rammy news V LANCASTER CITY 08.10.13
TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, and a special welcome to everyone who has made the journey down from Lancaster tonight. After what they will consider to have been a disappointing campaign last time round, the Dolly Blues are having a much better season this year, and they arrive here on the back of a superb 6-0 demolition of fellow league side New Mills on Saturday. Could well be that we’ll need to be at our best this evening! To our visitors, enjoy your brief stay with us – result apart of course – and have a safe journey home afterwards. IN AND OUT Whilst, like our opponents, we have made progress in the FA Carlsberg Trophy, and look forward to a visit from Premier League (that is Evo-Stik Premier League!) Worksop Town in the next round, we sadly bade farewell to the FA Cup, sponsored by Budweiser, for another year. For those who made the trip to Barrow, it is likely to be one that stays in the memory for some time, and for various reasons. The crowd, whilst lower than the Bluebirds have enjoyed in recent seasons, was well above that predicted. To have played at a stadium like Holker Street, was also special. It’s many years since I last ventured up to the longest cul-desac in the country, and there have certainly been some changes since I was last there. The cover behind the goal has gone, leaving the terrace open to the elements, but the main change has been the Main stand side. Last time I was there, it was a low-slung wooden stand that had obviously reached the end of the line. It was miserable and depressing. It’s replacement, whilst not as long, is certainly more striking, and in keeping with a club of the stature of Barrow. Whilst historically a League side, they appear to now accept that they are basically non-league, although very much at the top end of the pyramid. Financially, I gather things are none too clever. Being an outpost must pose many problems, and indeed, was probably the main reason they lost their League status in the first place, as they did not finish bottom of the league when they were voted out. Attracting players up there must also be of concern, along with the financial inducements required for them to make what is a lengthy journey two or three times a week. But I have to congratulate the club on their warm welcome and professional outlook. Having played another former League side just four days previously, isn’t it a heartening thought that to have played two former League sides in quick succession only shows the progress that has been made here at Ramsbottom United? Of course, we also remember the trip for the wrong reasons! The 3-0 defeat was a fair reflection of the game, but the main talking point was the red card dished out to Andy Dawson. The resultant penalty was of little consequence. 2-0 or 3-0, we still bowed out. But the sending off was, in my opinion, a disgrace. As he went in for the challenge, I remember thinking “You’ve got to time this to perfection or else….”, and did he time it to perfection! A superb tackle which should have resulted in a corner. To hear the whistle and see the red card was quite unreal. By the time you read this, we should know the result of our appeal to the F.A.. Justice says he will have it squashed. However, we are dealing with the F.A.! Enjoy your non-league football!
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 Editor: 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
GRAHAM SHUTTLEWORTH If it's midweek then it must be a home league fixture - or at least that's the way our match programme appears to fall at the moment! You have to go back to the first Saturday in September (incidentally, the match official that day was also a certain Paul Hodskinson) and our 1-1 home draw with Northwich Vic's since our the last weekend home league game, and how Andy Dawson didn't get on the score sheet that day still remains a mystery! Unfortnately, that's the luck of the draw when the fixtures are compiled, but I'll settle for the prize money from our FA Cup win against Stocksbridge Park Steels and a share of the gate from Barrow as a means of softening the blow. Our FA Trophy away win at Warrington Town on Saturday will bring a visit from Worksop Town on the 19th. Hopefully our supporters will be out in force on the day to shout the lads on into the Second Round Quaifying on 2 November. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our league form still lacks the consistency for us to make any significant move up the league table, and it must be as baffling to you as it is to Jonno and Bernard and everyone else Having brushed aside Premier League outfit Stocksbridge in the FA Cup replay, we then went lost valuable points four days later at Mossley to a late, late winner. We then truly tore Darlington 1883 apart with three goals of real quality and it looked like we were the title favourites rather than our visitors, and then it was Barrow, who I hope everyone can accept deserved their win. Next up Radcliffe, and again we should have walked home with all three points rathre than just the one So what can we expect tonight? Well, Lancaster are riding high and there is a mighty ten point gap between the two teams, and after their emphatic 6-0 win over New Mills on Saturday they will clearly be in good spirits, so let's wait and see. