rammy news V PADIHAM FC 26.08.13
EDITORIAL - RICHARD ISAACS Good afternoon and welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North game and we offer a warm welcome to our visitors today from Padiham F.C. We hope that you enjoy your time with us and have a safe, short journey back home later. It is really good to be able to welcome Padiham to the HWRS once again as they followed in a similar path to our own when they lifted the North West Counties League title last season, just 12 months after we did. And there are some very familiar faces in the Arbories ranks with Rammy favourites Mark Sharples and Keiron Pickup returning as well as another player who has worn the Rammy blue in Kieran Fletcher as well. Let’s hope they don’t come back to haunt us today as, certainly Sharpy and Kieron, were instrumental parts of our NWCFL title winning season and it was good to see them lifting it again for a second time. So, welcome back lads and thank you for what you did for us. Of course, we hope you have a losing return and it will be something that all Rammy fans hope will happen as we have suffered a rather indifferent start to the campaign with three defeats in the opening three games. However, anyone who was at Warrington Town on Saturday will certainly not be concerned as it was the Wire manager, Chris Read, that was in need of the throat sweets at the end of the match as he was more than disgruntled with his teams performance. But they still stole the 1-0 win, which they certainly didn’t deserve given Rammy’s endeavour. So there is no need to worry or panic at all. Everyone is disappointed, of course, not to have got off the mark as yet so today presents itself with an opportunity to finally lift ourselves out of ‘nil points’! I hope you have enjoyed the new look programme. It has been a labour of love for Rob Moss and we have had some very favourable comments thus far. I could not be further away today in cricketing terms as I sit in Canterbury for Kent v Nottinghamshire in the Yorkshire Bank 40 competition. But I enjoyed the game on Saturday and can’t wait to come back in a couple of weeks time … to shout, of course, …… C’MON RAMMY!!!!!!!!!! Richard
President: J Smith Chairman: H Williams Secretary: G Shuttleworth Treasurers: H Williams, C Woolfall Committee: C Woolfall, A Edmundson, G Lay, D Wolfenden, K Topping Life Members: FA Rothwell, L Read, A Whalley, F Rothwell, J Wolfenden, P McSherry, A Mcleod Programme Editors: R Isaacs, P Newhouse, R Moss Hospitality Manager: I McCool Catering Manager: S Fletcher Team Managers: A Johnson, B Morley First XI Coaches: J Hunter, G Moses, D Green Physio: K Richardson Recent Honours: NWCFL Champions 2011/12 Premier Runners Up 2010/11 2nd Div Champions 96/97 2nd Div Trophy 95/96 Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 2005/06. 2006/07, 2007/08 The Harry Williams Riverside, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, Lancashire Tel: 01706 822799 www.rammyunited.co.uk
time to bounce back
Today sees us welcome our local rivals and good friends from Padiham to the HWRS for this, our first ever meeting in the Evo-Stik League. It is good to see them follow in our footsteps, especially given the players they have who have had some experience of it with us. It is good to see Sharpy and Keiron back here today with Padiham, they were excellent for us in our title winning season and while we had to take the decision to let them go, we are all delighted that they lifted the title once again last season and we wish them well with their new club … let’s hope they don’t come and show us today what they can do! The start of the season hasn’t exactly gone to plan and we are as disappointed as anyone not to have any points at this stage. However, we showed at Warrington that we have the players and we have quality to succeed and when it does, we will start to make our move up the table. It has been hard, we have played some good sides so far but the performance on Saturday was excellent and I could not fault the lads at all. Just one error let them in but they were a very ordinary side who knew they had got away with it. Their manager was very relieved when I spoke to him after the game and admitted we were the best side he had played against this season. Of course, that doesn't get you anywhere and we need to find that spark to get our season off the ground.
