At the Club's last Committee meeting, a number of long standing and valued Committee members decided to stand down from their positions. The remaining Committee members feel that it is only right and proper that we express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the years of hard work and dedication put in by these guys, maintaining, improving, marshalling and guiding our Club on so many fronts.
Paul Thorpe
Paul, our current Chairman, is Eccles RFC through and through. He has represented Eccles Rugby teams, man and boy. He captained our Colts team in the season 1982/83 and stepped straight into the Eccles first team the following season, going on to enjoy a long and fruitful senior career. His hard work and endeavours on the field are mirrored by his efforts off the field. Paul became a Club Committee member in 2002 and he has represented us in all of the key roles, as Secretary, President and Chairman, during his amazing 19 year stint. At the same time, Paul found time to evolve his coaching career, helping to coach the colts and adult teams, including the 1st XV.
Off the field, our club I.T. has been in Paul's capable hands and the recent successful installation and implementation of the club’s new Wi-Fi table ordering and contactless card payment system is just one of many examples of Paul’s commitment to club infrastructure. Throw into the mix Paul's continued efforts, over many years, to obtain grants, funding and significant financial assistance for the club from local and national authority bodies, and it becomes clear that Paul will be hugely missed as a dedicated club officer.
Paul will continue in his role as a Junior team coach.
Mark Greenhalgh
Mark, our current Club Secretary, joined Eccles RFC in 2007 and quickly made his way into the First team, where as a specialist Prop, his talents were warmly appreciated by his colleagues. Sporting a sidestep and a dummy, the envy of any fly half, his on-field presence was immense and he went on to captain the 1st XV and Club. Mark's efforts in coaching have been equally all encompassing, helping to take both the Mens and Ladies Senior teams into the higher echelons of Junior Rugby.
Off the field, Mark joined the Main Committee some eleven years ago, where his analytical skills and his shrewd judgements have helped to steer the club through changing and challenging times. As Club Captain, Chairman and Club Secretary, Mark has been dependable and continuous in his efforts, he is another true stalwart of our Club, who will be very sorely missed.
In the future, Mark hopes to continue honing his team management and coaching skills, assisting our Senior development squad, as and when things begin to open up again.
Paul Fleming
Another ex- Eccles Club Captain, Paul took up coaching our rising starlets as his own fine playing career came to a close. He became the Chairman of our Minis and Juniors section some four years ago, whilst at the same time maintaining his coaching role for our current U15's squad.
A former burly second rower, high on effort and encouragement, Paul's new work commitments have unfortunately forced him to step down, cutting short his tenure at the helm of our burgeoning M&J section.
Chris Gaffey
Our Club Communications Officer, Chris finds himself involved in just about every aspect of activity within our busy Club. His efforts promoting and marketing Eccles RFC to its community and beyond has seen our profile and recognition rise, with two regional 'club of the year' awards and two national award nominations in recent years. The evidence of Chris’s dedication to keeping everyone informed with news and reports is there for all to see. Chris has elevated the standard of our club’s branding and has been instrumental in developing Sponsorship. He also looks after our club's excellent website, digital match programme and huge Social Media presence, which are the envy of many clubs in the North of England.
Chris kept us all informed during the sustained lockdown and took it upon himself to initiate the club’s recent Covid Recovery Crowdfunder scheme. Here, his non-stop commitment resulted in support from Sport England and Salford Council which made a huge contribution in generating funding towards ground improvements and the forthcoming Pergola enhancement. Chris joined the club committee in 2016 whilst coaching the Colts and has continued his involvement in youth coaching since. Although Chris is standing down from his very busy role as Comms Officer (& Head of Hair) he will still be around the Club aiding and abetting where he can.
All of these guys are volunteers, without whom our Club would not have survived, grown and progressed during what has certainly been amongst the challenging periods of our eventful 123-year history. Our heartfelt thanks to the four of them and indeed to all of our volunteers for their wonderful and much valued efforts. Without volunteers we would be lost. Thank you.
