CLUB INFORMATION President - Alan Bent Chairman - Chris Gaffey Honorary Secretary - Mark Greenhalgh Honorary Treasurer - Greg Wilson Fixtures Secretary - Don Edmondson Director of Rugby - Sam Simpson Safeguarding Officer - Heather Thorpe D of E Chairman - Mark Baines Mini & Junior Chairman - Dan Nicholls Junior Fixtures Secretary - Leeann Aspinall Ladies Captain - Sarah Williams Mens’ Captain - Fin Cox To play rugby Contact: Mens’ Head Coach - Sam Simpson 07935 403171 Ladies Head Coach - Katie Houghton 07725 608717 Mini & Junior Chair - Dan Nicholls 07789 202189 Eccles Playing Kit: Shirts - Navy & White Hoops Shorts - Navy Socks - Navy & White Hoops Eccles RFC, Gorton St. Eccles, Gtr. Manchester M30 7LZ 0161 789 2613 www.ecclesrfc.org.uk
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome to Eccles Rugby Football Club for the 2024-2025 season. Many of you may not have visited our club before and I'm sure you are wondering what what we have to offer. I could be flippant and offer you all kinds of anecdotes about how good our pies are or how close to the motorway we are so you won't have trouble getting home, but no. I'm going to tell you how proud we are as a club to be back at Level 6, in this league, with some esteemed local rugby clubs. Win, lose or draw. We aim to play a brand of rugby that is exciting, entertaining but most of all enjoyable for the men, women and children that play our glorious game. We pride ourselves on developing homegrown talent, something you will hear a lot of if you spend any time down at Eccles. I won't bore you with the details as I'm sure it will be mentioned in other welcome addresses but I think what you will see and experience that we are a honest and friendly club, with the ambition to make a difference in our local community and be a rugby force to be reckoned with. So, to close, can I say a big thank you to all our players, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for your commitment. Many hard working people have put in many hours of effort, and I hope your experience here today is a good one. Yours in rugby, Benty. Alan Bent // President // Eccles RFC
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME A very warm welcome to all our supporters and visitors at Gorton Street today. The 2024/25 season is here and I’m excited to see what it holds for us. Following the success of last season there has been no let up in the progress of the club over the summer, with fund raising, social events and facilities projects to occupy the Eccles faithful. A club is defined by the commitment and ambition of its members and thankfully we have steadfast volunteers at Eccles willing to dedicate themselves, season after season, to taking us forward. So, before I highlight what is in store for the months ahead I would first like to pay tribute to the enormous effort and countless hours that have been put in, on and off the field, to prepare the club for its 127th year of rugby. Our teams are raring to go, our pitches are in terrific condition and, following support from the RFU, Sport England, Salford City Council and our own Crowdfunding community, we are charging into the new season with two new changing rooms, a repaired roof, renovated Ladies Toilets and the first stage of a refurbished bar completed. Overcoming rising operational costs and providing environments that sustain long term participation are challenges that all clubs face. Every little helps and by renewing your membership, treating yourself to a pint and a pie and encouraging your friends along to a match you’ll be making an appreciated contribution to our momentum. Eccles RFC has played in this community since 1897 and our early history stretches back to 1878 . We moved to Gorton Street in 1948 when our modest clubhouse was a pair of WW2 Army huts. We’ve come a long way since then. Life and Rugby have changed and the club has adapted accordingly but the values of the game remain. Community rugby brings people together, builds social connections and provides opportunities for people to challenge themselves and develop skills - principles we’re passionate about at Eccles. We believe in Rugby for all and developing homegrown talent. Eccles RFC now has over 500 active members and every Senior player with a # proudly indicated in our team sheets is a product of our Junior programme. Last May all four of our Men's teams earned promotion and I wish them
