CLUB INFORMATION President - Alan Bent Chairman - Chris Gaffey Honorary Secretary - Mark Greenhalgh 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 - Fin Cox 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 Let me start by welcoming you all, friends old and new to Eccles Rugby Club for season 2023/2024. Last season proved to be a great success for us on the playing side with two of our three senior male teams gaining top spot in their respective leagues and with that came promotion. This season we will be fielding 4 adult male teams, 2 adult ladies’ teams, junior and minis from under 16 to under 5 and under 15 girls team, with under 12 girls being our next target. We pride ourselves on our home-grown talent, with many of our players coming from our junior ranks and if our boys and girls have the skills to go onto bigger and better things, we wish them all the luck in the world. We are a small club with a big heart always striving to give our best on the field. We are also at the heart of our community, providing the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme for young adults, summer mixed sports camps for local children, summer touch rugby for those who like speed, and walking rugby on our astro pitch for a mixed age, gender and ability group who enjoy playing at a more sedate pace. By far our most successful offering to the community is our pre-season Eccles Festival with local teams, local beers, gin and local live music to enjoy. ”It’s a reet good do” as they say in these parts. Before I close this short welcome I’d like to express a massive thanks to our volunteers for all their hard work that goes into making Eccles RFC the club we all know and love. Without them we just couldn’t function. I hope you enjoy your visit to Eccles and you were made to feel welcome. We look forward to seeing you again. 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. Following our Men's 1XV success wining promotion and the Lancashire Plate last May, there has been no let up in the progress of the club with the Eccles faithful devoting themselves to development projects right through the summer, as you will have undoubtedly noticed on arrival today. Of course, a club is far more than just its facilities - it is defined by the commitment and ambition of its players and members, individuals who are willing to dedicate their time and efforts, season after season, through the hard times and the good. So, before I highlight what is in store for the months ahead I would first like to pay tribute to the enormous effort that has been put in by our volunteers on and off the field, to prepare the club for its 126th year of rugby. Eccles RFC has played in this community since 1897 (and our early history stretches back to 1878) . We moved to our home here at Gorton Street in 1948 when our modest clubhouse and changing rooms were a pair of second hand WW2 Army huts! We’ve come a long way from then. Life has changed and the club has adapted accordingly but the values of the game remain. Community rugby brings people together, promotes teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship, builds social connections and provides opportunities for people to challenge themselves and develop skills - principles we’re passionate about maintaining at Eccles. A significant challenge to the club’s advancement this season will be rising operational costs. Every little helps and by renewing your membership, treating yourself to a pint and a pie, or a coffee and a breakfast butty, and encouraging your friends along to one of our fund raising events you’ll be making an appreciated contribution to our forward momentum. We believe in Rugby for all and developing our own homegrown talent. Eccles RFC now has over 500 members and all new players, regardless of ability or experience, are welcome to join us. Every Senior player with a # proudly indicated our team sheets is a product of our Junior programme. Despite the national decline in adult participation, our Mens section continues its expansion with four teams all having a full programme of
