ECCLES RFC THE HOME OF HOME GROWN 1897 Official Match Day Programme Season 2019-20 - Price £2 ECCLES v ASPULL NORTH TWO WEST K.O. 3.00PM SATURDAY 12TH OCTOBER ECCLES 2XV V ORRELL 2XV DIVISION TWO NORTH
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 I would like to offer a warm welcome to Aspull Rugby Union Football club, our close rivals from last season, with both teams earning promotion from Lancs/Cheshire Two. Aspull have the bragging rights after three close games, which included the Lancashire Plate Final. All three games went Aspull’s way, but only just. Eccles will be keen to turn this around, with both teams having mixed results in the start to their new league campaigns. Eccles have 3 wins from 5 and are sitting in 6th place and Aspull have 2 wins from 4 and are placed 8th. Aspull’s biggest defeat was against Manchester 83-10, but they bounced back well last week against De La Salle, 41-20. Eccles will want to put right some uncharacteristic mistakes, costing then dearly at Anselmians last week, with a 29-12 loss. The game was closer than the score line suggests and was there for the taking, if the chances had been taken and the error count cut. Welcome also to those early birds who join us this morning for ‘Le Crunch’ family event, where we are attempting to encourage Mini & Junior players and parents to come down to the club to enjoy Saturday rugby, screening the England v France World Cup game in the morning and staying on to enjoy some rugby activities on the pitch, followed by Eccles 1XV vs Aspull and Eccles 2XV v Orrell 2XV 3pm KO in the afternoon. We hope you enjoy your Free Breakfast, which is available from 8am, supported by Lancashire RFU. 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 our referees today, 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. Paul Thorpe, Eccles RFC Chairman
HEAD COACH NOTES Hello and welcome to everyone visiting Gorton Street today. Both Eccles 1s & 2s play host this afternoon to fellow Lancastrians and probably last season’s biggest League rivals Aspull and Orrell. The Firsts will be looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing performance last time out over in the Wirral but to do that they must overcome an experienced Aspull Team who last year took the spoils in all 3 meetings seemingly holding on to Eccles kryptonite. Aspull haven’t taken to life at Level 7 as well as the men in Navy & White so far this season but will definitely be viewing this game as one to kick on from. The 2s will also be looking to get back to the form they had in the first weeks of the season before picking up two loses recently, non more painful than last weekend’s Derby defeat to Neighbours Della. Again Orrell offer stiff opposition and Eccles’ men know they have to be at their very best, physically and mentally, to win this one after two extremely competitive fixtures last season saw the clubs share the spoils one each. Good Luck to everyone today and thank you for all your support. Sam Simpson, DoR / Head Coach, Eccles RFC
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The Duke of Eccles - Still the best Bates to play at the club. Ultra Welding Equipment Proud to support Eccles RFC
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MENS LEAGUE TABLES ECCLES MEN 1XV NORTHERN DIVISION NORTH TWO WEST Glossop Rochdale Manchester Leigh Anselmians Eccles Winnington park Aspull De La Salle (Salford) Aspatria Southport Tarleton Bolton Sefton GAMES P W D L 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 5 4 5 RESULTS POINTS F TOTALS 5 0 0 176 75 101 24 4 5 0 0 156 4 92 23 3 4 0 1 177 76 101 19 3 3 1 1 130 109 21 17 3 3 0 2 158 107 51 17 3 3 0 2 154 152 2 15 3 3 1 2 134 116 18 14 2 2 0 2 114 171 -57 11 2 2 0 3 103 149 -46 10 1 1 0 4 137 150 -13 1 1 3 91 154 -63 0 0 5 135 182 -47 1 1 3 118 166 -48 9 8 7 6 0 0 5 76 76 -112 1 2 2 4 2 1 A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 3 0 3 0 0 ECCLES MEN 2XV County Courier Services Division 2 North Orrell 2XV Keswick 2XV Littleborough 2XV Leigh 2XV Oldham 2XV Eccles 1XV De La Salle (Salford) 2XV Aldwinians 2XV Leyland Warriors 1XV Tarleton 2XV West Park (St. Helens) 2XV Southport 2XV GAMES P W D L 4 4 5 4 5 4 3 5 4 3 4 3 RESULTS POINTS F TOTALS 4 0 0 192 34 158 20 0 3 0 1 79 25 54 15 0 2 0 3 83 105 -22 14 0 2 0 2 127 74 53 13 0 2 0 3 98 152 -54 13 0 2 0 2 97 111 -14 12 0 2 0 1 109 74 35 11 0 3 0 2 93 121 -28 10 0 1 0 3 75 85 -10 1 0 2 50 85 -35 1 0 3 65 137 -72 1 0 2 51 116 -65 8 8 8 7 0 0 0 0 A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 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 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 A H H A H A H A 11-Jan-20 Winnington Park H 18-Jan-20 Aspatria A 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 H 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 H 12 - 29L H A H H A H West Park (St. Helens) A