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME the very best of luck in rising to the new challenge they will face this season. Our 1XV are back at Level 6 after an 6-season absence, our 2XV will be looking to continue their unbeaten record in the NOWIRUL Division 1 and our 3XV and 4XV teams will be aiming to fulfil every fixture with a full bench. There’s been good commitment to preseason training and with the return of former club captain Paul Makinson as Men's Defence Coach and a new Junior Colts team stepping up things are looking positive for the future. Women’s rugby also continues to grow at Eccles with the emergence of a Ladies 2XV team and the return of former Captain Katie Houghton from Sale Sharks in a new role as coach. And with our thriving Minis and Juniors section continuing to pack out our pitches you can be sure of plenty of entertaining rugby to watch Saturdays and Sundays at the 2024 Lancashire Club of the Year! Non of this success would be possible of course without the invaluable, continued assistance we receive from our sponsors. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all sincerley for their unwavering support. Speaking of which, I'd like to remind spectators that enthusiasm and passion are part of the game but verbal abuse has no place here. I extend my thanks to the match officials today and ask you to respect and support them, as well as the players. There are a few dates below to provide an indication of the Events line up so far but as always, to keep up to speed with news throughout the season, please check out our website or follow @EcclesRugby on social media. Whichever team you’re cheering for this weekend, I hope you enjoy your experience at Eccles and you return again. Thanks for your support. Let’s get stuck in! Chris Gaffey // Chairman // Eccles RFC EVENTS Sat 24 Aug - Eccles Festival Sat 12 Oct - (1s v Widnes) - Reunion Lunch Sat 2 Nov - England v New Zealand KO1510 Sat 9 Nov - England v Australia KO1510 Sat 16 Nov - England v South Africa KO1740 & Stars Karaoke Sat 14 Dec (1s v Crewe & Nantwich) - Christmas Brass Band Sat 4 Jan - (1s v Waterloo) - Reunion Lunch Sat 1 Feb - Ireland v England KO1645 Sat 8 Feb - England v France KO1645 Sat 22 Feb - England v Scotland KO1645 Sat 1 Mar - Longo Bingo Sat 15 Mar - Wales v England KO1645 Sat 22 Mar - (1s v Northwich) - Sponsors' Lunch Fri 9 May - Players' Awards Sat 10 May - Dinner Dance
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY Hello and a very warm welcome to all who visit Gorton Street for the 2024/25 season, and what a year we are in for, after all four Eccles men’s teams gained promotion last season. Well, what can I tell you about the season ahead? We, as a coaching, leadership and playing group intend to have fun! We intend to continue in our endeavour to play open, attractive rugby throughout the section, rugby that all spectators will enjoy to watch. We intend to continue developing that steely side to our game which all strong, ambitious teams require to be successful, especially once those colder, wetter months come our way! As with all seasons, we’ve said goodbye to people who made a contribution to an extremely successful period for the club, but with that, we should be excited about the new faces that have joined us to take us forward in the next chapter of our journey. So I hope you’ll all be as fired up and optimistic about the year ahead as I am, and I look forward to seeing you all at the bar over the course of the year. Lastly, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our club sponsors and volunteers. Without you we definitely couldn’t achieve all the shiny bits & bobs we have in recent seasons. I hope we continue to make you proud and motivated to continue your much valued support. Sam. Sam Simpson // Director of Rugby // Eccles RFC
ECCLES MENS SQUAD 2024-25
WISHING ECCLES RFC EVERY SUCCESS FOR TODAY AND THE 2024/25 SEASON.
ECCLES MEN’S FIXTURES Date 31-Aug-24 Widnes - Lancs Cup 07-Sep-24 Bowdon MENS 1XV HA MENS 2XV HA MENS 3XV HA MENS 4XV HA REGIONAL 2 NW NOWIRUL D1 H NOWIRUL D3C H Kendal H Stockport A Sale FC Waterloo NOWIRUL D4E 14-Sep-24 Crewe & Nantwich A Birkenhead Park H Rossendale 21-Sep-24 Douglas 28-Sep-24 Waterloo 05-Oct-24 A Aldwinians H Leigh H 12-Oct-24 Widnes 19-Oct-24 Winnington Park Vale Of Lune 26-Oct-24 02-Nov-24 09-Nov-24 Sandbach 16-Nov-24 Altrincham Kersal 23-Nov-24 Douglas 30-Nov-24 Burnage 07-Dec-24 Northwich H Aldwinians H A Eagle NOWIRUL Cups H A Sandbach A Anselmians H Vale of Lune A Preston 14-Dec-24 Crewe & Nantwich H Birkenhead Park 21-Dec-24 Stockport 28-Dec-24 04-Jan-25 Waterloo 11-Jan-25 Widnes 