CLUB INFORMATION President - Alan Bent Chairman - Chris Gaffey Honorary Secretary - Dave Nicholls Honorary Treasurer - Greg Wilson Fixtures Secretary - Don Edmondson Director of Rugby - Sam Simpson Safeguarding Officer - Heather Thorpe D of E Chairman - Mark Baines Mini & Junior Chairman - Dan Nicholls Junior Fixtures Secretary - Leeann Aspinall Ladies Captain - Rowanne Smalley Mens’ Captain - James Wright To play rugby Contact: Mens’ Head Coach Sam Simpson 07935 403171 Ladies Head Coach James Wright 07791 227616 Mini & Junior Chair Dan Nicholls 07789 202189
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome to Eccles Rugby Football Club Dear club members, sponsors and visitors, welcome to Eccles RFC for what we all hope will be a great season of rugby. With the long awaited change to the RFU league structure we are able to welcome clubs and friends we haven’t seen for a while but as I look through the fixture list I note that during our long history we have entertained all of you at some point in our past . Since 1897, Eccles Rugby Club has upheld a proud tradition of producing homegrown talent. As we strive to bring our young players through the ranks to populate our senior teams we never lose sight of the fact that these young men and women that we coach may move onto better things, and if they have the ability and desire to do so, who are we to stand in their way. This year Eccles RFC is celebrating 125th anniversary and this coming season will be my 50th with the club, so naturally I am delighted to be appointed as its President. Through all our developments over the years, we have remained at heart a community rugby club, so if we are a little rough around the edges, or little over exuberant at times I apologise, but the one thing I don’t apologise for is the warm welcome and great sense of belonging that we extend to all our members and guests when spending time with us. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all our sponsors for supporting us again this season and a very big thank you to all our hard working volunteers for helping to provide an enjoyable match day experience. I wish you all good time. Yours in rugby, Benty. Alan Bent // President // Eccles RFC
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME A warm welcome to all our supporters and visitors at Gorton Street today. As I write this message with the new 2022/23 season in front of us, I do so with a full appreciation of the enormous effort that has been put in behind the scenes this summer, on and off the pitch, to prepare the club for its 125th year of rugby. Following our Men’s success in winning the Lancashire Plate Trophy in May, there has been no break in activities, with Marquee and Junior events, Ladies and Girls tournaments, visitors from Rotterdam, the 3-day Festival, pitch maintenance and several essential facilities projects to occupy the Eccles devotees. A club is defined by the commitment and ambition of its members and we have no shortage of that at Eccles. For a club to survive 125 years it needs determined players, enthusiastic volunteers and a community of loyal supporters - it needs an association of people dedicated to a shared goal who come together to contribute their combined efforts and resources, sticking at it, season after season, through the hard times and the good. For a club to continue to thrive and grow it needs far more than income to cover its costs, it needs sustained hard work over a long period and I’d like to pay tribute to all the people who have put in countless hours over the summer and the years, in support of Eccles RFC and Rugby Union in our region. We would not be gathered here today to enjoy a game without you. An increase in operating costs, brought about through external factors such as inflation and exorbitant energy price increases mean the club will face financial challenges this coming season. As our membership fees remain fixed, it is essential we grow our revenue whilst keeping strict control of our expenditure to put the club in a long-term sustainable position, so we can invest in capital projects for our future. As members you can help us face these challenges by renewing your membership and treating yourself to a pint and a pie throughout the season and encouraging your friends along to games. Our senior fixtures will continue to be free entry this season and all we ask for is a small donation towards the cost of producing this programme. To improve the Saturday match day experience, the club will be looking to make full use of its new kitchen facilities by hosting lunches in the conference room once that refurbishment work is completed, so please support this and our other social events when you can. On a rugby front, despite the national decline in adult participation, our Men's section is aiming for growth this season with 1XV, 2XV, 3XV, Vets and Senior Colts teams all having a full programme of fixtures to look forward to. Consistency of team line up and performance was a problem for our Seniors last season but there’s been good commitment to preseason training and with the addition of a few new arrivals and former colts stepping up we're anticipating the exciting prospect of reinvigorated attacking and defensive vitality as the season progresses. Our rejuvenated Ladies section are also rebuilding at a promising pace assisted by a productive relationship with Salford University, and our burgeoning Minis and Juniors section continues to pack out our pitches on a Sunday morning. The club's website and social media updates will keep you informed on the progress of your favourite team. Please do join our 5,000 followers to keep up with the news during the week and join us in the clubhouse at the weekend.
