Eccles RFC are proud of their reputation of producing Home Grown players.

From humble beginnings on the banks of the ship canal, our club survived two world wars and has now thrived to over 300 registered, active players and 16 teams for Minis, Juniors, Girls, Ladies, Colts and Men.  The green pitches of Gorton Street are full every weekend, our floodlit 3G training pitch is in use almost night of the week, our DofE award programme has earned national recognition and our coaching standards are second to none.  But has our effort and investment in Junior rugby paid off? Well, we're certainly doing something right.

Last season, our Senior Colts won their divisional championship title and lifted the Lancashire and Cheshire Colts League Senior Plate, but more importantly for the club, 11 of them made their senior debut in the Navy and White hoops and 30 more former colts names could be found across our weekly team sheets.  Our Junior programme regularly produces talented young players and last year we were delighted to see eight Eccles lads wear the red rose of Lancashire.  Boys are not the whole story either, as our Mens and Ladies sections share the same belief and commitment to player propagation.  Last season, no less than six players from our U18 Girls team were selected for the county and the future looks bright for the Ladies with several former Juniors graduating to play their senior rugby at Eccles.

So how do we manage to cultivate and retain such a rich harvest of talented youth, year after year?  Well, it’s a path we committed to some time ago. ‘Home Grown’ is in our veins and roots.  Many players that flourish here as youths, remain here as adults to continue the good work.  It’s no surprise that several members of our club committee began their association with Eccles RFC as colts players themselves, many decades ago.

With over 120 years of history behind us, Eccles RFC are a resilient, ambitious, progressive, inclusive community club, run by dedicated volunteers and we welcome support from organisations who share our ambition, principles and passion.  If you’d like to know more about sponsorship opportunities please drop us a line at sponsorship@ecclesrfc.org.uk

If you’d like to know more about how we develop our players and our plans for future growth please email info@ecclesrfc.org.uk or contact our Director of Rugby Sam Simpson on 07935 403171.

news articles

  • Promoted. Champions.

    Mon 20 Mar 2023 19:41

    Congratulations to our DoR Sam Simpson, Coaches Kev Raynor and Andrew Selby, Club Captain Tom Coe and the 1XV players who have secured promotion by winning the Counties 2 Lancashire & … view

  • ReUnion Lunch

    Fri 10 Mar 2023 19:37

    On Saturday 11 March, before the 1XV Eccles v Orrell fixture, the club will be hosting an Old Boys 'Reunion' lunch for former players and club legends.  Meet 1230. Food served 1300. … view

  • Senior Players Awards 2023

    Mon 20 Feb 2023 15:25

    The annual Eccles RFC end of season Senior Players Awards Evening will be held on the evening of Friday 12 May.  Members of the Mens 1XV, 2XV, 3XV, Vets, Senior Colts and Ladies 1XV 2 … view

  • Limited offer on last few heritage shirts

    Sun 29 Jan 2023 18:47

    We have a very limited stock of the limited edition, long sleeve, traditional heavywieght cotton, Eccles RFC heritage shirt. Priced £45. 1 x Adult Small  1 x 13 yrs 1 x 10-11 yrs … view

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