CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME Welcome to Eccles Rugby Football Club. I would like to offer a warm welcome to Manchester Rugby Club and Bromyard Rugby Football Club. Today is our annual Sponsor’s Day event and is an opportunity for the club to show our appreciation for all those who have generously supported us during the 2019/20 season with an afternoon of hospitality and rugby. Without the valuable assistance of our sponsors the club would not be able to sustain its facilities and activities in our community, so we hope all members will play their part in making the day an enjoyable and memorable Eccles experience. Manchester need no introduction, although our fixture last October was the first meeting in many years, our clubs have enjoyed a rich history of contests and were once regular opponents. Manchester are in second place in the league, with Eccles second from the bottom, but Eccles will be keen to put in a good performance, as we are still confident that we can climb out of the drop zone. Ahead of that contest, our 3XV will entertain Bromyard RFC, a touring team from Herefordshire, who play in Midlands 4 West (South). At Eccles, 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. Our Men’s and Ladies sections share the same belief and commitment to player propagation, only last week saw former Eccles player Detysha Harper receive her call up to the Women's England Squad for the 6 Nations game against Ireland, where she helped secured a 27-0 victory in front of a sell-out crowd. We achieve everything we do in, and for, our community, through the efforts of dedicated volunteers and the support of sponsors who share our ambition and passion. I thank them for their commitment. And I thank today’s Match Officials, who step onto the field as volunteers to play their part under pressure and I would encourage spectators to be more appreciative of their role in rugby. Without them we would not have the games today. Cheers, Thorpey. Paul Thorpe, Chairman, Eccles RFC
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