Whitehaven Rugby League can this evening announce the first new signing of the 2022 Betfred Championship squad as winger Dave Eccleston will join us from Betfred League 1's North Wales Crusaders.
Eccleston has been at the Welsh outfit since 2019 having first spent time at Crusaders back in 2017 on loan from St Helens as well as season at Oldham back in 2018. Eccleston was part of the St Helens Under 19's side alongside Liam Cooper that won the academy grand final in extra time after spending the entire season unbeaten.
Speaking about signing for the club Eccleston said “ The move to Whitehaven is a chance for me to test myself at a higher level as I’ve never played in the Championship before.
“I want to take the opportunity and show what I can do personally at that level.”
Eccleston has made over 30 appearances for the Welsh side since permanently signing for the Crusaders. Head coach Jonty Gorley spoke saying “I'm happy to have Dave on board for next season. He's came through the saints production line, same as Ronnie, when you get lads that have come through them type of systems you know you're getting a well rounded player with the right attributes on and off the field.
Dave is a winger that carries well setting off sets on the front foot, he can also play centre too and is sound defensively.”
Club Director and member of the football committee Ashley Kilpatrick said “It’s great to have dave on board he’s signed for 2 years at the club following his relocation to the area with his partner.
Dave came to our attention when it became clear that we might lose Lachlan Walmsley. Liam Cooper was the lad who brought dave to our attention. He had played with Dave at St. Helens and spoke highly of him and about how well he carries from the back and how strong his defence is which pricked mine and Jonty’s ears up, I went to watch Dave play for North Wales against Workington where he played in the centre which isn’t his normal position. I was very impressed with his performance that day and reported back to Jonty with the information he had asked me to keep an eye on. After watching Dave and speaking to another couple of people about him, we acted quickly to secure his signature and when we met what came across was his enthusiasm for the game. Another big thing was his attitude and how humble he was, he is a great lad and we feel he will fit right in with the lads and what we are doing as a club both on and off the field.”