunteers who help out when required on expeditions, but we always welcome people to help out in any way you can. If you know anyone or wish to volunteer, please come forward. First Gold Group At St James Palace 2nd Gold Group At Buckingham Palace 3rd Group At Buckingham Palace 4th Group At Buckingham Palace
ECCLES LADIES Over the last 21 seasons Eccles RFC Ladies have worked tirelessly to develop the women’s game in the Manchester area. We have been rewarded over the years with promotions, cup runs and country representation. As we enter our 22nd season we are proud offer rugby for women and girls of all ages and abilities. With a club and team ethos of rugby for everyone our qualified and skilled coaches offer a high-quality rugby experience for all whether complete amateur or old pro. After a difficult start to the 2019/20 season we are extremely optimistic about the coming season’s second half with renewed vigour and determination, multiple academy players graduating to the senior side and a strong preseason recruitment drive big things are expected. With the retention of our strong core squad and coaching team it is an exciting time to be an Eccles lady. Eccles are back to winning ways and in style, the ladies returned to the home of an old rival boasting an extremely strong backline, the prospect of a try fest had never been so real. Birkenhead Park Panthers are well known to the Ladies section for their direct confrontational style and relentless physicality but this would not be the way this game was played. Eccles with a point to prove took this game by the scruff of the neck and went about picking apart this Birkenhead Park side with phase after phase of controlled structure combined with glimpses of creative magic, that had the coaches and supporters purring at the possibilities. Final score Birkenhead Park 5 – Eccles Ladies 34. This team continues to grow week on week developing their skills and building on the foundations of comradery and determination engrained in our ethos. Eccles move forward this weekend into another fixture where they will hope to continue on this upwards curve and pick up more back to back victories than since the 2017/18 season. Any enquiries should be directed to james.g.wright@hotmail.com James Wright, Ladies Head Coach, Eccles RFC
ECCLES LADIES & COLTS TABLES ECCLES LADIES WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH TWO Sefton Ladies Crewe & Nantwich Ladies Manchester Ladies Darlington Ladies Eccles Ladies Didsbury TOC H Ladies Birkenhead Park Ladies Sunderland Ladies GAMES P 9 9 9 6 9 6 6 8 RESULTS W D 8 6 5 3 3 2 2 1 L 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 3 3 6 4 4 6 POINTS F A 294 118 176 238 104 134 236 132 104 117 128 -11 75 122 194 -43 -72 TOTALS DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 40 31 28 15 197 297 -100 15 118 100 288 -188 10 10 7 7 6 5 3 3 2 2 1 ECCLES SENIOR COLTS Conference League-Senior D GAMES Senior Colts Senior D (U18's) Birkenhead Park Colts Bury Colts Kendal Colts Makos Colts Wigan Colts Eccles Colts Preston G/Hoppers Colts P 9 9 8 8 9 9 8 RESULTS W D 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 7 6 5 4 4 2 1 L 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 POINTS F A 97 218 118 100 181 157 217 24 148 151 182 159 120 -3 23 TOTALS DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 39 35 30 26 24 133 243 -110 20 120 274 -154 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 2 1 2 1 -1
ECCLES LADIES & COLTS FIXTURES Date Eccles Ladies 1XV HA Results 31-Aug-19 08-Sep-19 Darlington 15-Sep-19 Didsbury TOC H 22-Sep-19 29-Sep-19 06-Oct-19 Manchester 27-Oct-19 03-Nov-19 Sefton 10-Nov-19 17-Nov-19 Birkenhead Park 24-Nov-19 Sunderland 01-Dec-19 08-Dec-19 Didsbury TOC H 15-Dec-19 22-Dec-19 29-Dec-18 05-Jan-20 Manchester A 12-Jan-20 Crewe & Nantwich H 19-Jan-20 26-Jan-20 02-Feb-20 Sefton 09-Feb-20 16-Feb-20 23-Feb-20 Birkenhead Park 30-Feb-20 01-Mar-20 Sunderland 08-Mar-20 15-Mar-20 Darlington 22-Mar-20 29-Mar-20 05-Apr-20 12-Apr-20 19-Apr-20 A H A H 12 - 47L Makos Kendal Tarleton A A A Preston Grasshoppers H A A Post H 20 - 19W A 43 - 14L 13-Oct-19 Crewe & Nantwich A 86 - 10L 20-Oct-19 H 26 - 36W A 5 - 31W H 79 - 10W A 17 - 0L Preston Grasshoppers A 22 - 29W H Wigan Birkenhead Park Bury HW A 26 - 11L H 5 - 15L Senior Colts Tarleton Wigan Birkenhead Park Colts Cup - Southport Bury Makos Kendal HA Results H Post A 53 - 26L H 12 - 16L H A 28 - 28D H 17 - 22L H 5 - 61L
