rammy news V MOSSLEY 11.01.14
TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL Welcome to the HWRS for this afternoon’s clash with Mossley. For me, personally, it’s always a pleasure to welcome the Lilywhites. I spent 15 happy years, initially supporting then latterly on the Committee at Seel Park from 1975 to 1990, and I have to state that, despite the huge problems engulfing the club at the time, I thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with them, and always look forward to renewing old acquaintances. Our performance over in Tameside in September was, let’s be kind, disappointing, and we deserved to get nothing from the game, although we very nearly did grab a point! Since then we have been on a terrific run with just one defeat (and a debatable one at that) in the last sixteen league games. Mossley, on the other hand, must have been mightily relieved last Saturday when their 3-1 win over Radcliffe Borough ended a run of eight consecutive league defeats. So on current form, this must be a home banker. Right? Er, no! This is football, and if such predictions always came true, why bother going out onto the pitch in the first place. Mossley came here and beat us last year, and I think on that occasion they had Dick Turpin playing up front! So we owe them for that robbery and also to put the record straight this campaign. Let’s hope for another entertaining afternoon, and win, lose or draw, I shall wish my old colleagues all the best for the remainder of the season. SECOND CHOICE I’ve noticed of late, quite a number of Bury supporters turning up to watch the Rams. And not just for home matches. At Curzon Ashton and Northwich Victoria, quite a few familiar faces from my trips to the JD stadium were in sight, along with a number of Bury FC coats. OK, so Bury have had a couple of lousy seasons, but things are starting to look somewhat brighter under Flicker’s stewardship, and I’m sure the future is a lot more appealing than the recent past. Nevertheless, I have always enjoyed having a second team to support. As a youngster, whenever I could, I ventured down to Heys Road to see Prestwich Heys play. They were a major player in the old F.A. Amateur Cup days, and whilst Grimshaws was never one of the best non-league venues, I always enjoyed my alternative view of football, as opposed to supporting the Shakers at a professional level. When I opened my first business in east Manchester, thanks to one of my customers who happened to support the club, I made my first visit to Seel Park, and enjoyed it so much that I became a supporter and ultimately a committee man, as Mossley became my second team. Next stop was a brief (although not brief enough!) spell at Rossendale United. Did not enjoy the experience one bit, and despite being vice-Chairman, left after just eighteen months for a number of reasons. This was around the time that Gigg lane was being rebuilt, and that in itself was a fascinating experience for a football grounds enthusiast like myself. But I soon missed having a “second club”, and fortunately around 1995, little old Manchester League side, Ramsbottom United, decided to make the move up to the North West Counties League. Being just a couple of miles from where I lived, I decided to take a look, and before I knew it, the void was filled. Over the years, my support and involvement here has increased no end, although I am still, after over 50 years, a season ticket holder at Bury, and manage to attend as many games at the JD as possible. I’ve found that having two clubs to support gives me double the enjoyment (and on certain weekends, double the pain!), so should any supporter of the Shakers decide to follow my path, and adopt the Rams as their “second team”, then I can assure them it’ll be a worthwhile exercise. Not only that, your additional support will be both welcome and appreciated here at the Riverside, as we, as a club, look to make further progress up the football pyramid. 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 Brooks 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
tremendous support
I must start by wishing all of our tremendous supporters a belated Happy New Year. I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and haven't put too many extra pounds on like I have. In the end it was a quiet festive period in terms of game action with the matches against Farsley (home) and Padiham (away) being postponed due to these non stop torrential downpours. We did however manage to squeeze a match in against Salford on Boxing Day at the HWRS. It was a terrific game of football with both teams showing signs of great forward play. I was quite impressed with them going forward as they asked us a few questions. We played at a high tempo which is a hallmark of the team; both Bernard and I have been happy with how the lads have started to play higher up the pitch asking constant questions in the opposition’s half. To score five at any time is always pleasing so to do it in front of another good crowd makes it even more satisfying. The Northwich game was no different with both teams taking the game to each other. We were simply outstanding for 40 minutes of the first half, moving the ball around at ease and creating plenty of scoring opportunities. Northwich had much more of the play in the second half and deservedly got the scores level at 3-3. We decided to change the shape to a 4-3-3 knowing we really needed to get a win from the game and thankfully it paid off. Ash Reece (New Signing) fed Gassy who chipped a lovely ball into the box for Chris Denham (New Signing) to score on his debut. There was a great roar as the team’s persistence finally paid off, it was very pleasing to send the massive Rammy following (as per usual) home with 3 points. There has been a bit of movement in terms of players coming and going. Kelvin Lomax has left to join Hyde FC in the Conference. Phil Edghill was released and has joined
