ECCLES RFC THE HOME OF HOME GROWN 1897 Official Match Day Programme Season 2019-20 - Price £2 ECCLES v ANSELMIANS NORTH TWO WEST SATURDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2020 K.O. 2.15PM ECCLES COLTS v PRESTON G/H COLTS NORTH WEST SENIOR COLTS DIV D. SUNDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2020 K.O. 2.00PM
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 to Anselmians Rugby Union Football Club. Before the leagues were introduced, Anselmians were a regular fixture for Eccles, but we had not played them for many years until we visited their temporary ground at Rivacre Road last October. Supporters will recall an entertaining game that Anselmians won 29-12. But the game was closer than the score suggests, Eccles started well, but dropped off in the middle of the first half, with Anselmians taking full advantage. Eccles came back late on in the second half, with Anselmians receiving a red card, but it was all too little too late, with Anselmians taking a late try with Eccles throwing caution to the wind in search of valuable points. Their last match they were surprisingly beaten for a second time by De La Salle 18-20, a similar margin to our home defeat to De La Salle 15-17, a match we could and should have won. Eccles must see this as a game to be taken and get back to that early run of form, finishing the league how we started. 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. The club has the 1XV at home this Saturday facing Anselmians and on Sunday, our Senior Colts are entertaining Preston Grasshoppers Senior Colts here at Gorton Street. The 1XV will certainly be looking to return to winning ways today after recent poor form despite losing against Aspatria last time out, a game in which our opponents played well and successfully prevented us from scoring apart from a solitary try despite our best efforts. Our defeats against Sefton, Tarleton and Aspatria 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 second from the bottom of the table with 4 wins and 12 losses. Our opponents Anselmians, currently in fifth place, arrive in good form with hopes of raising their team even higher up the table. The Senior Colts, are also finding some games tough, but at the same time have made some determined efforts to keep pace with the opposition and are beginning to find good form, this Sunday they have the opportunity with a win to move up the table where they currenty occupy the second from the bottom position. Good Luck to everyone this weekend and thank you for all your support. Sam Simpson, DoR / Head Coach , Eccles RFC
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MENS LEAGUE TABLES ECCLES MEN 1XV NORTHERN DIVISION NORTH TWO WEST Manchester Glossop Rochdale Leigh Anselmians Southport De la Salle (Salford) Bolton Winnington Park Aspatria Aspull Tarleton Eccles Sefton GAMES RESULTS P W D L POINTS F TOTALS A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 16 14 0 2 613 211 402 69 12 1 15 13 1 1 452 220 232 65 11 0 16 13 1 2 440 256 184 63 9 16 10 2 4 424 353 71 56 10 2 16 10 0 6 465 389 76 51 7 16 16 15 16 16 16 16 16 16 0 8 1 7 362 429 -67 42 6 8 0 8 294 454 -160 34 1 6 1 8 352 376 -24 32 5 5 0 11 384 455 -71 31 6 5 0 11 385 406 -21 29 3 5 0 11 322 483 -151 29 4 4 0 12 318 442 -124 28 6 4 0 12 326 467 -141 22 4 3 0 13 279 485 -206 21 4 4 2 1 1 5 6 5 6 2 5 ECCLES MEN 2XV County Courier Services Division 2 North Orrell 2XV Littleborough 2XV Tarleton 2XV Leigh 2XV Leyland Warriors 1XV Aldwinians 2XV Keswick 2XV De La Salle (Salford) 2XV Eccles 2XV Southport 2XV Oldham 2XV GAMES 13 14 13 13 11 14 11 13 West Park (St. Helens) 2XV 13 13 14 14 RESULTS P W D L F POINTS TOTALS 9 1 3 475 209 226 51 0 8 1 6 250 271 -21 48 0 8 0 5 228 212 16 47 0 8 0 5 325 205 120 45 0 7 0 4 220 146 74 40 0 8 0 6 334 281 53 39 0 6 0 5 228 110 118 34 0 5 1 7 283 339 -56 34 0 5 0 8 205 281 -76 34 0 5 0 8 280 334 -54 33 0 4 0 10 218 409 -191 29 0 4 0 10 194 