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ By the time you read these notes we shall have a decision from The FA on the dismissal Appeal the Club lodged on behalf of Andy Dawson during the Barrow game. The reaction from the Barrow officlas was one like the vast majority of spectators in the ground, and that was amazement at the penalty let alone the red card, and those views have been echoed by many Barrow fans on their forum, which we have used as part of our evidence. Having, likes others, seen the video replay many times over, I am as confident as I can be that the red card will be rescinded. It was nothing more than a clean and timely challenge on the Barrow player, and NO ONE, but NO ONE, on their side actually appealed for a spot kick, and I think that alone speaks volumes. The final decision does of course rest with the Regulatory Panel at The FA, and that could be interesting! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please note that our Lancashire Trophy fixture against Atherton LR has been put back 24 hours to 16 October in order to avoid a clash with the England v Poland World Cup Qualifying game on the Tuesday evening. Graham
Tonight we welcome Lancaster City who have had a tremendous start to the season. Unbeaten in the league and thrashed New Mills 6-0 on Saturday which shows the kind of form they are in. I was impressed with them last season even though we beat them twice they played some lovey football but where perhaps a little light up front. They have corrected that by bringing in one of the best forwards about in Mark Jackson and his introduction has proves a master stroke. They have some quality young players but have also added two or three top experience lads. They'll be one of the teams to watch this season for sure. As for our own form, well we certainly have been firing in the cup competitions earning the club quite a few quid in the process. We have taken the reigns off a little bit in the FA Cup and trophy and results and performances have been very good. Apart from the Mossley result where we conceded in the 93rd minute we have looked pretty solid and have picked up some what since the first four games that we lost. On the player front we are hoping to hear in the next day or two the result of Andy Dawson's appeal after being sent off against Barrow which in my opinion was the worst ref card I have EVER seen given, we are hopeful common sense will prevail and it will be rescinded. Jon Robinson served his one game ban on Saturday against Warrington after collecting five yellows and Joel Pilkington is having a bit of time off due to the birth of his daughter. We have also completed the permanent signing of Billy Priestley from Barnoldswick, a player we have watched for three years since he was at Colne as a teenager and he's made a brilliant start to his Rammy career where we have gone three unbeaten since he signed. A great coup for the club and one who will be a fixture in the team for many years. Once again thanks for the excellent support at Radcliffe and Warrington where I have no doubt at all that our supporters out numbered the home fans in both games. Jonno
Ramsbottom United bowed out of this year’s FA Cup competition in somewhat contentious circumstances. Whilst being unable to bridge the two division gap between the two sides, the Rams went out to three goals, all of which had an element of questionability. Yet for the first half-hour, the Evo-Stik North side had looked the equals of the more illustrious Skrill North outfit. As early as the second minute Owen Roberts attempted a cheeky free-kick aiming for the unmarked side of the goal whilst everyone was expecting the ball to be floated into the middle of the penalty area. Shortly afterwards, Phil Dean raced thirty yards down the centre of the pitch before firing in from the edge of the box, only to see the ball clear the bar by inches. At the other end, Barrow’s Greg Mills sent in a beauty which beat Grant Shenton in the Rams’ goal, but bounced back into play off the bar. Mills then fed Alex Meechan, but his turn and shot from 20 yards sailed past the post. Jon Robinson then had a glorious chance to open the scoring when he raced onto a defence-splitting ball from Roberts. Twice home keeper Tony McMillan denied him as the ball eventually sailed out for a corner. On 27 minutes the home side edged in front. What looked like a Ramsbottom throw was controversially awarded the other way, and whilst the Rams’ players were still questioning the decision, the ball broke for Mills who thumped it home from the edge of the box. Dominic Smalley cut in with a fine run that left a couple of the home defenders well beaten, and as he played the ball back, Roberts fired in from 30 yards but was just off target. The home side, buoyed by the goal gradually started asking questions of the Rams defence, and Mills again went close before Shenton produced the save of the match. A free-kick, some 25 yards out, from Sam Sheridan, looked destined for the top corner before a wonderful one-handed save turned the ball round for a corner. From the resultant kick, Robbie Williams should have doubled the lead when he met the ball at the far post, only to head it the wrong side of the woodwork.
