rammy news V CAMMELL LAIRD 08.03.14
TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for this afternoon’s return game against our Wirral opponents, Cammell Laird and welcome to everyone who has made the journey here today from the other side of the Mersey. It wasn’t too long ago that we ventured over to Rock Ferry on what was a particularly nasty afternoon. Many other games had fallen victim to the appalling weather we’ve been having this winter, and I think it’s fair to say, we all wish the game had suffered the same fate! We were as bad as the elements, and succumbed to the Laird, yet again. Since promotion last year, these two side have met three times and we are yet to taste victory. Today seems an opportune moment to finally savour a three point return, but we know from the game last month that we will need to be at our best to do so. Of course, last week we laid another bogey with an inspired victory at another of our least successful venues, Prescot Cables. Regular visits there to play Cables or their tenants AFC Liverpool have resulted in miserable journeys home, so it was a pleasure returning last Saturday. A similar performance today would help in our quest to gate-crash those top five and secure a play-off place come the end of April. ALREADY DOOMED It’s not often that a club finds itself relegated before the end of February, but that fate was experienced by Evo-Stik Premier Division club Droylsden, who have had what can only be described as a torrid campaign. It’s only three or four years ago that I ventured over to the Butchers Arms to watch them play a game in Conference Premier, and I remember thinking at the time, that with Bury struggling at the bottom end of League Two, I might actually be returning there the following season to see the Shakers play against the Bloods in a league fixture. Now, should we fail to gain promotion this season, next year the Rams will be going there for a league match. Strange how the footballing fates can be so unkind, although taking one’s eyes off the financial side of the business doesn’t help. Droylsden’s neighbours, Hyde, whilst not exactly mathematically relegated, must also be consigned to the same fate from Skrill Premier, and with other local side Stalybridge clinging on to their Skrill North position by their fingertips, it’s not been the best of seasons for Tameside’s many clubs (Curzon excepted). Which brings me nicely to my next point. Anyone reading the last home programme will have seen my annoyance at the apparent loss of yet another non-league radio show, that on Tameside Radio every Friday night at 6pm (103.6FM if you are interested). The first of the new programmes suggested a mixture of music and other sports during what had been for a number of years a non-league hour. I was obviously not on my own! The new presenter has held up his hands to acknowledge the error, and has now returned the show to a full hour’s worth of non-league football. Well done! Enjoy your non-league football!
President: J Smith Chairman: H Williams Secretary: A Cunningham 07973 416580 Matchday Secretary: A Edmundson 07875 566261 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 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
Saturday 8th March Bamber Bridge v Lancaster Clitheroe v Burscough Curzon Ashton v Harrogate Darlington v New Mills Kendal v Salford Mossley v Wakefield Ossett Albion v Northwich Padiham v Prescot Radcliffe v Ossett Town Rammy v Cammell Laird Warrington v Farsley
Monday 10th March Curzon Ashton v Northwich New Mills v Bamber Bridge Tuesday 11th March Rammy v Harrogate Wakefield v Padiham Wednesday 12th March Darlington v Cammell Laird
jonno
Welcome to everyone connected with Cammel Laird FC. Hopefully you had a pleasant trip over from the Wirral and enjoy your stay this afternoon with us. Well, we are well and truly into the 'business' end of the season with only eleven games to go. We are in a very good position sat in sixth place just behind the promotion pack and it's starting to get tighter and tighter after each game. This time last season we were already in the play offs and were being touted as one of the promotion favorites but ultimately missed out. We believe this year we are better equipped for the run-in, with the players being another year more experienced and with the new players all having the hunger to get us over the line this time. There are so many fixtures between the top eight that points will be dropped every week, but we just have to make sure we keep chalking wins off like we did last week at Prescot. To go to Prescot and play the way we did on that pitch is huge credit to the lads. They knew after dropping the two points against Osset that we had to win and the way they did it was superb. We controlled the game from minute one and totally dominated the game. Today we play the team that last beat us and are another that we haven't beat in our three fixtures against them in the NPL. They are very organized and work as hard as any team in the league. After losing 4-5 players that helped them to the runners-up trophy last year they're going through a bit of a transitional period, but are a very dangerous team. On the player front we are now without Owen for a while to add to the already injured Daws and Robbo, but hopefully we could see Chris Denham return to the squad soon after recovering from injury. The deadline for signing players is the last Thursday in March. If quality players become available then we'll have a look but we won't be signing players just for the sake of it. Enjoy the game - Jonno