We had a long chat after Tuesday’s game at Ossett where we didn’t deserve to get anything but on Saturday, we battered them and played some really good football but one silly mistake let them in. We missed plenty of chances but we played very well so there was no point going in shouting and screaming at them. We know what our jobs are and we just have to bounce back and we hope to start today. All this football club has known since we took over is success so this is a new thing for us. Everyone looks at the league table, I know I have and everyone will have done and they see us at the bottom of the table. But have been slow starters for a number of years—I don’t know why that is— but we will bounce back because we are a good football side. One bit of news from the team that you may have heard by now, Adam Morning has left the club and gone back to Skelmersdale United. We wish him well. He just let us know on Friday that he wanted to go back to them and that is all we knew about it. Nothing more really to add on it apart from to wish him all the best and Skem all the best too. We have plenty of think about here, starting again today. Get behind the lads, as you always do, and things will start to happen. Jonno
Ramsbottom United’s disappointing start to the campaign continued when they lost 2-0 at Ossett Town on Tuesday night. With both sides having lost on the opening day, hopes were high that the Rams could collect their first points of the season, but it was the home side which managed that in a game largely forgotten. The visitors looked nervous, with a number of misplaced passes ruining their usual flowing style. Jon Robinson laid the ball on to Phil Dean but the Rams first chance went wide. Adam Morning then fed Tom Brooks, but his turn and shot lacked power. The home side were awarded a penalty on 13 minutes when a cross hit the hand of Danny Warrender. Grant Shenton, however, produced the save from Gareth Grant’s spot kick to keep the score level. At the other end, Fernando Moke played in Luke Sharry but his effort was off target. The Rams created a number of half chances, but failed to capitalise, whilst an Ossett free-kick met the head of Andrew Fox, but he could not guide it goalwards. Morning saw his free-kick sail over the bar before the first half closed with a couple of chances for the home side.
2-0
Ingfield ‘Stade France’ 20th August 2013 Att: 100 Rammy Goals: Ossett Town Goals: Fox (57), Wood (80)
Sharry volleyed wide following a corner, before a fine run from Moke saw him stroke home a drive that beat Shenton but also the far post. A fine move early in the second half involving Dean, Brooks and Robinson was thwarted by a save down by the post, before Shenton was called into action again to tip a fierce angled shot from Steven Jeff on to the crossbar. On 57 minutes, Town took the lead. A run down the right by Moke saw him cross the ball, and as Warrender and Fox both went to connect, Fox it was who claimed the final touch to open the scoring. Jeff then fired a free-kick over the bar as the home side looked at extending the lead, whilst free-kick expert Mark Drew saw an attempt sail straight at Matt Convey in the home goal. Jordan Hulme headed a Robinson cross over, whilst Grant Spencer was denied by Convey from 20 yards. The home side killed off the game as the final minutes ticked down. A fine passing move saw the ball fall for substitute Chris Wood, who out-witted a couple of defenders before notching the second goal. All-in-all a disappointing night for the Rams, who will need to shake off the early season lethargy to start picking up the points.
yorkshire woes
TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL
Well, here we are onto our fourth game of the season and still pointless. Bet not many would have predicted that a couple of weeks ago! But that’s where we are, and we desperately need to start picking up some points. Maybe today is the day, but first of all there is a little matter of our visitors standing in the way, and we know they will be no pushover. So welcome to everyone who has made the short journey down from Padiham. I was delighted that the Storks repeated our success of twelve months earlier by winning the NWCFL. Yet again, last season at that level saw a tremendous finish, and I was keeping my fingers crossed that Padiham, with their Ramsbottom connection, would do it, and thankfully they did. I welcome them to the HWRS today, and look forward to many more entertaining contests between our two clubs in the future. DISGRACE Non-league football down in Hampshire appears to be going through something of a crisis. Aldershot Town were relegated from the Football League in May, and almost went out of business for the second time in 20 years. First time round they were almost rescued when a certain Spencer Trethewy came along as an enthusiastic teenager promising to inject capital to save the club. He didn’t, and the club folded. This same Spencer then reappeared a few years later in management, under the name of Spencer Day. Another club from that part of the world, Farnborough, have had an equally disturbing past. Too many things have happened to go through here, but let’s just say, they have not been the best run club! Now, the manager there, and it would appear, a reluctant administrator, is the very same Spencer Trethewy. Last year, FA Cup sponsors, Budweiser, came up with a publicity stunt which I thought could not be beaten for crassness. They asked Wembley FC to sign on a number of retired England Internationals for the preliminary rounds of the FA Cup in order to gain cheap column inches. These players actually played as the club won through just one early round. Shame on Wembley FC for lowering the tone of both the FA Cup and nonleague football. However, that cheap trick pales into insignificance when compared to bookmakers Paddy Power’s recent stunt involving Trethewy’s Farnborough. They have asked a number of players to change their names by deed poll to the likes of Messi, Beckham, Maradona, Best, Pele, Cruyff, Moore and Terry. The players involved were offered an inducement of around £2000 plus and end-of-season holiday in Las Vegas, to comply with the request. All of this is part of the bookmakers £100,000 sponsorship of the club; money that was desperately needed to bail them out of yet another black hole, and allow them to pay a bond to allow them to play in this season’s Skrill South league. The Conference, not surprisingly are less than enamoured with this ridiculous idea, and at the time of writing, have still to resolve the issue with the club, who have been barred from starting the campaign. Trethewy reckons it’s all a bit of fun and good publicity. Well, he should know. He’s already changed his name once, so the idea is hardly a novelty to him. Me? This sort of thing merely acts as a springboard for anyone higher up the footballing ladder to look down on the smaller clubs and dismiss lower league football as an irrelevance. The expression “Bringing the game into disrepute” comes to mind. Enjoy your non-league football!