neighbors Salford City, and we have also this week released Tom Brooks who unfortunately wanted to take a break from football as he said he hasn't been enjoying his football for over a year. We wish all 3 players all the very best for the future and thank them for their great service to the club. On the injury front skipper Andy Dawson is due to have his knee op this week. Dom Smalley also has a knee problem and could be out for up to six weeks. Jon Robinson needs an operation on his ankle and we are still waiting on what the consultant says so we have no fixed time on how long he could be out. Danny Warrender will serve the last game today of a two game ban and will be back available for the home game next week against Radcliffe Borough. So as you can see we have had a very difficult time with having players available to pick from, but we have brought in four new players. Chris Denham is a vastly experienced forward/midfielder who has played recently in the conference for Altrincham and is someone we tried to sign last year when he left Chorley, but we missed out so we are very happy to welcome him to the club. Lewis Lacy is a central defender who has joined from FC United to help us out whilst we struggle with injuries and suspensions. He is thought very highly of at FC and we look forward to working with him. Andrew Fitzgerald is a 19 year old defender who has joined on loan from Hyde FC for a month, he is another player who is thought of very highly for the future. We have also signed Rammy lad Ashley Reece who is home on leave from studying in the USA, he returns at the end of January but has signed until then. I'm sure you'll make the new lads feel welcome and we're all chomping at the bit to be back playing at the HWRS. Come on you Rams. - Jonno
Peter Band - Joint Manager (age 39) Peter Band joined Mossley as a player in August 2011 and made 42 appearances for the Lilywhites in the 2011/12 season. Peter now gets the chance to cut his teeth as a Team Manager at Mossley having previously been assistant manager to Chris Willcock at the former Woodley Sports and then to Halford at Mossley following Gareth McClelland's departure in January of 2012. Lloyd Morrison - Joint Manager (age 41) Lloyd Morrison was appointed as joint team manager in July 2013 having spent the previous season in charge at North West Counties Leaguers Winsford United. Charlie Anderson (age 22) Charlie is a talented central defender or midfield player signed from Winsford United in the closed season. Charlie, who is the son of former Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and England defender Viv Anderson, began his career with Macclesfield Town before having spells with Ashton United, FC United of Manchester and Flixton. John Bennett (age 23) John is a versatile midfield player or left back who came through Altrincham's successful youth system before spending the 2012/13 season with Winsford United. He signed for Mossley in the closed season after turning down a move to Conference North side Vauxhall Motors. Douglas Carroll (age 18) Promising teenage striker Dougie was signed from Winsford United in the closed season. He was previously a prolific goalscorer in the Manchester League for Wythenshawe Town. Tom Dean (age 21) Signed in December 2013 after being spotted playing impressively in Sunday football in the Macclesfield area. Simon Gallanders (age 27) Simon is an experienced, strong and skilful central midfielder signed in September 2013 from Trafford where he made well over a century of appearances after signing for the Shawe View club. Previously with Ashton Athletic and Ramsbottom United. Mark Haslam (age 25) Mark was one of the original Woodley Sports youth team that was established in 2004 and he captained both the Stockport & District FA and Cheshire County Youth. He made his Woodley first team debut in 2006, becoming a regular 1st team member in 2007-08 season. Mark moved to Curzon in November 2011 making just 5 appearances before joining Mossley in January 2012. Nathaniel Kerr (age 26) Nat is a strong and skilful central defender signed in December 2013 from Ashton United. He began his career as a junior with Crewe Alexandra before joining Rotherham United where and made 5 Football League appearances before being released in 2008. He has since played for Barrow, Northwich Victoria and Droylsden. Luke McCarthy (age 20) Luke is a speedy attacking wide right player who was signed from Droylsden in September 2013. He is a former Manchester City youth who signed professional for Bury and made a couple of League One appearances for the Shakers. He had a loan spell with Grimsby Town before joining Airbus UK Broughton in the Welsh Premier League in 2012 following his release by Bury and then joined Droylsden in August 2013.