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 Sat 1st Feb Tues 4th Feb Sat 8th Feb Sat 22nd Feb Tues 25th Feb Sat 1st Mar Sat 8th Mar Tues 11th Mar Sat 15th Mar Sat 22nd Mar Tues 25th 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 A H A A H A H H A H H 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 Cammell Laird OSSETT ALBION Lancaster City Padiham OSSETT TOWN Prescot Cables CAMMELL LAIRD HARROGATE RAILWAY New Mills FARSLEY PRESCOT CABLES 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 3-1 8-0 4-2 2-1 2-0 3-1 4-1 2-2 3-0
254 100 192 309 238 212 73 129 127 173 396 677 241 103 241 64 69 355 124 298 899 292 464 341 106 229 192 167 233 301 181 248 341 176 371 344 373 73 165 228 271 172 192
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 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 * Hulme 1 Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme 1 Hulme Warrender Warrender 1 Smalley +
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 Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Pilkington
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 Stopforth Stopforth + Stopforth Stopforth 1 Stopforth Stopforth Spencer Spencer 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 Lacy Warrender * Warrender Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Warrender
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 Priestley Priestley 1 Priestley 1 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 1 Spencer 1 Spencer * Spencer 1 * Spencer Smalley + Smalley Spencer *
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 Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton 1
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 Gaskell 1 Gaskell 2 # Gaskell Gaskell Green + Gaskell 1 Gaskell 1 Gaskell Gaskell 2
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 Green + Denham Denham 2 Denham Denham # Hulme Hulme 2 * Hulme * Hulme
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 # Dean # Dean 3 Dean * Dean + Dean Dean 2 Dean 1 Dean 1 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 Toth Toth Toth Toth Toth # Toth 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 Reece # Fitzgerald Fitzgerald Fitzgerald * Warburton * Green Green * Green * Green *
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 * Firzgerald Lacy * Reece Green + Bradbury + Morley Morley Warburton Morley
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 + Denham 1 + Reece + Morley Morley Smith Johnson Johnson Bradbury Johnson
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 # Johnson Green # Green * Morley Chadwick
TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS 2. 3. 4. 5.
Which club recently sacked Andy Morrell as their manager? Name the two finalists in this years FA Trophy.
Boxer Curtis Woodhouse is manager of which Evo-Stik League club? Soham Town manager Steve Fallon gained promotion to Conference premier with which unfashionable club?
Former Bury player Jason Jarrett currently turns out for which Skrill Premier side?
6.
What colours do Boston United play in?
8.
Which club’s nickname is The Yeltz?
7. 9.
10.
Which club plays at Twerton Park?
From which club did the Rams sign Scott Burton?
Which town do Fleetwood Hesketh play in?
Answers: 1. Wrexham 2. Cambridge United and Gosport Boro 3. Goole 4. Histon 5. Chester 6. Amber and Black 7. Bath City 8. Halesowen Town 9. Runcorn Town 10. Southport!
1.
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A fine run by Spencer sent the ball into the area, but Jordan Hulme and Gaskell failed to connect properly, whilst at the other end Shenton had to be at his best to deny Ryan Williams after a flowing Ossett move. Within a minute of the restart, Burton was denied by a close range block, whilst Joel Pilkington’s speculative attempt sailed just the wrong side of the post. Dean and Hulme both went close before a fine Dean cross fell agonisingly inches away from the boot of Gaskell in front of an open goal. Spencer was twice off target before the Rams were rewarded with an equaliser. An almost identical goal to Ossett’s first came on 63 minutes. Owen Roberts curled in a free-kick from the right, and Danny Warrender rose highest to nod the ball in from ten yards out. Ossett’s first dismissal arrived on 70 minutes when the referee, who was struggling to keep the game under control, produced a straight red to Steve Wakefield for a foot up challenge. Yellow cards were dished out like confetti, as three Rams players and six from the visitors were on the receiving end. Down to ten men, Ossett prepared themselves for an onslaught, but managed to hold out despite chances falling to Pilkington, Warrender and Roberts. They almost snatched a dramatic late winner, when Nick Wood rose perfectly at the far post to direct a fierce header goalwards, only for Shenton to deny him with a finger tip push over the bar. Late attempts to garner all three points by Pilkington and Roberts failed to breach the Ossett rearguard, and just when the visitors thought they had seen the game out, substitute Chris Ovington received the second red card of the night for what the official deemed a dangerous tackle on Burton. In the end, both sides had to settle for a point apiece, but there was much for both sides to debate, with the visitors probably feeling the more aggrieved. The Rams first draw in 13 games pushes them out of the play-off places, but with twelve games to go, it promises to be an exciting last couple of months.