As the visitors looked to the break with just a one goal deficit, they were struck another blow. The ball was played into the area, and as Dan Warrender sought to protect his face, the referee deemed that he had deliberately handled the ball, and pointed to the spot. Meechan hammered home the spot kick on 44 minutes. The second half saw very little from the Rams’ front men, with most of the chances falling for the home team. Mills, a constant threat, slid inside but saw his effort clear the post, before a fine run down the left wing by Paul Edwards ended with him crossing the ball which Sheridan headed just wide. Paddy Lacy then got in on the act with two long range efforts within sixty seconds. The first one from fully forty yards missed the bar by inches and clipped the top of the netting, before a low drive sailed straight at Shenton. Lee Gaskell lost the ball in midfield, and as it was fed through to Gareth Arnison, the Barrow striker was unlucky to see his shot rebound off the visitors bar. On 75 minutes, it was game over with the most contentious decision of the afternoon. Andy Dawson pulled off what looked like a brilliant clearance, as he appeared to whip the ball off the toe of a Barrow forward who was bearing down on goal. With everyone expecting a corner, the referee, after discussions with his linesman, pointed to the spot and produced a red card for a disbelieving Dawson. Grant Spencer was also booked in the ensuing protests, but once the arguments had died down, Meechan buried the spot kick to finish off any faint chance the Rams may have had. Substitute Nick Rushton could have inflicted more misery on the Lancashire side in the final minute but Shenton pulled off an excellent double save to deny him. The main talking point of the afternoon was the severity of Dawson’s dismissal, which the referee confirmed was for taking the striker’s standing leg and not the ball, but result-wise the Rams could have little to complain about as the Cumbrians deservedly moved into the next round.
3-0
Holker Street 28th September 2013 Att: 677 Barrow Goals: Mills (27), Meechan (44 pen, 77 pen)
fa cup
disappointment
EDITORIAL - FROM THE DUGOUT Since I last wrote we have continued to have a testing time both on and off the field with some great results and some frustrating results where we felt we should have done better. In the last programme I wrote about how Ian Flannery was building his playing time back up to return to full match fitness but unfortunately during the Darlington game he pulled up again with the same hamstring injury which has been plaguing him all season. Ian has decided to give himself time to properly rectify this problem and continues to work on conditioning his knee, which was his problem from last season, whilst allowing the hamstring to heal again with no pressure of returning to play. This is not going to be a quick fix and patience is required for injuries of this nature. Ian will continue to work hard on his rehab and hopefully will be available to play again soon. In the FA cup defeat against Barrow we obviously saw Andy Dawson pick up an incredulous red card for a goal saving tackle near the end of game. His suspension should be this Saturday for the Wakefield game along with Gary Stopforth who has a one match ban for picking up 5 yellow cards. We are appealing Andy's red card and the appeal board is on Tuesday 8th October so at the time of reading this we should no whether this card has been rescinded allowing him to be available for selection. Regardless of Andy's suspension he got substituted during the FA Trophy match with Warrington with a slight pull to his hamstring. We are not massively concerned about this injury but as the hamstring tightened up we felt the need to protect it from further damage. We are now having a joke on the bench about a curse called 'The Rammy Hammy' which seems to be taking down our biggest and strongest players - fingers crossed we can break this curse soon! We had a few other regulars missing from the Warrington game, John Robinson was missing due to suspension for 5 yellow cards and not for any injury. Joel Pilkington was also missing as his partner just had their first child together, congratulations Pilky. Both should be back for this weeks fixtures. On another note we welcome Billy Priestley to our team. He has been a great addition to the dressing room as well as on the pitch, although it is taking a few of the older players a bit longer to understand his broad accent. Many jokes are circulating due to his 'Burnley speak' but he is a great guy who is enjoying the banter with the boys and has fit in well. We continue to work hard as a team to try to look after and condition our players as best as possible. We do have a small squad but that means we are a tight group of players who will work hard together and for one another to meet our mutual target. Katy
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TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Answers: 1.Wellington Town 2.Caroline Barker 3.Russell and Warren 4.Cammell Laird 5.The Oval 6.Glossop North End 7.Weymouth 8.Altrincham 9.Red and White 10.Eastleigh
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Telford United were previously known as what? Who hosts Radio Five’s “Non-League Show”?
The Rams former players, the Brierley brothers, first names were what? Who plays at Kirklands?
Caernarfon Town and Bedworth United both play at grounds with the same name. What is it?
Which club is former Ramsbottom United player Chris Wilcock now managing?
Andy Townsend joined Southampton from which nonleague club? Which non-league side beat Birmingham City at St. Andrews in the 3rd riound of the FA Cup in 1986? What colours do Poole Town play in?
The Spitfires is the nick-name of which southern nonleague club?
