ECCLES UNITED TO PLAY AGAIN AFTER 90 YEAR BREAK FROM THE GAME

Were you aware that Eccles once had it's own football team, Eccles United who were formed in 1907 as Eccles Borough then changed their name to Eccles United in 1919, they had their own ground on Bradburn Street, Patricroft and could attract crowds of several thousand people and played against such teams as Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers, before folding in 1929.

However thanks to a few local lads the mighty Phoenix is about to rise from the proverbial flames and proudly fly the name with pride once more.

Ashley Croft as Chairman, Harry Boardman as Secretary and Daniel Anderton as Treasurer had the idea of making an Eccles named club. which initially was called Grapes FC after the pub on Church Street they used to meet in.

I spoke to Ashley who has a Degree in Coaching and Sports Development from Manchester Metropolitan University, who told me about the future plans for the club.

The Grapes FC started because a group of lads wanted to play football. Ashley moving back from Crewe/Nantwich decided to get the ball rolling. Less than 6 month later, Ashley, Harry and Daniel decided that a rebrand was the best thing for the club to attract players and more people from the local area. We found Eccles United were in the FA Cup in the 1920s and decided it's a perfect fit to restart a club with a history already.

We have had the name change verified with the FA and it will be official in May this year and we have be been accepted by the committee to play in Lancashire and Cheshire Saturday League, although the clubs still have to accept us. It's all coming together nicely. After playing in Manchester amateur Sunday football league for the Grapes FC.

There is a core of about 30 or so players and we plan to have an A team and a B team with pre season training starting at the end of May/Start of June. Our pitch is on Brookhouse Estate, everything is looking good so far. We have had some players come and ask to be involved already.

Our long term plan is for Eccles United to be playing in the North West Counties League in ten years or so alongside Irlam F.C. and make it into a real community club, where you can go and have a pint, watch the match, meet friends and support your local team"

I have to say I was impressed speaking to Ashley a young man with a vision for the team, also he tells me that the team strip will be yellow, the reason being that since the death of Alan Henning he feels that the the colour yellow will be forever associated with Eccles, a nice gesture I thought.

The badge is based on the Crest of Eccles with our own spin on it.

So with a full squad, sponsors (Taxis Transfers & Focus Recruitment, both from Eccles), a pitch and along term plan the future is looking bright for Eccles United F.C.