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME Our club has played its rugby in this community since 1897 (our history actually stretches was back beyond the Northern Union divide to 1878). We moved to our home here at Gorton Street in 1948 when our modest facilities were a pair of second hand WW2 Army huts! We’ve come a long way from then. Life has changed, the game has changed and the club has adapted accordingly. Last season Eccles RFC worked hard to overcome the set-backs of COVID by promoting the game within our community and local schools. This paid off with an increase in players and recruitment will remain a priority for us again this season as we aim to surpass a membership target of 500. We believe in Rugby for all and developing our own homegrown talent. Every player with a # proudly indicated against their name on today's team sheet is a product of our Junior or Colts teams. Of course, growing and developing our club would not be possible without the invaluable, continued assistance we receive from our sponsors. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their support, which is valued and appreciated especially that from our neighbour and brewer First Chop who are providing the craft cask beer today and Sewards Refrigeration who help keep it cool! This season the club will be putting a renewed emphasis on social events and during the Autumn we’ll have the Rugby Internationals, the Rugby League World Cup and the FIFA World Cup on the screen. Below you’ll find a few highlighted dates to give you an indication of what's in store in the months ahead. Whichever team you’re supporting this weekend, I hope you enjoy your experience at Eccles and you return to join us again soon. Thanks for your support. Chris Gaffey // Chairman // Eccles RFC September Saturday 24 - Live Music post-match, RL Grand Final 5:00pm October Saturday 22 - Harry Scott’s England Cap unveiled post-match Saturday 29 - Stars In Your Eyes. A memorable night with some questionable singing and top quality fancy dress. November Saturday 12 - England v Japan 3:15pm Saturday 19 - Movember fund raiser. Australian Rules Football Charity Tournament. RLWC Final 4:00pm, England v New Zealand 5:30pm. Saturday 26 - Ladies Bottomless Brunch and Band. A sparkling pre-match lunch and post- match live music. Advance Tickets can be purchased at the bar. December Thursday 15 - Fossils Festive Gathering Saturday 17 - Christmas Brass Band and Legends Lunch. Social highlight of the winter season, pre-match lunch for former players, tickets can be purchased at the bar priced £5. Post -match we'll roll into our annual Carol Concert with the Eccles Borough Band. February Saturday 4 - Ticket to Ride. Club members and partners trip to Liverpool for food and drinks at a selection of venues thanks to Revolution bars sponsorship. Sunday 12 - England v Italy 3.00pm Saturday 25 - Wales v England 4.45pm March Saturday 11 - Sponsors Day. Last home league fixture of the season. Pre-match hospitality and following the game will be England v France 4.45pm.
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY Hello and a very warm welcome to everyone attending Gorton Street today and reading our match day programme. Whilst many Rugby Clubs around the country are folding teams due to alarming high numbers of adult players leaving the game, season on season, Eccles RFC is meeting this challenge by aiming for growth with its senior section by entering a 3XV Mens' team into a competitive league this year. This bold decision, against the trend, comes after a number of seasons running Casual & Vets games on a monthly basis, attracting new players and re-engaging past players, we now feel the club has enough bodies to field a third 15 on a weekly basis, albeit more than likely a different 15 each week! This new 3XV team will provide an opportunity for more participation players to have a Saturday experience and also give the club a place for safe development for lots of our #Homegrown talent, both vital for the future growth and success of the club. Another aspect of our senior male growth sees us really push on with our Vets offer. The Eccles Elephants will have a fixture every month across the season giving players over the age of 35, who cannot play on a weekly basis, an opportunity to play a fixture at their level whilst providing these players a much needed place to be together socially. Following the lifting of restrictions post Covid-19, many players wanted to do other activities weekly, rather than committing to the same thing week in week out. For the 2022/23 season, Eccles 1XV and 2XV teams will be looking for more consistency in player availability as we look to build on our progress of last season. This should be hugely supported by the influx of new and returning faces we’ve seen in attendance over the course of preseason, which has gone extremely well. Defensive Coach Andrew Selby has really benefited from the summer with the lads after arriving at Eccles halfway through last season, and new Attack Coach Kev Raynor, has quickly become a strong presence at training, challenging the player's personal skill development to support the way we want the team to play. I’d like to finish by thanking everyone who is in attendance today. I hope your match day experience at Eccles is a really enjoyable one and that you're excited to return again in the coming weeks. Your support is hugely appreciated and is needed if we are to achieve what we want to as a club over the next few years. Sam Simpson // Director of Rugby // Eccles RFC
WISHING ECCLES RFC EVERY SUCCESS FOR TODAY AND THE 2022/23 SEASON.
