rammy news V NORTHWICH VICTORIA 07.09.13
EDITORIAL - RICHARD ISAACS Good afternoon and welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for today's Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North match and it's a warm welcome to our visitors from Northwich Victoria. We hope you have an enjoyable afternoon with us and a safe journey home later this evening. Well, that is better, isn't it!!! The relative doom and gloom that had descended over Ramsbottom after four straight league defeats lifted ever so slightly with a commanding performance over AFC Liverpool in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup last Saturday. It was so good to see us finally tuck those chances away that had been so begging over the last few weeks and that, hopefully, will have given all of the team - especially the strikers - a boost of confidence ahead of today's return to league action. Naturally, an FA Cup win over lower league opposition doesn't count for anything in the larger face of things and today's match with Northwich Victoria is yet another sign of just how far our club has come. One time regulars in the Football Conference, Northwich have led something of a nomadic existance over the last few years and as Tony outlines in his piece later in the programme, are still struggling to find a regular home. But they will be a tough proposition this afternoon that is for sure and their supporters will want nothing more than to build on their decent enough start to the season. We have met just the once previously - and a memorable afternoon it was last year when Lee Gaskell, Jon Robinson (2) and Ryan Moore were all on the scoresheet in a 4-2 win in the FA Trophy qualifying round game. I am really pleased to say that I will be in attendance today .... and I am looking forward to it ahead of the oneday international at Old Trafford tomorrow. Which means, sadly, that I won't be lobbing Black Puddings tomorrow at the annual WORLD Black Pudding Throwing Championships! But we will get it a good mention at the game though!! C'MON RAMMY!!!!!!!
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
bernard morley
Hello everyone and welcome to today's match against Northwich Victoria as we look to get our league season off the ground. Well, after a poor start to the season which, as a side and managers we are not used to, it has been hard to accept but as many people around Ramsbottom have stated - onwards and upwards and that is what we are looking to do. Last Saturday's result was pleasing and hopefully will kick start our season but, on paper, it doesn't get any easier with Northwich Victoria, Ossett Albion and Darlington in our next three games. But, as we have always said and it is a football cliche, if we are to look for promotion and that is, of course, our aim, we have to beat the best sides and be one of those best sides. As you may have seen, we have strengthened the squad this week with the signing of youngster Matthew Prickett from Bury. He is 18 years old and comes highly rated so we hope to see the best of him in a Rammy shirt. It was really good to see the strikers finally put their chances away last Saturday so that will have given them some confidence, which is what we need right now as four defeats from four starts has knocked it. But Jonno and me know that we have a really good squad of players here - we know that because they have been with us for a long time and have proved what they can do. Lets get behind the lads this afternoon and lets get those first three points on the board. Enjoy the game. Bernard
EDITORIAL - GRAHAM SHUTTLEWORTH It was without doubt a 5-star performance last weekend against AFC Liverpool and it was one that certainly brought a smile back to the face of the team and management at the final whistle, and let's not forget that the visitors, although playing in a lower league, were only five places below us in league positions. I am sure that they more than fancied their chances. The game could, and perhaps should, have been all over within the first 45 minutes as we failed to convert chance after chance, and at one stage I feared it was going to be one of those days where one team creates all the chances and the other pops-up to snatch the game! If we had converted all the chances it could have been a record score for the Club. We now head off to Sheffield for an encounter with Stocksbridge Park Steels from the Evo-Stik Premier League. As last week, the team playing in the lower league will be the underdogs, and that should suit us fine, but there is absolutely nothing to fear across the other side of the Pennines: SPS have only six points from five games, lie 17th in the league, so it's all to play for! But all that is for the future, it's the here-and-now that we concern ourselves with as we welcome Northwich Victoria to the HWRS, and in the hope that our performance from last week can continue today, and with respect to our visitors, put our first three points on the board. Three days later and it's back on the road and another visit to Ossett, this time the Albion side of the town, and what an important fixture that will be, as they sit immediately above us with their one point. As they travel to Warrington Town today, and without taking anything for granted, I doubt that they will have a happy journey home! Things are looking up, and with your continued support I doubt that it will be long before we are wondering what all the concerns were about those four opening games of the season, so let's cheer the team on to six points before we head off to Sheffield! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For those who may not have picked up on the fixture change, we have entered the Lancashire Trophy this season and will entertain another North West Counties outfit in the shape of Atherton LR on Tuesday 15 October, a date that was destined to see the visit of Lancaster City. That game will now be played 7 days earlier. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The big news from the Northern Premier League comes from AFC Fylde who have announced major plans for a new football stadium and sports and science park - all at the estimated cost of a cool ÂŁ18m!!!! With a capacity of 6,000, including 2,000 seats, executive boxes etc, I think it's safe to assume that they mean business, but with their two home gates this season attracting attendances of 361 and 588 (August Bank Holiday Monday v Chorley) I doubt that there'll be a shortage of seats!
