GORTON STREET GAZETTE Early Eccles 1901-1914 The turbulent early years of Eccles RFC’s history were not untypical for a club of this district. Having begun its activities during the 1880s following the Great Rugby Schism of 1895, Eccles re-established itself in 1897 playing its fixtures in Monton near the Blue at Bell Terrace playing on this site until the Godfrey Ermen Schools In 1901 Eccles moved a short distance south down Edison Road to Road, near the Barton Swing Bridge and were to remain here on Before the Great War Eccles were considered a formidable opponent, holding their own with the principle clubs of Lancashire and enjoying good local support. Regular opponents included Sale, and New Brighton. Each season, Eccles enjoyed an annual Easter Tour to Bedfordshire with a fixture against Bedford RUFC, at that time the home of one the best rugby club pavilions in the country, In the 1903/04 season Eccles were the most consistent team in the Manchester district winning 21 of 27 games; 1905/06 saw 23
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