Eccles Receive the Stockport League Challenge Trophy 2023/24
Eccles win the Stockport League 2023/24
The story so far…
At the last Eccles AGM It was suggested that we fielded an A Division team in the Stockport League next season.
After much debate it was voted on and carried. It was also agreed that Dave Toole would be at the helm captaining the team.
Eccles were already fielding an A Division team in the Manchester League and fielding another in the Stockport league was not going to be easy to execute.
The thought of actually winning any league whatsoever hardly entered our minds tbh.
Dave did a brilliant job of rallying the troops and keeping it together. Sometimes heated team discussions were needed with Lady Captain, Barbara Farrar, but it all worked out beautifully despite the friendly – but often loud (!!) shouting matches lol.
The president of the Stockport League Glenn Trueman (Pictured above) said that this is the first time in over 73 years that a club has won the Stockport League in their debut season.
During the AGM Barbara was nominated and seconded to be the new ECF Representative for the Stockport League.
This is amazing because it was the second time in as many days that she had been nominated as an ECF rep. Barbara is now the rep for two different local leagues. She has therefore been given the opportunity for creating more awareness for women within the English Chess Federation and for supporting the interests of women and minority groups in Local Leagues and the Chess Community (pictured with her husband Stephen Farrar).
Barbara commented:
“I am absolutely over the moon with all of the above and with the help and support received from everyone at Eccles Chess (some A team players pictured) and beyond has made all this possible.
I would also like to thank many others from different clubs who are supporting what I/we do to promote Chess in the Community, and for their support in creating awareness for Ladies in Chess.
With everyone working together in a supportive and friendly environment we can make chess the fastest growing sport in the UK, especially for the ladies.
Thanks guys it’s been a great year of chess and l am looking forward to whatever surprises next season may bring.
Barbara
Supporting: Ladies Learning Chess and Chess in the Community