The Rams finally got their season underway with a comprehensive victory over their highflying North West Counties League opponents. After a disappointing start to their league campaign, this victory was just what was needed to restore the confidence, and the team looked much more like the Ramsbottom side that has played so well in recent years. Any early nerves were eased after just twelve minutes when Tom Brooks raced down the left wing before sliding home a cross which Lee Gaskell converted from close range. Before that, Brooks had been denied by a goal-line clearance having been on the end of a flowing move involving Danny Warrender and Gaskell. A Dean cross found Warrender in space, but he was unable to direct his header goalwards, before Grant Spencer wasted a good chance as he raced into the box but screwed his effort wide. Another flowing move ended with a 25 yard drive from Spencer which just cleared the bar, then another impressive move involving debutant Owen Roberts and Dean saw Gaskell hit the bar from one yard out! AFC Liverpool were riding their luck, as they faced an incessant tide of blue-shirted attacks. Brooks and Dominic Smalley combined to set up another opportunity for Gaskell, who appeared to be in the thick of most of the Rams attacking moves. Fellow striker, Jon Robinson, moved back to a midfield role, hit a screamer from 30 yards which Stephen Longrigg in the Liverpool goal did well to deal with, then Brooks had a good shout for a penalty as he was bowled over in the box, but the referee waved play on. Little had been seen of the visitors’ attack, as the barrage continued. Gary Stopforth’s low 20 yarder had Longrigg scrambling at the post, whilst Smalley’s long cross found Gaskell whose audacious attempt at an overhead kick whistled inches over the bar. As the visitors looked for respite, glad just to be one goal in arrears, the home side struck again three minutes into time added on at the end of the first half.
Smalley’s fine through ball found Dean and he confidently stroked the ball home to give the home side a 2-0 interval advantage which hardly reflected their superiority. Within five minutes of the restart, it was all over. Gaskell collected the ball in the box, before turning and firing a low drive into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The bombardment continued, as Gaskell twice in the space of two minutes could have notched his hat-trick. Smalley played him in on goal but his shot beat the keeper but also the far post, whilst seconds later Spencer put him through, but this time Longrigg was equal to the task. The Rams eased off a little, allowing the visitors to finally foray forward, and John Lawless fired well wide from 20 yards before the Reds came closest to scoring when a low angled drive from Shaun Harris sailed inches wide of the far post. Phil Edghill lost the ball in midfield allowing Steven Jones an opportunity, but whilst he hit it well from 25 yards, Grant Shenton in the home goal did enough to take the sting out of the shot. Shenton then produced a magnificent one handed save to deny Lawless, whilst the same player raced into the Rams area, but blasted over the bar. Having taken a breather, the home side then regained control and finished the match off with two late goals. On 78 minutes, the ball broke for the industrious Brooks, and he rounded the keeper before sliding home the fourth, then four minutes from time, young substitute Luke Bradbury scored his first goal for the club when he stabbed home a cross from Dean who made the most of a threaded pass from Gaskell. The final piece of action saw Shenton deny the visitors a last gasp consolation with a magnificent double save, as the home side deservedly moved on to the next round of the FA cup, and a trip to Stockbridge Park steels, with a stirring performance that will do much to eradicate the memory of their poor start to the season.
