CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME A warm welcome to all our members and visitors at Eccles RFC today. After 17 long months of repression, it's great to finally have competitive Rugby and supporters back at Gorton Street. Our 1XV men will be looking to get their season off to a positive start by defeating Burnley in the first round of the Lancashire Plate whilst our 2XV will entertain the gentlemen of Littleborough in a pre-season warm up. I wish good luck to all the players, especially our own homegrown former colts stepping up for their first taste of senior rugby. I look forward to seeing you in the bar after the match, where you can enjoy a glass of first class ale from our match sponsor and local brewer First Chop. Speaking of which I’ll take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers whose exemplary efforts made last weekend’s 10th Eccles Beer & Gin Festival an outstanding success. The Eccles Cup tournament provided an entertaining afternoon of attacking rugby and I extend my appreciation to Leigh, Vale of Lune and Bolton who accepted the challenge and made a huge contribution to the day. The competition was a timely reminder of what we’ve all been missing. Eccles claimed the Bowl and Leigh lifted the Cup (a polished stainless steel bucket and £215 in donations for their charity) in an exciting final with Vale that was decided in extra time with a dramatic long range 'golden points' penalty kick! Pure Theatre! It was disappointing that so many invited clubs were unable to assemble a team and pulled out at the last minute. I hope the North West rugby community is able to quickly recover from the damage done by COVID and (overcoming GMS) begin once again to attract players back to the game. Here at Eccles, with the support of our sponsors, we’re going to great lengths to make membership of our club attractive and represent great value for our community. We have 18 teams for boys, girls, ladies and men, starting at U5s all the way up to Vets! I hope you enjoy your match experience today and you keep returning throughout the season to support our teams. Regardless of age or ability, all players appreciate encouragement from the touchline. This season we are celebrating 124 years at Eccles RFC and 100 years playing in blue and white hoops. But the club, and indeed rugby, only continues exist if there are players, referees, volunteers, supporters and sponsors willing to commit to its existence. All things prosper with effort. Let’s get stuck in! Chris Gaffey // Eccles RFC Chairman
5 Publizr Home