ECCLES RFC THE HOME OF HOME GROWN 1897 Official Match Day Programme Season 2019-20 - Price £2 ECCLES v DE LA SALLE NORTH TWO WEST SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER K.O. 3.00PM
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 I would like to offer a warm welcome to De La Salle Rugby club for this local derby match. Last season De La Salle struggled after gaining promotion, with only 2 wins and 9 points resulting in a short visit to North One West. Their start to this new league campaign has been a mixed bag, with three heavy looses in as many games, but prior to that, they had a good win over Anselmians. You never know what you are going to get with De La Salle, therefore Eccles will need to be on top of their game to bounce back after a lackluster performance at Bolton. We are now over a quarter way through the season and this new look, rebuilt Eccles side with lots of “Home Grown” talent are sitting in 6th place and De La Salle in 12 position. ‘Home Grown’ is in our veins and our roots. We believe in Rugby for all and we take pride in our Home-Grown principles. Last season saw 11 colts make their senior debut in the Navy and White hoops and 30 more former colts names could be found across our weekly team sheets. Our Junior programme regularly produces talented young players and last year we were delighted to see eight Eccles lads and six U18 Girls team wear the red rose of Lancashire. This week Eccles RFC was informed it was a finalist in the Club Mirror Magazine Awards. This is the third nomination we’ve received this year (we’ve already won two awards and also await the decision of the Greater Manchester Sports Awards next month) 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. The club extends its sincere thanks to them and 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 Paul Thorpe, Eccles RFC Chairman
HEAD COACH NOTES Hello and a very warm welcome to everyone visiting Gorton Street this weekend. Today our 1st currently sit at 12th Eccles in 6th Team welcome close neighbours and old friends De La Salle, who in the league with a 10-point cushion between them and . Eccles’ Men will be wanting to forget the poor performance they put in last weekend at Bolton and get back to the brand of rugby they enjoy playing and their faithful supporters have become accustom to seeing from them over the years. This will be no easy feat on a Salford Derby Day! De La Salle are no push over for anyone in this league, with their high levels of physicality and intimidation setting them apart from most on any Saturday afternoon, but on Derby day this part of their game overflows the cup as local bragging rights lie at stake. Eccles must control their emotions in this one, if they are to show their superior Rugby Union skills over their visitors and claim the 5-point victory they desire. My advice for any loved ones on the day is to cover the kid’s eyes and ears, mothers and wives stay in the club house and gentlemen hold on to your hats! This game won’t be for the faint Hearted! Sam Simpson, Eccles RFC, DoR / Head Coach
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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 Bolton Tarleton Aspull Sefton De La Salle (Salford) Southport Aspatria GAMES RESULTS P W D L 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 7 6 7 7 7 7 POINTS F TOTALS 7 0 0 248 112 136 34 6 7 0 0 215 109 106 32 4 6 0 1 277 98 179 29 5 4 1 2 188 159 29 24 5 4 0 3 211 162 49 22 4 4 0 3 220 202 18 20 4 3 0 4 180 169 11 17 3 3 0 3 194 200 -6 15 3 1 0 6 186 233 -47 13 5 2 0 4 152 260 -108 11 2 2 0 5 128 234 -106 10 2 2 0 5 132 259 -127 10 1 1 1 5 126 223 -97 1 0 6 180 217 -37 9 9 2 3 A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 0 4 1 0 1 1 0 ECCLES MEN 2XV County Courier Services Division 2 North Orrell 2XV Leigh 2XV Keswick 2XV Littleborough 2XV Leyland Warriors 1XV Oldham 2XV Eccles 2XV Tarleton 2XV De La Salle (Salford) 2XV Aldwinians 2XV West Park (St. Helens) 2XV Southport 2XV GAMES P W D L 6 6 5 6 6 6 6 4 4 6 5 4 RESULTS POINTS F TOTALS 6 0 0 252 67 185 30 0 4 0 2 202 115 87 23 0 4 0 1 131 32 99 20 0 3 0 3 111 122 -11 19 0 2 0 4 112 107 5 15 0 2 0 4 120 187 -67 14 0 2 0 4 116 201 -85 14 0 2 0 2 72 101 -29 13 0 2 0 2 128 114 14 12 0 3 0 3 110 149 -39 11 0 1 0 4 86 159 -73 10 0 1 0 3 51 137 -86 8 0 A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 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 46 - 22W A 28 - 20L 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 17 - 00L H 12 - 29L H 12 - 38L A 52 - 07L H H A H West Park (St. Helens) A