fa cup romp
5-0
Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 31st August 2013 Att: 238 Rammy Goals: Gaskell (12,50), Dean (45), Brookes (78), Bradbury (87)
TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL
Phew! A big sigh of relief after last week’s comprehensive victory in the FA Cup. Not only did it provide the club with ever-welcome additional funds, but it finally saw our season take off after an uncharacteristic poor start to the league campaign. Next week we continue our knock-out push on the Pennines at Stockbridge for which your support would be more than welcome. Park Steels play in the division above us, but traditionally struggle, so there must be a chance that we can provide one of the shocks of the day. Let’s get over there and support the lads! WELCOME Today, however, we are back in league action and we welcome what many would consider to be a troubled club, in former Conference giants Northwich Victoria. Since leaving the oldest football ground in the world – The Drill Field – back in 2006 to reacquaint themselves with former town centre neighbours Witton Albion in Wincham, things seem to have lurched from bad to worse. The new ground had the advantage of the possession of the former magnificent all-standing Dane Bank stand from the Drill Field, which sat proudly opposite the modern main stand. Now alas, the ground is no more, or in a state of demolition, which makes it, ironically, one of the least used grounds whereas the Drill Field was at the opposite end of the spectrum. I used to enjoy visiting the Drill Field, and saw the Vics there on many occasions, so to see the club slide down the leagues is very distressing. Last season’s ground-share at Stafford proved to be an unmitigated disaster with crowds struggling to reach the 100 mark. This season, the club has moved closer to home, but still 18 miles out of Northwich, at the Valley Road ground of former NWCFL side Flixton. Chairman Jim Rushe states that he hopes to find a new site back in Northwich, but meanwhile a lick of green paint has made the Valley Road ground at least feel like the Vics’ home. Whether crowds improve or not, is debatable, for many of the Vics’ fans have formed their own club out of frustration, and the town now has four semi-pro sides, but only one of them actually plays in Northwich, and that is if you can call Wincham “Northwich”! Northwich Villa (seemingly an independent club despite having the same initials, colours and ground at Wincham and Flixton!) are now competing with 1874 Northwich, playing in Winsford, whilst the Vics deadly rivals, Witton Albion, are no doubt smiling at the goings-on, and remain the only club still in the vicinity. All very confusing for outsiders, but it does seem strange that a town the size of Northwich is expected to support four non-league sides. We’ll just have to see how things sort themselves out in the coming years, but for now, we play the original Vics this afternoon, and we can certainly expect a tough encounter. PRAISE INDEED! If you’ve not already seen it, may I suggest that you click on to www.wherestheteahut.blogspot.co.uk , and take a look at the feature regarding our FA Cup tie last week against AFC Liverpool. Written by a neutral groundhopper, it features some excellent photos of The Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, as well as a review of the game and compliments regarding the new look programme. Lovely coments about Ramsbottom United, so a big “thank you” to whoever you are! Enjoy your non-league football!
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TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS What is the nickname of Guiseley?
2
Who was known as the Leatherghead Lip?
3
Which current NWCFL side used to play at Canal Street?
4
Who were the first winners of the FA Trophy in 1970?
5
Who did they beat in the final?
6
Which club plays at the Beveree Stadium?
7
What colours do Whitley Bay play in?
8
What is the furthest that the Rams have reached in the FA Cup?
9
What is the name of Maine Road’s home ground?
10
Where are 1883 Darlington ground-sharing this season?
Answers: 1. The Lions 2. Chris Kelly 3. Runcorn(Linnets are the reformed club) 4 Macclesfield Town 5 Telford United 6 Hampton & Richmond Borough 7 Blue and White 8 3rd Qualifying round season 98/99 9 Brantingham Road, 10 Bishop Auckland
1
Northwich Victoria were formed in 1874 and named in honour of the reigning monarch, Queen Victoria. The following year the club established themselves at the Drill Field, so named, as it was the former Drilling Ground of the 22nd Company of the 3rd battalion of the Cheshire Rifle Volunteers.
three football league sides en route to the fourth round – Rochdale, Peterborough and Watford (the latter being watched by a crowd of 8,989 at the Drill Field including at that time their chairman Sir Elton John), before finally bowing out to Oldham Athletic in a game seen by nearly 30,000 at Maine Road.
Vic’s initially played only friendly matches but graduated to a loose association of clubs called the Combination. A giant step forward was taken in 1892 when Northwich became founder members of the 2nd division of the Football League. Two seasons were spent in the league but the financial burden of professionalism saw the club resigning league status at the end of the second year. During Vic’s final season in the league, they acquired the services of the legendary Billy Meredith, the peerless Welsh wizard of the wing. The club returned to the Combination until 1898 when it joined the newly formed Cheshire League where it stayed for two years. A spell in the Manchester league followed before the club became members of the Lancashire Combination in 1912/13. Organised football came to a halt at the outbreak of the Great War but when hostilities ceased, the Vic’s joined the newly formed Cheshire League. Although a top ranking club, the title was captured just once in a memorable 1956/57 campaign.
