Thank you to all who attended the Eccles Festival yesterday we hope you enjoyed your day and visit us again during the season. Huge thanks to sponsors First Chop for their continued support and a sincere thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time and effort to deliver another excellent community event.
Congratulations to Littleborough RUFC who won the Eccles Cup beating Aldwinans in the final, and congratualtions to Kendal RUFC who claimed 3rd place and took home the Eccles Spoon.
We would love to hear your feedback on the Festival. Please click the link to tell us what you think 2023 Eccles Festival Feedback Survey
Updated 25 August 2023.
The club is delighted to announce it will host the 11th annual Eccles Festival this summer, on Saturday 19th August 2023, thanks to the generous support of our headline sponsor and local brewer First Chop, based just 500m away from our Gorton Street ground.
As we get closer, this page will be updated with news of participating teams, acts, beverages and vendors as they are confirmed. For updates on social media please follow #ecclesfest or @EcclesFest on Twitter.
Eccles RFC has been a champion of homegrown talent since 1897 (over 126 years) so alongside live music from local performers and beers from local breweries there will also be delicious food from community businesses and a tasty Men's rugby tournament where you're sure to see some of Lancashire's finest athletes battling it out for the chance to lift the 'Eccles Cup' and raise funds for charity. Join us for what promises to be the best Eccles-Fest ever!
This page published 3 July 2023.
ADMISSION
You don't have to be an Ale aficionado or a club member - the Eccles Festival is a community event and everyone is welcome. Entrance is just £5 per adult, children (under 18) are free. Drinks tokens can be purchased at the gate on arrival and CASH or CARD payments are accepted.
VENUE
Eccles RFC, Gorton Street, Eccles, M30 7LU.
SCHEDULE
Saturday 19th August
12:30 Gates open
13:00 - 17:30 Eccles Cup Rugby Tournament
17:30 - 22:00 Live Music
22:30 Bars close
RUGBY
ECCLES CUP TOURNAMENT
Eccles RFC
Kendal RUFC
Oldham RUFC
Littleborough RUFC
Aldwinians RUFC
Teams will have access to the ground and changing rooms from 12 noon and can bring a gazebo if they wish for player shelter between games. If you are travelling by team bus please give us advance notice so we can reserve a suitable space. Each team will be provided with free admission, complimentary food and jugs of beer post match for 22 players.
Teams will have 15 players and 7 replacements.
Games will be 20 mins total duration.
5 mins will be allowed between games for teams to take/leave the field. Please be on time.
All teams will play three games with points awarded for the result.
Win 4 points, Draw 2 points, Loss 1 point.
The teams with the highest points score after three games will be drawn to face each other in the finals.
The teams placed 1st and 2nd will pay off for the cup, the 3rd and 4th placed teams will play off for a consolation trophy.
In the event of a tie, the number of tries scored will determine result.
During the matches a collection will be held along the touchline with cash donations collected in the Eccles Cup.
The tournament winner takes all - the Cup and the Cash for the nominated charity of thier choice.
1300 (pitch 1) Aldwinians RUFC v Oldham RUFC
1300 (pitch 2) Kendal RUFC v Eccles RFC
1330 (pitch 1) Eccles RFC 2 v Littleborough RUFC
1330 (pitch 2) Aldwinians RUFC v Eccles RFC
1400 (pitch 1) Kendal RUFC v Littleborough RUFC
1400 (pitch 2) Eccles RFC 2 v Oldham RUFC
1430 (pitch 1) Aldwinians RUFC v Littleborough RUFC
1430 (pitch 2) Kendal RUFC v Oldham RUFC
1500 (pitch 1) Eccles RFC 2 v Eccles RFC
1530 (pitch 1) Bronze Final
1600 (pitch 1) Cup Final
1630 Trophies Presented
LIVE MUSIC
1730 - 1830 EMMA CONNOR (solo accoustic covers)
1900 - 2000 SEAN CALDERBANK (solo accoustic covers)
2030 - 2200 MOONLIGHT RUMOURS
CRAFT BEER
All our bars accept Drinks Tokens. Token sheets can be purchased at the gate on arrival or at the main bar and CASH or CARD payments are accepted. Please note visitors are NOT PERMITTED to bring their own Alcoholic Beverages into the ground.
