The club will host the 12th annual Eccles Festival this summer on Saturday 24th August 2024.
As we get closer to the date, 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 127 years) so alongside live music from local performers, beers from local breweries and food from community vendors there will be a 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 first published 21 June 2024.
VENUE
Eccles RFC, Gorton Street, Eccles, M30 7LZ.
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.
- Admission is £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.
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Please note visitors are NOT PERMITTED to bring their own Alcoholic Beverages into the ground.
SCHEDULE
- 12:30 Gates open
- 13:00 - 16:00 Eccles Cup Rugby Tournament
- 17:30 - 23:00 Live Music
- 23:00 Bars close
RUGBY
ECCLES CUP TOURNAMENT
Facilities
- Teams will have access to the ground and changing rooms from 12 noon.
- Teams 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, and 2 officials (coach, physio)
Rules
- Teams will have 15 players and 7 replacements.
- Games will be 25 mins total duration.
- 5 mins will be allowed between games for teams to take/leave the field. Please be on time.
- Teams will be drawn into two groups and play a Round-Robin format.
- Group A teams will play on Pitch 1. Group B teams will play on pitch 2.
- All teams will play three games with points awarded for the result. Win 4 points, Draw 2 points, Loss 1 point.
- The Group-winners with the highest points score after three games will be drawn to face each other in the final.
- 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.
Sadly we've had four teams pull out of the tournament with just a few days notice, rendering our proposed format undeliverable. So a new, revised format will be discussed with the visiting teams on arrival, perhaps something like this. 2 x 40 mins games (20 mins each half and 5 min break) winners play each other.
- 1300 (pitch 1) Game A: Eccles 1 v Glossop
- 1300 (pitch 2) Game B Eccles 2 v Leigh
- 1350 (pitch 2) Final 1: Runner Up A v Runner Up B
- 1350 (pitch 1) Final 2: Winner A v Winner B
- 1445 Trophies presented
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JOHN CARTWRIGHT (FOREMAN)
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JOSH BATES
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JOHN AMOR
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KARL KIRKPATRICK
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JOHN PEMBERTON
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PETER LOGAN
LIVE MUSIC
- 1730 - 1800 Zea-Paige (30 mins)
- 1815 - 1845 Zea-Paige (30 mins)
- 1900 - 2000 Sean Calderbank (60 mins)
- 2015 - 2115 Sean Calderbank (60 mins)
- 2130 - 2215 The Mearkats (45 mins)
- 2245 - 2300 The Mearkats (45 mins)
15 min intermissions between sets
DRINKS
All our bars accept TOKENS for drinks (no cash or card payments).
Drinks Token sheets can be purchased at the admission gate or at the main bar.
Please note visitors are NOT PERMITTED to bring their own Alcoholic Beverages into the ground.
CRAFT BEERS
- BANK TOP (Bolton) PORT O'CALL Dark Ale (5.0%) | Vintage Ruby Port added to the cask provides depth of flavour.
- BANK TOP (Bolton) HARLEQUIN Pale Ale (4.2%) | Single British Hop. Tropical, peach, pineapple aroma.
- TINY REBEL (Newport) CWTCH Red Ale (4.6%) | 6 Malts, 3 Hops. A smooth, caramelly, citrussy cuddle.
- MOORHOUSE'S (Burnley) PRIDE OF PENDLE Amber Ale (4.1%) |Light, balanced biscuity malt and hop, dry finish.
- COACH HOUSE (Warrington) BLONDE Blonde Ale (4.1%) |Thirst quenching, golden, refreshing, citrus, grapefruit.
- ROOSTERS (Harrogate) SCRAMBLER Watermelon Pale Ale (4.0%) | Crisp, fruity, light, bitter finish.
- GRILLED SAINT (Preston) ST. LAURENCE Golden Ale (4.3%) | Crisp, tropical fruits, aromas of elderflower, pistachio.
- BRISTOL BEER FACTORY (Bristol) HIGH RIDE IPA (4.7%) | U.S hop power. Amarillo, citrus, floral and tropical tones..
- GORRILA (Mexborough) STOUTRAGEOUS (4.2%) Stout | Rich, full bodied roast coffee and chocolate flavours.
- WILDE CHILD (Leeds) ENDURING LIBATION Pacific Northwest Pale Ale (4.4%)| Summit, Amarillo hops; solid bitterness .
- TWO BY TWO (Newcastle) MARGINS IPA (6.3%) | Full bodied juicy IPA, oats and wheat giving it a tropical hop character.
- OSSETT (Ossett) HALO Hazy Pale (4.3%) | Citra and Amarillo, grapefruit, citrus, tropical undertones.
DRAFT LAGERS
- BIRRA MORETTI (4.6%) Udine, Italy.
- CRUZCAMPO (4.4%) Sevilla, Spain.
- AMSTEL (4.1%) Amsterdam, Netherlands.
DRAFT STOUTS
- GUINNESS (4.2%) Dublin, Ireland.
BOTTLED BEERS
- SOL – (4.4%) Orizaba, Mexico
- PERONI Nastro Azzurro - (4.7%) Rome, Italy.
- DESPERADO – (5.9%) Karlovak, Coatia.
CIDERS
- STRONGBOW – Cider (5.0%) Hereford.
- STRONGBOW DARK FRUIT – Cider (4.0%) Hereford.
- OLD MOUT – Cider (4.5%) Hereford. Kiwi & Lime
- OLD MOUT – Cider (4.5%) Hereford. Strawberry.
GIN & FiZZ
In addition to Wines, Spirits and Prosecco there will also be a selection of freshly made Cocktail Pitchers including BERRY GIN FIZZ (Gin, Lemon, Berries, Soda), RASPBERRY SANGRIA (Red Wine, Raspberry Liquer, Brandy, fruits) MILLER GIN COOLER (Gin, Prosecco, Elderflower) and CARRIBBEAN SUNSET RUM PUNCH (Dark Rum, Light Rum, Pineapple, Orange, Lime).
FOOD
Our Food Vendors accept CASH or CARD payments.
STEAKAWAY
- Grilled goodness on the go. Premium quality steaks cooked to your taste, served with loaded fries or on Ciabatta with Garlic, Baconaise or Chimichurri sauce.
MR WHIPPY BROS
- Top your day off with a classic ice cream or an iced lolly and a chimed rendition of O Sole Mio.
RUCK SHOP
- Sweets, Snacks and Soft Drinks.
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 are a Hot Dog and 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.
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, or take the 66 Bus and alight on New Lane. From here we are 8 mins walk.
- From Moorside or Swinton Train Station take the 66 Bus, alight on New Lane. From here we are a 8 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 or contact Volunteer Co-ordinator Hilary Berry on 07583 240653. Anyone can get involved, no previous experience is required and training will be provided.