ECCLES MEN’S FIXTURES Date 03-Sept-22 10-Sept-22 17-Sept-22 24-Sept-22 15-Oct-22 22-Oct-22 29-Sept-22 05-Nov-22 12-Nov-22 19-Nov-22 26-Nov-22 03-Dec-22 10-Dec-22 17-Dec-22 24-Dec-22 31-Dec-22 07-Jan-23 14-Jan-23 21-Jan-23 28-Jan-23 04-Feb-23 11-Feb-23 18-Feb-23 25-Feb-23 04-Mar-23 11-Mar-23 18-Mar-23 25-Mar-23 01-Apr-22 08-Apr-22 15-Apr-22 22-Apr-22 MENS 1XV HA MENS 2XV HA MENS 3XV HA Orrell Heaton Moor De La Salle Wigan Trafford MV A H A H A Liverpoll Collegiate H Oldham Ormskirk Fleetwood Littleborough Heaton Moor Wigan De La Salle A H A H A A H Fylde 3XV Blackburn 3XV H A Bolton Lostock 2XV A Kirby Lonsdale Dev H Leigh 2XV Preston GH 3XV Tarleton 3XV Southport 2XV Tarleton 3XV Aldwinians 2XV Blackburn 3XV A H A H A H A Bolton Lostock 2XV H Crewe & Nantwich 3XV A Marple 3XV H Holmes Chapel 2XV A Heaton Moor 3XV H Manchester Hawks H Bolton 4XV Wythenshawe Bowdon 3XV Carrington Bury 3XV Marple 3XV A H A A H A Holmes Chapel 2XV H Heaton Moor 3XV A Tyldesley Trafford MV H H Liverpool Collegiate A Oldham H Ormskirk Fleetwood Littleborough Orrell A H A H Chorley A Kirby Lonsdale Dev A Leigh 2XV Preston GH 3XV Ormskirk 2XV Southport 2XV Tarleton 3XV Fylde 3XV H A H A H A Newcastle Staffs 3XV H Manchester Hawks A Bolton 4XV Wythenshawe Bowdon 3XV Carrington Bury 3XV H A H A A Crewe & Nantwich 3XV H
ECCLES LADIES & COLTS FIXTURES Date 18-Sept-21 25-Sept-21 02-Oct-22 09-Oct-22 16-Oct-22 22-Oct-22 29-Oct-22 06-Nov-22 13-Nov-22 Ladies HA Date 27-Aug-22 Liv. Collegiate 04-Sept-22 Burnley Senior Colts HA H A 11-Sept-22 West Park St. Helens H 18-Sept-22 Glossop Chester Devas H Vagabonds A 25-Sept-22 Sedgley Park - CCUP R1 H 02-Oct-22 Hoylake 09-Oct-22 Trafford M.V. Leigh 20-Nov-22 Halifax 27-Nov-22 04-Dec-22 10-Dec-22 H A Southport A 18-Dec-22 Broughton Park H 24-Dec-22 31-Dec-22 07-Jan-23 15-Jan-23 21-Jan-23 28-Jan-23 04-Feb-23 12-Feb-23 18-Feb-23 Leigh 26-Feb-23 Halifax 05-Mar-23 12-Mar-23 Southport 19-Mar-23 26-Mar-23 02-Apr-23 09-Apr-23 16-Apr-23 23-Apr-22 16-Oct-22 Widnes 23-Oct-22 30-Oct-22 06-Nov-22 County Cup R 2 A H A A A A Chester Devas A Vagabonds H A H A 13-Nov-22 Aldwinians 20-Nov-22 27-Nov-22 04-Dec-22 11-Dec-22 18-Dec-22 25-Dec-22 01-Jan-23 08-Jan-23 15-Jan-23 22-Jan-23 29-Jan-23 05-Feb-23 12-Feb-23 19-Feb-23 26-Feb-23 05-Mar-23 12-Mar-23 19-Mar-23 26-Mar-23 02-Apr-23 09-Apr-23 16-Apr-23 23-Apr-23 30-Apr-23 H League Cup R 1 League Cup R 2 County Cup QF County Cup SF League Cup SF County Cup Finals League Cup Finals
ECCLES JUNIOR FIXTURES Date 04-Sept-22 11-Sept-22 18-Sept-22 25-Sept-22 02-Oct-22 Bury 09-Oct-22 U7s HA U8s HA U9s HA U10s HA U11s HA A Didsbury Toc H Sedgley Park 23-Oct-22 30-Oct-22 Burnley 06-Nov-22 Sale 13-Nov-22 Rochdale 20-Dec-22 27-Nov-22 Oldham 16-Oct-22 Broughton Park A Broughton Park H Burnley A Sale A Rochdale A Oldham H Littleborough H Crew & Nantwich A Crew & Nantwich A Crew & Nantwich A H Manchester Festival Manchester Festival Manchester Festival A Broughton Park A Broughton Park H Burnley A Sale A Rochdale A Oldham H Littleborough H Burnley A Sale A Rochdale A Oldham H Littleborough A Broughton Park A H Burnley H Sale A Rochdale A Oldham 04-Dec-22 Ashton UL & Leigh H Ashton UL & Leigh H Ashton UL & Leigh H Ashton UL & Leigh H 11-Dec-22 Littleborough 18-Dec-22 25-Dec-22 01-Jan-23 08-Jan-23 H Littleborough H H A A H Tyldesley A Tyldesley H Bolton A Tyldesley H Bolton A Tyldesley H Bolton A Tyldesley H Bolton A 15-Jan-23 Oldham/H-Moor H Oldham/H-Moor H Oldham/H-Moor H Oldham/H-Moor H Oldham/H-Moor H 22-Jan-23 Bolton 29-Jan-23 Trafford MV 05-Feb-23 Sedgley Park 12-Feb-23 Burnley 19-Feb-23 26-Feb-23 Sale 05-Mar-23 Littleborough A Trafford MV A Sedgley Park A Burnley H Sale A Littleborough A Trafford MV A Sedgley Park A Burnley H Sale A Littleborough A Trafford MV A Sedgley Park A Burnley H Sale A Littleborough A Trafford MV A Sedgley Park A Burnley H Sale A Littleborough H A A A H A 12-Mar-23 Broughton Park H Broughton Park H Broughton Park H Broughton Park H Broughton Park H 19-Mar-23 Bury/Tyldesley H Bury/Tyldesley H Bury/Tyldesley H Bury/Tyldesley H Bury/Tyldesley H 26-Mar-23 02-Apr-23 Rochdale 09-Apr-23 16-Apr-23 H Rochdale H Rochdale H Rochdale H Rochdale H Aspull/Trafford MV H Aspull/Trafford MV H Aspull/Trafford MV H Aspull/Trafford MV H Aspull/Trafford MV H 22-Apr-23 Wilmslow Festival 30-Apr-23 07-May-23