Eccles 1XV De La Salle 1XV 1. James Cunningham # 2. Jack Robbins 3. Cammy Higginbottom # 4. Steve Lillie 5. Simon Donovan # 6. Nick Spooner # 7. Lee Brennand # 8. Adam Christie # 9. Sam Long 10. James Wright # (Capt) 11. Will Parkinson # 12. Chris Fortune 13. William Hamer # 14. Gavin Ackers-Johnson 15. Cammy Oates # 16. Chris Cunliffe # 17. Curtis Bates # 18. Shea Skillicorn # Coach-Sam Simpson # #Home-Grown at Eccles RFC 1. L.McCormick 2. L. Salisbury 3. H. Sadrazam 4. A. Massey 5. C. Petrou 6. R. Worthington 7. L. Watson 8. P. Berry 9. B. Wheeler 10. J. Boyd 11. E. Can Det Pol 12. L. McCormick 13. M. Hassall 14. J. Hill 15. S. Watson 16. J. Roberts 17. J. Connor 18. E. Moore TODAY’S REFEREE: Mark Hiney - (MADREFS) TEAM SHEETS
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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 Darlington Ladies Sunderland Ladies Eccles Ladies GAMES RESULTS P W D L 4 4 4 2 3 2 4 3 F 73 50 58 29 52 44 POINTS A 4 0 0 111 40 3 0 1 125 46 1 0 3 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 2 55 30 71 29 -13 0 123 -71 19 15 7 6 6 5 4 TOTALS DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 71 79 18 20 148 -104 4 3 3 3 2 2 1 0 0 ECCLES SENIOR COLTS Conference League-Senior D GAMES Senior Colts Senior D (U18's) Birkenhead Park Colts Makos Colts Bury Colts Kendal Colts Wigan Colts Eccles Colts Preston G/Hoppers Colts RESULTS P W D L 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 F POINTS A 4 0 1 111 61 4 0 1 106 72 3 1 1 108 92 3 0 2 155 49 2 0 3 104 107 0 1 4 0 0 4 88 38 50 34 16 -3 22 21 19 TOTALS 180 -92 149 -111 4 DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 106 19 12 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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-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 86 - 10L 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 17 - 22L H 5 - 61L
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. Game 3 and Eccles ladies continue their 2019/20 campaign on the road to old friends Darlington. Bolstered by a resurgence in numbers, 21 (yes 21) Eccles ladies boarded the bus full of endeavour and excitement; unfortunately, the Darlington ladies didn’t get the memo. A difficult day in equally difficult conditions saw Eccles come off second best, but by no means a wasted trip. With the aid of our friends at Carlsberg and Magners, celebrations of the progress so far this season were not be halted and continued down the M6 all the way back to Gorton Street. Eccles move into a rest weekend with plenty to work on but moral is high and there is a keen desire to improve. Watch this space there’s a resurrection on the horizon. Any enquiries should be directed to james.g.wright@hotmail.com James Wright, Ladies Head Coach, Eccles RFC
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ECCLES JUNIORS Hello all and a warm welcome from the junior section at Eccles RFC! In a week where our wonderful sport is basking in the spotlight it deserves as two ‘home nations’ seek a place in the RWC final, we are reminded just how the game has change OFF the field: As international referee Jaco Peyper enjoyed a light-hearted moment in the company of celebrating Welsh fans, he has been stripped of any further involvement in RWC due to overstepping ethical boundaries. In recent junior games we have ‘experienced’ another side of ethical awareness where on-field incidents have triggered investigatory procedures before implementing restorative measures. This all traces back to HOW we behave from an introduction to the game from a tentative age. Respect for the officials: respect for each other; respect for the game = Fun. With the club ethos revolving around our strategy of nurturing home grown talent, our code of conduct states we have a responsibility to ‘uphold a reputation for good behaviour’ and so it was apleasing spectacle to see 7 of our U14s players attending the Sale SharksDPP last week and the plaudits given to the boys from the Sale coaches. Our U16s also provided a number of boys to the DPP and, we also congratulate Adam Christie being selected for Lancashire U20s, all as a direct result of our junior section and home grown talent process! As a club we will continue to build on our reputation and embed the games ethics but, we must remain conscious of losing players and officials because of such ethics causing differing interpretations. The back-room staff at Eccles RFC remains determined to strengthen the bedrock of the club and our Comms Officer is set share the clubs future vision with our parents as we foster good relationships and, good ethics! We must finish on a positive note and say ‘Come on England…..Pob lwc i Gymru..... Labore Omnia Florent…. I shall leave you the challenge of interpreting! Paul Fleming, Mini and Junior 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
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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