Daniel McDonnell (age 26) Danny is a combative left back signed from Winsford United in the closed season of 2013. He was previously with Styal FC and Flixton. Kevin McGrath (age 28) Kevin is a strong and capable central defender signed in the closed season, having been team captain at Maine Road FC in the 2012/13 season. He was previously with Leigh RMI, Flixton and Trafford. Brain Matthews (age 27) Brian is a speedy and skilful attacking player re-signed in December 2013 after a brief spell with Salford City. He had initially signed in the closed season of 2013 from Winsford United. He was previously with Styal FC, Flixton, New Mills and Congleton Town. He previously had a brief spell at Mossley in the pre season of 2008. Lewis Nightingale (age 22) Lewis is an attacking midfielder who progressed through the Huddersfield Town academy before being offered a two-year scholarship in 2007 and a pro contract in 2009. At the start of the 2010/11 season he joined Bradford Park Avenue before moving onto Farsley, Harrogate RA, Curzon Ashton and Goole prior to linking up with Mossley in December 2012. Derryn Ofori (age 19) Born in the Netherlands Derryn was signed in December 2013. He started off with Bury as a junior before playing as a striker with the Altrincham FC Youth team and worked his way into Altrincham's first team squad before joining Hyde FC in August 2013. Russell Saunders (age 24) Talented goalkeeper Russell began his career as a trainee with Wigan Athletic but was released in 2009 and joined Ashton United. He then had a aspell with Altrincham before joining Hyde FC in 2010 were he was then voted Supporters Player of the Year. He joined Chorley in 2011 and was their regular no.1 throughout the season. He joined Stockport Sports at the start of this season before moving to New Mills in December 2012. His stay with The Millers was a brief one and he joined Mossley in January 2013. Christian Thewlis (age 18) Christian is an agile young goalkeeper signed in the closed season of 2013 from Hyde FC. Previously a youth teamer with Fleetwood Town having earlier been at Burnley as a junior. Matthew Tierney (age 21) Matthew is a no-nonsense defensive midfielder who can also play in central defence signed in December 2013. He started out as a youth team player for FC United of Manchester, working his way through to the first team before joining Radcliffe Borough. He had a second spell with FC United and was then with Salford City and more recently Stockport Sports. Dean Warburton (age 24) Dean is a skilful, clever and strong central midfielder signed from Curzon Ashton in October 2013. He was previously with Cheshire League side Knutsford FC helping them to the League title in 2012/13. Steve Yarwood (age 25) Steve is an attacking midfielder who re-signed from Salford City in December 2013. He originally arrived at Mossley in February 2012 from North West Counties League side Abbey Hey after scoring against Mossley in a Manchester Premier Cup tie. Previously with Flixton.
today’s visitors
mossley
EDITORIAL - FROM THE DUGOUT
Even though we have had a few games called off due to the weather, the boys have still been training between Christmas and New Year and we have a few missing players to show for it. First of all I'd like to start by saying goodbye and Good luck to Phil Edghill who has gone to play for Salford. Phil had his fair share of injury woes but was just getting on the right side of these now and I'm hoping he can stay injury free and get some good minutes under his belt which is what he has gone to Salford for. I'd also like to wish Kelvin good luck in his move to Hyde. It is with regret that I say Jon Robinson - Rammy legend good luck to Jon Robinson, who has taken the decision to have a rest from playing as he is struggling with a long term ankle problem which will only be fixed with invasive surgery. Jon was delaying this surgery to prolong his ability to play but has taken the decision to have the surgery to improve his quality of life outside of football for him and his family. I wish Jon all the luck in the world with his surgery and hope that he may one day return to us good as new. We also have a couple of injuries which appear to be long term problems but which are still waiting for accurate prognosis. Dominic Smalley picked up a knee injury in the Boxing Day fixture against Salford City. At the time he thought it was just a clash of knees and felt ok to finish the game. We iced and treated the knee following the game and Dom thought it was nothing serious. Unfortunately there was no improvement over New Year and when he went to seek further investigation he was advised that nothing was broken but was looking at approximately 4 weeks until full function would return and all pain alleviated. Fingers crossed with treatment and extra care we will see Dom return soon. In our other long term injury Andrew Dawson was scheduled for his knee surgery on Thursday 9th January so we wish him well for that and hope that I have good news for you all in my next column. We had a number of missing players for the Northwich Victoria victory and some were as above Dominic Smalley (knee) and Andy Dawson (knee), but Danny Warrender was missing due to having a two match suspension for the red card he received against Bamber Bridge along with a one game suspension from the Kendal FC fixture. Apart from that everyone else is feeling good and we are welcoming our new players and looking forward to stringing some games together once this bad weather disappears to continue our push on the playoffs. All that is left to say is that I am pleased to announce that my husband and I are expecting our first child. My baby will be due in June, in the close season (good planning), and I am hoping to continue as long as physically possible, with the help of all the guys, and try help the team to every success this season. COYR. - Katy
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RAMMY IN EXILE - RICHARD ISAACS
Good afternoon everyone, hope you are all well and a very Happy New Year. I can hardly say that the new year has graced me well as I sit here in bed, chock full of cold, sore throat and feeling generally full of 'man flu'. If you shook me, I think I would rattle with all the various pills and potions inside me ... but none of them are working!!! And the weather outside down here in the south is hardly helping either!!! If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was in the north with all the rain and howling winds that has battered the south coast over the last week or so. Thankfully, the area around Southampton hasn't been too badly affected but it still put paid to any sporting activity over the last weekend. So I just stayed inside and watched Soccer Saturday's coverage of the FA Cup and keeping tabs on the computer of Rammy's away game at Northwich/Flixton. Was very pleased that both of my sides won 4-3 despite having a few scary moments on the way. And when I saw Michael Clarke scoring Northwich's equaliser on Saturday afternoon to make it 3-3 .... well, I thought Mr Clarke was only ruining my cricketing enjoyment at the moment but he was having a hand in ruining my football as well!!!!! Less said about cricket the better, I think. I blame Ramsbottom Cricket Club ... well, Clarke (the cricketer that is) played for them a few years ago so helped in hampering England's Ashes campaign!!!! I could also blame Hampshire CCC as well .... anyway, it was utterly rubbish and being in the Sky Studios on Monday helping with the final Ashes Verdict show was great fun - especially listening to Bob Willis off camera!!! Anyway, back to today's game and the visit of Mossley. Always a difficult prospect as they grabbed a very late win in the reverse fixture earlier this season. But, despite reaching the play offs last season, they are enduring a much tougher year this time around. So it promises to be another good game. Enjoy the match .... I'm off to splash in some very large puddles. Ok, maybe not!!!! C'MON RAMMY!!!!!!!!!!