EARLY YEARS After intensive research into the correct genealogy of what is now Lancaster City F.C. it was discovered that the Club was actually formed in 1911. Organised Association Football appears to have been played in the Lancaster area since the later 1880’s and there were area representatives in the Lancashire Combination in the form of Skerton F.C. 1897/8 & 1898/9 and Lancaster Athletic F.C. 1905/6 1909/10 but the present Club was formed at meetings on 9th May 1911 and 7th July 1911 at Market Hall Tea Rooms (Coffee House). The previously thought link to the aforementioned Lancaster Athletic F.C. was in fact incorrect, that Club having folded in March 1911 with it’s fixtures for 1910/11 in the North West Counties League being expunged from the records. It was only after rigorous investigations by the Lancashire Football Association to satisfy them that Lancaster Town had no link with Lancaster Athletic that the new organisation was allowed to take its place in the Lancashire Combination Division II for 1911/12. Promotion was swift to the First Division in 1915 and also recorded a club record in the FA Cup when defeating Appleby 17-2. All competitive football was abandoned until 1919 due to World War One, but on the return, Lancaster finished second in1919-20 season and fifth the following season. It was at this point that the club’s ambitions suffered a massive setback when they were refused admission to the new Third Division (North) of the Football League. Had the club entered the league, their standing today may have been very different. Town did take advantage of the absence of the clubs who had been elected to the league by winning the Lancashire Combination for the first time in 1921-22, and then again in 1929-30. The club also had a great FA Cup run in 1921-22 that saw the Blues knock out Third Division clubs Stockport and Barrow. 1930 to 1940 In the 1930’s, Town won two more Combination titles and managed to attract regular crowds of around 3,000, equal to many league clubs at that time. During the next decade the club had more successes as it added back-to-back Championships in 1934-35-36. The Lancashire Challenge Trophy was won in 1930-31 and 1933-34. The town of Lancaster was given its City Charter in 1937, one of the cities to be granted the charter as part of King George V1’s coronation celebrations. The club was appropriately renamed Lancaster City but this new status never brought any luck with it as City failed to win the League title again. 1941 to 1960 From 1945-46 after the Second World War, City enjoyed some tremendous support with gates reaching 4,500 but failed to find success. 1946-47 City reached the FA Cup 2nd round, 1951-52 Combination Runners-Up and Cup Winners in the Lancashire Cup. 1961 to 2000 Since the 1960s Non-League football has always been in something of a state of flux, new leagues and divisions
being created on a fairly regular basis. This restructuring helped City to get into leagues from a wider geographical area than previously, due to their presence in 1970-71 in the Northern Premier League. The following season reached the FA Cup 1st Round Proper but lost out by the odd goal against Notts County. In 1976-77 City achieved their highest finish of 7th, While 79-80 City were the Challenge Cup runners-up when loosing 2-0 to Runcorn at Manchester City’s Maine Road Stadium. But in 1982 fortunes nose-dived when City finished in 17th position (three places above their local rivals Morecambe) asked to drop down to the North West Counties League for the following season due to financial difficulties. After five seasons in the NWC League, the formation of the Northern Premier League First Division in 1987 propelled the club back to a higher level as founder members. Success eluded City until 1994-95 when the club won the President’s Cup, and full recovery was completed by promotion in 1995-96 when the club achieved the double of First Division Champions and Cup-winners. During the same period the club opened its new social club, the Dolly Blue Tavern. In 1987 the club moved again due to more restructuring, as the creation of the NPL First Division when City became founder members. By the mid 1990’s the blues had won the League Presidents Cup twice in 1994-95 and 1995-96 with the First Division Championship. From 1996-97 onwards City consolidated a mid-table position and completed the decade with a 6th position in the Premier Division and winning the NPL Challenge Cup. 2001 to PRESENT The new decade started where the last one finished, regaining the NPL Challenge Cup and recording our highest League position of 4th. In 2001-02 the club ended in 3rd position. In 2003-04 City gained promotion to become founder members of the new Nationwide Football Conference North Division and also progressed to the FA Cup 1st Round Proper. During the close season of the 2006-07 season the club was taken over by a ‘mysterious’ backer that eventually became fatal as the bailiffs moved in. A shareholders committee was formed to run the affairs of the club. In order to survive it was decided to put the Club into Administration and relegation from the Conference North. The club continued and was reformed as Lancaster City FC Limited and then became founder members of the restructured Unibond League First Division North for the 2007-08 season that ended in a mid-table position. The following year the Dolly Blues improved and were just three points short of that fifth and final play-off position. In 2009-10 a further improvement was made in what was the last season of a 17 year Unibond League Sponsorship. But that illusive promotion drive ended, having topped the league for much of the season, with only two minutes remaining of the last game of the season with a penalty in the play-off final against Colwyn Bay, a team 21 points behind City. The team did win a Trophy with the League Fair Play Award but was a scant reward.
