Clifford Eccles
Encyclopedia
Clifford "Cliff" Eccles is a former professional rugby league
footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level has played for Ireland
, and at club level for Salford City Reds
, playing at , or , i.e. number 8 or 10, or, 11 or 12.
Cliff was signed to Salford at the start of the 1994 Season from Rochdale Hornets by the then Head Coach Gary Jack, Cliff Went on to play a key role in the side that achieved Grand Final Success at Old Trafford and then went on to have success in the Super League under the guidance of former Wigan Great Andy Gregory.
Gregory masterminded the downfall of the great Wigan side that had visited Wembely 8 times, Wigan were favourites in the quarter final at The Willows, Gregory had different ideas and his side ended the 8 year stronghold Wigan had on the Challenge Cup.
Salford were then beaten by St Helens in the Semi Final
Gregory's team made three Challenge Cup Semi Final appearances but never quite stepped up to reach the Wembley Final, the most memorable being at Headingley against Sheffield Eagles, with minutes to go Salford were in charge of the game, Gregory decided to replace Cliff Eccles and Andy Platt in the front row, this proved to be his tactical downfall as Sheffield went on to score try's in the very gaps that the two strong front rowers had left in the defensive line.
Sheffield went on to win the game and famously beat Wigan in the Wembley Final.
Cliff held the record at Salford for most consecutive Appearance by a forward at 103 without missing a game over four seasons including Super League and Challenge Cup Games.
Cliff left Salford before the start of the 2000 season to join former Salford player turned coach Mike Gregory in his first coaching role at Swinton.
Eccles stayed with Gregory at Swinton for 1 season and then joined Widnes Vikings with Colin Whitfield as Head Coach, after one season Eccles retired from the game with damaged knee ligaments.
while at Salford 1997…1998 1-cap + 2-caps (sub).
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level has played for Ireland
Ireland national rugby league team
The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, represent the island of Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organized by Rugby League Ireland and are accredited as an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation...
, and at club level for Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
, playing at , or , i.e. number 8 or 10, or, 11 or 12.
Cliff was signed to Salford at the start of the 1994 Season from Rochdale Hornets by the then Head Coach Gary Jack, Cliff Went on to play a key role in the side that achieved Grand Final Success at Old Trafford and then went on to have success in the Super League under the guidance of former Wigan Great Andy Gregory.
Gregory masterminded the downfall of the great Wigan side that had visited Wembely 8 times, Wigan were favourites in the quarter final at The Willows, Gregory had different ideas and his side ended the 8 year stronghold Wigan had on the Challenge Cup.
Salford were then beaten by St Helens in the Semi Final
Gregory's team made three Challenge Cup Semi Final appearances but never quite stepped up to reach the Wembley Final, the most memorable being at Headingley against Sheffield Eagles, with minutes to go Salford were in charge of the game, Gregory decided to replace Cliff Eccles and Andy Platt in the front row, this proved to be his tactical downfall as Sheffield went on to score try's in the very gaps that the two strong front rowers had left in the defensive line.
Sheffield went on to win the game and famously beat Wigan in the Wembley Final.
Cliff held the record at Salford for most consecutive Appearance by a forward at 103 without missing a game over four seasons including Super League and Challenge Cup Games.
Cliff left Salford before the start of the 2000 season to join former Salford player turned coach Mike Gregory in his first coaching role at Swinton.
Eccles stayed with Gregory at Swinton for 1 season and then joined Widnes Vikings with Colin Whitfield as Head Coach, after one season Eccles retired from the game with damaged knee ligaments.
International honours
Cliff Eccles won caps for IrelandIreland national rugby league team
The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, represent the island of Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organized by Rugby League Ireland and are accredited as an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation...
while at Salford 1997…1998 1-cap + 2-caps (sub).