leaving it late
northwich v rammy
Goalscorer Lee Gaskell egged on by the army of Rammy fans who travelled to the Northwich game
Ramsbottom United played the “Get out of Jail” card when a late goal from substitute debutant Chris Denham saw them claim the three points that they had looked like throwing away. After an uncertain start, the Rams dominated most of the first half, opening up a two goal lead, but a disappointing second period saw the deficit overturned by a Vics side which looked capable of claiming a victory that had looked unlikely as they enjoyed their half-time cuppa. The visitors almost scored in the third minute when a low cross from Hyde loanee Andrew Fitzgerald fell for Lee Gaskell close to goal, but he could only scoop the ball over the bar. Sixty seconds later, they were made to pay. A woefully short back-pass from Owen Roberts left keeper Grant Shenton exposed, and despite his best efforts to retrieve the situation, Ashley Stott gratefully waltzed around the grounded custodian and stroked the ball home. Having nervously suppressed the early Northwich pressure, the visitors gradually began to exert themselves. Grant Spencer made space on the edge of the box but saw his shot blocked, before some neat inter-passing between Phil Dean and Gaskell saw the home defence happy to concede a corner. On 14 minutes the game could have changed dramatically. With the Rams attacking, they cried out for a penalty in a goalmouth scramble, but as the referee shook his head, the ball was cleared downfield, leaving Shenton once again exposed. This time, however, he produced a magnificent save to deny the Vics what looked like a certain second goal. Two minutes later, United levelled the scores. Spencer’s run into the box ended with him flying through the air, and after dusting himself down, he confidently hammered home the resultant spot-kick. Five minutes later the game turned on it’s head. Darren Green chased a through ball, looking suspiciously offside, but the linesman kept his flag down, and he drove the ball past Tim Deasy in the home goal to give the Rams
the lead. The visitors were suddenly looking rampant, and further efforts came from Green with a 25 yard pile-driver that sailed just wide, and Gaskell who chased a weak back-pass but Deacy denied him. A fine move down the left wing found Roberts and his dangerous cross ball found the head of Joel Pilkington, but the ball sailed inches over the top. The home side almost levelled matters when an excellent free-kick from Marc Joseph looked to be heading for the top corner only for Shenton to produce another magnificent save as he tipped the ball round the post. On 37 minutes the Rams went 3-1 up. Substitute Jordan Hulme raced down the right wing before sending over a low cross from the by-line to the unmarked Gaskell, who slipped the ball past Deasy from 3 yards out. Pilkington was just wide at the end of some sustained pressure, whilst at the other end Alex Taylor was denied by a deflection as he stole in on goal. Despite starting the second half in a similar vein, with Hulme and Spencer going close, the Vics, having made three quick substitutions, suddenly began to take the game to the Rams. Shenton was again called upon to produce yet another first-class save as Brian Summerskill’s 25 yard drive looked destined for the top corner. Northwich were now pushing the Rams back, and it came as no surprise when they halved the deficit on 66 minutes. With the defenders looking for offside, Gary Burnett made the most of a ball into the box, and he slotted the ball home to make the score 3-2. Burnett was then desperately unlucky when his lofted shot clipped the top of the crossbar, with Shenton well beaten, and bounced behind for a goal-kick. The writing had been on the wall for some time, and the home side deservedly drew level on 72 minutes. A static defence watched as Michael Clarke found space in the box to rifle the ball home from ten yards, at which point there only looked like being one winner.