Date 04-Sept-22 11-Sept-22 18-Sept-22 25-Sept-22 02-Oct-22 09-Oct-22 U12s HA U13s U14s HA HA U15s Littleborough A Wigan V-Tyldesley/Bury A Orrell Sedgley Park 16-Oct-22 Broughton Park 23-Oct-22 30-Oct-22 Burnley 06-Nov-22 Sale 13-Nov-22 H Bowdon Rossendale Ormskirk Sefton H Orrell A H Bowdon A Warrington H Aspull H Burnley H Bolton Bury 20-Nov-22 V L/borough/Bolton A 27-Nov-22 04-Dec-22 Ashton UL 11-Dec-22 Littleborough 18-Dec-22 25-Dec-22 01-Jan-23 08-Jan-23 15-Jan-23 H Burnley A H Bury A Leigh Sedgley Park A Fylde A Leigh H Littleborough H Blackburn H A Bowdon HA GIRLS H HA H Broughton Park C1 A A Man/Stock Dev Day A H CA Man-WBP-Bury H A Sedg Park/Ross H Wirral DEV A Trafford MV Tyldesley H Bury H A Broughton Park C1 A H PGH DEV Day H Liverpool Collegiate H A Leigh A A CA Man-WBP-Bury A A Liverpool St. Helens H Sedg Park/Ross A A Tyldesley 22-Jan-23 Bolton 29-Jan-23 A Tyldesley Wigan H Bolton 05-Feb-23 Sedgley Park 12-Feb-23 Burnley 19-Feb-23 26-Feb-23 Sale 05-Mar-23 Littleborough H Southport H Tyldesley L-CUP R6 H A A Rossendale A Bolton Burnley V L/Borough/Sedg H Trafford MV H Trafford MV A Trafford MV A A A Burnley A Sale A Leigh 12-Mar-23 V Rochdale/Tyldesley A Bury 19-Mar-23 Bury/Tyldesley 26-Mar-23 02-Apr-23 Rochdale 09-Apr-23 16-Apr-23 Trafford MV 23-Apr-23 Red Rose Festival 30-Apr-23 07-May-23 Festival Final H Tyldesley A Burnley H Aspull H Burnley Lancashire CUP S/F A Sale H Lancs Cup R7 H Littleborough A A A Tyldesley H Rochdale H H Trafford MV A Trafford MV H Trafford MV Red Rose Festival Red Rose Festival Red Rose Festival Festival Day Finals Day A Finals-Plate/Vase A Tyldesley A A H H H H Bolton Lancs Cup QF A H ECCLES JUNIOR FIXTURES
ECCLES JUNIORS The Eccles Junior Rugby Revolution has resumed! After recruiting over 100 new members last season, we enjoyed a packed Summer of parties to presentations, festivals to fun days and even some Touch and Tag training and a Summer Camp for the die-hards! And we’ve got lots in store for the new 2022/23 season. Girls Rugby at Eccles Our very own Community Rugby Coach James Wright leads the Greater Manchester Girls Network for Rugby and following the success of ‘The Open’ Girls Rugby event this Summer, James has been busy creating a bespoke Girls-only pathway into Rugby Union at Eccles. Girls of any age are welcomed at Eccles and can build their experience at Tag Rugby age and then through our bespoke Touch Rugby Academy, readying themselves for contact rugby in their own time through skilled and enjoyable coaching sessions from James and our Ladies Captain Rowanne. If you have a daughter interested to play or would like to support our girls rugby initiatives, get in touch and grow our Roses! M&J Section Trip: Sale Sharks Over 300 Eccles members attended Sale Sharks across 4 different games at the end of last season. Our AJ Bell Stadium takeover resumes at half term when Sale take on Harlequins at 3pm on Sunday 23rd October. Our Minis will be showcasing their tag rugby skills as part of the half time show so save the date and let’s get behind our local superstars! Drop us a line if you’d like to join us for the day, all club members are welcome. Training Top Time Membership fees have stayed the same as last season as part of our continued commitment to Junior rugby at Eccles. All registered members will receive a new training top this season with an exclusive Eccles design. Look out for a trendy M&Js strutting their stuff on and off the pitch this Autumn. Daniel Nicholls // Mini & Junior Chairman // Eccles RFC