18-Jan-25 Winnington Park 25-Jan-25 01-Feb-25 Vale Of Lune 08-Feb-25 15-Feb-25 Sandbach 22-Feb-25 01-Mar-25 Altrincham Kersal 08-Mar-25 Burnage 15-Mar-25 22-Mar-25 Northwich 29-Mar-25 05-Apr-25 Bowdon 12-Apr-25 19-Apr-25 26-Apr-25 03-May-25 H A Aldwinians A NOWIRUL Cups H Eagle Waterloo A Vale of Lune A A Anselmians Sandbach H Preston NOWIRUL Cups A Kendal H H Glossop A A Warrington Tyldesley A Trafford MV NOWIRUL Cups A Wigan H North Manchester A Manchester Hawks A H Aspull A Village Spartans H Congleton A Bury A Wythenshawe H Heaton Moor NOWIRUL Cups A Broughton A Leigh A H Altrincham Kersal H Ashton-Under-Lyne H A Glossop A Marple H Rochdale A Rossendale H Aldwinians A H Warrington Tyldesley NOWIRUL Cups H Trafford MV A Wigan H Village Spartans H NOWIRUL Cups A Bury Didsbury Toc H H Wythenshawe Altrincham Kersal H Heaton Moor H Broughton A Rochdale NOWIRUL Cups A A H Manchester Hawks H A H A Ashton-Under-Lyne A NOWIRUL Cups A North Manchester H Leigh H H H Congleton A Marple H Didsbury Toc H A H H A H H H A H A H Sale FC A Leigh NOWIRUL Cups NOWIRUL Cups A Aspull NOWIRUL Cups A
ECCLES LADIES FIXTURES Date 01-Sep-24 08-Sep-24 15-Sep-24 22-Sep-24 29-Sep-24 06-Oct-24 13-Oct-24 20-Oct-24 27-Oct-24 03-Nov-24 10-Nov-24 LADIES 1XV HA NC2 N(S) LADIES 2XV HA NC3 N(W) COLTS JC L 'D' Crewe & Nantwich Littleborough Liverpool St. Helens A Aldwinians H Rossendale H Huddersfield Laund Hill A Wirral Gulls Ossett Vagabonds Leigh A H Fleetwood Aspull Rochdale 17-Nov-24 24-Nov-24 Winnington Park 01-Dec-24 08-Dec-24 15-Dec-24 Bury 22-Dec-24 29-Dec-24 05-Jan-25 12-Jan-25 19-Jan-25 26-Jan-25 02-Feb-25 09-Feb-25 16-Feb-25 23-Feb-25 H Oldham A Clitheroe A Tyldesley Moorgate H Bury A Lancashire Cup R1 H Rossendale Wirral Gulls A Burnley H A West Park St. Helens H A A H A H Burnley HA H A H West Park St. Helens A H Liverpool St. Helens Vagabonds A Huddersfield Laund Hill H Tyldesley Ossett A H Fleetwood Leigh A Aspull Rochdale 02-Mar-25 09-Mar-25 Winnington Park 16-Mar-25 23-Mar-25 Bury 30-Mar-25 06-Apr-25 13-Apr-25 20-Apr-25 27-Apr-25 04-May-25 Littleborough H Clitheroe A Lancashire Cup SF H Oldham Aldwinians H Play Off A Lancashire Cup FINAL Play Off FINAL H Moorgate A Bury Lancashire Cup QF H A Crewe & Nantwich A A H H Lancashire Cup R2
ECCLES JUNIOR FIXTURES Date U7s 01-Sep-24 08-Sep-24 FUN DAY 15-Sep-24 22-Sep-24 29-Sep-24 Bolton 06-Oct-24 Old Bedians 13-Oct-24 Stockport 20-Oct-24 27-Oct-24 Sedgley Park 03-Nov-24 Dukinfield 10-Nov-24 Burnley 17-Nov-24 Aldwinians HA U8s HA U9s HA U10s HA U11s HA FUN DAY FUN DAY FUN DAY FUN DAY H Bolton A Bolton H Old Bedians H Stockport A Sedgley Park H Dukinfield A Burnley H Aldwinians 24-Nov-24 Broughton Park A Broughton Park 01-Dec-24 Macclesfield 08-Dec-24 Rochdale A Macclesfield H Rochdale 15-Dec-24 22-Dec-24 29-Dec-24 05-Jan-25 12-Jan-25 19-Jan-25 26-Jan-25 A Old Bedians A Stockport H Bolton H Old Bedians H Stockport TRAINING WEEKEND AND HALF TERM A Sedgley Park H Dukinfield A Burnley H Aldwinians A Sedgley Park H Dukinfield A Burnley H Aldwinians A Macclesfield H Rochdale A Bolton A Old Bedians A Stockport A Sedgley Park H Dukinfield A Burnley H Aldwinians A Broughton Park A Broughton Park A Broughton Park A Macclesfield H Rochdale A Macclesfield H Rochdale TRAINING WEEKEND AND BRASS BAND ON SATURDAY Tyldesley Marple Trafford MV Sedgley Park 02-Feb-25 Macclesfield 16-Feb-25 23-Feb-25 A Tyldesley H Marple CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR A Tyldesley H Marple A Trafford MV H Sedgley Park A Macclesfield 09-Feb-25 Broughton Park H Broughton Park Stockport 02-Mar-25 Trafford MV 09-Mar-25 Old Bedians 16-Mar-25 Bolton 23-Mar-25 Tyldesley 30-Mar-25 Burnley 06-Apr-25 Rochdale 13-Apr-25 Dukinfield 20-Apr-25 27-Apr-25 04-May-25 A Stockport H Trafford MV A Old Bedians A Bolton H Tyldesley H Burnley A Rochdale A Dukinfield A Trafford MV H Sedgley Park H Macclesfield H Marple A Trafford MV H Sedgley Park A Macclesfield H H H A A A H A H A H Marple A Trafford MV H Sedgley Park H Macclesfield H A H H H Broughton Park H Broughton Park H Broughton Park H TRAINING WEEKEND AND HALF TERM H Stockport H Trafford MV H Old Bedians H Bolton H H Burnley A Rochdale A Dukinfield EASTER - WEEKEND WILMSLOW FESTIVAL A Stockport H Trafford MV A Old Bedians A Bolton Tyldesley H Burnley A Rochdale A Dukinfield H Stockport H Trafford MV H Old Bedians H Bolton H DUBLIN TOUR H Burnley A Rochdale A Dukinfield A H A A H A H