3-4
Valley Road, Flixton 4th January 2014 Att: 176 Rammy Goals: Spencer (15), Green (21), Gaskell (37), Denham (88) Northwich Goals: Stott (4), Burnett (66), Clarke (72)
Gary Stopforth battles against Northwich
the new lads
Gaskell tried to instil some life into a listless Ramsbottom side, with a low drive from 20 yards, but Deasy easily dealt with it. Burnett, meanwhile, must have thought he’d won the game when he flicked a cross from the right goalwards, but the ball ended up in the side netting. At this point, the visitors looked relieved to be still in with a chance of a point, but a further twist was to follow. With just two minutes of normal time remaining, the Rams snatched an unlikely winner. Another debutant substitute, Ashley Reece held off a couple of challenges before threading the ball through to Gaskell on the right hand side of the area. Gaskell steadied himself before sending over an inch-perfect cross for Denham to nod home from close range to make the score 4-3. The added minutes were played out without any real danger of a final twist, and the Rams came off the field in the knowledge that a dominant thirty minute spell in the first half had garnered the points that Northwich would have felt were deservedly theirs. Defender Lewis Lacy
Defender Ashley Reece
Defender Andrew Fitzgerald
Striker Chris Denham
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 Sat 26th Oct Sat 2nd Nov Wed 6th Nov Sat 9th Nov Tues 12th Nov Sun 17th Nov Tues 19th Nov Sat 23rd Nov Tues 26th Nov Sat 30th Nov Sat 7th Dec Tues 10th Dec Sat 14th Dec Sat 21st Dec Thurs 26th Dec Sat 4th Jan Sat 11th Jan Sat 18th Jan Sat 25th Jan Tues 28th Jan Sat 1st Feb Tues 4th Feb Sat 8th Feb Sat 15th Feb Sat 1st Mar Sat 8th Mar Sat 15th 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 A A A H H A H H H A A A H A H A H H A H A H A H A H 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 Harrogate Railway Athletic Blyth Spartans FA Trophy Darlington 1883 NEW MILLS FC UNITED Doodson cup Worcester City FA Trophy Padiham Lancs Trophy BURSCOUGH CLITHEROE Kendal Town Curzon Ashton Chorley Lancs Trophy WAKEFIELD Bamber Bridge SALFORD CITY Northwich Victoria MOSSLEY RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Clitheroe Prescot Cables Cammell Laird OSSETT ALBION Lancaster City HARROGATE RAILWAY Prescot Cables CAMMELL LAIRD New Mills Burscough KENDAL TOWN Farsley WARRINGTON TOWN Salford City BAMBER BRIDGE
RES ATT STARTING ELEVEN 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 6-0 3-2 3-1 7-2 4-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 1-2 0-3 4-1 7-1 4-1 3-2 2-2 0-2 3-1 1-2 5-2 4-3
254 100 192 309 238 212 73 129 127 173 396 677 241 103 241 64 69 355 124 298 899 292 464 341 106 229 192 167 233 301 181 248 341 176
Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Chadwick Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton
Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender 1 Warrender Warrender # Hulme + Warrender Warrender Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme Warrender Lomax Lomax Lomax Lomax Lomax + Lomax Toth Lomax Dean Dean Lomax Toth Lomax Lomax Lomax Fitzgerald *
Pilkington Pilkington * Pilkington * Pilkington Roberts * Roberts * 1 Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Pilkington Pilkington Hulme Hulme Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Pilkington Roberts Roberts # Roberts
Stopforth + Drew Drew + Drew + Stopforth + Pilkington Morley + Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth # Gaskell 1 Stopforth # Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Pilkington Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth
Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson + Robinson Priestley Dawson Dawson Dawson * Warrender Warrender Dawson * Dawson Warrender Warrender 1 Warrender Warrender 1 Warrender Warrender Warburton * Warrender 2 Warrender Lomax Warrender # Edghill + Toth Warrender 1 Warrender Lacy
Hulme Hulme Hulme Spencer * Robinson Robinson Robinson Robinson * Robinson Flannery # Flannery + Warrender Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Warburton Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley 1 Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley
