Eccles Rugby Football Club played its first fixtures in 1878, joined the Lancashire County Union in 1886 and following the Northern Union schism re-established itself in 1897. From the early days Eccles played their rugby in white shorts and a green jersey, changing to a navy and white hooped jersey when rugby recommenced after WWI. Over the years, the shorts got shorter, the game evolved and the club has adapted and grown. In 1997 Eccles RFC celebrated its centenary and embraced a whole new world forming a Women’s team, now 27 seasons old.
At the June 2023 AGM, our Women’s Rugby section raised concerns on the subject of player anxiety caused by wearing white shorts during their periods. Increasing and supporting women and girls activity and participation is fundamental for our club and anything that reduces stress and builds confidence to help our players to focus on the game and their performance has got to be a good thing.
Following full consideration of the history and the future of our club it was confirmed at the AGM on 17th June 2024 that Eccles RFC will embrace change and going forward we will adopt navy shorts for all our Junior Girls, Senior Women’s and Senior Men’s teams for the 2024/25 season.
Supporting us in this commitment is sponsor AMW Stairlifts who will appear on the rear of the new senior shorts.
Our Minis teams, Boys Junior teams and Colts teams will adopt navy shorts in the 2025/26 season, in line with our kit buying cycle.
After 130 years we appreciate this is a significant change, especially for our traditionalists. However as our history proves, change and adaptability is essential to longevity and success. Inclusivity is absolutely central to our ethos as a club and at Eccles Rugby we do things together, in union. One in, all in.