Eccles 1XV Aspull 1XV 1. James Cunningham # 2. Jack Robbins 3. Rich Owen 4. Cammy Higginbottom # 5. Simon Donovan # 6. Nick Spooner # 7. Tony Haumschmidt 8. Adam Christie # 9. Josh Waring # 10. Sam Long # 11. Gavin Ackers-Johnson 12. James Wright # (Capt) 13. Matt Parkinson # 14. Damola Ayanlaja-lowo # 15. Will Parkinson # 16. Marius Pintilli 17. Lee Brennand # 18. Sandy Howarth # #Home-Grown at Eccles RFC 1. Matthew Walker 2. Ryan Wignall 3. Mark Murray 4. Chris Bennett 5. Aidan Clark 6. Jon Wilson 7. Nathan Bennett 8. Liam West 9. Alex Kindred 10. Liam Reeve 11. Louis Moleyneux 12. Sam Kindred (Capt) 13. Kieran Ford 14. Henry Ryder 15. Rhodri Carlton-Jones 16. Craig Smith 17. Ollie Parker 18. Chad Boyce TODAY’S REFEREE: Tim Brown - Liverpool Federation TEAM SHEETS
Eccles 2XV Orrell 2XV 1. Daniel McManus # 2. John Hibbert 3. Josh Dowling 4. Dec O’Reagan # 5. Anthony Dutta 6. Marius Pintilli 7. Reece Walker # 8. Matt Lambert 9. Josh Waring # 10. Sandy Howarth # 11. Tim Balogun # 12. Danny Holland 13. Tim Cullen # 14. Steve Robinson 15. Jack Roper 16. Joshua Green # 17. Kyle Pickford 18. Alun Davies #Home-Grown at Eccles RFC 1. Brad Anderson 2. Jack Booth 3. Josh Grant 4. Andy Kelly 5. Syd Harbour 6. Andy Stott 7. Martin Joice 8. Stew Rowe 9. Terry Leaford 10. Matty Stafford (Capt) 11. Louis Whitfield 12. Craig Thomas 13. Dante Samuels 14. James Caldwell 15. Ollie Wakefield 16. Andrew McGuire 17. Carlton Bramwell 18. TBA TODAY’S REFEREE: Neil Everett (Madrefs) TEAM SHEETS
ECCLES SENIOR COLTS Our 4th game of the season and the bare facts are 3 loses and one draw but its easy to put so much emphasis on winning and losing that we miss the full story. Our first game saw us travel to Wigan who had already had one game and good numbers in their squad. The final score of 53 points to 26 fails to tell the fact the Eccles Senior Colts finished strongly to score their tries. Belief in what we could do with a bare 15 players grew as the game went on. Our second game and again a squad of 15 we went down to Birkenhead 16 points to 12. The end of the game saw the team applying tremendous pressure and were unlucky not to gain another try. Our 3rd game and a cup match we were up against a well drilled team from Southport. A brave squad of 15 Eccles players battled on and never lost heart even when we went down to 14 following injury. Last Sunday our latest result saw us claw back from 28 points to 7 down at half time to draw 28 all away to Bury. A squad of 14 Eccles Colts against a confident Bury squad of 19 looked like a tall order at the start. The character, belief and the determination of every one of the colts showed just everything that is good about rugby. Teamwork, respect, enjoyment and discipline only partly tell the story. Endurance, determination overcoming the odds more accurately reflect what the team did. The performance was perfectly summed up by Martin Parkinson, ‘yesterday was a gloomy day with both Senior Teams losing. Today my heart has been lifted with the performance of 14 lads giving their all and refusing to be subdued. A touchline full of proud parents and quite rightly so. Absolute top performance and to misquote he bard ‘those who had feeble excuses will feel themselves small for not being there’. This is what it means to be Eccles. If you know someone who want to be part of this story, please invite them down. We have much to be proud of and this isn’t simply explained by win or loss. John Christey, Eccles RFC Senior Colts Coach