lancaster city today’s visitors In 2010-11 three trophies were won and City ended in 8th place. The President's Cup was deservedly won after defeating four sides from the top five. The prestigious FA National Fair Play and Respect Award, representing clubs from Tiers 1 to 4, was also won, and the League Fair Play Award retained. Last season ended with winning The President's Cup in its new format for the Leagues overall winners of the Fair Play Award but fell just three points short of a league play-off place. The 2012-13 season was a season not to remember with a midtable position.
two points dropped
1-1
Stainton Park 1st October 2013 Att: 241 Rammy Goals: Brooks (68) Radcliffe Goals: Robinson (28)
Ramsbottom United made the short journey to bottom of the table neighbours Radcliffe Borough, and came away with a point in a game that really should have seen all three won. After a frenetic opening half where both sides matched each other, the Rams, playing down the slope, totally dominated the second half, but failed to clinch the winner their play deserved. The opening 45 minutes proved to be an arm-wrestle, as the game swung from end to end at a pace that never lessened. An early cross by Dominic Smalley was intercepted by a Radcliffe defender with Lee Gaskell waiting to nod home, and Gaskell it was who then turned his man before firing just wide from the edge of the box. At the other end Matthew Chadwick latched on to a poor clearance from Rams keeper Grant Shenton, but fired over. More chances fell to the home side. Brad Robinson fired across goal after a fine move down the right wing, before Chris Thompson went close from 20 yards. For the Rams, Jon Robinson neatly beat a couple of defenders, but his final shot was too weak to trouble Chris Cheetham in the home goal. Another fine link-up down the right wing finally opened the scoring on 24 minutes. This time, the beneficiary, Robinson made no mistake as his fierce angled drive shook the back of the net, to give Radcliffe the lead. The visitors replied with a free-kick from Owen Roberts that sailed a couple of feet over the bar, then fine play between Gaskell and Gary Stopforth set up Robinson, but his goal-bound effort was blocked by some desperate defending. A Danny Warrender header from a corner was nodded off the line for another, and as the half time approached, Stopforth did find the net, but the referee had already blown for a foul on the keeper. So after a fairly even first half, the visitors came out in more determined mood, and playing downhill, they took the game to the home side. Warrender and Smalley combined down the right before sending in a low cross which was snatched off Robinson’s toes by the diving Cheetham. Robinson headed a Roberts cross inches wide, and Billy Priestley was unlucky to see his header cannon back off the post following a Grant Spencer corner. Phil Dean’s rasping drive following a half-cleared corner sailed inches over the bar, as the home side were beginning to ride their luck. That luck finally ran out following a double substitution on 67 minutes. Within a minute the scores were level. Another fine piece of interplay between Warrender and Stopforth saw the latter send in a low cross which found substitute, former Boro player, Tom Brooks, who gleefully poked the ball home from close range with his first touch. Two minutes later, the home side was reduced to ten men. As Dean raced down the left wing, he was unceremoniously stopped by Radcliffe captain James Mullineux in such a fashion that the referee immediately produced the red card. The Rams continued the assault on the home goal with efforts from Brooks, Jordan Hulme and Stopforth all unsuccessful, before Hulme was desperately unlucky in the final minute. Brooks fed him in the middle of the area, and as he hooked the ball goalwards it looked like the winner but unfortunately it sailed just wide of the post. So a point apiece, but the general feeling amongst the large Ramsbottom following was that this was two points dropped.