In 1982/83 the Club reached its finest hour when they won through to the final of the FA Trophy but lost 2-1 to Telford United at Wembley. The Vic’s faithful had only to wait twelve months before returning to the twin towers, where they drew 1-1 with Bangor City. To the delight of their fans the Greens won the repay 2-1 at Stoke’s aptly named Victoria Ground. After a short spell in the doldrums the 1990s saw Vics begin to reassert themselves as a leading force in semi-professional football. Most notably, when defeating Martin O’Neill’s Wycombe Wanders on their home turf in April 93 to lift the Drinkwise Cup. In 1995/96 Vic’s continued their progress, recording a best finish of eighth in the league and another trip to Wembley in the FA Trophy, a fantastic achievement considering they were drawn away from home in each round. Alas, it was not a successful one as Cheshire rivals Macclesfield Town proved too strong on the day, winning 3-1.
Vic’s again became founder members of a new league when they accepted an invitation from the Northern Premier League in 1968, remaining there until they signalled their ambition by joining the new Nationwide Alliance Premier League in 1979. Last season was the club’s 25th continuous season among the elite of non-league football. Before joining the national elite however, Vic’s name had been on the tips of the nation’s tongues following the remarkable FA Cup run in 1976/77. The team defeating
Five years on Vics sampled further FA Cup glory under the management of Keith Alexander. The club claimed their first league scalp for 17 years defeating Bury at the Drill Field in a first round relay, before turning a 2-0 deficit against Leyton Orient into a 3-2 lead before a late equaliser earned the Londoners a replay at Brisbane Road, a game which they in turn won 3-2 after extra time having trailed the Vic’s 2-0, a thrilling match screened live on Sky TV. When Alexander was offered the post of Director of Coaching at Lincoln City in the
northwich today’s visitors
summer of 2001, he was replaced for two seasons at Northwich by former Northern Ireland international Jimmy Quinn. After Quinn departed for Shrewsbury Town, Vic’s unsuccessfully suffered three more managers before finishing bottom of the Conference in 2003/04, only to survive relegation on ground technicalities at other clubs. Following the sale of the famous Drill Field Vics undertook ground sharing with neighbours Witton Albion which lasted a further 3 seasons. In September 2004 the club went into administration and suffered a 10 point deduction. However, against all the odds current manager Steve Burr and his team produced some fantastic performances, eventually finishing outside the bottom three, culminating in the team being voted “NonLeague club of the year” by the Non-League paper. However due to a technicality in the club administration Vics suffered their first relegation since the foundation of the conference league & started the 2005/2006 season in the conference north. The club under the ownership of Mike Connett commenced the season at the newly built Victoria Stadium & their form matched their superb new facilities as they went fifteen games undefeated before emphasis shifted to a tremendous F.A Cup run. After victories against Frickley , North Ferriby , Barrow , Morecambe & Woking the run culminated in the Vics playing their first ever game against a premiership side , & a great day out against Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light in front of 19,323 fans & cheered on by over 3,500 Vics supporters, the team produced a battling display, finally loosing the game 3-0. After slipping to 3rd in the league during January & February the team embarked on a record
breaking run of 15 consecutive victories & were eventually crowned champions after defeating closest rivals Stafford Rangers by a 3-1 scoreline on the penultimate Saturday of the season this time cheered on by a record 3,154 at the Victoria Stadium . Vics didn’t find it easy going back into the conference national & at the times were too close to the bottom four for comfort. However a superb run of fine victories at the end of March when they defeated the likes of Oxford United, Dagenham & Redbridge, Kidderminster, and Crawley & Tamworth saw them finish in a comfortable 13th place position in the league. They also had a successful FA Trophy run witch saw them reach the semi finals stage before being defeated 4-3 on aggregate to Kidderminster Harries. At the end a long hard season the club was rocked by the sudden resignation of manage Steve Burr & his ultimate move to Stalybridge Celtic. Neil Redferan took over the managers job at the start of the 