ECCLES JUNIOR FIXTURES Date 01-Sep-24 08-Sep-24 15-Sep-24 22-Sep-24 29-Sep-24 06-Oct-24 13-Oct-24 20-Oct-24 27-Oct-24 03-Nov-24 10-Nov-24 17-Nov-24 24-Nov-24 01-Dec-24 08-Dec-24 15-Dec-24 22-Dec-24 29-Dec-24 05-Jan-25 12-Jan-25 19-Jan-25 26-Jan-25 U12s HA U13s HA U14s HA U15s HA U16s HA FUN DAY FUN DAY Bolton & Leigh Bolton Stockport A Fleetwood A Garstang A Burnage Aspull & Tyldesley H Manchester Sedgley Park Dukinfield A Stockport H Dukinfield Burnley Leigh & Orrell Broughton Park Macclesfield Rochdale A Burnley A Sefton A A Rossendale H TRAINING FUN DAY H Blackburn A H Burnage H TRAINING-HT H Stockport H Wigan A Burnley A Sedgley Park Waterloo A Burnage TRAINING WEEKEND AND BRASS BAND ON SATURDAY Warrington A Bolton Littleborough H Glossop H Stockport H Wigan A Burnley FUN DAY FUN DAY Burnage TRAINING H Bolton H Burnage A Sedgley Park Liverpool Collegiate A TRAINING-HT H Stockport H H Sedgley Park A Broughton Park A Liverpool Collegiate A Wigan A Tyldesley & Wigan A Tyldesley Marple Aspull & Bolton Sedgley Park 02-Feb-25 Macclesfield 09-Feb-25 16-Feb-25 23-Feb-25 02-Mar-25 09-Mar-25 16-Mar-25 23-Mar-25 30-Mar-25 06-Apr-25 13-Apr-25 Stockport Trafford MV Leigh & Wigan Bolton Tyldesley Burnley Orrell Broughton Park TRAINING H Burnage H H Rossendale H Sedgley Park H Southport H Burnage H Trafford MV A Tarleton H Bolton H Tyldesley H Burnley 20-Apr-25 27-Apr-25 WILMSLOW FESTIVAL 04-May-25 WATERFALL FESTIVAL - FINALS DAY EASTER - WEEKEND H Dukinfield Burnage CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR H Garstang H Tyldesley A Burnage Bolton H H Sedgley Park A WIGAN H St. Mary's H Trafford MV Wigan A Waterloo H Broughton Park A QF LANCASHIRE CUP QF LANCASHIRE CUP H Wigan A Trafford MV H Caldy A Burnage A SF LANCASHIRE CUP H Burnley A Rochdale ! A Trafford MV H H Bolton SF LANCASHIRE CUP A Burnley ST. MARY'S A Glossop A H H LANCASHIRE C AND V FINALS DAY LANCASHIRE P AND B FINALS DAY A Preston G-H A Sedgley Park H Burnage A Aspull TRAINING WEEKEND A A H A H H A A A H Tyldesley A A Trafford MV H Fleetwood A Sedgley Park A QF LANCASHIRE CUP TRAINING A H Trafford MV A Burnage A Bolton SF LANCASHIRE CUP H A H A A H A
ECCLES GIRL’S FIXTURES Date GIRLS-12s HA 01-Sep-24 08-Sep-24 Manchester 15-Sep-24 22-Sep-24 29-Sep-24 06-Oct-24 13-Oct-24 20-Oct-24 27-Oct-24 03-Nov-24 10-Nov-24 Burnley Eccles TRAINING Broughton / TOC H Lancashire Challenge Fylde TRAINING Littleborough Trafford MV 17-Nov-24 Winnington Park 24-Nov-24 01-Dec-24 08-Dec-24 15-Dec-24 22-Dec-24 Sale FC Lancashire Challenge Rochdale Helsby TRAINING 29-Dec-24 05-Jan-25 12-Jan-25 19-Jan-25 26-Jan-25 02-Feb-25 09-Feb-25 TRAINING Preston Grasshoppers A TRAINING Southport Lancashire Challenge TRAINING Burnley 16-Feb-25 Winnington Park 23-Feb-25 02-Mar-25 Sale 1861 Lancashire Challenge 09-Mar-25 Winnington Park 16-Mar-25 Littleborough 23-Mar-25 Manchester 30-Mar-25 06-Apr-25 13-Apr-25 TRAINING 20-Apr-25 27-Apr-25 04-May-25 A Southport H Oldham A Lancashire Challenge A TRAINING A Winnington Park A Sale 1861 Bolton A Lancashire Challenge A Littleborough A Manchester Eccles Preston Grasshoppers A Lancashire Challenge Broughton / TOC H Macclesfield ! Lancashire Challenge GIRLS-14s HA GIRLS-16s HA GIRLS-18s HA H Manchester A TRAINING H Eccles Bolton A Manchester DDP-1 Eccles A DDP-2 A Broughton / TOC H A Lancashire Challenge Glossop A A Trafford MV A Winnington Park A Sale FC A Lancashire Challenge A Helsby Macclesfield H Broughton / TOC H A National CUP DDP-3 A Lancashire Challenge DDP-4 A Trafford MV A National CUP A DDP-5 Playing OPP A National CUP A Lancashire Challenge A Macclesfield H A TRAINING A National CUP A Oldham DDP-6 Lancashire Challenge A DDP=7 A Playing OPP A National CUP A Lancashire Challenge A DDP-8 H Eccles A Playing OPP A Macclesfield Broughton / TOC H Burnley A Eccles H A Broughton / TOC H Winnington Park A Fylde H CB Assessment Littleborough A CD Squad Dev. A Winnington Park H Lancashire Challenge CB Training & Game A Rochdale Helsby Lancashire Challenge H A CB Training & Game A Southport Oldham A DPPA Lancashire Challenge CB Training & Game A Sale 1861 Winnington Park Lancashire Challenge H Preston Grasshoppers A A A Broughton / TOC H ! A A A A H A A A ! A H A A A A A