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 Tues 17th Sept Sat 21st Sept Tues 24th Sept Sat 28th Sept Tues 1st Oct Sat 5th Oct Tues 8 th Oct Sat 12th Oct Weds 16th 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 H A H A 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 Stocksbridge - FA Cup Mossley DARLINGTON 1883 Barrow - FA Cup Radcliffe Borough Warrington Town FA Trophy LANCASTER CITY Wakefield ATHERTON LR Lancs Trophy WORKSOP FA Trophy 1Q 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 2-2 2-1 2-2 3-0 4-3 3-0 0-3 1-1 2-1
ATT 254 100 192 309 238 212 73 129 127 173 396 677 241 103
STARTING ELEVEN Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender 1 Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender # Shenton Hulme + Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender
Pilkington Pilkington * Pilkington * Pilkington Roberts * Roberts * 1 Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts
Stopforth + Drew Drew + Drew + Stopforth + Pilkington Morley + Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth
Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson + Robinson Priestley Dawson Dawson Dawson *
Hulme Hulme Hulme Spencer * Robinson Robinson Robinson Robinson * Robinson Flannery # Flannery + Warrender Priestley Priestley
Morning * Morning + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 + Smalley # Smalley Smalley Smalley * Smalley Smalley
Spencer Spencer Stopforth Stopforth Spencer Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer
Robinson # Robinson Robinson Robinson Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 1 Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell * Hulme
Brooks 1 Brooks # Gaskell # Gaskell Brooks # 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme # Roberts * 1 Roberts Robinson * 3 Robinson Robinson + Brooks
Dean Dean Dean Dean # Dean 1 Dean 1 Dean * Dean 1 Dean Dean 1* 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 * Brooks # Edghill * Morley Pilkington * Bradbury # 1 Bradbury Edghill Toth * Prickett Roberts + Flannery * Flannery # Morley Hulme # + Brooks * 2 Pilkington + Brooks * Edghill + Brooks * Brooks * 1 Hulme + Edghill + Gaskell *
Gaskell # Gaskell # Spencer + Johnson + Edghill + Prickett Johnson Brooks # Prickett Toth + Toth Toth # Toth Toth
Toth Toth Toth Brooks 1 # Drew Toth Toth * Bradbury # Morley Toth Brooks * Prickett Dawson # Morley Morley Morley
Bradbury Bradbury + Bradbury Roberts Warburton Morley Warburton + Prickett Toth+ Hulme Edghill Edghill Johnson Edghill Pilkington
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
Ramsbottom United deservedly moved into the next round of the F.A. Trophy, with a deserved win at league rivals, and big-spending Warrington Town. Having narrowly lost in a League game earlier in the season at the Cheshire side’s ground, the Rams made amends despite suffering an early set-back. A poor back header from Billy Priestley let in Town’s Liam Dawson who capitalised on the mistake by firing an angled shot past Grant Shenton in the visitors’ goal. However, not to be shaken by the error, the visitors responded almost immediately. Jordan Hulme neatly threaded a ball into the area for Tom Brooks, who was then bundled to the ground, leaving the referee little option than to point to the spot. Phil Dean dispatched the resultant penalty kick to quickly restore parity. Dean then saw his volley sail over the bar, before Scott Metcalfe responded with a free-kick that cleared the Rams bar by a couple of feet. Dawson went close again for the home side with a speculative shot from the right side of the area, before the visitors replied with a fine through ball from Hulme releasing Dean on goal. Josh Cook in the home goal was equal to the challenge as he produced a great save to deny the diminutive winger. Midway through the first half, the Rams had an amazing escape when a poor back header from Andy Dawson failed to find Shenton. In nipped Chris Gahgan, and in the midst of some desperate defending, his overhead kick crashed against the post before the visitors managed to clear the danger. Minutes later, the Rams scored what proved to be the match winner.
Not hand-ball? Decide for yourself!
Shenton threw the ball out to Smalley and he raced fifty yards down field before playing a perfect one-two on the right with Tom Brooks. The return ball fed Smalley in the box, and he fired low past the keeper into the far corner for a wellworked goal. After a period of pressure from the visitors, the home side broke down the right, and a long ball to the far side found Metcalfe completely unmarked, but fortunately, Shenton was quick off his line to prevent an equaliser. Grant Spencer went close for the Rams as the first half wound down, with the visitors deservedly in front, and they could have been more comfortable had the referee awarded a second penalty for what looked like a clear case of deliberate handball in the area. The pitch was making flowing football difficult, and as the game wore on, both sides contributed to an error-strewn match, with many passes going astray. The worst one almost gifted the home side an equaliser. Spencer, seemingly running out of options, chose to play the ball back to Shenton from the half-way line. His effort was woefully short, but Shenton was again on top form to deny a one-onone situation. Hulme and Lee Gaskell both had opportunities to increase the lead, as the visitors looked comfortable despite the slender advantage. Warrington were dependant upon long range strikes, which barely troubled Shenton, and the final whistle blew on a deserved win for the visitors, who now entertain Worksop Town, from Evo-Stik Premier at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium in the next round on Saturday 19th October.