ECCLES JUNIORS Happy 2020!! As we all start the new decade full of good intentions and promise, its back to all things rugby and my review of current rugby affairs! So, the RL have decided to see sense (some would say) and maintain the status quo where the seasons overlap. At least this gives us a definitive start/end date for payer availability! The M & J section have been blessed with a contingency of RL players and I know that certain age groups would not have been able to field teams if these boys were not available. Glancing through the age ranges, we are now seeing increased numbers at U7’s and 8’s following a recruitment drive on our social media channels. The 9’s – 13’s have also seen new players join up but we are still in need of more coaches should you be interested! As the first IX take on Winnington Park today, the U14s took on the same opponents recently down at Eccles, and came out on top in a great game, take a look at the photos. Let’s hope for a similar result for the senior team! The U15s have taken possession of a splendid new set of sponsored shirts to complement their growing ranks. The U16s continue with their fine recent form led by Captain Henry Dutton. Our Colts are due to play in the Lancs Cup tomorrow: please see John Christies report in the Colts section… some good support would be very much appreciated if you are available! As we enter into a new year, efforts turn towards the favourite part of the season (for some players!) with plans for Tours and Annual Dinner Dances! All good social stuff and an important influence in creating team spirit! Our Duke of Edinburgh people are set to undertake their final tasks in the next few months too! So all in all, a period of good news and stability makes for a pleasurable feed-back! Happy New Year to you all! Paul Fleming M & J Chairman
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS
WALKING RUGBY Eccles Walking Rugby started after an email from Sale Sharks Community Trust inviting the club to participate in their initiative. Well we all know our club. It took less than two weeks for us to get organised and have our first session, that was back in May 2018 and we're still walking strong now. Walking Rugby is a new inclusive sport and an enjoyable way to get some exercise. It’s a much simpler and less physical version of the traditional game which brings ex-players of a certain age and those who are completely new to rugby together. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Say “Walking” to a bloke and he says “not for me”. Say “Rugby” to a woman and she says “not for me”, but I say give it a go. We encourage both men and women, young and not so young, skilled and not so skilled to get involved. Ladies with experience in netball will see it involves similar handling skills and agility. Guys, well you never lose it do you, but if you never had it the slower pace gives you more time to think about it. I've developed a sidestep I never knew I had! Playing on the AstroTurf allows us to play in any weather no special equipment required, although waterproofs and footwear with grip is a bonus. Our sessions are well supported and we regularly get 20+ players. On more than one occasion the ladies have outnumbered the men. The game is based on touch rugby. The attacking side are allowed 6 tackles (double handed touch) in which to score. After each tackle the attacking side has 3 seconds to pass the ball and the defending side must get back onside (3 metres). If after 6 tackles a try has not been scored the ball is handed over and it starts again. You soon get the hang of it. The whole idea is to have fun and enjoy the banter, reconnect with old friends and make new ones. The session is open to all regardless of skill level. Monday evenings 19.00 - 20.00 with a bragging session in the bar after if you fancy. It's great fun and easy. It must be if I can play it. Turn up and give it a try. Yours in Rugby, Benty Alan Bent, Walker, Eccles RFC
1897 September 2009, marked a tragic event in the club’s history when Christopher TIckle, whilst playing for Eccles RFC, suffered a severe neck injury and sadly died in hospital three weeks later. Chris was a popular 23 year old with a great love of life and sports, an infectious sense of humour, a willingness to help others and was about to begin studying at Salford University. In March 2010 he was posthumously awarded The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award by HRH Prince Phillip. As a tribute to Christopher, Eccles RFC was to become the first rugby club in the country to establish its own DofE awards programme in 2011 and continues honour his memory each year with its Club Person of the Year Award and fundraising activities in aid of spinal injuries research. This season, in recognition of the 10th Anniversary, the annual Christmas Christopher Tickle Memorial Cup match will take on a special significance. More details on this event to follow later in the year.
SPONSORSHIP AND FUNDING
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