GORTON STREET GAZETTE Eccles Rugby Football Club was established in 1897 and has now worn its iconic Blue and White hooped shirt for 100 years. The hooped shirt was first adopted by Eccles RFC in the aftermath of WWI, when the club had to rebuild with many of its new recruits running out to play at Stott Lane with injuries suffered in the trenches. In its early days before the war, Eccles had played in green shirts and we believe this switch in colours may have been a tribute to fallen comrades in the Salford Pals Battalions. This team photograph taken in the winter 1921 is the earliest evidence we have of the hooped shirt. Our visitors today, Burnley, were founded shortly after, in 1926 as Calder Vale, changing their name to Burnley in the 2002-2003 season. Delving into the archives, our club historian and tractor sponsor Sheila Thomas, informs us that the first recorded games between Eccles and Calder Vale appear to be in the 1932-33 Season. 15th October 1932 Eccles 6 v Calder Vale 13. 14th January, 1933 Calder Vale v Eccles. 14th January 1933 Eccles “A” 30 v Calder Vale “A" 3. The Eccles 1st XV Captain at this time was H. Lamb, with our club Headquarters at the Rock House Hotel, Peel Green Rd Barton, and our ground and dressing rooms located on the other side of the Manchester Ship canal at Redclyffe Road, Barton. The Eccles first team had 31 fixtures in 1932-33 season with opponents including Halifax Vandals, Leyland Motors, Winnington Park and Sale "A" to name but a few. The club’s playing strength grew between the wars and Eccles were able to field a 3rd team this season. Later in 1933 an away match against Blackpool Old Boys resulted in half the Eccles team remaining in Blackpool over the weekend who according to records apparently enjoyed a great time with a failed attempt to launch a small pleasure craft near central pier and one chap being left hung up on a coat hook in the wardrobe of a bedroom! Happy Days.
15 Publizr Home