ECCLES LADIES & COLTS TABLES ECCLES LADIES WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH TWO Sefton Ladies Crewe & Nantwich Ladies Manchester Ladies Birkenhead Park Ladies Didsbury TOC H Ladies EcclesLadies Sunderland Ladies Darlington Ladies GAMES RESULTS P W D L 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 1 F 3 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 1 94 39 65 50 58 34 52 0 POINTS A 32 36 38 30 71 62 94 29 62 3 TOTALS DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 15 10 6 6 6 4 4 0 27 20 -13 -28 -42 -29 3 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 ECCLES SENIOR COLTS - CHAMPIONS RESULTS Conference League-Senior D GAMES Senior Colts Senior D (U18's) Birkenhead Park Colts Bury Colts Kendal Colts Wigan Colts Makos Colts Eccles Colts Preston G/Hoppers Colts POINTS P W D L 4 4 3 4 3 3 3 F 3 0 1 2 1 1 2 0 1 78 91 79 84 66 26 A 49 77 27 2 0 2 104 107 2 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 3 55 97 29 14 52 -3 TOTALS 116 90 DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 17 14 12 12 11 5 3 29 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0
ECCLES LADIES 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-Jan-20 Crewe & Nantwich H 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 A Post H 20 - 19W A 43 - 14L 13-Oct-19 Crewe & Nantwich A 20-Oct-19 H A H A Birkenhead Park Bury A H Preston Grasshoppers A H Wigan 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 H
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 2018/19 season we are extremely optimistic about the coming season with a new 1XV captain, 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 continued their season spurred on by a home win on the opening weekend to Didsbury with another home fixture against a strong Manchester team. Although the fixture was ultimately not to go our way it was a day a many triumph’s. Eccles selected a squad of 20! A monstrous step forward from last season with a fantastic #homegrown representation. This is testament to the strong core group of committed players and coaches that have worked tirelessly to rebuild the squad. This week we take to the road for the first time with another tough fixture away at Crewe and Nantwich, Eccles enter the fray 1 and 1 hoping to add to the win column and continue this squads development. Any enquiries should be directed to james.g.wright@hotmail.com James Wright, Ladies Head Coach, Eccles RFC
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ECCLES JUNIORS In a week where Salford Red Devils have revisited their halcyon days by reaching Rugby League’s Grand Final, the interest in the ‘other code’ of our wonderful game has seen resurgence. The historical correlation between the two codes is strong in our city - Salford and Sale Sharks share a stadium just a mile away from Eccles RFC and Rugby League’s influence on the development of our young Rugby Union players is undeniable. Salford has many high schools that play competitive RL (but non that play RU) and so many of the children attracted to enjoy their rugby at Eccles on a Sunday play both codes naturally. Last Sunday our U14s (who have 8 players representing 4 different RL clubs) hosted Burnley/Rochdale. The result went the way of the visitors as despite the best efforts from club officials, the fixture clashed with the local RL play-offs denying us our cross-code players. The efforts of those players who participated were colossal as we were down to a bare 15. They left the field beaten but not disgraced with the battle scars as proof. We’re not the only RU club in our district who shares their players with RL and the logistics of accom modating players with twin allegiances on a Sunday is becom ing imperative for the future of a lot of our Junior age groups. Would it not be possible for those in the corridors of power of both Rugby codes to better align their seasons to encourage both versions of the game to flourish at grassroots and avoid clubs having to fold junior teams? Having seen at first hand the advantages of juniors playing both codes the evidence continues up to the current England RU World Cup team. I think it’s time to look at the rugby ‘cross-over’. Both codes definitely benefit from taking ideas from each other on the pitch, so why not a similar collaboration in the mutual administration of both games? Enjoy your rugby this weekend! Incidentally, Salford initially remained loyal to the RFU at the Northern Union breakaway in 1895 and the first ever rugby match played under floodlights took place in 1878 between Broughton and Swinton, who joined the RFU in 1871 and were soon recognised as a national force through a policy of recruiting from local junior teams, including Eccles! Paul Fleming, Mini and Juniors Chairman, Eccles RFC