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME fixtures in 2023/24. There’s been good commitment to preseason training and with colts stepping up we're anticipating plenty of exciting rugby in the months ahead. Our rejuvenated Ladies section are also growing with a second team 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. To keep up to date with news throughout the season, check out our website or follow @EcclesRugby on social media. Non of this success would 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, especially our neighbour and brewer First Chop who are providing the craft cask beer today and Sewards Refrigeration who help keep it cool! Talking of which, I would like to remind spectators that respect is the foundation upon which rugby is built. Enthusiasm and passion are part of the game but verbal abuse from the touchlines has no place here. Referees are volunteers and they are human, without them there would be no rugby played. I would like to extend my thanks to the match officials and ask you to support them, as well as the players. Whichever team you’re cheering for this weekend, I hope you enjoy your experience at Eccles and you return again. Thanks for your support. Let’s get stuck in! Chris Gaffey // Chairman // Eccles RFC 2023/24 Season Social Events September Sat 9th - RWC, England v Argentina, 8pm KO Sun 17th - RWC, England v Japan, 8pm KO Sat 23rd - RWC, England v Chile, 4.45pm KO Sat 30th - Reunion Lunch, 1pm October Sat 7th - RWC, England v Samoa, 4.45pm KO Sat 14th - RWC, Quarter Finals Sat 21st - RWC, Semi Finals Sat 28th - RWC Final November Sat 18th - Stars in their Eyes Sat 25th - Mosquitoes Aussie Rules Cup December Sat 16th - Christmas Brass Band Carol Concert February Sat 3rd - 6N England v Italy, 2.15pm KO Sat 10th - 6N England Wales, 4.45pm KO Sat 17th - Reunion Lunch Sat 24th - 6N England v Scotland, 4.45pm KO March Sat 9th - 6N England v Ireland, 4.45pm KO Sat 16th - Sponsors Day, 6N England v France, 8pm KO May 10th-12th - Possible Marquee Weekend
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY Hello and a very warm welcome to everyone attending Gorton Street during the 2023/24 season The Men of Eccles RFC will be looking to build on the back of their most successful season in years. 2022/23 saw the club grow its mens section from two senior sides to three, winning four out of six possible Trophies, with the 1XV and newly formed 3XV winning their league and cup doubles respectfully and the 2XV narrowly missing out on silverware with a late 3rd place league finish and a cup semi-final defeat to their league nemesis Preston Grasshoppers. Our 2023/24 goals are simple. Firstly, as a section, we want to grow again, this has seen us enter a 4XV team in the league increasing our playing opportunities for our members. Secondly, we want to continue developing as individuals to support how we want to play as a section during competitive weekly fixtures. Thirdly, we want to play a brand of rugby that not only offers a challenging and exciting experience for our players but keeps our much valued non playing club members excited and engaged in their weekly support of our teams, home and away, even through those colder Salford months! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our club sponsors and volunteers, reminding them that without their continued generosity and efforts the club would not be able to offer the community of Eccles what we do on a weekly basis. If you’re interested in joining our sponsors or our volunteer team to support the growth of our club please do not hesitate to reach out to myself. I hope you all enjoy your time down at Gorton Street, we’ll be doing our very best to keep you entertained. Sam Simpson // Director of Rugby // Eccles RFC
ECCLES MENS SQUAD 2023-24
WISHING ECCLES RFC EVERY SUCCESS FOR TODAY AND THE 2023/24 SEASON.