ossett town draw
On a night of drama and controversy, two sides with hopes of a play-off place had to share the spoils as they both cancelled each other out. New Ossett Town boss, the experienced John Reed, had a baptism of fire, as his new charges finished the match with nine players, as the game threatened, at times, to get out of control. Ramsbottom began brightly enough, but the visitors pulled them back before taking the lead, but despite drawing level and seeing their opposite numbers reduced, the home side could not find a way through for a decisive third. Grant Spencer saw his fourth minute strike tipped over by Sam Dobbs in the visitors goal, and Dobbs was to prove a controversial character as the game wore on, and could consider himself lucky to still be on the pitch at the end after constantly questioning the referee. Lee Gaskell nodded a Gaskell cross wide before Phil Dean opened the scoring on 13 minutes. A fine low cross in from Spencer on the right was sweetly met by the wingman who fired home from 15 yards. Minutes later James Eyles should have notched the equaliser when a mix-up in the home defence presented him with a golden opportunity but he screwed his shot wide of the far post. The Rams were having the better of the early minutes, with Scott Burton, Spencer and Gaskell all attempting to increase the lead without success. But on 27 minutes, Ossett grabbed an equaliser. A quick free-kick was brought back by the referee, much to the annoyance of Town skipper Steve Jeff, but it proved a fortunate decision by the official, as the retaken kick found the head of Shaun Connor who powered home a header from close range. The visitors then enjoyed a spell of pressure. They appealed in vain for a penalty when a free-kick was awarded on the edge of the box, but on 37 minutes another shout was successful. In attempting to clear the danger, the referee spotted the ball hitting Billy Priestley’s hand and pointed to the spot. Jeff then dispatched the spot-kick with confidence to put the visitors ahead.
0-3
Valerie Park 1st March 2014 Att: 192 Rammy Goals: Gaskell (27,29), Burton (44) Prescot Goals:
lee gaskell surges through the cables defence
Ramsbottom United returned from Merseyside with another three points in the bag, courtesy of a determined performance on a poor pitch, as the chase for the play-off places continues. Not having had a good record at Valerie Park over recent seasons against their hosts and their tenants AFC Liverpool, the Rams put such memories behind them with an efficient ninety minutes and deservedly picked up the points. On a pitch that hardly suited the visitors usual passing game, the Lancashire side did their best to grind out a result, and two quick-fire goals half way through the first half, laid the foundations for what was, in the end, a comfortable victory. First chance of the game fell to Cable’s Jordan Shirley, but Grant Shenton, in goal, was able to deal with the well-driven effort. Ramsbottom began to take charge with Phil Dean seeing his shot blocked, and then Lee Gaskell heading a Jordan Hulme overhead kick just over the bar. A fierce Grant Spencer free-kick was pushed over the bar by a relieved Richie Mottram in the home goal, and from the resultant corner, Gaskell nodded Gary Stopforth’s header past the post. The home side began to find their feet, and the game swung from end to end until the Rams struck a couple of killer goals. On 27 minutes, Stopforth returned a half-cleared ball back into the box, and Gaskell rose highest to beat Mottram to the ball and glance in the opening goal. Barely two minutes later, it was two. This time a well-worked short corner routine found Spencer on the left-hand corner of the penalty area, and he floated an inch-perfect cross over the defenders to an unmarked