penalty awarded for the shove on Tom Brooks
trophy success
1-2
Cantilever Park 5th October 2013 Att: 103 Rammy Goals: Dean pen (4), Smalley (26) Warrington Goals: (2)
Former Football League side, Darlington, made their first ever visit to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium as firm favourites for the championship, but left on the end of a comprehensive defeat. The Rams form this season has been very much up and down, but this performance, before a large crowd, was just what was needed before the tough trip to Barrow in the FA Cup. The home side took the game to their illustrious visitors from the first whistle. A Phil Dean cross in the third minute found Jon Robinson, but he scooped his effort over the bar. Just sixty seconds later, however, the same pair combined to open the scoring. This time, Dean’s cross soared in behind the Darlington defence, and Robinson swept the volley home to ease any early nerves. New signing, Billy Priestley, almost doubled the lead minutes later when he headed a corner from Owen Roberts inches wide, whilst at the other end, the visitors nearly snatched an equaliser when Rams’ keeper Grant Shenton and Darlington’s David Dowson both contested a loose ball. Dowson it was who won it, but his flick across goal sailed just wide of the far post. Ramsbottom increased their lead on 13 minutes. Some clever footwork from Dominic Smalley saw him beat his marker before racing down the wing and placing an inch-perfect cross behind the retreating defenders for Robinson to powerfully head home. Robinson then turned provider when he slid in Lee Gaskell, but his attacking partner could not find the target. Shenton had to be alert to maintain the two goal advantage, when, at full stretch, he pushed out a fierce free-kick from Terry Galbraith, and then had a touch of luck as the ball was played back into the area, only to clip the top of the bar. Ian Flannery headed a corner over before he had to leave the field with a recurrence of an injury, then a fine run by Dean opened up a chance for Gaskell, but his flick sailed wide of the target. Amar Purewal was denied by the div-
ing Shenton, as the visitors neat play looked to gain some reward, but the home defence stood up to the challenge well, whilst their forwards continued to create openings of their own. A Grant Spencer free-kick was tipped over by Mark Bell, whilst a perfectly floated ball over the top saw Smalley dart between the defenders, but his first time volley sailed harmlessly over the bar. Darlington almost reduced the arrears just before the break, but somehow the Rams goal remained intact as close range efforts bounced back off the post and Shenton’s body. Gaskell, with the last touch of the half, should have done better when presented with a glorious chance from close range, but he allowed his shot to be tipped over the bar by Bell. The home side continued to press as the second half opened. A poor back pass let in Gaskell, but having rounded the keeper, he watched as Alan White scooped the goal-bound shot off the line. At the other end, an excellent move by Steve Thompson and James Moore created an opening for Curtis Edwards, but he fired wide when he should really have reduced the arrears. On 59 minutes, the Rams scored the all important third goal. Smalley won a header outside the box, and cleverly played Robinson through. With thoughts of a hat-trick in mind, he weaved his way into the area before unleashing an unstoppable low drive to notch his third of the night. Despite the setback, Darlington continued to look for a way back, but the home defence, superbly marshalled by Priestley and the returning, off the bench, Andy Dawson, held firm. Keeper Shenton helped by firstly diving onto a dangerous low cross, and then changing direction in mid dive, as a defection altered the path of a drive from Ivan Pilatos. By this time, the visitors had realised that it wasn’t to be their day, and the home side deservedly secured all three points with a performance that was quite outstanding.
outstanding! 3-0
Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 24th September 2013 Att: 396 Rammy Goals: Robinson (4, 13, 59)
THIS WEEK’S MATCHES Tuesday 8th October Cammell Laird v Burscough Salford City v Bamber Bridge (West Riding Cup): Garforth v Wakefield Glasshoughton v Ossett Alb. Goole v Farsley Ossett Town v Tadcaster (FA Trophy Replay): Radcliffe v Clitheroe
Saturday 12th October Bamber Bridge v Cammell Laird Burscough v Harrogate Clitheroe v Kendal Darlington v Prescot Lancaster v Salford Mossley v New Mills Northwich v Farsley Radcliffe v Ossett Alb. Wakefield v Rammy Warrington v Padiham
directions to wakefield
Wakefield is a real sod to get to - and even when you can see the ground you still won’t have a clue how to find the entrance! The way we prefer is to let Chris Woolly type ‘WF1 5EY’ into his satnav, and then you can just follow him! Alternatively, we’ve been advised that easiest it to follow the M62 to junction 30 (Normanton) and head South on the A642 into Wakefield. You’re then looking for the A638 signposted Doncaster, which will involve staying in the left lane (first onto the A61 inner ring road, and then onto Doncaster Road itself). The ground is about 800yards up Doncaster Road on the right. Last season we drove just past the main sign for the ground, and pulled into a carpark on the right, which was miraculously where the turnstiles were hidden! It takes about 70 minutes to get there. Good luck!