Morning * Morning + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 + Smalley # Smalley Smalley Smalley * Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 Smalley Prickett Smalley 1 Smalley 1 Smalley Smalley Smalley Toth Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley * Spencer 1 +
Spencer Spencer Stopforth Stopforth Spencer Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer * Spencer Toth Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer + Hulme # Spencer Pilkington Pilkington 1 + Robinson 2 + Robinson + Spencer Spencer Spencer * 1 Spencer + Pilkington Pilkington
Robinson # Robinson Robinson Robinson Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 1 Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell * Hulme Robinson 1 + Robinson 1 + Smith 2 Robinson 1+ Robinson 1 + Robinson + Robinson Brooks * Robinson Robinson * Brooks + Gaskell 1 * Gaskell 1 Gaskell 1 Gaskell 1 Brooks * Gaskell + Gaskell * Gaskell 2 Gaskell 1
Brooks 1 Brooks # Gaskell # Gaskell Brooks # 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme # Roberts * 1 Roberts Robinson * 3 Robinson Robinson + Brooks Brooks 2 Brooks * Brooks 1 Brooks 2 * Brooks * Gaskell * Gaskell Gaskell Brooks Gaskell + Hulme 3 Hulme # Hulme * Hulme 2 Pilkington Hulme # Green # 1 Green Green + Green 1
Dean Dean Dean Dean # Dean 1 Dean 1 Dean * Dean 1 Dean Dean 1* Dean Dean Dean Dean + Dean Dean 1 Gaskell + Dean 2 Dean 2 Dean Dean 1 Dean # Dean * Pilkington Spencer Spencer 2 Spencer 1 Spencer # Dean + Dean Dean Dean Dean 2 Dean #
SUBSTITUTES Drew + Warburton Warburton * Edghill * Pilkington * Bradbury Toth * Roberts + Flannery # Hulme # + Pilkington + Edghill + Brooks * 1 Edghill + Edghill * Edghill + Dean Hulme 1 + Toth * Toth Toth Toth Smalley * Toth Warrender *1 Toth Toth # Toth # Toth Warburton + Warrender Toth Toth Toth
Smalley * Smalley * Brooks # Morley Bradbury # 1 Edghill Prickett Flannery * Morley Brooks * 2 Brooks * Brooks * Hulme + Gaskell * Gaskell + Pilkington * Smalley + Pilkington Gaskell + Brooks * Johnson Robinson * Spencer # Hulme * Gaskell + Robinson * Pilkington + Pilkington + Brooks Bradbury Edghill * Pilkington + Brooks + Brooks
Gaskell # Gaskell # Spencer + Johnson + Edghill + Prickett Johnson Brooks # Prickett Toth + Toth Toth # Toth Toth Toth # Toth Priestley * Toth # Prickett # Hulme + Brooks Pilkington + Gaskell + Brooks + Smith # Brooks + Brooks * Brooks Robinson + Smith # Brooks + 1 Edghill Robinson * Hulme *
Toth Toth Toth Brooks 1 # Drew Toth Toth * Bradbury # Morley Toth Brooks * Prickett Dawson # Morley Morley Morley Morley Morley Spencer # Gaskell * Chadwick Morley Warburton Chadwick Chadwick Warburton Bradbury Dean 1 # Warburton Johnson Hulme # Gaskell * Johnson # Brooks * Spencer 1 # Denham 1 +
Bradbury Bradbury + Bradbury Roberts Warburton Morley Warburton + Prickett Toth+ Hulme Edghill Edghill Johnson Edghill Pilkington Warburton Dawson Robinson Chadwick Johnson Johnson Smith Roberts # Stopforth Bradbury Edghill Chadwick Bradbury Morley Edghill Chadwick Chadwick Johnson Edghill Reece #
TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS
1 Name the two non-league teams still in this season’s F.A. Cup.
2. Former long distance runner David Bedford is a director of which London-based club? 3. To which club has Lee Hughes moved from Port Vale?
4. Which player/manager of a Skrill Premier club is considering quitting playing after being dismissed for the third time this season?
5. For which Welsh club does former Bury midfielder Mark Carrington now play? 6. Where do Bradford Park Avenue play? 7. What colours do Histon play in?
8.Name the Newtown manager who recently left the club to join the back room staff at Shrewsbury Town.
9 Name the two brothers who are currently managers. One in League Two and the other in Evo-Stik Premier.
ANSWERS: 1. Macclesfield Town and Kidderminster Harriers 3. Forest Green Rovers 4. Edgar Davids (Barnet) 5. Wrexham 6. Horsfall Stadium 7. Red and Black 8. Bernard McNally 9. David Flitcroft (Bury), Garry Flitcroft (Chorley) 10. Shaun Reid
