RAMSBOTTOM UTD

Ramsbottom United was founded in 1966, the year that England won the World Cup and one of the founders, Harry Williams, is still, to this day, Chairman, over 50 years later!

Harry has overseen the club progress from a parks pitch on the outskirts to a well-appointed stadium in the centre of the east Lancashire town, adjacent to Ramsbottom Cricket Club, the East Lancashire Railway and the River Irwell, which attracted a record crowd of 2,104 against FC United of Manchester.

Early days were spent in local leagues, the Bury Amateur League, the Bolton Combination and the Manchester League before being accepted into the North West Counties League in 1995.

During the early 2000s, a number of managers came and went without success until the Chairman took the bold step of appointing jointmanagers in players Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson at the beginning of the 2009/10 campaign.

Having entered the FA Vase a couple of years earlier, the club’s first taste of FA Cup action took place in 1998, and they progressed to the Third Qualifying round before losing at home to Conference side Southport in front of a thenrecord 829 home gate (easily beating the previous figure of 464 for the local derby with Haslingden).

After a worrying 0-5 defeat in their first game, the new duo turned the team around, producing a style of attacking football that had crowds flocking back to the newly named Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

Having finished runners-up the previous campaign, 2011/12 saw the club gain promotion to the Northern Premier League, as champions, after an exciting run-in with Runcorn Town.

The first season in the NPL saw the club agonisingly miss out on the play-offs on the last day, but more than made up for it during 2013/14.

Acquiring a place in the playoffs this time, a daunting trip up to a hostile Bishop Auckland ground to take on Darlington saw the Rams ease through before almost 2,000 spectators with a comfortable 2-0 win, followed three days later in the Final at Bamber Bridge, where over 1,200 fans saw the Rams earn their second promotion in three years courtesy of an extratime winner.

tempted away by the ambitious Salford City.

Although the club survived that season, 2015/16 was instantly forgettable as it saw the ground submerged under 5 feet of water from the adjacent river, followed by the first relegation in the Rams history.

However, despite being just outside the play-offs in the Premier Division the following year, Morley and Johnson were

A number of managers came and went in an attempt to regain their Premier Division status before Chris Willcock arrived in October 2018. His revamped squad began producing the same exciting football enjoyed under Morley and Johnson, and in his first season took the club into the last 16 of the FA Trophy, before losing in the play-offs to local neighbours Radcliffe Borough.

2019/20 saw the club on the verge of promotion before the Covid 19 pandemic brought an early “Null and Void” closure, with the club second in the league with games in hand over leaders Workington.

The 2020/21 season followed suit, although this time “curtailed” with The Rams in second place after just eight matches.

The frustrating thing being that out of the teams last 26 league games played, 20 had been won, 4 drawn and just 2 defeats, form that, at any other time, would most certainly have gained promotion if not a Championship.

Just days from the start of the 2021/22 season, manager Willcock was tempted away by rivals Workington, so the Rams immediately filled the vacancy by promoting assistant manager Lee Donafee into the hot seat, having been an integral part of the management team which had done so well for the Rams in recent seasons. The late appointment caused a number of problems resulting in a difficult season which ended in a disappointing 15th position.

GOALKEEPERSs

Harry

TURNER Signed for the Rams during the 2022 closed season from neighbours Bacup Borough. Previous experience at Fleetwood Town, Ashton United and a spell in Sweden with Division Two side Ytterhogdals.

Marcus

JENNINGS Young goalkeeper spotted playing for local side Haslingden St Mary’s of the West Lancashire League and signed in July 2022.

Rest Of Squad

Temiloluwa

AJIBOLA Italian striker who had a spell in his own country with Parma before moving to the UK. The 6 foot plus forward signed for the Rams in July 2022 having previously played for Whitchurch Alport.

Seydou

BAMBA Experienced central defender who joined the Rams in January 2022 from NWCFL side Barnoldswick Town. Previous clubs include Prescot cables, Kendal Town and

Clitheroe.

Luke coach at Widnes.

BARLOW The full-back began his career at Crewe Alexandra before a spell north of the border with Kilmarnock. Returned to England with Stalybridge Celtic before moving to Ramsbottom in October 2021.

Kain

DEAN Began his career with Mansfield Town Under 18s before signing for FC United of Manchester. He then joined Mossley before a move to Runcorn Linnets ahead of his signing for the Rams in preseason.

Owen

COLLINGE Ramsbottom lad who has come through the ranks of Ramsbottom United Juniors and looks to have an exciting future ahead of him. The defender is also a promising cricketer, also playing for Ramsbottom Cricket Club.

Tony

DONALDSON The industrious midfield player re-joined the Rams for the second time partway through the ‘21/22 season after an injury-hit spell with Hyde United. A firm favourite of the Rams supporters following his previous spell with the club.

Michael

Leon CREECH Began his career at Preston North End before moving on to Lancaster City and Colne. Much admired by manager Donafee, the striker enjoyed a goal-scoring feast last season for NWCFL side AFC Darwen.

Craig DAVIES An Academy coach at Liverpool FC, Craig joined the Rams in July ‘22 following a spell as Manager at league rivals Prescot Cables, having also been first team

FITZGERALD The young central defender was snapped up by the Rams following his release by Blackpool, having spent some time on loan at Ramsbottom during the ‘21/22 season.

Jack

GRIMSHAW The forward/ winger joined the club in November 2021, from fellow NPL side Newcastle Town. He had previously been on the books at the newly-formed Macclesfield FC.

Will

HALL Ramsbottom-based youngster who came through the ranks with Ramsbottom United Juniors. Signed for Altrincham last season but had a spell back at his home-town club on loan, before signing permanently in July ‘22.

Billy

HASLER-CREGG Winger signed in February ‘22 from local rivals Colne FC having previously turned out for a number of clubs including Droylsden, Altrincham, Stalybridge Celtic and Congleton Town. Began his career at Rochdale AFC..

Another local youngster who came through the clubs’ thriving Junior set-up, he made his first team debut during the ‘21/22 season.

Khalil

OSI-EFA Plays in midfield or defence, the 6ft plus player is now in his third spell with the Rams, having been coached by manager Donafee since he was a youngster.

Oscar

Sam

HOLT The tall central defender began his career at Halifax Town moving on to Stalybridge Celtic before joining the Rams in the summer of 2022 having been with NWCFL side AFC Darwen.

RADCLIFFE A graduate of the Bamber Bridge Academy, Oscar is another locally-based youngster, who signed for the Rams ahead of the ‘22/23 season having previously been with NWCFL side AFC Blackpool

Jamie ROTHER

Ryan

JENNINGS The winger signed for the Rams in July ‘22 after a career that began at Wigan Athletic before moving on AFC Fylde, Curzon Ashton, Alfreton Town, Nuneaton Borough, Ashton United, Buxton and Widnes.

Club captain and a talented midfield player who joined the club in 2015. The 2016/17 season was a nightmare for Jamie as he suffered a nasty injury pre-season at New Mills, and only came back towards the end of the season. The tenacious midfield player is in his seventh season with the Rams, already having notched up well over 100 appearances

Domaine

Aidan

MARSHALL-KING

ROUSE The midfielder is best known for his lengthy spell at Droylsden, but he began his career at Bury, for whom he made 12 appearances, and has also had spells at Hyde United, Macclesfield Town and Colwyn Bay Jordan

SHANNON Another locallybased youngster who signed forms for the Rams just ahead of the new season.