ECCLES MEN’S FIXTURES Date 02-Sep-23 09-Sep-23 16-Sep-23 23-Sep-23 30-Sep-23 07-Oct-23 14-Oct-23 21-Oct-23 28-Sep-23 04-Nov-23 11-Nov-23 18-Nov-23 25-Nov-23 02-Dec-23 09-Dec-23 16-Dec-23 23-Dec-23 30-Dec-23 06-Jan-24 13-Jan-24 20-Jan-24 27-Jan-24 03-Feb-24 10-Feb-24 17-Feb-24 24-Feb-24 02-Mar-24 09-Mar-24 16-Mar-24 23-Mar-24 30-Mar-24 06-Apr-24 13-Apr-24 20-Apr-24 27-Apr-24 04-May-24 MENS 1XV Tarleton Wilmslow Warrington Aldwinians HA H A A H West Park St. Helens H Aspull Widnes CUP Bolton Didsbury Toc H Broughton Park CUP Heaton Moor Wilmslow H A H A H H West Park St. Helens A A CUP Sedgley Park Aldwinians Garstang Leigh H A A H West Park St. Helens A Vale of Lune H MENS 2XV Kirkby Lonsdale HA A West Park St. Helens H Vale of Lune A Liverpool St. Helens H Southport - CUP A s MENS 3XV Stockport Marple HAHA A H Manchester Hawks A Hope Valley Congleton Aspull CUP Didsbury Toc H Trafford MV Wythenshawe Heaton Moor Marple H A MENS 4XV Marple Rochdale Trentham Old Bedians Stockport H Bury CUP H A H A A Manchester Hawks H HA A H A H A Ashton-Under-Lyne A H Old Bedians Dukinfield Oldham A A H Broughton Park Carrington A H Warrington Aldwinians Aspull Widnes Bolton Didsbury Toc H Broughton Park Heaton Moor Tarleton H A H A H A H A Liverpool St. Helens A Southport H CUP Widnes Sedgley Park Aldwinians CUP Leigh A Kirkby Lonsdale Widnes Garstang A H A H H A H Hope Valley Congleton CUP Glossop Didsbury Toc H Trafford MV CUP Heaton Moor Stockport Glossop Aspull Wythenshawe H H A A A H A A H A H Rochdale Trentham Carrington CUP Stockport Marple Bury H H A Ashton-Under-Lyne H H CUP Dukinfield Oldham Broughton Park H A H A H A
ECCLES LADIES FIXTURES Date 03-Sep-23 10-Sep-23 17-Sep-23 24-Sep-23 01-Oct-23 08-Oct-23 15-Oct-23 22-Oct-23 29-Oct-23 05-Nov-23 12-Nov-23 18-Nov-23 26-Nov-23 03-Dec-23 10-Dec-23 17-Dec-23 24-Dec-23 31-Dec-23 07-Jan-24 14-Jan-24 21-Jan-24 28-Jan-24 04-Feb-24 11-Feb-24 18-Feb-24 25-Feb-24 03-Mar-24 10-Mar-24 17-Mar-24 24-Mar-24 31-Mar-24 07-Apr-24 14-Apr-24 21-Apr-24 28-Apr-24 05-May-24 LADIES 1XV HA LADIES 2XV HA Didsbury Toc-H H Bury Broughton Park H Rochdale Chester Devas A Sedgley Park Vagabonds H Broughton Park A Lancaster Uni. 25/11 A Liverpool St. H. A Broughton Park H A Macclesfield-11/11 H A H Chester Devas H Vagabonds A Macclesfield 27-01 H Liverpool St. H. H Didsbury Toc-H A Sedgley Park Rochdale H H
ECCLES JUNIOR FIXTURES Date 03-Sep-23 10-Sep-23 17-Sep-23 24-Sep-23 01-Oct-23 08-Oct-23 15-Oct-23 22-Oct-23 29-Oct-23 05-Nov-23 12-Nov-23 19-Nov-23 26-Nov-23 03-Dec-23 10-Dec-23 17-Dec-23 24-Dec-23 31-Dec-23 07-Jan-24 14-Jan-24 21-Jan-24 28-Jan-24 04-Feb-24 11-Feb-24 18-Feb-24 25-Feb-24 03-Mar-24 10-Mar-24 17-Mar-24 24-Mar-24 31-Mar-24 07-Apr-24 14-Apr-24 21-Apr-24 28-Apr-24 05-May-24 U7s HA U8s HA U9s HA U10s HA U11s HA Aldwinians Leigh Bolton Aspull Trafford MV Bury Burnley Tyldesley H Aldwinians A Leigh H Bolton A Aspull A Trafford MV H Bury H Burnley A Tyldesley H Aldwinians A Leigh H Bolton A Aspull A Trafford MV H Bury H Burnley A Tyldesley Dukinfield H Aldwinians A Leigh H Bolton A Aspull A Trafford MV H Bury H Burnley A Tyldesley A Dukinfield H Aldwinians A Leigh H Bolton A Aspull A Trafford MV H Bury H Burnley A Tyldesley A Liverpool ST.H. H A H A A H H A A Aspull Heaton Moor A-U-L & TMV Sedgley Park Burnley Stockport Leigh Aldwinians Gars & Tyldes Bolton Bury Sedgley Park Sale H H H H A A H A H A A H A Aspull Heaton Moor A-U-L & TMV Sedgley Park Burnley Stockport Leigh Aldwinians Gars & Tyldes Bolton Bury Sedgley Park Sale H H H H A A H A H A A H A Aspull Heaton Moor Dukinfield A-U-L & TMV Sedgley Park Burnley Stockport Leigh Aldwinians Gars & Tyldes Bolton Bury Sedgley Park Sale H H Aspull Heaton Moor A Dukinfield H H A A H A H A A H A Leigh Aldwinians Gars & Tyldes Bolton Bury Sedgley Park Sale A-U-L & TMV Sedgley Park Burnley Stockport H H A H H A H H A H A A H A Aspull H Heaton M. & Orrell H A-U-L & TMV Sedgley Park Burnley Stockport Leigh Aldwinians Gars & Tyldes Bolton Bury Sedgley Park Sale H H A A H A H A H A H A
ECCLES JUNIOR FIXTURES Date 03-Sep-23 10-Sep-23 17-Sep-23 24-Sep-23 Burnage & H. M. 01-Oct-23 Aldwinians 08-Oct-23 Marple 15-Oct-23 22-Oct-23 29-Oct-23 05-Nov-23 12-Nov-23 19-Nov-23 26-Nov-23 03-Dec-23 10-Dec-23 Bolton Aspull Trafford MV 17-Dec-23 24-Dec-23 31-Dec-23 07-Jan-24 14-Jan-24 21-Jan-24 28-Jan-24 U12s HA U13s HA U14s Tarleton Southport Sedgley Park H Aldwinians A H Burnley A Garstang A Trafford MV Aldwi & Old Bedians H Bury Burnley Tyldesley Dukinfield A H Vale of Lune Tyldesley H Stockport H A H Aldwinians Blackburn H Preston G. H. H Garstang A Trafford MV H Bury A Burnley A A HA U15s H Old Bedians Bolton A Aldwinians A Leigh H Widnes H Sedgley Park A Trafford MV H Bury H Burnley Liverpool Collegiate A Fylde Tyldesley H Tyldesley Heaton Moor HA U16s H Heaton Moor A H A Aldwinians H Widnes H Blackburn Garstang A Trafford MV A A H H A A West Park St. Helens H A Bury A H H H Bolton Dukinfeild H H HA H Aspull Dukinfield