ECCLES JUNIORS
ECCLES LADIES A warm welcome from all of the Ladies section to the 2022/23 season. Eccles Ladies enters its 26th season this year making us one of the oldest women's sections who have consistently fielded a club team. Within this rich history is the legacy of our former players, coaches and captains written into our DNA. We are a team constantly striving to strike the perfect balance between high performance and rugby for all, offering a nurturing, inclusive environment for players of all standards to enjoy and develop. This has never been more evident than in our recent seasons since rugby returned. We currently boast players who have represented their county at Twickenham playing alongside teammates who are taking their first steps in the game all contributing equally to this ever improving side. Our leadership group, built from a cross-section of ages, experiences and characters ensures we can provide a Rugby offer that supports all and creates an exciting environment to be involved in. As we move into the season we will be returning to some familiar local settings from years gone by ad we are looking forward to making trips to local rivals; Leigh RUFC and Broughton Park venues that hold great memories from our previous rise to our highest competitive level. With the addition of Vagabond Ladies to our league we are also treated to an international fixture which is sure to be a weekend away we won't forget. We are very excited about the potential of this group and we welcome any new member looking to be involved in our journey. Players, Spectators, Coaches or someone looking to get a little bit fitter, there is a place for you. We welcome any support down at Gorton Street on Sunday afternoons, whether you are a seasoned campaigner for the women's game or if this is your first match experience we truly value your vocal encouragement from the touchline and hope you enjoy the game. James Wright // Eccles RFC Women's Head Coach
ECCLES LADIES
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS
ECCLES - LAND OF CAKES The origin of the world famous Eccles Cake appears to be lost in time. Spiced cakes were often associated with church festivals and there was a certainly a popular bygone fair held annually in Eccles each August to celebrate the feast day of St. Mary. The ancient parish church of St. Mary the Virgin, has stood on the same site for at least 800 years and is the oldest church in the City of Salford. Eccles itself was founded by Christian refugees from Mamucium (Manchester) escaping Roman persecution in the 4th century. The name of the settlement probably derived from the Latin Ecclesia (gathering, assembly) or the Welsh Eglwys (church). When the invading Anglo Saxons arrived in Lancashire many existing British names for landmarks, such as Eccles and Irwell, survived and so it came to pass, that Eccles grew around its church and the area was sufficiently remote to remain agricultural and untroubled by local conflicts for a millennium. In 1650 the Puritan reformers abolished religious festivities including public dancing on the village green and the eating of cakes. True to its non-compliant origins Eccles appears to have defied the baking ban because the cakes continued to be sold when the annual fairs and wakes were reinstated. The Jacobite army passed through the rural village of Eccles in 1745 in its advance and subsequent retreat (no doubt returning for a second helping of cakes) but otherwise all was quiet until 1761, when the Duke of Bridgewater opened his canal to float coal from his mines at Worsley over the Barton Aqueduct to Manchester, igniting the Industrial Revolution and ultimately bringing goods, steam power and textile production to Eccles which would soon become a town of cotton weavers with many workers being children. In 1772, Elizabeth and John Raffald, former housekeeper and head gardener to the Warburton family at Arley Hall Cheshire, arrived in Salford to run business ventures including The Bulls Head Tavern and the King’s Head coaching Inns. Elizabeth was an entrepreneur and set up a business on the Kersal Moor Racecourse, near the ladies' stand, selling strawberries with cream, tea and coffee. There is a plaque dedicated to Elizabeth on Exchange Street, Manchester near the site of her premises in Market Place, from where