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TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS 1 Prescot Cables reverted to their previously-used name after a spell known as what? 2
Who plays at The Walks?
3 Which club had a stand called the Dane Bank that was moved from their original home to a new venue?
4 Which club joined forces with the defunct Spennymoor United to create the new Spennymoor Town? 5
What colours do Carmarthen Town play in?
6 Name the manager of Gateshead and Barrow whose name lives on having had the road by the Barrow ground named after him. 7 What fate befell both Macclesfield Town and Stevenage in the 1990’s? 8 Which club did Steve Davis leave to join Crewe Alexandra as assistant manager? 9 Where did Silsden play before returning to their refurbished home ground? 10 Name Burton Albion’s ground before they moved to the new Pirelli Stadium.
Answers: 1 Prescot Town 2 Kings Lynn 3 Northwich Victoria 4 Evenwood Town 5 Gold shirts and Black Shorts 6 Ray Wilkie 7 Failure to gain promotion to the Football League, having won the Conference, Due to ground grading issues 8 Nantwich Town 9 Keighley RFLC 10 Eton Park
today’s visitors
padiham It might be hard to imagine today but in the immediate years following the establishment of Padiham Football Club in November 1878 the “Caldersiders” as they were then known were considered one of Lancashire’s soccer pioneers and one of the better Club sides in England. The Padiham Club were in at the birth of the Lancashire Football Associations Senior Cup competition in 1879, reached the third round proper of the F.A. Cup in season 1883 - 84 and beat Burnley F.C. 6-0, 7-0, 9-1 and 4-2 in their first four encounters. Gates of over 2,000 were not uncommon for the visits of teams like Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, Burnley and other local rivals to Padiham F.C.’S ground which was originally situated on the banks of the River Calder at the end of Wyre Street in Padiham and initially leased from the Shuttleworth family of Gawthorpe Hall. At present the site is occupied by the Potterton Myson Limited Main Gas factory and nothing remains of the Clubs original ground which witnessed many encounters with Clubs that later achieved Football League status. In fact it was the setting up of the Football League and the ensuing loss of fixtures with the leading Clubs, as well as the legalisation of professionalism within football that ended Padiham’s initial decade of success. Being an ardent stalwart of the fight waged from Lancashire for the legalisation of professionalism in football, Padiham’s progressive outlook at the time ironically helped fashion the stranglehold football finance came to have on small town Clubs, in hindsight it condemned Padiham to an ongoing
fight for survival. Unable to secure the services of players able to compete with the bigger surrounding towns and cities, gates dropped and as a result reduced income meant Padiham had to restrict its activities to playing in the Lancashire Combination Football League and at times the local minor leagues. The outbreak of World War One curtailed Padiham Football Club’s involvement in active football altogether at the end of the 1915 - 1916 season, and the loss of their ground during the War meant that Padiham Football Club lay dormant until after the end of World War Two when they were reformed. The rebirth of Padiham Football Club came about in 1949 with the opening of the “Arbories” Memorial Sports Ground in Padiham on August 20th 1949 when 1777 spectators turned up to see the Club’s opening Lancashire Combination fixture of the 1949 - 50 football season. In 1982, Padiham Football Club became founder members of the North West Counties Football League; however in 1990 they left the league and joined the West Lancashire Football League where they played their football for ten seasons. Padiham Football Club returned to the North West Counties Football League for the 2000 2001 season and to date have spent over £400,000 on upgrading their “Arbories” Memorial Sports Ground. Padiham FC gained promotion to the EvoStik Northern Premier League for Season 2013/14 after winning the North West Counties Football League Premier Division in Season 2012/13.
