Clifford Eccles

Clifford Eccles

Personal information
Full name	Clifford Eccles
Nickname	Cliff
Born	4 September 1967 (1967-09-04) (age 44) Warrington
Playing information
Position	Prop, Second-row
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
≤1994–≥2000	Salford City Reds
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1997–1998	Ireland	3
Source: rugbyleagueproject.org

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 Prop, or Second-row, 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 Ireland while at Salford 1997…1998 1-cap + 2-caps (sub).^[1]

References

1. ^ Graham Williams, Peter Lush, Clifford Farrar (November 2009). "The British Rugby League Records Book [Page-104…105]". London League Publications Ltd. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6

External links

• Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org

Persondata
Name	Eccles, Clifford
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	4 September 1967
Place of birth	Warrington
Date of death
Place of death