ECCLES - LAND OF CAKES she published the first Manchester Directory listing traders, merchants and civic figures, and offered cookery classes alongside her other hospitality services. In 1769 Elizabeth Raffald published her cookery book, The Experienced English House Keeper, based on her own experience and dedicated to Lady Warburton, which contained the first printed records of many now common recipes, many of which were plagiarised by other authors, most notably Mrs Isabella Beeton. Elizabeth’s recipe for "Sweet Patties" is believed to be the basis of the Eccles Cake - “Take the meat of a boiled calf's foot, 2 large apples, 1 oz. candied peel. Chop the ingredients very small, grate half a nutmeg, mix with the yolk of an egg, a spoonful of French brandy and 4ozs. of currants. Make a good puff paste. Roll this into shapes and fill them. Lay a lid on them and turn up the edges. They are a pretty side dish for supper.” Note the use of real meat as with the original ‘mince pies’. Eccles cakes were first produced commercially in 1796 by James Birch from his shop at 56 Church Street on the corner of Vicarage Road, opposite Eccles Parish Church. In 1811 Birch moved to larger premises across the road at 29 Church Street and his new shop displayed a sign ‘Eccles Cake Makers removed from across the way’. His enterprising former apprentice, James William Bradburn took over the old shop in 1813 so he could claim historic ownership. Bradburn was the 21 year old son of the licensee of the Cross Keys Inn and there was a great rivalry between the two bakers with Bradburn proudly displaying his own shop sign claiming ‘Original and oldest established Eccles Cake Shop. Never removed’! Such was the success that within a decade Eccles cakes were being sold at all the fairs and markets around. In September 1830, the world’s first railway, designed by George Stephenson between Manchester and Liverpool, powered into Eccles to provide the town with access to a seaport. Eccles cakes were so popular they were soon exported to America, Australia and the West Indies, in specially constructed boxes. In 1836 James Nasmyth leased land from Thomas de Trafford alongside the canal and railway at Patricroft to establish an
ECCLES - LAND OF CAKES engineering works and foundry and 3 years later he invented the Steam Hammer, which enabled the mass manufacture of Eccles cakes for the growing workforce! The fame of its cakes was already well established by 1863 when George Bradshaw, a Pendleton born map engraver, described Eccles in his famous Bradshaw Railway Handbook as a “little village prettily situated on the northern banks of the Irwell and environed by some of the most picturesque rambles. Celebrated for its cakes”. Clearly, Eccles was changed irreversibly by the arrival of train and its residents remained proud of their connection to the confection. In November 1882 it was reported in the Journal that Eccles Rugby Club ‘principal fixture comes off next Saturday, as they meet Salford who journey to Cakeland’ and in May 1888, playing at Eccles was referred to as ‘the Land o' Cakes’. In 1900-1902 Eccles RFC were captained by T.J. Bradburn, a club founding member, who went on to become the Hon. Secretary of the Lancashire Union in the 1920s and Lancashire county representative at