today’s visitors
padiham
Tom Bradley, Full Back Age – 23 Chopper signed in 2008 and as a local lad proved there is talent in Padiham. Tom known only as chopper at the club has won some silverware while featuring for both 1st & 2nd teams and won players player in 2010/11 season. Chopper offers great quality going forward as an attacking left full back, great talker on the pitch, loves a tackle and shows nothing but 100% commitment every game. His commitment and love for the club was there to see when a change of club to Barnoldswick Town during the season due to footballing reasons saw chopper return to his home land and finish the season as it started as a valuable member of Padihams 1st team squad and personal BACK TRIMMER of the gaffa Spencer Jordan, Attacking Midfield Age – 22 Spencer Jordan is a new recruit for this season and he is coming from local rivals Barnoldswick Town. Spenny has been on Wilksy & Cunnys radar for some time and they are delighted to have captured this young exciting footballer. He has proven he can cut it in NWCFL after a couple of successful seasons at Barnoldswick where a great goal scoring return from midfield netting over 20 times resulted in top scorer, managers player and players player awards. A serious injury last season put football on hold for a while, Traveling across the globe was next for Spenny with his partner and on his return it was soon clear he was a target for Padiham FC. Spenny will have a good pre season to get back to his best and the management team has agreed that it will take time to see the best from Spenny but one they are willing to wait on, as once fit he will contribute to the team in an attacking formation that will cause some real upsets this season. He is also the perfect profile the club are trying to attract, great ability but a professional attitude and 100% committed to the project we have at the club.
Sean Davis, Goalkeeper Age – 22 Sean signed 5 years ago for Padiham FC and has proven to be very loyal to the club with numerous clubs trying to tempt him away. His form over the last few seasons has won him a number of awards and this season 12/13 Sean has proven to be the best goalkeeper in the NWCL with 23 clean sheets to his name. Sean is thought of very highly by the management team and players and they are relying on him for the new season ahead to form that solid back bone and show the same form that helped win the league. Sean’s previous clubs include Colne FC and worsthorne. Sean’s stand out honors in his career so far NWCF league winners Delete Neil Stansfield, Attacking Midfielder Age – 26 Stanny joined Padiham FC at the start of the 2012/13 season from local rivals Colne FC. Stanny has great skills in the locker and just needed someone to give him the chance to show off his stanny step overs!!! Under the new management team stanny has grown as a footballer at this level and shown some great consistency that has helped him play the majority of the season on the right side. His attitude and commitment to the cause is first class and he is a great example of the type of player the management wants to work with. This season will be a great platform for stanny to test himself against quality defenders and show that he can be a real handful at this level. Mark Sharples, Midfield Age – 26 Sharpy signed in December 2012 after a successful spell with Ramsbottom united. Sharpy has become one of the fans favourites after some great displays. He shows real quality and confidence on the ball creating opportunities for others but also puts in a real shift in the centre of the park breaking up opposing attacks. The management team have been really im-
pressed with his effort and attitude since arriving in December and look forward to seeing him develop into the playmaker/goal scorer that will help their assault on the EVO STICK. In the dressing room and on nights out, Sharpy has become a firm favourite with the lads due to the dead ringer look alike !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kieran Fletcher, Centre Half Age – 26 Kizza has been with the club for the last 3 years, the big centre half is a real character both on and off the pitch. Kieran is a big strong defender that on his day is one of the best in the league; he is commanding in the air and not afraid to put his head in where it hurts. Kizza is very much liked in the dressing room due to his nature(you would not think he was a business man that runs his own company). Kizza has captained Chorley FC where he won managers player of the year, his former clubs also include Clitheroe, Mossley ,Ramsbottom and Bacup. Jack Overson, Defender Age – 24 Jack was a great capture for the club in January 2013 from local rivals Barnoldswick town and in no doubt had he not got injured during the silsden game away at the back end of the season, many believe the title would have been secured long before the last game of the season! This is Jacks 2nd spell with the club having been part of the 2009/10 season and 2010/11 season. Jacks quality to read the game and confidence with the ball at his feet has been a great asset to the back four. He has all the attributes you look for in a centre half, he is very quick, great header of the ball and loves to play from the back. His football pedigree of Burnley FC, Barrow, Ashton United and Clitheroe has given Padiham a young but experienced quality footballer that the management team are looking forward to working with. Elliot Dunn, Centre Midfield Age – 26 Elliot was signed at the start of the 2012/13 season. He was one of the first signings made by Wilksy and Cunny and is one of the first names on the team sheet week in week out. El-
