CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME I would like to offer a warm welcome to De La Salle Rugby club for this local derby match. Last season De La Salle struggled after gaining promotion, with only 2 wins and 9 points resulting in a short visit to North One West. Their start to this new league campaign has been a mixed bag, with three heavy looses in as many games, but prior to that, they had a good win over Anselmians. You never know what you are going to get with De La Salle, therefore Eccles will need to be on top of their game to bounce back after a lackluster performance at Bolton. We are now over a quarter way through the season and this new look, rebuilt Eccles side with lots of “Home Grown” talent are sitting in 6th place and De La Salle in 12 position. ‘Home Grown’ is in our veins and our roots. We believe in Rugby for all and we take pride in our Home-Grown principles. Last season saw 11 colts make their senior debut in the Navy and White hoops and 30 more former colts names could be found across our weekly team sheets. Our Junior programme regularly produces talented young players and last year we were delighted to see eight Eccles lads and six U18 Girls team wear the red rose of Lancashire. This week Eccles RFC was informed it was a finalist in the Club Mirror Magazine Awards. This is the third nomination we’ve received this year (we’ve already won two awards and also await the decision of the Greater Manchester Sports Awards next month) 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. The club extends its sincere thanks to them and 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 Paul Thorpe, Eccles RFC Chairman
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