Career
In the 1954 qualifying, Eckel became the first substitute in the history of football. He also participated in the 1958. In total he earned 32 caps.
During his club career he played for 1.
Football Club Kaiserslautern and SV Röchling Völklingen. Because of his rapid way of playing, he got the nickname Windhund (sighthound).
Eckel debuted in Kaiserslautern"s first team in 1947 at the age of 15. Eckel was playing as a right half back.
As a player, Eckel was assiduous and adroit.
The strength of the right side of Sepp Herberger"s team was made possible due to Eckel"s high defensive workrate and his passes, from which outside right Helmut Rahn and inside right Max Morlock benefitted enormously. After his career, he retrained from toolmaker to teacher, a profession he practised until his retirement.