2007/2008 season. But his reign only lasted until mid October after only picking up one point from the first nine games of the season. Paul Warhurst stepped in for just 2 games before he too resigned. Dino Mammaria one of the senior professionals at the club took over in a caretaker role until the position could be advertised, but he impressed the club officials & supporters so much that he was soon given the job on a fulltime basis. It took until 24th November 2008 for Vics to register their first league win of the campaign against Rushden & Diamonds, the second half of the season saw a massive improvement in results & against all odds they secured safety from relegation with a tremendous 2-1 victory at Stevenage Borough in the penultimate game of the season . Under the new ownership of Jim Rushe with
the backing of the main sponsors Encia the club look forward to a bright future. 2009 On 19 May 2009 the club went into administration for the second time in five years following their relegation from the Conference National;They were threatened with a double relegation to the Evo - Stik Northern Premier League as a result of this, but ultimately won an appeal to be placed into the Conference North for the 2009-10 season. On 24 October 2009, under the management of Andy Preece and Andy Morrison Northwich played FC United of Manchester in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round. Northwich won the game 3–0. In the First Round proper, Northwich were drawn against former Premier League side Charlton Athletic, which was televised live on ITV1, providing much needed revenue for the club. Northwich won the game 1–0.Northwich were then drawn against Lincoln City, a match which was again televised on ITV1. The game was played on 28 November, with Lincoln winning the game 3–1. The 2009–10 season saw Northwich achieve a mid-table finish, but due to the ongoing financial problems, the club were expelled from the league and placed in the Northern Premier Division. During the season, Northwich won the Cheshire Senior Cup for the first time in 15 years, beating Woodley Sports on penalties. This was their first piece of silverware since they won the Conference North in 2006.They remain unbeaten in the competition under the management of Andy
Preece and have reached the final for the 2010–11 season for the second successive year. By the start of the new season, only 3 players from the previous season remained in the squad. The reserve feeder team, Woodley F.C, became Northwich Villa, who play in Division One of the Cheshire Football League. Many of the squad for that season came through the new structure into the first teams squad. Northwich, now are into their second season in the Northern Premier League after a 12th placed finish last term. The 2011 / 2012 campaign saw the team relegated from the Evo - Stik Premier League, even though the team finished 2nd. The season saw Andy Preece leave for Airbus UK, and two other managers in the hotseat namely Paul Simpson and Martin Foyle. Andy Mutch and Alan Wright took the helm for the following campaign which the team will contest in the Evo Stik Division One South. After an up and down beginning to the season Mutch resigned and was replaced by the then Kendal Town manager Lee Ashcroft with former Wigan Athletic legend Ian Kilford appointed as his right hand man. Lee guided the trickies to a very respectable 8th place finish, narrowly missing out on a play off place taking the season right to the end groundsharing with Stafford Rangers. 2013 / 2014 will see Vics switch leagues to the Northern section of the Northern Premier League First Division, hosting games at Valley Road in Flixton. Whilst the club continue to find a home back in Northwich.
northwich today’s visitors
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 Tues 8 th 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 H 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 - FA Cup Mossley DARLINGTON 1883 CLITHEROE Radcliffe Borough Warrington Town FAT prel LANCASTER CITY Wakefield ATHERTON LR Lancs Trophy (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 1-2 5-0
ATT 254 100 192 309 238
STARTING ELEVEN Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender
Pilkington Pilkington * Pilkington * Pilkington Roberts *
Stopforth + Drew Drew + Drew + Stopforth +
Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson
Hulme Hulme Hulme Spencer * Robinson
Morning * Morning + Smalley Smalley Smalley
Spencer Spencer Stopforth Stopforth Spencer
Robinson # Robinson Robinson Robinson Gaskell
Brookes 1 Brookes # Gaskell # Gaskell Brookes #
Dean Dean 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 # Edghill * Morley Pilkington * Bradbury #
