David Eckersley (born 10 October 1948) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Leigh, St Helens, Widnes, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Fulham RLFC, as a goal-kicking or .
Eckersley was born in Leigh, Lancashire, and as of 2012, he lives in Sydney, Australia.
Eckersley played in Leigh's 11âÂÂ6 victory over Wigan in the 1969 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1969âÂÂ70 season at Central Park, Wigan on Tuesday 16 December 1969.
Eckersley played in Leigh's 2âÂÂ11 defeat by Swinton in the 1969 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1969âÂÂ70 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 1 November 1969, and played , and scored a try in the 7âÂÂ4 victory over St. Helens in the 1970 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1970âÂÂ71 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 28 November 1970.
Eckersley played , scored a try, and 40-yard drop goal in Leigh's 24âÂÂ7 victory over Leeds in the 1971 Challenge Cup Final during the 1970âÂÂ71 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 15 May 1971.
Eckersley played in Widnes' 16âÂÂ11 victory over Workington Town in the 1976 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1976âÂÂ77 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 30 October 1976, played in the 15âÂÂ13 victory over Workington Town in the 1978 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1978âÂÂ79 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 7 October 1978, and played in the 11âÂÂ0 victory over Workington Town in the 1979 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1979âÂÂ80 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 8 December 1979.
Eckersley played in Widnes' 5âÂÂ20 defeat by St. Helens in the 1976 Challenge Cup Final during the 1975âÂÂ76 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 8 May 1976, played at in the 7âÂÂ16 defeat by Leeds in the 1977 Challenge Cup Final during the 1976âÂÂ77 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 7 May 1977, and played , and scored a drop goal in the 12âÂÂ3 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1979 Challenge Cup Final during the 1978âÂÂ79 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 5 May 1979.
Eckersley played in Widnes 13âÂÂ7 victory over St. Helens in the 1978 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1978âÂÂ79 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Tuesday 12 December 1978.
Eckersley played in Widnes' 4âÂÂ9 defeat by Warrington in the 1977âÂÂ78 Players No.6 Trophy Final during the 1977âÂÂ78 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 28 January 1978, played , and was man of the match in the 16âÂÂ4 victory over Warrington in the 1978âÂÂ79 John Player Trophy Final during the 1978âÂÂ79 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 28 April 1979, and played in the 0âÂÂ6 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1979âÂÂ80 John Player Trophy Final during the 1979âÂÂ80 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 5 January 1980.
Dave Eckersley won caps for England while at St Helens in 1975 against France (sub), in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against Wales (sub), and France (sub), while at Widnes in 1977 against Wales (sub), in 1978 against Wales (sub), and won caps for Great Britain while at St Helens in 1973 against Australia (sub), and Australia, and in 1974 against Australia (sub), and played at in the 16âÂÂ11 victory over Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 6 July 1974.