10. Who is the manager of Warrington Town?
Ramsbottom United and Salford City dished up the proverbial Christmas cracker on Boxing Day with a high-tempo game and seven goals to keep the large crowd festively entertained. It all started and ended so well for the home side, but in between they were forced to endure some nervy moments. The Rams took the game by the scruff of the neck. Three goals in the opening 21 minutes had the home supporters expecting a goal rush, but some sloppy defending allowed the visitors back into the game, after which both sides gave as good as they got. In the end, the Rams finally collected all three points thanks to a comfortable last 25 minutes. The first chance of the game fell to Salford’s Dan Browne as the Ammies broke the home defence, but Grant Shenton, in the home goal did enough to clear the danger. Moments later, Darren Green raced down the right wing for the Rams and sent over a perfect cross which Lee Gaskell failed to keep down as he lifted it over the bar. The home side looked to have taken the lead after only seven minutes when Dominic Smalley slid in at the far post to convert a Gaskell cross, but his joy was short-lived as he turned to see the linesman’s flag aloft. One minute later, however, the home side did open the scoring. Gaskell raced down the right before sending over a low drive which eventually fell to Phil Dean, and he made no mistake from six yards out. Joel Pilkington almost doubled the lead two minutes later when he fired in a half-clearance only to see the ball skim over the bar. On 13 minutes it was 2-0. A long through ball from Owen Roberts split the Salford defence, and Gaskell outpaced them before calmly lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper and into the empty net. Another surge from Gaskell saw his shot deflected for a corner from which Billy Priestley nodded inches over, as the Rams continued to press the over-worked City defence. That defence was breached again on 21 minutes with a “goal-of-the-season” contender from Phil Dean. He raced 50 yards down the left-wing before cutting in by the edge of the penalty area. He beat two defenders before sending in a thundering shot that flew into the top right hand corner of the net, at which stage the home side looked like scoring for fun. Green and Roberts both tried their luck from 30 yards before the visitors finally grabbed a goal on 27 minutes. Some slick inter-passing on the edge of the Rams’ box ended with a fine finish from Mark Battersby. Five minutes later, Kelvin Lomax lost possession in his own half allowing Browne to gain possession, and he played the ball across for Battersby to notch his second in quick succession. Suddenly what had looked like a one-sided affair had turned into a much more competitive game, as Salford’s comeback inspired them, and they began to match the home side’s commitment. A cross from the corner flag by Green almost caught out visiting keeper Keiran O’Boyle who managed to flick it over the bar for a corner. From the resultant kick, Billy Priestley was inches away from heading the ball home. On 39 minutes the game had to be stopped as City full-back James Moss landed awkwardly, and after eight minutes of treatment was taken to hospital with a compound fracture of his left arm. Both sides continued to press but the half-time whistle sounded with the Rams holding on to their slender lead.
On 55 minutes, Lomax raced down the left and played the ball in for Gaskell, but he couldn’t quite connect in front of goal, whilst minutes later Gaskell did manage to connect with another cross, this time from Smalley, but the ball glanced just wide of the post. On 67 minutes, the Rams gave themselves breathing space when Gaskell rose highest to nod in a Grant Spencer corner, and a minute later they were denied a fifth by keeper O’Boyle spreading his body to prevent Dean who had raced unmarked into the box. At the other end, Battersby was denied a hat-trick
by a fine save from Shenton after the City forward volleyed the ball goalwards from 20 yards. On 85 minutes, the hosts made the game safe. Substitute Jon Robinson was hacked down in the box by City skipper Aaron Walters, and Spencer duly converted the spot-kick to make it 5-2. Lomax came to the rescue by flicking the ball off an opponent’s toes as an inviting cross looked likely to be converted, but the final whistle sounded on what, on paper, looked a comfortable victory. In the end it was, but credit to the visitors for not caving in after the initial onslaught, and making it an entertaining afternoon for the supporters.
christmas cheer 5-2
Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 26th December 2013 Att: 341 Rammy Goals: Dean (8, 21), Gaskell (13, 66), Spencer (85) Salford Goals: Battersby (27, 32)
THIS WEEK’S MATCHES Saturday 11th January Clitheroe v Ossett Albion Curzon Ashton v Northwich Farsley v New Mills Harrogate v Darlington Kendal v Cammell Laird Ossett Town v Padiham Prescot v Bamber Bridge Radcliffe v Lancaster Salford v Burscough Warrington v Wakefield Tuesday 14th January Wakefield v Curzon Ashton (Doodson Sport Cup): Farsley v Bamber Bridge Ossett Town v FC United
(Cheshire Senior Cup): Cammell Laird v 1874 Northwich Northwich V. v Crewe Alexandra Warrington v Tranmere Rovers Saturday 18th January Cammell Laird v Wakefield Curzon Ashton v Warrington Farsley v Ossett Town Harrogate v Clitheroe Kendal v Bamber Bridge New Mills v Lancaster Ossett Albion v Darlington Padiham v Burscough Prescot v Northwich Rammy v Radcliffe Salford v Mossley
CLUB NEWS
You might have noticed that club stalwart Jack Wolfenden celebrated his 80th birthday over Christmas. He made the front cover of the Salford City programme as well as the back cover of the Rossendale Free Press. Just when you thought you couldn’t take another photo of Jack, there he was, popping up in the middle of the Bury Times. We thought it only right that we should squeeze yet another photo of Jack into this week’s programme, if only so that people can look back in days to come and gaze upon the Rammy Legend who the stand is named after... we’re still trying to figure out who the smiley fella in the background is! Jack asked us to include the following:
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I would like to thank Harry for arranging a collection at Bamber Bridge on Saturday 21st December for my 80th birthday. I would also like to thank all the supporters of Ramsbottom United Football Club for donating so generously. Thank you once again, Jack.