liot played at Ashton Athletic under Wilksy and Cunny where he also captained the side. This is a player that any manager would be proud of, his attitude, commitment and personality sets him apart. Elliot is a player that gives nothing but 100% every game, his work rate is of two players (if cunny is playing with him) and while he tackles like scholes he is never short in putting his head in where it hurts! He drives the midfield forward with his runs and his most notable game for this was when he rolled up his sleeves and took Bamber Bridge on in the Lancashire cup, scoring the goals that took us to the semi final and dragged the side over the finishing line. Elliot would agree he could work on his finishing (he could of beaten Ben in the charts) but if he applies himself in the same way as last season, this year’s challenge of a higher level of football will come easily to him. Ben Allen, Forward Age – 23 Ben (john jo shelvey) Allen has been a man mountain since his arrival last season. Ben was another member of the Ashton Athletic players that joined Wilksy and Cunny at padiham fc at the start of the season 2012/13. Ben is a local lad who was introduced to wilksy while at Ashton Athletic and he made an impression on the team straight away but this year he really has stepped up to the mark and proved to be one of the most feared strikers in the league with an amazing goal return of 41 goals, finishing the season as top marksman in the NWCFL! Ben offers great aerial ability to create for others and while some would say his goal scoring touch would be his main asset which he would say himself!! The management team are more grateful for his team work off the ball in chasing lost causes and playing the lone striker for the best part of the season which shows real character and strength considering he takes a battering most games. Ben was also rewarded at the end of season awards where he picked up the SUPPORTERS PLAYER of the year and PLAYERS PLAYER awards showing how much Ben is valued by fans and his fellow players. The big challenge for Ben now is to spearhead the storks challenge in this next step of the non league ladder.
fixtures and results 2013/2014 DATE Sat 17th Aug Tues 20th Aug Sat 24th Aug Mon 26th Aug Sat 31st Aug Sat 7th Sept Tues 10th Sept Sat 14th Sept Sat 21st Sept Tues 24th Sept Sat 28th Sept Tues 1st Oct Sat 5th Oct Sat 12th Oct Tues 15th Oct Sat 19th Oct Tues 22nd Oct Sat 26th Oct Tues 29th Oct Sat 2nd Nov Wed 6th Nov Sat 9th Nov Tues 12th Nov Sat 16th Nov Sat 23rd Nov Sat 30th Nov Wed 4th Dec Sat 7th Dec Sat 14th Dec Sat 21st Dec Thurs 26th Dec Sat 28th Dec Wed 1st Jan Sat 4th Jan Sat 11th Jan Sat 18th Jan Sat 25th Jan Sat 1st Feb Sat 8th Feb Sat 15th Feb Sat 22nd Feb Sat 1st Mar Sat 8th Mar Sat 15th Mar Sat 22nd Mar Sat 29th Mar Sat 5th Apr Sat 12th Apr Sat 19th Apr Mon 21st Apr Sat 26th Apr
H A A H H H A A A H H A A A H H H A H A A H H A H A A A H A H H A A H H A H A H A A H A A A H A H A H
OPPOSITION CURZON ASHTON Ossett Town Warrington Town PADIHAM AFC Liverpool - FA Cup NORTHWICH VICTORIA Ossett Albion (Stocksbridge) FAC 1Q Mossley DARLINGTON 1883 CLITHEROE Radcliffe Borough Warrington Town FAT prel Wakefield LANCASTER CITY (WORKSOP) (FAT1Q) PRESCOT CABLES Harrogate Railway Athletic OSSETT ALBION (FAT 2Q) Darlington 1883 NEW MILLS FC UNITED Doodson cup Cammell Laird BURSCOUGH Kendal Town (Doodson Sport Cup) Curzon Ashton OSSETT TOWN Bamber Bridge SALFORD CITY FARSLEY Padiham Northwich Victoria MOSSLEY RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Clitheroe WAKEFIELD Lancaster City HARROGATE RAILWAY (Doodson Sport Cup) Prescot Cables CAMMELL LAIRD New Mills (Doodson Cup SF) Burscough KENDAL TOWN Farsley WARRINGTON TOWN Salford City BAMBER BRIDGE
RES 1-3 0-2 0-1
ATT 254 100 192
STARTING ELEVEN Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender
Pilkington Pilkington * Pilkington *
Stopforth + Drew Drew +
Dawson Dawson Dawson
Hulme Hulme Hulme
Morning * Morning + Smalley
Spencer Spencer Stopforth
Robinson # Robinson Robinson
Brookes 1 Brookes # Gaskell #
Dean Dean Dean
66/7: Parks Cup Runners-Up 67/8:Parks Cup Runners-Up 67/8: Kenyon Cup Winners 71/2: Cornall Cup Winners 72/3: Bolton Combination Div One Champions 74/5: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 76/7: Bolton Combination Premier Division Champions 76/7: Bolton Combination Open Cup Winners 79/80: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Winners 81/2: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Runners-Up 82/3: Bolton Combination Second Division Cup Runners-Up 82/3: Bolton Combination Second Division Runners-Up 83/4: Bolton Combination Open Cup Winners 84/5: Bolton Combination First Division Runners-Up 84/5: Bolton Boys Federation Under-16’s League Champions 85/6: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Runners-Up 85/6: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s League Runners-Up 85/6: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s Jubilee Cup Winners 86/7: Lancashire FA Under-18’s Cup Winners 86/7: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s Jubilee Cup Winners 86/7: Bolton Boys Federation Under-18’s League Champions 87/8: Bolton Combination Open Cup Runners-Up