Gaskell who had the simplest of tasks of nodding the ball home, unchallenged, from close range. Phil Bannister tried his luck from 20 yards, as the home side looked to get back in the game, but his shot drifted harmlessly wide. The Rams were having the better of the half, and they added a further goal a minute before the break. A corner was half-cleared, and Scott Burton, lurking outside the box, opened his account for the club by firing home a blistering volley that flew through the bodies and rattled the back of the net. Gaskell almost made it four with the last attack of the half, but he scooped a difficult effort over the bar. On 53 minutes, Gaskell did have the ball in the back of the net, but the linesman’s flag ruled it out for offside. On the end of a fluid move from the men in blue, Spencer poked the ball wide, whilst Gaskell went in search of the matchball, and almost completed his hat-trick on two occasions. Both times he was denied by Mottram. The first was when he nipped through the defence, but the custodian was off his line and managed to scramble the ball from the forward’s feet. On the second occasion, he drove Gaskell wide before blocking his close-range effort. The home side’s attacks were sporadic as the Rams defence rarely looked like being breached, and despite the bobbly surface, the visitors continued to take the game to their hosts. A fourth goal should have arrived on 89 minutes, when a poor clearance fell to the feet of Jordan Hulme. With two totally unmarked team-mates calling for the ball, he chose to test the keeper, and Mottram guessed right to keep the arrears down to three. Those three goals mean that the Rams have now knocked in 87 league goals already this season, that’s 14 more than the next highest scorers. It’s that type of performance that continues to attract an evergrowing band of supporters, many of whom enjoyed this latest victory, as the push for the play-offs continues.
0-3
Valerie Park 1st March 2014 Att: 192 Rammy Goals: Gaskell (27,29), Burton (44) Prescot Goals:
gassy bags the opening goal
dom back from injury
scott burton and billy priestley
jordan causing trouble up front
squad
rammy Joint Manager and striker Anthony Johnson
Goalkeeper Grant Shenton
Left-back Owen Roberts
Midfield Tom Toth
Joint Manager and midfielder Bernard Morley
Centre-Back Billy Priestley
Centre-back Dan Warrender
Midfield Joel Pilkington
Midfielder Gary Stopforth
Midfielder Scott Burton
Left-wing Phil Dean
Striker Lee Gaskell
Midfielder Grant Spencer
Right-wing Dom Smalley
Striker Jordan Hulme
Striker Darren Green
RAMMY IN EXILE - RICHARD ISAACS
Good afternoon one and all - hope you are all keeping well. Well, I am home from my excursion to the US of A and now attempting to limit the damage done by the monumental food portions that the Americans live on. How can anyone possibly be thin over there, I really don't know. Even attempting to be good was impossible so the drive is on to slice the pounds off. And, in an effort to do that, like last year, SW are doing a 6-week sponsored slim for a local charity down in Southampton. This time it is the Warsash First Response Team ... who come out as the first port of call for emergencies and are there when the ambulance arrives. It is a very worthwhile charity so if you would like to sponsor me, please let me know. And you can do that today as I am up for this game against Cammell Laird. The last game I saw was also against them over in Merseyside the Wirral and we lost 2-1 on a soaking wet and utterly miserable afternoon which caused me to drive the four hours home with soggy socks on. It was probably our worst performance of the season and was our last defeat - in fact, we have only dropped two points since in claiming 13 of the 15 points available since early February.