ECCLES JUNIORS The Eccles Junior Rugby Revolution has resumed… After recruiting over 50 new members last season, we now have 15 thriving boys and girls teams enjoying their Sundays at the Junior Club of the Year! Following a packed Summer of presentations, festivals and Touch rugby trailblazing, we’re back into the action of training, fixtures and tournament rugby! Here’s a snapshot of the Sunday fun… Girls Rugby at Eccles Our very own, award-winning volunteer James Wright leads the Northern Girls Network for Rugby. Following the success of The Greater Manchester Girls Network, James has been busy creating a bespoke Girls-only pathway into Rugby Union at Eccles. Girls of any age are welcomed at Eccles and can build their experience through Tag Rugby (aged 7/8), readying themselves for contact rugby in their own time through skilled and enjoyable coaching sessions alongside competitive fixtures every fortnight. Get in touch and grow our Roses! Sale Sharks ‘Platinum 100 Club Membership’ As a proud, Platinum member of the Sale Sharks ‘100 Club’, all Junior teams attend various league and cup games each season at the Salford Community Stadium. Just a 15 minute walk from Eccles RFC, our minis often showcase their tag rugby skills as part of the half time show following a guard of honour and victory lap! We get the odd super Shark dropping in on our training sessions and presentations too! Winning Habits… All of our Junior Boys & Girls team compete in the Lancashire Cup annually. Following in the footsteps of our Senior teams, we have become more and more competitive in recent times and our Under 13s Boys team lifted the Lancashire Pool B trophy last season! Rugby at Eccles builds lifelong friendships and our boys and girls enjoy being successful together. We embrace the values of our game and whether it’s away days, trips or tours; everyone from the parents, coaching teams and club committee have a passion and dedication to support our Juniors on their journey in the Eccles family. Come and join us this Summer! Look the part! All registered M&J members will receive a brand-new training top this season, in exclusive Eccles ‘lightning’ design it’s been a real hit on the pitch and on social media! With its muscle fit and sublimated style, our sparky training top has been a real hit with the kids! A huge thank you must go to our sponsors new and old who have been vital to our progress over the last few years. Look out for our trendy M&Js strutting their stuff on and off the pitch this season… Daniel Nicholls // Mini & Junior Chairman // Eccles RFC
ECCLES JUNIORS
ECCLES LADIES The women’s section heads into the 2024/25 season with a great deal of optimism and excitement. This is my first write up from a coaching position, but it really only seems like yesterday I was writing match reports as the 1st team captain! Whilst we have only had a few weeks of preseason it is clear that the squad has significant depth of talent and energy. Most importantly for me, they are clearly a group who want to work hard and make their mark on the leagues. The women’s section will continue to grow the 1st and 2nd team squads, with both teams wanting to be competitive in their prospective leagues (NC 2 North NC 3 North). Watching the group over the last few weeks I have been impressed with how quickly they have adapted to new shapes and processes; the attitude of the group is excellent. I have made my intentions and expectations of the group clear, and they have risen to the challenges exceptionally well. Beyond the pitch action I am so pleased that the social and friendly atmosphere, that was always fundamental to the success of the women’s section in ‘my day’, is still very much at the heartbeat of the team. It is clear, that over the last few years, the women have built a built an incredible foundation of players and a strong, positive culture. I am even more excited now to see what this group can do in the coming season. Katie Houghton // Ladies Lead Coach // Eccles RFC
ECCLES LADIES
ECCLES - LAND OF CAKES The origin of the world famous Eccles Cake appears to be lost in time. Spiced cakes were often associated with church festivals and there was a certainly a popular bygone fair held annually in Eccles each August to celebrate the feast day of St. Mary. The ancient parish church of St. Mary the Virgin, has stood on the same site for at least 800 years and is the oldest church in the City of Salford. Eccles itself was founded by Christian refugees from Mamucium (Manchester) escaping Roman persecution in the 4th century. The name of the settlement probably derived from the Latin Ecclesia (gathering, assembly) or the Welsh Eglwys (church). When the invading Anglo Saxons arrived in Lancashire many existing British names for landmarks, such as Eccles and Irwell, survived and so it came to pass, that Eccles grew around its church and the area was sufficiently remote to remain agricultural and untroubled by local conflicts for a millennium. In 1650 the Puritan