It is with great sadness that we have recently learnt one our former players, Greg Smith, has died from Covid 19, aged 66. His funeral service took place earlier this month.
Greg, as everyone at Eccles new him (actual name Graham) joined Eccles RFC at the start of the seventies and was elected Colts Captain for the 1971-72 season, following in the footsteps of a number of Colts Captains and Eccles players who learned their rugby at Moorside High School. He then became a permanent first team presence throughout the seventies helping Eccles win the Griffin Plaque, a Manchester knockout competition organised by Broughton Park, five times that decade (1970-71, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75 and 1976-77).
Former club President Andy Brunt, who had the privilege to play with Greg said "he will be remembered as a conscientious athlete and a very good rugby player who could play anywhere in the backs and at a very high level."
Greg was a sergeant in the police firearms, retiring after 25 years of service and enjoyed a retirement of travel and adventure. Throughout he was a very fit, active person, but unfortunately developed Alzheimer’s disease which he battled for years before contracting Covid 19.
Our thoughts are with his family and particularly his two sons, Keith and Sean, along with his friends and colleagues.
1975 Eccles RFC. Winners of the Griffin Plaque at Broughton Park. Back Row: Brian Griffiths, Eddie Griffiths, Colin Leigh, Peter Careyard, Dave Bark, John Crowder, Danny Williams, Ian McMinn, Mike Bateman and Jeff Crompton. Front Row: Tony Staton, Harry Bushell, Phil Hayes, Roger Atherton, Greg Smith and Dave Hunt.
1973 Eccles RFC. Back row: Dave? Dewering, Harry Fox, John Lord, Robin Ashton, Mike Bateman, Geoff Lord, Eddie Griffiths, John Pennington. Front row: Unknown, Greg Smith, Dave Bark, Dave Mallinson, Danny Williams, Billy Swarbrick, Bernard Collier?