But we all know that anything could happen but a win today and 'revenge' for the defeat a month ago will be a massive boost to our playoff chances. It is incredibly tight - just like it was last year with three club vying for probably the one remaining spot in the end of season free-for-all. There is still a long way to go but the lads are playing superbly and reports after last week's trip to the Wirral Merseyside showed as Valerie Park hasn't been the happiest hunting ground for us against either Cables or AFC Liverpool so to win 3-0 was a huge plus. And I am really looking forward to this game today. The reason for my visit this week ... well, I was at a Michael Buble concert on Wednesday night and have travelled up just for that. Well, sort of. Thinking of going to Widnes on Thursday to watch Salford Red Devils (rugby league that is) and maybe Bury on Friday to watch the 'big' local derby against Rochdale and then, of course, Rammy on Saturday and Rammy Market on Sunday before I head for home. So the Buble concert just so happened to coincide with everything else. Right! Finally from me and I go back to Washington D.C. for this one. There was a very pleasant restaurant in one of the many shopping malls called 'Harry's Smokehouse'. And it instantly made me think of Rammy. Why? Well, I always thought Harry's Smokehouse was the ticket office at the back of the tea bar!!! See you this afternoon and let's hear some of that singing ....... C'MON RAMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
today’s visitors
cammell laird
Tony Sullivan - MANAGER After a successful playing career at Prescot Cables, Tony moved to Conference side Stalybridge Celtic. Tony also enjoyed spells with Southport, Altrincham, Lancaster City and Chorley before taking his coaching badges. He was appointed manager in November 2010 and is a popular manager with players and fans alike for his no-nonsense approach. January 2013 saw Sully win Manager of the Month. Chay Dysart - Defender Signed from West Cheshire League side West Kirby, Chay and is a local lad with tremendous defensive qualities. Can play either left back or centre half, Chay is currently the team captain following a fine season last term. Craig Cairns – Forward Promoted from the Reserves during last season where Craig was a regular scorer, a lively striker who pitched in with some important goals lat season, first full season at this level. Steve Ferrigan – Defender Steve is a level headed utility player, a true club man. Keeps it simple rarely giving the ball away and turned in some impressive showings and has become a valuable member of the squad. His personal target for the season is to score a goal! Joe Gibiluru – Midfield Former Prescot Cables favorite Joe is a midfielder who is full of pace and likes to cut in from almost wing positions. A creative player who is not afraid to get stuck in with a challenge and can quickly convert defence into attack. Paul Foy – Forward Ex Cables player who is a hard working forward with pace and an eye for
the poachers goal, seasons goal is to hit the net ten times. Favourite TV programme is Match of the Day..isn't it every ones. Liam Hollett – Defender Experienced defender having played for several seasons with Prescot Cables but still young. Won many plaudits en-route, What you would describe as a non nonsense and tough tackling defender. James Foley - Midfield Former Macclesfield Town youth player, whose previous clubs include AFC Liverpool and Buckley, James is a creative midfield player who is just as comfortable playing out wide as he is in the centre of midfield. Daniel O’Brien – Midfield Signed for Lairds in the middle of the 2011-12 campaign Danny was signed from amateur football in Liverpool and has been an ever present since. Good passer and dead ball specialist. Freddie Potter – Defender/Midfield A right sided defensive midfielder Freddie is one of the latest hot prospects to come out of Kirklands. An eye for goal from set-pieces. John Riley (Captain) – Midfield Club Captain John is another experienced player at Lairds. Counts Winsford United and Prescot Cables in his former clubs list. A battling midfield general and a good organiser on the park John was a natural choice as captain. A long term injury will limit his appearances this season. Paul Parle-Defender/Midfield Previous clubs include Marine and Runcorn, Paul's time with Lairds has been blighted by injury, when fit a good passer who can get up and down the pitch.
today’s visitors
cammell laird
Cammell Laird Football Club can trace its origins back to 1889 when a team from the Upper Boilers Shop of Laird Brothers (forerunners of the world famous shipyard whose name we carry to this day) played in Birkenhead Park under the name of Grange Football Club. However, the club soon changed to the rugby code and it was not until May1907 that the Cammell Laird Institute Association Football Club was established. Having had a prolific period of success with rises tthrough the various leagues being acheived, the club had in effect overacheived and the last few seasons have seen 'Lairds' struggle both on and off the field. The 2011/12 season saw the club struggle from the start of the season, and Lairds were never out of the relegation zone, despite the best efforts of manager Tony Sullivan. 'Lairds' finished bottom of the league and had to seek
re-election to stay in the now Evo-Stik North which was confirmed in May 2012. 2012/13 saw an incredible turn around from the previous season, as Lairds finished league Runners up, with 86 points, but fell just short of promotion, losing on penalties in the final to Trafford. Lairds also enjoyed some Cup success with matches against FC United and FC Halifax and a great league cup run enjoying victories against Premier sides, Kendal and, Chorley, before losing in the semi final to premier side champions elect North Ferriby. Jamie Henders scored 36 goals take the scoring plaudits, but goals came from all over the squad and a great team spirit saw them win games late on. Tony Sullivan side entered the 2013/14 season on a high and with high expectations from all concerned.