the RFU. Whether Tommy Bradburn was related to the infamous Eccles Cake baking Bradburns is unknown but what we do know is the Bradburn shop remained in family ownership for over a century until 1963 when it was sold and taken over by Warburtons Bakery. The ‘Never Removed’ shop was eventually demolished in 1966 to make way for the Eccles Precinct with the shop window stored at Salford Museum. The only Eccles cakes baked in Eccles today are hand made by the Albert Street Artisan Bakery, run by the Hamer family (Eccles Rugby legend Gary Hamer take a bow), just a stone's throw away from the site of the original James Birch Eccles Cake shop. Their small batch ‘Made in Eccles Cakes’ are made using all-butter flaky pastry, homemade candied orange peel, locally grown apples, free range eggs and delicious Vostizza currants. The humble Eccles cake is now a British institution, so it is no surprise that it goes down very well with a cup of tea or, as is the post match tradition at Eccles RFC, woofed down with a pint of beer!
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
DUKE OF EDINBURGHS AWARD Our Bronze Group finally move up to Silver, PostPandemic, having completed their expedition. The DofE award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, giving 14-24 year olds who wish to take up the challenge, the opportunity to strive to be the best they can be and gain the confidence to believe anything they put their mind to is possible. The programme takes between one and four years to complete and is recognised and valued by employers and universities alike. Eccles RFC were the first rugby club in the UK to offer the DofE award programme to its players. The scheme was established in honour of Christopher Tickle who was posthumously awarded the DofE Gold Award by HRH Prince Phillip in 2010. Since 2011, the club’s young people have achieved over 100 Bronze awards, over 60 Silver awards and 48 prestigious Gold Awards – a testament to the hard work and dedication of the participants and the Eccles team of volunteer leaders. The DofE programme is a journey of adventure and discovery that compliments the ethos of Rugby by rewarding teamwork, endeavour, physical activity, learning skills and community volunteering. To achieve an award a young person must show persistence, commitment, progress and personal development over a period of time. Every activity must be successfully completed and assessed. Activities take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time, so they can be fitted in around academic study, hobbies and social lives. To commence a Bronze Award you must be aged 14+ years, 15+ years for Silver and 16+ years to start a Gold Award. For more details on the DofE at Eccles RFC and how to become involved check out the club website or email:baines.mark@virginmedia.com. Mark Baines, DofE Chair, Eccles RFC
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS
ECCLES PLAYERS IN ACTION
GORTON STREET GAZETTE As many illustrious players of this historic club can no doubt confirm, Eccles can be lively, boisterous town at weekends. But what may come as a surprise is that the town’s reputation for rowdy entertainment actually stretches back several hundred years to when Eccles would host a 3-day street party in late August each year! The ‘Eccles Wakes’ traditionally commenced on the eve of the feast day of St Mary, to whom the Parish Church is dedicated, and had their origins in the ancient custom of rush bearing, when villagers would bring decorated cartloads of rushes to spread over the church floor for a vigil mass which began at sunset on a Saturday, often called a ‘wake’ due to the late hour. As these occasions developed into a secular holiday the community celebrations would include sports, music, dance and drinking. Sound familiar? The Eccles Wakes When the Barton Aqueduct designed by James