Trafford MV 04-Feb-24 Water F-MCR & H M 11-Feb-24 18-Feb-24 Burnley Stockport 25-Feb-24 03-Mar-24 10-Mar-24 17-Mar-24 24-Mar-24 31-Mar-24 07-Apr-24 14-Apr-24 21-Apr-24 28-Apr-24 05-May-24 Marple Aldwinians Gars & Tyldes Bolton Bury Water Fest-Finals Sale H A H Manchester Garstang Burnley Rochdale Tyldesley Old Bedians Leigh Bury A Trafford MV Sale A H H A H Tyldesley A A H Trafford MV A QF Lancs Cup Burnley Littleborough A A Sedgley Park Aldwinians H SF Lancs Cup H Leigh H A A Bury Sale Rochdale H Aspull Heaton Moor Fleetwood A A H Trafford MV QF Lancs Cup Burnley SF Lancs Cup A A A A H A Sedgley Park Aldwinians Leigh Bolton Bury Widnes Sale A A H A A A H H H Burnley Dukonfield Trafford MV Garstang QF Lancs Cup Burnley Sedgley Park SF Lancs Cup H Tyldesley H Leigh H A Bury A Widnes Sale A A A A H H A A A H H A
ECCLES JUNIORS 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! With thriving teams from ages 5 to 16, see below for a snapshot of our Sunday fun… Girls Rugby At Eccless Our very own award-winning, Community Rugby Coach, James Wright leads the Northern Girls Network for Rugby. Following the success of The Greater Manchester Girls Network,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. Get in touch and grow our Roses! Sale Sharks 100 Club As a proud member of the Sale Sharks ‘100 Club’, over 300 Eccles members attend Sale Sharks across a host of different league and cup games each season. Our Minis often showcase their tag rugby skills as part of the half time show following a guard of honour and victory lap! Drop us a line if you’d like to join us for the day, all club and community members are welcome. Looking The Part All registered M&J members will receive a brand new on field match kit this season with exclusive Eccles design in a sublimated style. Our sparky training top has also been a real hit with the kids! A huge thank you must go to our sponsors who have been vital to our progress since the Pandemic. Look out for our trendy M&Js strutting their stuff on and off the pitch this season… Daniel Nicholls // Mini & Junior Chairman // Eccles RFC
ECCLES JUNIORS
Eccles Ladies enters its 27th season this year making us one of the oldest women's sections who have consistently fielded a team, within this history is the legacy left behind by 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 environment for all standards to come and develop. This has never been more evident than in our past 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 an offer that supports all and creates an exciting environment to be involved in. This new season offers more unique and exciting challenges as we enter a 2XV into a league structure for the first time in our history. Our fantastic relationship with Salford University and our ever growing player group has demanded we offer more playing opportunities and we are so proud to be a 2 team section. Our 1XV will continue into a second season at this current level bolstered by some strong recruitment and benefiting from another year of senior experience for our very young squad. With ambitious targets for both groups, refreshed leadership teams and a challenging list of fixtures this season ensures to be one of the best so far. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of those involved in the Womens and Girls section over my tenure that we can now describe ourselves as a 2 team section offering a pathway for our junior girls to follow. As I enter my 11th season as part of the Women's section I have never been more driven to ensure the next 10 years of Women's rugby at Eccles RFC is our most successful ever. If you are looking to get your rugby journey started or take the next step in your development we are confident Eccles RFC is the place for you. James Wright // Women’s & Girls Head Coach // Eccles RFC ECCLES LADIES
ECCLES LADIES
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
The Duke of Eccles - Still the best Bates to play at the club. Ultra Welding Equipment Proud to support Eccles RFC
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS
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 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 2023/24 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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