FIRST CHOP (Salford)
ODE – Golden Ale (4.0%) | Tribute to an Amber British classic. Hopped with Challenger & Bramling Cross, restrained bitterness, floral, fruity earthy notes.
MCR – Bitter (4.4%) | No nonsense classic Mancunian ale. Hopped with Bramling Cross. Maris Otter Pale, Cara and Crystal malt keeps the tradition alive.
POP – Citrus IPA (5.3%) | American style amber IPA with citrus hop notes, boosted with orange zest added during the brewing process.
IPA – IPA (5.0%) | A super juicy East Coast style, hazy, hoppy, peach and stone fruit packed IPA.
JOE – Coffee Oatmeal Stout (4.5%) | Cold Brew. In collaboration with Passion Fruit Coffee Roasters adding seasonal Espresso post fermentation.
DDH Riwaka – Hazy Pale (4.0%) | Double Dry Hopped. New Zealand Riwaka takes centre stage. Aromas of passionfruit, grapefruit, lemon and tropical fruits galore.
DDH Nelson – Hazy Pale (4.0%) | Double Dry Hopped. New Zealand Nelson gives bags of gooseberry and grape character while Rakau brings passion and tropical fruits, all on a fluffy malt base packed full of oats.
SYMBIOSIS WEST – West Coast Pale Ale (3.9%)| This West Coast IPA has an assertive bitterness, rounded off with notes of orange & bags of pine!
TRIPLE CHERRY SOUR – Sour (9.8%) | Massive Summer Sour. Sharp bursts of tart cherry, sparkling luscious finish.
All Beers are Gluten free and vegan.
BANK TOP (Bolton)
FLAT CAP – Golden Ale (4.0%) | A pale bitter with a citrus aroma and hoppy citrus finish
DARK MILD – Mild Ale (4.0%) | Full bodied dark mild, roast malt aroma, liquorice taste
HARLEQUIN – Pale Ale (4.2%) | Single British Hop. Tropical flavours, peach, pineapple aroma
PORT O'CALL – Dark Ale (5.0%) | Vintage Ruby Port added to the cask to provide a depth of flavour
POMONA ISLAND (Salford)
SCORCHIO – Summer Ale (3.8%) | Light, easy drinking, refreshing.
RUN ON THE SPOT – Pale Ale (4.3%) | Hazy, Galaxy, Enigma and Mosaic Hops. Creamy, Smooth
PHI PHENOMENON – Pale Ale (4.3%) | Optical illusion, light, pale cask, English IPA
MARBLE (Salford)
EARL GREY – IPA (6.8%) | Smooth, citrusy India Pale Ale, fermented with timed additions of Earl Grey tea.
NORTH SOUTH – Session IPA (4.2%) | Enigma and Amarillo Hops, zesty lemon & orange, wheat malt base
PERSEPHONE – Summer Ale (4.1%) | Light, zesty, clean finish.
STRANGE TIMES (Salford)
NEO KOSMO – Blonde Ale (4.1%) | Bursting with citrusy freshness of New World hops
MEMENTO MORI – IPA (5.5%) | Strong, hoppy, bitter, not to be taken lightly
MAD KING SWEENEY – Irish Red Ale (4.6%) | Brewed with rye and oats, malty, smooth
MUMPSIMUS – Extra Special Bitter (5.0%) | Rye, oats and barley combine for a slightly sweet, spicy flavour. All English hops providing the bitterness for a classic style.
INTERNATIONAL BEERS
HEINEKEN – Lager (5.0%) | Crisp, refreshing, malty sweetness, biscuity.
AMSTEL – Lager (4.1%) | Light bodied pilsner malt, crisp, mildly bitter, Dutchy.
GUINNESS – Stout (4.2%) | Malty sweetness, hoppy bitterness, roasted coffee, creamy, Irishy.
CIDER
OLD MOUT – Cider (4.5%) | Strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, appley, summery.