Gaskell # Gaskell # Spencer + Johnson + Edghill +
Toth Toth Toth Brookes 1 # Drew Toth
Bradbury Bradbury + Bradbury Roberts Warburton
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
A warm and sunny day greeted the Rams at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds for their second ever visit to Goole; 12 years ago this month the Rams narrowly lost 2-1 in an FA Cup game. On the strength of the opening first few minutes it was evident today would be different. As early as the first minute Smalley broke into the Goole box but put his shot over the bar. Two minutes later Shenton’s goal kick was collected by Gaskell in what otherwise would have been an offside position and it was a simple task to put the ball past Goole’s keeper for the opening goal, despite the many protestations from the Goole players who evidently did not know you cannot be offside from a goal kick the goal stood. In these opening minutes the Rams where constantly on the attack, virtually camped in the Goole half with the hosts limited to sporadic forays. On 14 minutes Rams’ second came from a bizarre own goal. Stopforth’s through pass to Morley was passed back by Goole’s number 2, Hay. Unable to pick it up, Hartley attempted to clear, but totally missed it, the ball rolling into the net. However fortuitous the goal it was no more than the visitors deserved and the large contingent of away fans must have been thinking “how easy is this!”. On 20 minutes the Rams were forced to replace Morley with Sharples, after picking up a back injury. Sharples was soon into action feeding Dean down the left flank where some fine interplay with Gaskell earned a corner. Throughout the game this was how the Rams took the game to the hosts, both wingers in fine fettle, racing past defenders like they were ghosts “hot knife through butter” came a shout from one away fan. On 35 minutes Dean again turned the full back inside-out, his shot being turned away for a corner by the shell-shocked Hartley. From the corner Gaskell appeared to have claimed his second goal only to have it ruled out for for a push on the keeper; very harsh decision indeed. It was a first half of constant pressure by the visitors with corner after corner coming their way. The Rams were playing a fine and fast flowing passing game that totally flummoxed the hosts, shades of Barcelona and Messi? Perhaps not but the 2-0 score line was less than they deserved. Goole’s players must have had the riot act read to
them in the interval for they started the second period with venom. Stopforth was chopped down within 30 seconds and less than a minute later Sharples received the same treatment just outside the area, both incidents deemed unworthy of a card from the man in black Mr Grundy. 12 minutes in the play was back where it had been most of the match, deep in the Goole half. Dean on another jinking run down the left forced a save from Hartley down by his near post. On the hour mark Gaskell had a great chance to make it 3, running into the box beating several defenders but putting his shot over the bar. 2 minutes later a sloppy back pass was taken off Dean’s toes by a grateful keeper. Hartley was in action again on 66 minutes fingertipping a shot by Gaskell away for a yet another Rammy corner. Just as it looked like Stopforth was going score direct from the corner Hartley parried the ball out to safety. On 74 minutes came the hosts one and only corner of the game, the tally was something like 20-1 at this point! The corner was easily and efficiently cleared by the Rams defense. Play was soon back down the other end with Sharples, Smalley and Gaskell linking up forcing yet another corner. With 15 minutes left Smalley was replaced by Moore then on 80 minutes Edgehill was replaced by Hulme after being up-ended a Goole player landing on his arm causing some concern as he received treatment. With 3 minutes to go Moore picked up a yellow for a rash tackle on the same player who fouled Edgehill, revenge? Maybe, maybe not. From the free kick Shenton had to work for the first time as he cleanly collected the ball followed by on the 90 minute mark smothering the ball at the feet of an onrushing attacker. Harry Williams said after the game Shenton is only getting half pay for today as he did nothing for 85 minutes! The game finished 2-0 the only surprise is why it wasn’t more, it was a totally one-sided game, the Rams outplayed and out-passed their opponents and will rarely find much easier opposition. Indeed on this Tuesday coming no doubt Skelmersdale will be a tougher nut to crack but this team is brimming with confidence and ability and will not be overawed by anyone.