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Lee Gaskell
“the crowdWe alatl appreci ate Rammy, it
makes a real difference. Where else would you get fans this passionate!,,
With almost 100 goals since he joined Rammy in September 2011, Lee Gaskell has been a permanent fixture in the team. Last season he and Robbo were the highest scoring strike partnership in English football, and with 19 this season so far, he’s up there yet again. We caught up with 29-year-old Gaskell during the week, and asked him some of those burning questions such as, “Do you feel a lot of pressure when your dad looks a little bit like Alex Ferguson?” “Definitely! Dad’s my worst critic. He was a player himself, and then a coach at Bury and Manchester City so we’ll sit down after the game and pick over how I played. Both my parents are almost always there watching and my grandad is amazing - he’s only missed two or three of my games in the last ten years.” So where did you start playing your football, and how have you found yourself ending up at Rammy? I was at Bury from a young age through to about 16, then I took a full-time professional spot up at Morecambe before moving on to Northwich after a year or so. That’s when I got a shoulder injury that kept me out of football for almost three years. It’s the same problem Jonno has, where the shoulder just keeps dislocating, and like Jonno I ended up having an operation to put it right. It used to just fall out when I was playing, and even when I was asleep in bed. After the operation it took a good while to recover, but touch wood I haven’t had any trouble with it for ages now. So after the op, where did you end up? I went to Trafford when it seemed as though the injury had settled down, and then on to Walshaw Sports. A few Northwest Counties teams showed an interest in me while I was there, and through the lads’ connections at Walshaw, Bernard got in touch and asked if I fancied giving it a go at Rammy. That was back in September 2011, and the rest is history! How did it go when you first joined? I remember my debut against Padiham, but it
was the second match away at Maine Road that I first got on the score sheet. I ended up nominated for Player of the Month as I got seven goals in five games so I was really chuffed. I really like Rammy and did from the first moment. It’s like one big Rammy family. The players are great, the atmosphere in the dressing room is spot-on, and the fans have always been really welcoming. This season in particular it’s been brilliant, and it gives you a real boost when you hear the fans singing your name. Some players say they don’t notice the crowd because they’re concentrating so much, but we all appreciate the crowd at Rammy, it makes a real difference. Where else would you get fans this passionate! How do you get on with the players in general? Are they some more annoying than others? I think Robbo is a real Rammy legend, and I love playing alongside him. He’s a great scrapper and really unselfish. I’ve learnt a load from him. Grant Spencer is constantly on at me for not giving him the ball, but he doesn’t pass to me so that’s fair enough. Gaz Stopforth is a really great player, and it was great to see him score against Cammell Laird. For the effort he puts in, he definitely deserves a lot more goals than he gets! That’s something we’ve noticed that’s particularly good this season - that so many players are getting onto the score-sheet. Yeah, our goal difference is getting really mad! Last year it was just me and Robbo who were bagging everything, but now we’ve got Wodge getting a few, and Phil Dean with 20 or so. It’s a sign that we really mean business. How many did you end up getting last season? It was 32 in total. I had a bet with Jonno at the start of the season that I’d get 30, and when I scored that 30th I ran up to him to claim my winnings. He’s still not coughed up the money! I’m just five goals off the big 100 for Rammy, so with twelve games left I’m determined to get past that landmark.
Lee Gaskell
Lee Gaskell What happened earlier on in the season when you spent a little while on the bench? At Walshaw I was always seen as a bit of a lazy player because I’m quite chilled out on the ball, but people miss a lot of what you do off the ball. I’m not saying that’s the case at Rammy, but the lads took me to one side at the start of the season and said they weren’t particularly happy with my pre-season performances. I ended up on the bench for a while and put in the work. I’m confident that I’m good enough, and if I’m playing well and scoring goals then
I’ll be starting the games. I don’t get caught out not putting the effort in, and at games like Curzon Aston away I’ve shown that I can even cut it as a lone striker. What do you get up to off the pitch? Are you married? What do you do for a living? What hobbies have you got? We need to ask this stuff so Sky Sports have got something to say when we get a good cup run... I’ve been with my girlfriend Lyndsay for a short while and she reads the Rammy reports in the
“off I’thme jubistg fi100ve goalfors Rammy, so with twelve games left I’m determined,,
papers and wants to come and see us. When we’ve got a big game I’ll bring her along. As a job I’m an electrician, working for my dad’s company. It works out well with the footy, but occasionally it clashes. I was working down in Southampton for the Ossett Albion midweek game, but normally it’s ok. Hobbies-wise I do a lot of sport. I play snooker most Fridays, and like squash and table-tennis. I really love my golf, and go abroad every year playing.
