GORTON STREET GAZETTE Eccles and Bolton have enjoyed some memorable matches over the years and thanks to this October 1997 Match programme, donated to the archives by Eccles RFC Hon. Treasurer Mike Bateman, we have an insight to the fixture at Gorton Street 22 years ago. Matt Bateman, Mike’s son, played at 13 that day and went on to play Rugby League professionally. For the record, Eccles won 22-7 and went on to win the away fixture 16-20 at Bolton in January too. Eccles played a total of 30 games in 1997/98 season with a tally of W14 D1 L16; the club President was Harry Broomhead and our chairman was a much younger Mark Dutton. Many members will no doubt recognise several familiar names on the sheet, some of whom continue their commitment to the club today as volunteer junior team coaches. Former Eccles Captain Paul Fleming remarked "There’s some interesting selections there!" Former Vice Captain and Eccles Fly-half Martin Ogden recalled “I was sent off in this game for getting whacked. Glen will claim I was knocked out, but that’s because he was replaced by Darren Cunliffe.” And Bolton’s number 10 that day, Mike Ince, who went on to play for Eccles, recollects "this was the game that Glen got me sinned binned!”. Mr Cahill has declined to comment, which is most unlike him.
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