rammy squad Joint Manager and midfielder Bernard Morley Joint Manager and striker Anthony Johnson
Coach Darren Green
Coach Glenn Moses
Coach John Hunter Physio Katy 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 Centre-Back Left-backBilly JoelPriestley Pilkington
Midfielder Tom Toth Midfield Joel Pilkington
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
Well, having missed the last couple of matches due to our band’s annual jolly over to Scarborough for the weekend, and then a stinking bout of Man Flu on Tuesday that saw us miss the draw at Radcliffe, we were mad for some footy; even if it was to be a trip back over to the horribly unwelcoming Cantilever Park. I have a vague memory that they’ve called it something like “The HG Recruitment Stadium”. Brilliant! It’s almost as good an idea as changing the name of a club with an enormously long history to something cheeky and catchy in order to try and rustle up some extra paying customers - and if you look at last week’s huge attendance of 53 at Cow-tootin’ Lane then you can see how well that’s gone down! Both clubs have gone for that “Our Vision” thing; you know, where they talk about their plan to have something big by 2020, like league football or whatever it is that Brent dreams up late at night when he’s had a few too many. Warrington have put a load of wooden development boards around the entrance, with “Warrington Town’s 2020 vision” written on them. Even on the drive down the M62 you could see that those dreams are starting to really take shape, with virtually the whole of Warrington’s population heading in the opposite direction to watch the egg-chasers at Old Trafford! The “2020 vision” boards don’t look to be the end of the vision either. According to the grapevine, sweary manager Shaun Reid was on a promise to be looking for a new job if he didn’t get something from us back in August - and he nearly didn’t! If that rumour’s true then their board have gone in for that notoriously unsuccessful approach of beating up their manager and team if they don’t succeed - perhaps not the best way to get the best from your squad! Rumours also abound that their wage bill is around £3000 a week, with five big businessmen chucking in £500 each a week, no doubt expecting to just chuck money at the “vision” and have it happen. What ‘The Powers That Be’ at Warrington fail to realise is that their ground is one of the most unwelcoming in the league. We took some butties and a flask this time because the tea-bar is absolutely hopeless. Don’t get me wrong, the woman who runs it is lovely (when she shows up), but she has some creepy mafia-type fella standing behind her watching, and the pies seem to be all gone by ten past three - which is quite an achievement as it only opened at 3:40 last time we were there! Also, if you want a ten minute tirade about the toilets then please have a chat with Mrs Robbie. We’ve all grown to expect that gents toilets might have neither seat, working light, paper nor often even a door, and we know that our women expect carpets, dried flowers, pastel wallpaper and heated seats, but to hear Mrs Robbie tell it, you’d be horrified. You can’t even GET to the toilets at Warrington until well into the game, incase someone sneaks into the ground for free, and then when you can get there Trap One is missing a seat, while Trap Two is full to the brim and overflowing. It’s gone 8pm and Mrs Robbie’s still in the bathroom making gagging noises, and she’s pretty tough as these things go!
I think that what I’m slowly getting round to saying is that no amount of chucking money at a “Vision” will ever fill these football grounds with people. What we all love about Rammy is the lovely ground, the lovely people, the china mugs and yes, to an extent, the multipack ‘not to be sold separately’ crisps and Mars Bars. (We also love, and desperately miss Geoff, and wish that Harry would go and be nice to him). Brent’s 53 crowds will stop him ever realising any kind of vision, as will Warrington’s 103 (most of which were Rammy fans). Even Brent knows that he has to make the matches a fun day out for people, though God knows he’s fighting a losing battle up there, but until Warrington realise that they need to make the Matchday Experience memorable for the right reasons, it’ll remain fourth on my all-time list of “horrible away trips”... unlike Lancaster City last season! 5-0!
Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY
Grant SHENTON Jordan HULME Danny WARRENDER Owen ROBERTS Gary STOPFORTH Andy DAWSON Dominic SMALLEY Grant SPENCER Jon ROBINSON Phil DEAN Lee GASKELL Tom BROOKS Phil EDGHILL Joel PILKINGTON Tom TOTH Matthew PRICKETT
Manager: Martin GRAY
Mike HALE Simon WILLS Glen STEEL Neil MARSHALL Gavin CLARK Billy AKRIGG Gary HUNTER Danny MAHONEY Ryan ELDERTON Tom KILFIN Mark JACKSON Ryan WINDER Simon WEARING Tom INCE
Referee: Paul Hodskinson (Preston) Assistants: Anthony Parkinson (Preston), Daniel Locker (Southport) Next home game: Wednesday 16th October, Atherton LR in LFA Trophy