reformers abolished religious festivities including public dancing on the village green and the eating of cakes. True to its non-compliant origins Eccles appears to have defied the baking ban because the cakes continued to be sold when the annual fairs and wakes were reinstated. The Jacobite army passed through the rural village of Eccles in 1745 in its advance and subsequent retreat (no doubt returning for a second helping of cakes) but otherwise all was quiet until 1761, when the Duke of Bridgewater opened his canal to float coal from his mines at Worsley over the Barton Aqueduct to Manchester, igniting the Industrial Revolution and ultimately bringing goods, steam power and textile production to Eccles which would soon become a town of cotton weavers with many workers being children. In 1772, Elizabeth and John Raffald, former housekeeper and head gardener to the Warburton family at Arley Hall Cheshire, arrived in Salford to run business ventures including The Bulls Head Tavern and the King’s Head coaching Inns. Elizabeth was an entrepreneur and set up a business on the Kersal Moor Racecourse, near the ladies' stand, selling strawberries with cream, tea and coffee. There is a plaque dedicated to Elizabeth on Exchange Street, Manchester near the site of her premises in Market Place, from where
ECCLES - LAND OF CAKES she published the first Manchester Directory listing traders, merchants and civic figures, and offered cookery classes alongside her other hospitality services. In 1769 Elizabeth Raffald published her cookery book, The Experienced English House Keeper, based on her own experience and dedicated to Lady Warburton, which contained the first printed records of many now common recipes, many of which were plagiarised by other authors, most notably Mrs Isabella Beeton. Elizabeth’s recipe for "Sweet Patties" is believed to be the basis of the Eccles Cake - “Take the meat of a boiled calf's foot, 2 large apples, 1 oz. candied peel. Chop the ingredients very small, grate half a nutmeg, mix with the yolk of an egg, a spoonful of French brandy and 4ozs. of currants. Make a good puff paste. Roll this into shapes and fill them. Lay a lid on them and turn up the edges. They are a pretty side dish for supper.” Note the use of real meat as with the original ‘mince pies’. Eccles cakes were first produced commercially in 1796 by James Birch from his shop at 56 Church Street on the corner of Vicarage Road, opposite Eccles Parish Church. In 1811 Birch moved to larger premises across the road at 29 Church Street and his new shop displayed a sign ‘Eccles Cake Makers removed from across the way’. His enterprising former apprentice, James William Bradburn took over the old shop in 1813 so he could claim historic ownership. Bradburn was the 21 year old son of the licensee of the Cross Keys Inn and there was a great rivalry between the two bakers with Bradburn proudly displaying his own shop sign claiming ‘Original and oldest established Eccles Cake Shop. Never removed’! Such was the success that within a decade Eccles cakes were being sold at all the fairs and markets around. In September 1830, the world’s first railway, designed by George Stephenson between Manchester and Liverpool, powered into Eccles to provide the town with access to a seaport. Eccles cakes were so popular they were soon exported to America, Australia and the West Indies, in specially constructed boxes. In 1836 James Nasmyth leased land from Thomas de Trafford alongside the canal and railway at Patricroft to establish an
ECCLES - LAND OF CAKES engineering works and foundry and 3 years later he invented the Steam Hammer, which enabled the mass manufacture of Eccles cakes for the growing workforce! The fame of its cakes was already well established by 1863 when George Bradshaw, a Pendleton born map engraver, described Eccles in his famous Bradshaw Railway Handbook as a “little village prettily situated on the northern banks of the Irwell and environed by some of the most picturesque rambles. Celebrated for its cakes”. Clearly, Eccles was changed irreversibly by the arrival of train and its residents remained proud of their connection to the confection. In November 1882 it was reported in the Journal that Eccles Rugby Club ‘principal fixture comes off next Saturday, as they meet Salford who journey to Cakeland’ and in May 1888, playing at Eccles was referred to as ‘the Land o' Cakes’. In 1900-1902 Eccles RFC were captained by T.J. Bradburn, a club founding member, who went on to become the Hon. Secretary