DUKE OF EDINBURGHS AWARD In 2011 Eccles became the first rugby club to offers their junior members an opportunity to do the DofE and this has grown year on year. Our participants have achieved very close to 250 medals including 48 Gold awards. Last year we became a direct Licensing Authority, which means we no longer report to Salford City Council, but govern ourselves reporting to the DofE directly. This means we have more autonomy but all participants still need to be associated with the club as we cannot take external participants. There has been a fairly even split between lads and girls. At the end of May 2019, 12 more participants received their Gold Award at Buckingham Palace, a year since the last 10 Golds received their awards and two years since the one’s before. This will be our fourth group of participants we have sent for their Gold awards, three of which have been presented at Buckingham Palace. We have over 92% pass rate, we well above the national average, which a fantastic achievement and has been recognised by the DofE Governing body which lead to us becoming a direct Licensing Authority. Please carry on supporting this great cause and encourage your kids to get involved, it’s not for all so don’t force them but we have had many who have seen what fun and rewards that can be gained and have joined at a later stage. The same is said that some start and don’t progress to different levels and there are lots of reasons for this but they do have until they are 24 years old to complete so it is never an issue with coming back at a later stage. Those that do, create friends and memories for life and nothing can replace these. We also have a few volunteers who help out when required on expeditions, but we always welcome people to help out in any way you can. If you know anyone or wish to volunteer, please come forward. First Gold Group At St James Palace 2nd Gold Group At Buckingham Palace 3rd Group At Buckingham Palace 4th Group At Buckingham Palace
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
GORTON STREET GAZETTE Dark Days Ahead : Part 2 of the WW2 story of Eccles RFC... 80 years ago this week Eccles RFC was facing an uncertain future. Following the declaration of war September 1939, the club committee met each week at the Rock House Hotel on Peel Green Road to discuss the national emergency and instructions from the Lancashire County Union for the cancellation of all fixtures for 1939-40 season. With consideration to the difficulties the club had faced with re-establishment following WWI, the committee investigated the possibility of arranging friendly fixtures with local clubs. However, Mr Farnworth, owner of Bromyhurst Farm, Redclyffe Road, Barton where Eccles played its games, informed the club he anticipated the land being put under the plough for the growth of crops in response to Government requests. It was therefore agreed that members would be sent their newly printed fixture cards with a letter explaining no subs would be requested for the abandoned season but all donations to help cover costs would be appreciated. With the imminent threat of the pitch turned over to farming, the shrewd minds of the committee offered use of the Eccles ground and facilities to the military authorities. Three Army officers, Mr Farnworth and club representatives held negotiations and on 3rd October 1939, the 356th Searchlight Company (39th Lancashire Fusiliers Regt) took over the occupancy of the Eccles pavilion and manned Lewis Gun positions at Barton Locks and the Power Station. The Ship Canal, Salford Docks and Trafford Park were of great importance and searchlight batteries were deployed to illuminate enemy bombers for the anti-aircraft guns. The ever assiduous Club Treasurer Arthur Gilbody wrote to Lt. Hilton meticulously listing the articles on loan from Eccles RFC (including 1 notice board, 1 card table, 1 oil lamp, 1 enamel tea-pot) and enclosing conditions for the army’s occupation! In his response Lt. Hilton expressed his appreciation and reassured him “that there would definitely be no use of the pavilion as a dance hall or cinema by the army whilst in use”! To be continued… A story in instalments, by Sheila Thomas and Chris Gaffey
CHARITY SUPPORT 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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