SUBSTITUTES Drew + Smalley * Warburton Smalley * Warburton * Brookes #
Gaskell # Gaskell # Spencer +
Toth Toth Toth
Bradbury Bradbury + Bradbury
90/1: Manchester League Division One Cup Winners 90/1: Manchester League Division One Champions 93/4: Yorkshire Cup Runners-Up 93/4: Bury & Radcliffe Junior Under-16’s Cup Winners 93/4: Bury & Radcliffe Junior Under-16’s Champions 94/5: Gylchrist Cup Winners 94/5: Manchester Festival of Football Runners-Up 94/5: Manchester County FA Youth Cup Winners 94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Jubilee Cup Winners 94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Cup Winners 94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Premier League Champions 95/6: North West Counties Division Two Cup Winners 96/7: North West Counties Division Two Champions 97/8: North West Counties Reserve Division Cup Winners 98/9: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 98/9: North West Counties Reserve North Champions 2000/01: Bolton Bys Federation Jubilee Cup Runners-Up 01/2: Bolton Boys Federation Premier League Champions 01/2; Bolton Hospital Cup Runners-Up 05/6: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 06/7: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 07/8: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 10/11: North West Counties Division One Runners-Up 11/12: North West Counties Division One Champions
rammy club honours
better performance
at the wire
1-0
Cantilever Park 24th August 2013 Att: 192 Rammy Goals: Warrington Goals: Dawson (38)
Ramsbottom United returned from Warrington wondering just how they are still pointless, having dominating much of this match, yet losing out to a double-error and some inspired goal-keeping. For the majority of the first half, the visitors looked comfortable, but were unable to beat experienced Town keeper Craig Dootson, who put in a match-winning performance. Time and again he was called upon, and each time he thwarted the visitors. As early as the eighth minute he was equal to a Mark Drew free-kick, as the Rams set off in determined fashion. A through ball then found Gary Stopforth with only Dootson to beat, but he hurried his shot and it flew harmlessly wide of the target. A clever flick from Lee Gaskell set up Phil Dean, but his effort was blocked as the one way traffic continued. Andy Dawson was denied three times by the agile Dootson, each one from a header. The first after 19 minutes was clawed away from under the bar as the visiting skipper thought he had given his side a deserved lead. At the other end, the home side relied upon occasional breaks, although they could have taken a surprise lead when a ball played in from the left found firstly Chris Gahgan, then Ciaran Kilheeney, but both saw their shots blocked on the line. Normal service was resumed as a fine run saw Jordan Hulme through into the area, but he too was frustrated to see his attempt blocked by some desperate Warrington defending. Ben Wharton then almost snatched the lead for the home side when he raced through but fired inches wide. However, not long after, on 39 minutes, the deadlock was broken in bizarre fashion. A poor pass from Danny Warrender was rescued by Dawson, but he inexplicably
turned the ball towards his own goal with little power, and namesake Liam Dawson latched onto it before firing past a stranded Grant Shenton in the Rams goal. Drew came close to an immediate equaliser with an angled free-kick that Dootson turned round at full stretch, before the custodian again proved too good for Dawson as the captain looked to atone for his error. The second half saw the home side come out in a more determined mood. They were quicker to the ball, and harassed the visitors to such an extent that the Rams natural passing game was reduced to quick flicks as they tried to break down a more intent defence. Indeed, it was the home side who almost doubled the lead when Pater Dogan sent in a crashing volley that scraped the outside of Shenton’s left-hand post. The visitors kept up the pressure, with Dawson yet again being denied by man-ofthe-match Dootson, who then had a little bit of luck. Gaskell found space, and as he raced goal-wards, he sent in a fierce low drive which somehow became entangled in Dootson’s right foot, saving a certain equaliser. Jon Robinson headed over from a corner, before, at the other end, Liam Dawson weaved his way into the area, only to see his effort blocked by the Rams defence. Gaskell was again denied as the Rams looked for a goal that their play deserved, although Warrender had to be alert as he prevented Kilheeney getting on the end of a low left-wing cross. Robinson sent the Rams last chance wide with a header as the whistle blew on another disappointing result. Performance-wise, this gave much hope that fortunes will soon be reversed, but no points from the first three games was hardly what the supporters or the bookies were expecting.