Brindley first crossed the River Irwell in 1761 the rural existence of Eccles was changed forever. By the 19th Century the famous Eccles Wakes were attracting large crowds from the surrounding district and had become a somewhat less than pious affair. The recreation area between Barton Lane, Oxford Road and Pleasant Road was transformed into a racecourse where Donkey riders and ladies would compete in races to win a smock, and competitions held along Church Street included blood sports such as bull and bear-baiting and cock fighting. People would dress up for the event and the revelry would often result in drunkenness and fighting. In 1877 local residents had enough of the excessive, riotous behaviour and at the request of the Local Board the Home
GORTON STREET GAZETTE Secretary banned the Eccles Wakes. British Artist Joseph Parry (1744–1826) moved from Liverpool to Manchester in 1790 and went on to paint several large historical compositions, often depicting scenes of everyday life featuring hundreds of figures most infamously a series of paintings that captured the typical Ale House, Race Course and Town Square experience of the Eccles Wakes festival. The village wakes flourished in Lancashire and became notorious for massive scale public disorder and associated as holidays for tradesmen. At Salford Wakes in 1819, there was a “Jack Ass Race for a Purse of Gold” a “Foot Race of a mile for a good hat” “ Ribbons to be danced for by Old Maids” and other events included chasing a greased pig, thick porridge eating, and a race for "Wooden Legged Men”! At the Prestwich Wakes of 1832 competitions included “an eating match of 3lb of treacle and bread” and “a smoking match for ten old women”! Some great ideas there to adopt for next year’s Eccles Beer & Gin Festival!
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SPONSORSHIP AND FUNDING Eccles RFC is run by dedicated volunteers. With over 120 years behind us we are a resilient, ambitious, progressive, inclusive, community rugby club and welcome support from businesses who share our ambition and passion. Sponsorship opportunities 2022/23 Community Coaching sponsorship - £15k Platinum Club Sponsorship - £10k Duke of Edinburgh Award Sponsorship - £10k Senior Team Sponsorship - £5k Junior Team Sponsorship - £3k Pitch-side Advertising boards - £500 Programme advertisement - £250 Senior Player Sponsorship - £150 Our sponsorship packages are flexible. For more information please email us at sponsorship@ecclesrfc.org.uk 1897 You can raise money for Eccles RFC every time you shop online by using EasyFundraising.co.uk Just register on the website, name us as your cause and shop as normal. The club receives a donation for the purchases you make. Easy.
CODE OF CONDUCT Eccles Rugby Football Club encourage Spectators to: • Act as a positive role model to all. • Behave with dignity and generosity. • Support your club’s efforts to uphold its reputation. • Respect Rugby’s values. Discipline and Sportsmanship define our game. • Respect the match officials' decisions, even if they appear to make a mistake. Remember, they are volunteers and without them there would be no game. • Encourage all players irrespective of their ability. Never ridicule a player, regardless of the shirt they wear. • Appreciate good performance and achievement from all players, irrespective of their team. • Acknowledge effort and endeavour rather than the desire to 'win at all cost'. • Support the players. Shout ‘for’ them not ‘at’ them. • Never verbally abuse players, coaches, match officials or fellow spectators; such negative behaviour affects the players and referee’s performance and attitude. • Remain behind the barriers. The field is for the competitors. Remember children play rugby for their own enjoyment, not for that of the spectators. 1897
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