this time last season
0-2
Victoria Pleasure Grounds 1st September 2012 Att: 134 Rammy Goals: Gaskell (3), o.g. (15) Goole Goals:
EDITORIAL - AN AWAY FAN’S VIEW Ramsbottom United 5 AFC Liverpool 0 Saturday 31st August 2013 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 5 AFC LIVERPOOL 0 Attendance: 237 Admission: £7 Programme: £2 (a good one too) Tea Hut Stuff: Tea in a mug 70p Parking: On the lane far side of the railway Weather: Clouds and sunny spells The Riverside Stadium has to be one of the nicest non league grounds I've travelled to. If you've not been yet and find yourself in the area, get down there. It nestles besides the tree lined River Irwell and is tucked behind the scenic cricket ground, it also has the added attraction of being overlooked by the adjacent East Lancashire Heritage Railway. Locals will tell you that when the leaves fall in the winter you can always watch the passing steam trains and diesel locomotives (especially if its a poor match). The ground is just a short walk from the charismatic little centre where there is a small market, rows of quaint shops, good pubs and various eating establishments ranging from the sit down 'higher-end' standard to a really good fish and chip shop. Its got everything you could possibly want. If you can last out grub-wise until match time there is a great traditional tea hut at the ground, they do some good quality pies and you get a proper cup of tea in a mug, all at sensible low prices, you can also sit at one of the internal tea hut tables and look back at some of the club history and old team photo's on the wall. I'm giving non league football programmes another try at the moment, I'd stopped buying them previously due to the lack of readable content. Todays matchday publication was 2 quid but I have to say its one of the best put together programmes I've seen for a very long time at this level. It had various interesting articles from the club and sported the added bonus of lots of good quality colour photographs. The people who put it together should be congratulated for bucking the common non league trend of minimal info, cut and paste gubbins from the respective league website and loads and loads of adverts. If you go, I recommend you get one. Todays game was chosen as one of my FA Cup ties of the round. I only live around 20 miles from Ramsbottom and seeing the other contenders for my attention seemed to be a considerable distance away in comparison, it was common sense (and economical) to take advantage of the circumstances. Ramsbottom were one of the surprise packages in last seasons Evo Stik NPL Division 1 North and only just lost out on promotion, this season however they have struggled to get points in the bank and have lost their first four
EDITORIAL - AN AWAY FAN’S VIEW
text used by kind permission of Uwdi Krugg from wherestheteahut.blogspot.co.uk
league games. They have a good squad of decent players but for some reason things are just not clicking into place at the moment. Their opponents from the North West Counties League Premier Division, AFC Liverpool, are currently enjoying a very strong start to the season indeed. After a couple of seasons bedding into the Premier level they are now seeing some reward for a lot of hard effort and sterling foundation work. Could this be a shock on the cards? Could the Liverpool side from the lower league cause an upset? Looking at the stats there was definitely a case to consider. As we all know statistics mean nothing 'come-showtime' and today proved how foolhardy it is to rely on them totally. With no disrespect to a gallant effort from the visitors Ramsbottom United were well worth the victory. How they didn't score far more than five is a mystery. Time and time again they cut the Liverpool side open only for the goalkeeper and some wayward finishing denying them a much bigger tally. It wasn't all one way traffic though, AFC Liverpool needed time to settle into the game (which by then they were losing) but they still produced a good few scoring chances which warranted at least a reference on the score sheet. Ramsbottom keeper Grant Shenton was proving to be a major obstacle for them. The first half was superior to the second in my opinion perhaps the 2-0 scoreline just about kept the visitors in with a remote chance of a comeback. Once Ramsbottom went three up early in the second period the game was all but over. The rest of the game fell a bit flat, dare I say it scrappy. The obvious factor in the game was the difference in league status, Ramsbottom look a good solid side even though they are rumoured to have started their respective league campaign in the wrong gear, I reckon they will soon be back on the winning path soon enough in the Evo Stik, the strikers who played today Lee Gaskell and Tom Brookes look top quality, they are superbly flanked out wide by Dom Smalley and Phil Dean. As for AFC Liverpool their 'usual suspects' John Lawless and Steve Jones put in another couple of admirable performances which will hopefully have pleased their loyal band of travelling supporters (flags and all). I'm sure AFC Liverpool will continue to warrant respect and caution from their NWCL opponents as their increasingly threatening reputation sees them at the higher end of the Premier Division league table. As regards the next round of the FA Cup Ramsbottom, or 'Rammy' as the locals call them are rewarded with an away tie at Stocksbridge Park Steels from the Evo Stick NPL Premier Division. I wish them good luck. Should be a good open game at another nice little non league stadium.
EDITORIAL - COMING UP Our next fixtures—three away days and two big ones at home!!! OSSETT ALBION v RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Tuesday 10 September 2013—7.45pm kick-off Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North STOCKSBRIDGE PARK STEELS v RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Saturday 14 September 2013—3.00pm kick-off FA Cup (sponsored by Budweiser) Qualifying Round One MOSSLEY v RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Saturday 21 September 2013—3.00pm kick-off Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North RAMSBOTTOM UNITED v DARLINGTON 1883 Tuesday 24 September 2013—7.45pm kick-off Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North RAMSBOTTOM UNITED v CLITHEROE Saturday 28 September 2013—3.00pm kick-off Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North Our next away days are both off to Yorkshire …. before a more local game at Mossley .…. and here is how to get there! 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'.