443 -249 27 0 A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 0 2 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 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 18-Jan-20 Aspatria 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 12 - 37L A 41 - 5L 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 15 - 19W H 7 - 38W 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 Anselmians 1XV 1. Sam Simpson 2. Tom Egerton 3. Mark Greenhalgh 4. Steve Lillie 5. Mike Holland 6. Nick Spooner 7. Curtis Bates 8. Glen Cahill 9. Josh Waring 10. Sam Long 11. Gav Ackers Johnson 12. James Wright # (Capt) 13. Reece James 14. Damola Ayanlaja-Lowo # 15. Cammy Oates # 16. Jim Cunningham 17. Adam Christie # 18. Harry Hutton #Home-Grown at Eccles RFC Coach-Sam Simpson # 1. S. Brookes 2. S. Southwell 3. M. Quitadamo 4. J. Richards 5. N. Cavanagh 6. W. Grabe 7. N. Hearn 8. J. Pearson 9. C. Pilgrim 10. L. McGovern 11. A. Bramall 12. J. O’tutaha 13. E. Nolan 14. M. Petterson 15. A. Cummings 16. M. Thornton 17. M. Dowler 18. G. Manger TODAY’S REFEREE: Ian Morgan (MADREFS) TEAM SHEETS
Eccles Senior Colts 1. John Saunders 2. Cameron Smollett 3. James Hooker 4. Ollie White 5. Callum Brady 6. Kai Sumner 7. Max Mulligan 8. Ryley Thornton 9. Tom Bates 10. Alex Speakman 11. Cameron MacDonald 12. Joe Molloy 13. Dan Delaney 14. William Timmins 15. Tallis Keeler 16. Peter Adinnu 17. Paul Stringer 18. Jay Christey 19. Josh Stafford 20. Anthony Davis 21. Daniel Reed TODAY’S REFEREE: Paul Meehan (MADREFS) Preston GH Senior Colts TBA TEAM SHEETS
ECCLES SENIOR COLTS Last Sunday the Colts travelled to Kendal determined to improve on a 61-5 defeat dished out in October by strong opponent with a dominant pack and build on the momentum of a very good performance against Makos the previous weekend. Kendal sportingly loaned 14-man Eccles a winger to ensure an even-sided contest and the game kicked off in mild conditions on an excellent 1st team pitch surface. Eccles began with intensity and following a terrific turnover in midfield from Flanker Max Mulligan, kept possession and built pressure to pound away at the Kendal line, with tighthead Big John Saunders eventually smashing through the defence to score the opening try with 6 minutes played (0-5). Kendal equalled the score after 10 mins through a driving maul (5-5) and their forwards continued to truck up the middle with a predictable but effective Pick N Go game resulting in a try on 17 mins (12-5). Eccles responded to this set back superbly and through aggressive attacking rugby Dan Delaney scored under the posts to equal the score (12-12). 2 mins to the break the Kendal winger powered down the right evading tackles to put them ahead at the break in a very competitive first half of rugby, with Eccles very much in the game. (17-12 HT) A frustrating start to the second half however saw the Kendal forwards reassert their truck and trailer and, aided by some contentious play, scoring three times in close succession (34-12). Eccles were in no mood to lie down and battled back with admirable persistence taking the game to the hosts, with sustained pressure providing an opportunity for Alex Speakman to weave through to score (34-17) on 57 mins. Eccles' ferocious and committed tackling, pinned the hosts into their own half. A high chop on the resilient Speakman gave Eccles the opportunity to maintain the pressure on Kendal for an exciting end to the game, only for another PNG drive up the middle to result in a home try with 2 mins to go, much to the audible relief of their support. As with many colts fixtures this season, the final score does not do justice to the effort or character of the lads, the majority of whom are U17s playing in a very competitive U18 division. Kendal, who made the very most of their strong pack, were gracious hosts. It was enjoyable game played in good spirit where, in patches a defiant Eccles played some great rugby. (FT 39-17).