STRONGBOW – Cider (5.0%) | Sweet, crisp, tangy, appley.
STRONGBOW DARK FRUIT – Cider (4.0%) | Intense flavour, refreshing, apple, blackberry, blackcurranty.
BOTTLE BAR
SOL – Lager (4.4%) | Pilsner style, light, slightly sweet, lemony, Mexicany.
DESPERADO – Lager (5.9%) | Tequila flavoured, light, refreshing, spicy.
PERONI NASTRO AZZURRO – Lager (5.1%) | Light, crisp, sweet, malty, citrusy, Italiany.
BIRRA MORETTI – Lager (4.6%) | Light, mild, refreshing, malty, Italiany.
GIN & FIZZ BAR
GIN
MONTON - Locally distilled, wildflower botanicals (40%)
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE - London Dry Gin (40%)
EDINBURGH - Rhubarb and Ginger Gin (40%)
WHITLEY NEILL - Parma Violet Gin (40%)
WARNERS - Rhubarb Gin (40%)
MERMAID - Isle of White, rock samphire, small batch Dry Gin (40%)
MERMAID ZEST - Isle of White, coastal botanicals, Citrus Gin (40%)
GORDON'S - London Dry Gin (40%)
GORDON'S ORANGE - Mediterranean Citrus Gin (40%)
GORDON'S PINK - Premium Gin (40%)
GORDON'S CHERRY - Morello Cherry Gin (40%)
GORDON'S TROPICAL - Passionfruit Gin (40%)
COCKTAILS
RUM PUNCH – White Rum, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice, Grenadine, Ice. Garnished with pineapple.
PINK VODKA – Vodka, Lime Juice, Cranberry Juice, Malibu, Lemonade, Garnished with lemon.
ROSÉ PIMMS CUP – Sparkling Rosé, refreshing Pimm's No. 1 (gin-based liqueur), cucumber, lemon, strawberries.
PROSECCO
Sparkling wine from the Veneto region of Italy.
FOOD
Our Food Vendors accept CASH or CARD payments.
SOUL FEEDS | Jerk Chicken, Fajitas, Burritos, Nachos, Mexican Chilli
LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT | Gourmet 1/4lb Burgers, Frankfurter Hotdogs
JB EVENTS | Doughnuts, Crepes, Waffle Pops
TUCK & POP SHOP | Soft Drinks, Confectionary
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DOGS
Eccles RFC welcomes all friendly dogs with well-behaved owners. If you are a Dog, please follow our guidelines.
- Keep your owner under control by means of a lead at all times.
- When nature calls, please instruct your owner to clean it up.
- Do not allow your owner to take you onto the playing field.
- If you can not find a supply of water, please ask.
Thank you and good sniffing.
TRANSPORT
Limited car parking is available on site. Do not drink and drive. We encourage the use of public transport or taxi.
TRAIN
The nearest train station is Patricroft. From here we are 15 mins walk (sober).
TRAM
The nearest Metrolink Station is Eccles. From here we are a 10 min journey by Taxi or Bus.
To catch a bus take a short walk from the Eccles Metrolink to the Eccles Interchange.
BUS
From the Eccles Interchange (or from Shudehill Interchange Manchester) take the 10 or 67 Bus and alight on Liverpool Rd at the junction with Peel Green Rd, from here we are 8 mins walk. Alternatively, take the 66 Bus and alight on New Lane. Fom here we are a 5 min walk.
From Moorside or Swinton Train Station take the 66 Bus, alight on New Lane. From here we are a 5 min walk.
From Walkden Train Station or Worsley Green take the 20 Bus, alight on Worsley Road at junction with Parrin Lane and from here we are a 17 min walk.
SUPPORT
The Eccles festival is a fund-raising event. All support and help is welcome. If your business or your employer would be interested in the sponsorship opportunites available please email sponsorship@ecclesrfc.org.uk.
If you would like to do your bit and join the Eccles Festival event team please email volunteer@ecclesrfc.org.uk. Anyone can get involved, no previous experience is required and training will be provided.
SPONSORS
The Eccles Festival is made possible by the generous support of