monsoon misery
1-3
Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 18th August 2013 Att: 254 Rammy Goals: Brookes (53) Curzon Ashton Goals: Young (57,88), Warburton (13)
Monsoon weather welcomed the start of the season at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, as the Rams kicked off the new campaign with a 1-3 defeat against one of the league’s favourites, Curzon Ashton. In a game littered with free-kicks, and a couple of fracas, the visitors just about deserved the points as the home side lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. Sam Walker fired wide for the Nash with the first real chance of the game, before Phil Dean saw his fierce drive blocked by the visitors defence. It took just 13 minutes for the away side to open their account, although they were blessed with a fair amount of luck. Matt Warburton fired in an effort that took a wicked deflection off a Rams defender to wrong-foot Grant Shenton in goal. The home side responded in fine fashion. A long ball from Jordan Hulme found Dean on the left, and he whipped in a low cross that was cleared off the toes of Jon Robinson. Adam Morning was then just inches away with a 25 yard blast, before Gary Stopforth went even closer as his long range low drive struck the post before flashing across the face of the goal and out for a goal-kick. Curzon replied with an audacious lob from Ryan Brooke that sailed over the bar, whilst Chris McDonagh saw his angled attempt blocked by Joel Pilkington. Stopforth saw another effort go narrowly wide as he latched on to a half-cleared corner, then a great through ball from Grant Spencer fed Adam Morning, but Hakon Burton came to Curzon’s rescue as he managed to palm the ball into the side netting.
The Rams had a shout for a penalty as the first half closed down, when Jon Robinson went down in the box, but their pleas were waved away by the referee. The home side did manage to level matters in the 53rd minute. Jon Robinson beat keeper Burton from close range only to see the ball hacked off the line. His second attempt met the same fate, before Tom Brooks lashed the loose ball home from six yards. However, the scores remained level for just 4 minutes. Chris Young spotted Shenton off his line, and from fully 35 yards, he lobbed the ball over the custodian and into the back of the net, much to the delight of the Curzon followers. Minutes later Shenton made amends with a superb finger tip save to deny McDonagh, and was forced to make another superb stop, this time from Warburton. In between, substitute Lee Gaskell was denied by a goal-line clearance following a free-kick, and Brooks went close with a header that flew over the bar. Curzon went for the killer third goal, but were again denied by the agile Shenton, as he pounced on a close range effort from Andrew Watson, but on 88 minutes, they did put the game beyond Ramsbottom. Young again did the damage from long range. He gathered the ball 25 yards out before planting a firm low drive just inside the post to ensure the points made their way down the M60. The final chance fell to the Rams, as Andy Dawson headed over from a corner, but the visitors hung on and probably on the balance of play, just about deserved the three points.
EDITORIAL - COMING UP RAMSBOTTOM UNITED v A.F.C. LIVERPOOL Saturday 31 August 2013—3.00pm kick-off FA Cup Preliminary Round RAMSBOTTOM UNITED v NORTHWICH VICTORIA Saturday 7 September 2013—3.00pm kick-off Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North OSSETT ALBION v RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Tuesday 10 September 2013—7.45pm kick-off Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North FA CUP FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND (if successful on 31 August) Saturday 14 September 2013—3.00pm kick-off MOSSLEY v RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Saturday 21 September 2013—3.00pm kick-off Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North Our first two away days are over to West Yorkshire and down the M62 to Warrington …. and here is how to get there!