Don’t let your kids grow up thinking football is a tv programme
Joint Manager and striker Anthony Johnson Joint Manager and midfielder Bernard Morley
Coach Glenn Moses Coach Darren Green
Physio Katy Richardson
rammy squad
Goalkeeper Grant Shenton
DEfender Matty Warburton
Centre-back Dan Warrender
Centre-Back Billy Priestley
Centre-back and Captain Andy Dawson Left-back Owen Roberts
Midfield Tom Toth Midfielder Gary Stopforth
Midfield Joel Pilkington Midfielder Grant Spencer
Left-wing Phil Dean Right-wing Dom Smalley
Striker Darren Green Striker Luke Bradbury
Striker Jon Robinson Striker Jordan Hulme
Striker Lee Gaskell Striker Tom Brookes
EDITORIAL - SUPPORTERS CLUB
I’ve just been reading up on some of the dismal recent history of Northwich Victoria. Having played at ‘The Drill Field’ as long ago as 1874, it seems that their troubles came about largely due to ground issues. Much like FA Cup giant-killers Emley, who evolved into floundering Wakefield FC, Northwich were apparently forced to vacate their ground due to safety issues. They sold up, and after a couple of years sharing at Witton Albion, their new (and spectacular) ground was completed next-door to their temporary hosts. Details are quite sketchy on the internet about what happened next, but it seems that the Vics attempts to buy the new stadium for the club fell through, and they were booted out by a local chemical company who wanted the land to expand. Northwich now play their games at defunct Flixton’s miserable pad, and I can’t help feeling that with the fan’s creation of a co-operative club 1874 Northwich FC, their days might just be numbered. This got me to wondering about exactly what IS a football club. Certain clubs, such as my home-town team of Preston, have played at the same ground for donkeys’ years (since 1878), and if you pushed me then I’d say that the ground would be the base of the club. Certainly if you have visited the Emirates, the Reebok or the Etihad, you will know that they don’t have that magical feel that an old site has - there’s even something special about the checkouts at Asda in Burnden that feels like you’re about to take a penalty in front of the old Normid End. But if you rebuild the ground, do you lose some of that? Deepdale’s ‘new’ synthetic all-seater, or Anfield’s ‘Kop’ just don’t have that same magic. You’ll hear a load of scousers talking with religious fervour about what the Kop is, but the real Kop never needed to talk; it just was. Same with the Stretford End, or the Hell on Earth for away fans that was Molyneux. A visit to Wolves now feels a bit like a trip to the Trafford Centre; it’s lost all of that (albeit scary) magic. Are the fans a part of a club’s identity? If generations of the same family have graced the terraces of the same club then are they an integral part of its foundations? The Glazers thought that they’d bought the entity that is Manchester United, but have they bought the hearts and minds of the fans who turn up week-in week-out with their green and yellow Newton Heath scarves, or have they just bought tv rights and a franchise that amounts to shirt sales to gullible Japanese people. Sadly theses businessmen do buy the rights to destroy something with a long and esteemed history - a history that they can never fully understand. MK Dons are an abomination, that in my opinion shouldn’t exist. I’m not a great fan of cockneys in any form, but I do feel an affinity with AFC Wimbledon, as I do for 1874 Northwich, AFC Emley, FC United and all those other fan-run clubs that turned their backs on the exploitation of their religious fervour and decided to create their own cathedrals of football. I really don’t have much time for the jester-hat wearing imbeciles that bought into the franchises that remained. The thought of sitting with my popcorn and bag of merchandise watching MK Dons really grates on me, someone whose family have been standing on the terraces for over 100 years. But in reality am I just a journeyman - switching my allegiance to Rammy when we moved here four years ago? I suppose that the appeal at Rammy is that it’s a real club. The ground is just as a ground should be. The club’s potential is huge, and something that we all feel a part of - which has to be some of the reason why our players are so loyal. It feels as though the club’s successes are our own, not those of some cut-throat tycoon who just wants an excuse to demolish the place and build houses. You won’t hear me say it very often, but I believe we owe a great debt to Harry Williams for making Rammy what it is!
Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY
Grant SHENTON Danny WARRENDER Owen ROBERTS Gary STOPFORTH Billy PRIESTLEY Lewis LACY Grant SPENCER Joel PILKINGTON Lee GASKELL Darren GREEN Phil DEAN Tom BROOKS Jordan HULME Jon ROBINSON Tom TOTH Andy DAWSON Dominic SMALLEY Chris DENHAM Ashley REECE Andrew FITZGERALD
Managers: Peter BAND Lloyd MORRISON
Christian THEWLIS Mark HASLAM Phil DRUMMOND Tom DEAN Nathaniel KERR Matthew TIERNEY John BENNET Lewis NIGHTINGALE Dean WARBURTON Richard BENNETT Danny McDONNELL Brian MATTHEWS Steve YARWOOD Derryn OFORI Simon GALLANDERS Russ SAUNDERS Kevin McGRATH Charlie ANDERSON Dougie CARROLL Luke McCARTHY
Referee: Peter Sporne (Sheffield) Assistants: Colin Unwin (Rotherham), Lee Freeman (Sheffield) Next home game: Saturday 18th January 3pm, Rammy v Radcliffe Borough