One last question... Now that you’re in your fourth season with Rammy, if it came to a choice between Squires Gate away and Hangover II on DVD, would you still choose to spend New Year’s Day in front of the telly? No-one’s ever going to let me forget that one! You never know, cos Hangover 3 has come out now, so if I don’t turn up for the Farsley game, you know what I’m up to!
EDITORIAL - SUPPORTERS CLUB
Please join us in giving a big, hearty Rammy welcome for today’s mascot Ollie Booth. He’s seven years old and plays for Rammy’s U8s (sonic) side. Fingers-crossed he gets to see us overturn our last Evo-stik bogie team and put a hat-ful of goals past Cammell Laird! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Katie has mentioned to me over the last few days that we have some new interest from people wanting to join the Rammy Supporters Club. If the truth be told, we’ve felt a bit like a bunch of frauds over the last couple of seasons; taking folks’ money off them only to spend it on promotional flyers and the like. Apart from the hard work we’ve been putting into shouting the Rammy cause, we feel like we’ve neglected the other kinds of things that perhaps a supporters club ought to be getting up to. In reality though, the supporters club committee comprises just me and Katie, and as you’ve probably noticed, I’m normally running round with a camera while Katie is trying to persuade all and sundry to buy a Golden Goal ticket on the turnstiles. We’ve tried to persuade a few other people to join the committee, and we’ve had some success with George, Damien, Stuart and a few other folks, but at the end of the day we’re all really there to watch the footy! The question has arisen a few times about whether we should pack in running the Supporters Club, as there seems little interest. I’ve always maintained that as the main football club progresses, so the demographics of our supporters will change, and so interest in a Supporters Club will pick up. We’re really starting to see those things happening now - there is definitely a more committed and passionate fan-base than we have ever seen, particularly at away games where we’re seeing a fantastic turn-out, some great banter, and even a bit of singing. We’re also now starting to see thing like ‘the lads’ renting a minibus so that they can get to games and have a few beers. As things continue to change I think that a Supporters Club is becoming more and more relevant and important. So I hope you’ll forgive us for seeming to just take your fiver off you in exchange for just a badge and a car-sticker, but I can assure you that we have done a load of promotional stuff with the money this year, including about 13,000 flyers that have gone through letterboxes! We’ve always been quite limited in our on-ground activities due to certain obstructions we’ve encountered, but it is our intention to continue and to expand the promotional work we do across Rammy and the surrounding area. We’d also like to start working on some social stuff, and some of the other things that you’d expect a supporters club to get up to... and that’s where you come in. If you have any skills or interests that would be useful, and are keen in helping to develop Rammy’s Supporters Club then please give me or Katie a shout. The only obstacle we currently have is a lack of manpower. Please help us - come and get stuck in!
Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY
Grant SHENTON Joel PILKINGTON Owen ROBERTS Gary STOPFORTH Danny WARRENDER Billy PRIESTLEY Grant SPENCER Scott BURTON Lee GASKELL Jordan HULME Phil DEAN Tom TOTH Darren GREEN Andy DAWSON Dominic SMALLEY
Manager: Tony Sullivan
Chay DYSART Chris REILLY Craig CAIRNS Dan O’BRIEN Freddie POTTER James FOLEY Jamie HENDERS John COUCH Liam HOLLETT Mike LANGLEY Paul FOY Paul PARLE Steve FERRIGAN Danny DIXON Joe EVANS Joey GIBILURU Paul LUNDON Phil MOONEY Ritchie FOULKES
Referee: Gavin Hock Assistants: Aaron Bannister, Steven Holroyd Next home game: Tuesday 11th March 7:45pm, Rammy Harrogate Railway