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 10 10 10 8 10 6 7 9 RESULTS W D 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 8 7 5 5 3 2 2 1 L 1 3 3 3 7 4 5 7 POINTS F A 313 137 176 262 109 153 255 151 104 175 148 27 75 132 228 -43 -96 TOTALS DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 42 35 30 24 202 321 -119 15 118 110 312 -202 10 10 8 8 7 6 4 3 2 2 2 ECCLES SENIOR COLTS Conference League-Senior D Senior Colts Senior D (U18's) Birkenhead Park Colts Bury Colts Kendal Colts Makos Colts Wigan Colts Eccles Colts Preston G/Hoppers Colts GAMES P 10 11 10 10 10 11 10 W 8 7 7 6 4 2 1 RESULTS D 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 POINTS L 2 3 3 4 6 8 9 F 275 212 281 211 187 176 159 A 132 207 119 182 188 316 357 DIFF 100 24 120 -3 23 -110 -154 PTS 44 41 40 36 25 22 16 TOTALS TBP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 LBP 2 0 2 2 1 2 2 ADJ -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 H 12 - 47L 12-Jan-20 Crewe & Nantwich H 5 - 24L 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 Makos Kendal Tarleton A A Preston Grasshoppers H A 34 - 26L 39 - 17L 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 Welcome to Eccles RFC mini and junior section and this week’s soap box debate: Another period of rugby controversy unfolds as the details of Saracens salary cap breach emerges, it pleases me to report that a number of our current junior section, and former junior section players have been on active duty representing Lancashire! Wonderful, and a tremendous indictment of the clubs’ philosophy of nurturing ‘Home Grown Talent’. Well done lads! So as these boys seek to enhance their rugby pedigree, I attended the Sale Sharks DPP last Friday evening where we currently have five U14s players under expert coaching, hopeful of emulating our Lancs reps. The level of intensity is apparent as all the players have gone through a selection process, so no new comers to the game here! The point I wish to raise is how this standard of coaching is now reflecting in the performances of the U14s team in particular. They are now on a run of 7 consecutive wins, still in the Lancs Cup and playing some fantastic rugby! There remains a bright future for the club indeed! On Sunday I got to briefly watch our U15s resplendent in their new kit and under the coaching eye of Finn Cox lose a close game 0-19. I then wandered towards the club house to take a look at our U16s who beat a brave Duckinfield on the first team pitch. All of this was taken in after observing en-route the volume of kids now involved in our mini section! In a contradiction of terms between the opening paragraph at the top of the page, it’s with pride I compile this report after seeing the foundations of our sport being properly embraced at junior level. A parent told me recently how much it meant to him after seeing his young son, new to the game, come on as a replacement winger, hugged and congratulated by one of the experienced forwards after he tackled his opponent saving a sure try, in a close fought win! Good luck today…. Whoever it is you’re supporting!! Paul Fleming, Mini and Junior Section Chair
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GORTON STREET GAZETTE ‘Recognition’ Part 5 of the Eccles RFC WW2 Story. ‘S. Rider 1903’ - Pictured Right Centre The outbreak of war in September 1939 led many men and women of the district to volunteer for duties that would assist the war effort, especially on the Home Front. The club’s archives contain a letter from member Sam Rider, dated Nov 1939, apologising for his absence at committee meetings due to his commitment in the evenings to voluntary ARP (Air Raid Precaution) work - a high risk occupation in an Industrial area targeted by enemy bombers. At the committee meeting of 1st December 1939 Hon. Treasurer Arthur Gilbody, tabled a motion that Mr S.R.Rider be elected as a the very first Honorary Life Member of the Club. Supported by Norman Bisbey (Chairman) and Tom Povey (Captain) it was unanimously carried in recognition of Sam’s active association with Eccles for over 50 years. In his youth Sam had been a regular player at Eccles until 1914 when WW1 had suspended Rugby fixtures. A published match report dated 23rd December 1903 described an 8th successive victory for Eccles with Sam scoring one of the tries to defeat Manchester Welsh. Between the wars Sam served as Eccles Chairman (1925-1937), then President and County Representative, duties it was noted Sam "discharged with characteristic cheerfulness”. As the German U-Boats torpedoed shipping convoys in British waters and the Government were preparing to announce rationing would include butter, bacon and sugar, Mr Gilbody wrote to Mr Rider on 23rd December 1939 to inform him of the news. During 1940, Sam steadfastly continued his enforcement of blackouts and trusted service to Eccles RFC by becoming a Trustee of the club's funds, alongside Norman Shaw, ensuring its survival through the Blitz to the end of the war. Sam Rider, a responsible dependable man, we salute you.
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.
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