MOSSLEY Address: Seel Park, Market Street, Mossley, OL5 0ES Directions: The ground is in the centre of Mossley. Find the A670 (Stamford Street), which is a oneway road through the town, and then turn left into Market Street. There is very little parking on the ground, so park on the road.
photo courtesy of Jon Bennett
OSSETT ALBION Address: Queen’s Terrace, Dimplewells Road, Ossett, WF5 8JT Directions: M1 junction 40. Take the A638 signposted Dewsbury, 1st exit at sliproad roundabout, then immediately turn off onto B6129 signposted Ossett. Just after the Ossett WMC, turn left into Dale Street staying on B6129 signposted Ossett town centre. At traffic lights turn left into B6128 Prospect Road, and follow road past Ossett Town football ground, over mini roundabout until T-junction. Turn left into Queens Street, then at the 'Tap' pub turn right into Dimplewells Road. At junction in road, bear right for entrance to ground signposted 'Ossett CC & Albion FC'.
rammy squad Joint Manager and midfielder Bernard Morley
Joint Manager and striker Anthony Johnson
Coach Glenn Moses
Coach Darren Green
Coach John Hunter
Goalkeeper Grant Shenton
Physio Katie Richardson
Centre-back and Captain Andy Dawson Right-back Dan Warrender
Right-back Jordan Hulme
Left-back Joel Pilkington
Midfielder Tom Toth Midfielder Mark Drew
Midfielder Grant Spencer Midfielder Midfielder Phil Phil Edghill Edghill
Midfielder Gary Stopforth Left-wing Phil Dean
Right-wing Right-wing Dom Dom Smalley Smalley Striker Tom Brookes
Striker Jon Robinson Striker Lee Gaskell
Striker Matty Warburton Midfielder Tom Toth
Striker Luke Bradbury Striker Adam Morning
EDITORIAL - SUPPORTERS CLUB Still without a win, and going into a big derby game against Padiham - my head’s starting to drop, I don’t know about yours! Thankfully we put in a better display at Warrington, showing a bit of the great Rammy side of the last couple of years, and starting with a strong and committed lineup. As I arrived at Warrington I learned that Adam Morning had returned to Skem, and I can’t say that I’m too disappointed. He looked out of place in our team, and isn’t a patch on the player whose spot he took in the team, Dominic Smalley. It’s easy to forget that our existing squad is so good, and with Gary Stopforth back and firing on all cylinders we can be a match for any team. I do think that what we’ve seen on Tom Brookes is extremely promising though, and I hope both him and Tom Toth become strong additions to the team. With Andy Dawson feeling a problem with his back, once again the question of depth at the back looms dark on the horizon, though Claire spotted Flanners again training with the team. Fingers crossed for his return. Listening to the whinging from certain sections of the Warrington Town support (not least from their foul-mouthed manager), I was once again reminded of the decent support we have at Rammy. Not only are we getting good-sized crowds, but we keep our negative opinions firmly to ourselves during the game. I know that I’ve mentioned this a few times before, but I really do believe quite strongly that our role as supporters is to provide support for our team - and no more will that be needed that during the run of poor results that we’ve experienced so far this season. It’s up to us to really get behind the team and make sure we encourage them from start to finish, and that includes not shuffling towards the exits with five minutes to go. Please get behind the lads, please encourage them right to the final whistle, and let’s do our bit to get the Rammy Boogie Bus back on track!
this week’s matches
Monday 26th August Clitheroe v Bamber Bridge Darlington 1883 v Kendal Town Harrogate Railway Athletic v Wakefield Lancaster City v Burscough Mossley v Curzon Ashton New Mills v Ossett Town Northwich Victoria v Warrington Town
Ossett Albion v Farsley FC Prescot Cables v Cammell Laird Radcliffe Borough v Salford City Ramsbottom United v Padiham Saturday 30th August FA CUP Preliminary Round, including: Ramsbottom v AFC Liverpool
Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY
Grant SHENTON Danny WARRENDER Joel PILKINGTON Gary STOPFORTH Andy DAWSON Jordan HULME Mark DREW Dominic Adam MORNING SMALLEY Grant SPENCER Jon ROBINSON Tom BROOKES Phil DEAN Lee GASKELL Matthew Dominic WARBURTON SMALLEY Tommy TOTH Luke BRADBURY Phil EDGHILL Owen ROBERTS Matthew RUSSELL Adam NUTTALL Sam HOWELL Callum SMITH
Manager: Stephen WILKES Assistant:
Sean DAVIS Dean OVERSON Keiran FLETCHER Martin PARKES Tom BRADLEY Mark SHARPLES Max JONES Elliot DUNN Spencer JORDAN Keiron PICKUP Ben ALLEN Sam MORRIS Martin TRICKETT Jack COOK Lewis JORDAN Jack OVERSON
Referee: Mark Referee: Cunliffe (Liverpool) Assistants: Shaun Mohan (Chester), Assistants:Terence Morgan (Chester) Next home game: Saturday Next home 31st August game: 3pm, AFC Liverpool