of the Lancashire Union in the 1920s and Lancashire county representative at the RFU. Whether Tommy Bradburn was related to the infamous Eccles Cake baking Bradburns is unknown but what we do know is the Bradburn shop remained in family ownership for over a century until 1963 when it was sold and taken over by Warburtons Bakery. The ‘Never Removed’ shop was eventually demolished in 1966 to make way for the Eccles Precinct with the shop window stored at Salford Museum. The only Eccles cakes baked in Eccles today are hand made by the Albert Street Artisan Bakery, run by the Hamer family (Eccles Rugby legend Gary Hamer take a bow), just a stone's throw away from the site of the original James Birch Eccles Cake shop. Their small batch ‘Made in Eccles Cakes’ are made using all-butter flaky pastry, homemade candied orange peel, locally grown apples, free range eggs and delicious Vostizza currants. The humble Eccles cake is now a British institution, so it is no surprise that it goes down very well with a cup of tea or, as is the post match tradition at Eccles RFC, woofed down with a pint of beer!
WALKING RUGBY As you read through the programme you may see a theme appearing. If you don't let me explain. We are an inclusive club that believe in rugby for all - and that's where Walking Rugby comes in. It's a game of touch rugby played at a more sedate pace. There isn't any age or gender limitations and even if you haven't played any kind of rugby before you will be made most welcome. We find that somedays the banter is better than the rugby but it all adds to the fun. We have been playing every Monday evening for about 5 years now with players coming and going and a committed hard core that are dedicated to having fun. We play amongst ourselves and there’s nothing to prove. Of course, no game of rugby can ever be completely non- competitive and we find that the game gets so much bigger in the bar afterwards! We have attracted players from different sporting and non-sporting backgrounds with our oldest player being 76 who started last year having never played rugby in his life. Simarly, with some of our lady players who said that they love playing but enjoy the banter just as much. We are always looking for new players so if you fancy turning out give me a ring or just turn up on any Monday night at 7.00pm (excluding bank holidays). Give it a try you never know you may like it. Yours in rugby, Benty. Alan Bent //President//Eccles RFC
DUKE OF EDINBURGHS AWARD Our Bronze Group finally move up to Silver, PostPandemic, having completed their expedition. The DofE award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, giving 14-24 year olds who wish to take up the challenge, the opportunity to strive to be the best they can be and gain the confidence to believe anything they put their mind to is possible. The programme takes between one and four years to complete and is recognised and valued by employers and universities alike. Eccles RFC were the first rugby club in the UK to offer the DofE award programme to its players. The scheme was established in honour of Christopher Tickle who was posthumously awarded the DofE Gold Award by HRH Prince Phillip in 2010. Since 2011, the club’s young people have achieved over 100 Bronze awards, over 60 Silver awards and 48 prestigious Gold Awards – a testament to the hard work and dedication of the participants and the Eccles team of volunteer leaders. The DofE programme is a journey of adventure and discovery that compliments the ethos of Rugby by rewarding teamwork, endeavour, physical activity, learning skills and community volunteering. To achieve an award a young person must show persistence, commitment, progress and personal development over a period of time. Every activity must be successfully completed and assessed. Activities take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time, so they can be fitted in around academic study, hobbies and social lives. To commence a Bronze Award you must be aged 14+ years, 15+ years for Silver and 16+ years to start a Gold Award. For more details on the DofE at Eccles RFC and how to become involved check out the club website or email:baines.mark@virginmedia.com. Mark Baines, DofE Chair, Eccles RFC