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 one-way 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
STOCKSBRIDGE PARK STEELS F.C. Address: The Look Local Stadium, Bracken Moor, Bracken Moor Lane, Sheffield, S36 2AN Directions: Take M66 and M60 to Junction 24 and take M67 towards Glossop. Take A57 until reaching A628 junction for Barnsley and Sheffield—over the Woodhead Pass. At Flouch roundabout, take 3rd exit to A616. Continue along this round until right hand turn onto B6088 Manchester Road into Stocksbridge (shortly after Underbank Reservoir). Follow this road before turning right onto Nanny Hill, then right onto Bocking Hill and then bear right onto Bracken Moor Lane.
rammy squad Joint Manager and midfielder Bernard Morley Joint Manager and striker Anthony Johnson
Coach Darren Green
Coach Glenn Moses
Coach John Hunter Physio Katie Richardson
Coach John Hunter
Goalkeeper Grant Shenton
Right-back Jordan Hulme
Centre-back and Captain Andy Dawson Right-back Dan Warrender Right-back Dan Warrender
Right-back Left-backJordan Owen Hulme Roberts Left-back Left-backJoel JoelPilkington 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 Please stop walking off! With five minutes to go, the stand and the terraces end up echoing silent, with just the empty wind whistle of abandonment and a tumble weed of discarded twix wrappers. Why? Please don’t tell me it’s a desperate dash to beat the horrendous traffic, because at best we get 300 supporters! Is it cos there’s something on the telly, or because you want to make sure you get a beer at the bar? Please stop walking off! We’re all turning up for home games at 2:45 or thereabouts, and spending a couple of hours supporting our team each match. Many of us are jumping in the car and spending the lion’s share of our Saturdays travelling to away games to cheer on Rammy. Would another five minutes of staying where you are to applaud the team as they leave the pitch really be that much of an ordeal? We’ve got the positivity really nailed at Rammy - none of the whinging and moaning that you get at other grounds, but the steady exodus towards the exits from about 4:30 onwards is right up there with those in the corporate prawn eating seats at Wembley Stadium. Please stop walking off! Let’s clap the team off the pitch at the end of the game, and let’s make the Riverside into a really decent place for the lads to play their football.
this week’s matches Saturday 7th September Clitheroe v Darlington 1883 Curzon Ashton v Bamber Bridge Farsley FC v Cammell Laird Harrogate Railway v Lancaster City Kendal Town v Wakefield Ossett Town v Burscough Prescot Cables v New Mills Radcliffe Borough v Mossley Ramsbottom v Northwich Victoria Salford City v Padiham Warrington Town v Ossett Albion Monday 9th September New Mills v Harrogate Railway
Tuesday 10th September Bamber Bridge v Warrington Town Burscough v Farsley FC Cammell Laird v Salford City Lancaster City v Prescot Cables Mossley v Clitheroe Northwich Victoria v Kendal Town Ossett Albion v Ramsbottom United Wakefield v Ossett Town Wednesday 11th September Darlington 1883 v Radcliffe Borough Padiham v Curzon Ashton
Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY
Grant SHENTON Danny WARRENDER Joel PILKINGTON Gary STOPFORTH Andy DAWSON Jordan HULME Mark DREW Adam GrantMORNING SPENCER Grant PhilSPENCER EDGHILL Jon ROBINSON Tom BROOKES Phil DEAN Lee GASKELL Dominic SMALLEY Tommy Tom TOTH Luke BRADBURY Owen PhilROBERTS EDGHILL Adam Owen ROBERTS NUTTALL Matthew Sam HOWELL RUSSELL Adam Callum NUTTALL SMITH Matthew WARBURTON Sam HOWELL Callum SMITH
Manager: Lee Ashcroft Assistant:
Tim DEASY Chris SMALLEY Daniel GREGSON Ricky MERCER Simon GARNER Warren BEATTIE Daniel WISDOM Darren GREEN Michael THOMAS Tony EVANS Kieran LUGSDEN Alex BREES Brian SUMMERSKILL Alex TAYLOR Ashley PARILLON Josh KENWORTHY
Referee: Paul Referee: Hodskinson (Preston) Assistants: Mark DohertyAssistants: (Preston), Robert Walsh (Preston) Next home game: Tuesday Next 24thhome September, game: 7:45pm Darlington 1883