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GORTON STREET GAZETTE As many illustrious players of this historic club can no doubt confirm, Eccles can be lively, boisterous town at weekends. But what may come as a surprise is that the town’s reputation for rowdy entertainment actually stretches back several hundred years to when Eccles would host a 3-day street party in late August each year! The ‘Eccles Wakes’ traditionally commenced on the eve of the feast day of St Mary, to whom the Parish Church is dedicated, and had their origins in the ancient custom of rush bearing, when villagers would bring decorated cartloads of rushes to spread over the church floor for a vigil mass which began at sunset on a Saturday, often called a ‘wake’ due to the late hour. As these occasions developed into a secular holiday the community celebrations would include sports, music, dance and drinking. Sound familiar? The Eccles Wakes When the Barton Aqueduct designed by James Brindley first crossed the River Irwell in 1761 the rural existence of Eccles was changed forever. By the 19th Century the famous Eccles Wakes were attracting large crowds from the surrounding district and had become a somewhat less than pious affair. The recreation area between Barton Lane, Oxford Road and Pleasant Road was transformed into a racecourse where Donkey riders and ladies would compete in races to win a smock, and competitions held along Church Street included blood sports such as bull and bear-baiting and cock fighting. People would dress up for the event and the revelry would often result in drunkenness and fighting. In 1877 local residents had enough of the excessive, riotous behaviour and at the request of the Local Board the Home
GORTON STREET GAZETTE Secretary banned the Eccles Wakes. British Artist Joseph Parry (1744–1826) moved from Liverpool to Manchester in 1790 and went on to paint several large historical compositions, often depicting scenes of everyday life featuring hundreds of figures most infamously a series of paintings that captured the typical Ale House, Race Course and Town Square experience of the Eccles Wakes festival. The village wakes flourished in Lancashire and became notorious for massive scale public disorder and associated as holidays for tradesmen. At Salford Wakes in 1819, there was a “Jack Ass Race for a Purse of Gold” a “Foot Race of a mile for a good hat” “ Ribbons to be danced for by Old Maids” and other events included chasing a greased pig, thick porridge eating, and a race for "Wooden Legged Men”! At the Prestwich Wakes of 1832 competitions included “an eating match of 3lb of treacle and bread” and “a smoking match for ten old women”! Some great ideas there to adopt for next year’s Eccles Festival!
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SPONSORSHIP AND FUNDING Eccles RFC is run by dedicated volunteers. With over 120 years behind us we are a resilient, ambitious, progressive, inclusive, community rugby club and welcome support from businesses who share our ambition and passion. Sponsorship opportunities 2024/25 Community Coaching sponsorship - £15k Platinum Club Sponsorship - £10k Duke of Edinburgh Award Sponsorship - £10k Senior Team Sponsorship - £5k Junior Team Sponsorship - £3k Pitch-side Advertising boards - £500 Programme advertisement - £250 Senior Player Sponsorship - £150 Our sponsorship packages are flexible. For more information please email us at sponsorship@ecclesrfc.org.uk 1897 You can raise money for Eccles RFC every time you shop online by using EasyFundraising.co.uk Just register on the website, name us as your cause and shop as normal. The club receives a donation for the purchases you make. Easy.
CODE OF CONDUCT Eccles Rugby Football Club encourage Spectators to: • Act as a positive role model to all. • Behave with dignity and generosity. • Support your club’s efforts to uphold its reputation. • Respect Rugby’s values. Discipline and Sportsmanship define our game. • Respect the match officials' decisions, even if they appear to make a mistake. Remember, they are volunteers and without them there would be no game. • Encourage all players irrespective of their ability. Never ridicule a player, regardless of the shirt they wear. • Appreciate good performance and achievement from all players, irrespective of their team. • Acknowledge effort and endeavour rather than the desire to 'win at all cost'. • Support the players. Shout ‘for’ them not ‘at’ them. • Never verbally abuse players, coaches, match officials or fellow spectators; such negative behaviour affects the players and referee’s performance and attitude. • Remain behind the barriers. The field is for the competitors. Remember children play rugby for their own enjoyment, not for that of the spectators. 1897
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