rammy news V BAMBER BRIDGE 26-04-14
TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium this afternoon, and a special welcome for our fellow Lancastrians from Bamber Bridge, and today’s match officials, for what is a vital end-of-season clash. Well, another season is almost over. Where do the months go? It’s been another fascinating campaign, and we enter this afternoon’s clash with the Brig still unsure as to how the season will end. Quite simply, this afternoon’s match will see one of the following: a win for us will take us to Warrington for the play-off semi-final. A draw will send us up to Darlington. A defeat will see our season end, unless Lancaster fail to beat champions Curzon Ashton, in which case we will travel to Darlington. Ninety minutes left of a long season, and still three possible outcomes at the end of the 90 minutes. Does football get any better?! Once again, as we look back over the last nine months, the lads have provided us with some terrific entertainment. It’s hardly surprising that along the way we have gained more supporters. To those of you who were possibly unaware of the quality of football on offer at the HWRS before the season started, but are now regulars and enjoying the experience every much as we “old-time” regulars….”Welcome!” To see the crowds increase is extremely satisfying and a reminder that non-league football really is the home of “real” football. Indeed, over the season, the club has, once again, taken great steps to move forward. The ground has improved, and knowing Harry, more will follow. The atmosphere has changed completely. The usual support was rather subdued and laid back, but we now have drums and chanting and a general increase in the level of sound from the mainly younger followers. Long may that continue. On the media side, the website has been redesigned and looks superb, whilst the programme continues to improve and is now a very professional publication. Then, of course, there has been the recent introduction of “Rammy TV”. Goodness me, could we have imagined that just twelve months ago?! Overseeing it all is, of course, Harry Williams himself, who after 48 years shows no sign of slowing down, and he along with his small band of helpers, deserves much praise for the amazing amount of work that is put in to keep Ramsbottom United moving forward to provide us all with the ability to enjoy watching the style of football we do in an excellent non-league venue. At the end of the day, though, all this work, whether on or off the field, is wasted unless people turn up to appreciate it. You, the supporters, have been terrific. Whether you have been watching the Rams for years, or have just joined the ride, may I, on behalf of the Chairman, the committee, team management and coaching staff, and the players say a massive “Thank you” for your support this season. If this is the last game, then enjoy the summer break and we all look forward to seeing you back here come August for what will hopefully be another entertaining nine months. If there is more to come, then I hope you continue to turn out in huge numbers next week to see just how far we can go. I’m just glad that I am not of a nervous disposition, for these last few weeks have been rather stressful! Enjoy your non-league football!
President: J Smith Chairman: H Williams Secretary: A Cunningham 07973 416580 Matchday Secretary: A Edmunson 07875 565261 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
jonno
Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for today's game against Bamber Bridge FC. I'd like to welcome everyone from Brig; they're a great club who have players and management who both me and Bernard know very well. Well what a few days we had last weekend. To come back TWICE in both games in the last few minutes shows the resilience of this team. After what happened at Farsley the week before it would have been easy for the lads to throw in the towel and believe it was over. It had been taken out of our hands, but due to the midweek results we knew that if we won our remaining games then we would make the playoffs. The lads were absolutely thrilled at the end of the game against Warrington as you'd expect - the whole club was buzzing and it was great to experience after the previous week. In the Salford game it took us a while to get into our rhythm, the wind and rock-hard pitch were a bit of a leveller but again the lads were terrific in getting the three points which at this stage of the season is all that counts. We have put ourselves in a great position knowing that it's in our hands. We're chomping at the bit to put a few wrongs right after last season. I'm sure you'll all agree that what the squad have achieved has been unbelievable again this season. After losing five of our first seven games we have been brilliant. A lot has been against us, with more injuries than I've ever known and the three points deduction amongst other things, but the lads have stuck together, tried to play the Rammy way at all times and have rewarded us with some memorable moments. Finally a big thank you to you lot, the fans. You have been immense all season home and away - you have supported us through the tough times and backed us through the good. We will do everything in our power to make sure you can enjoy an extra couple of games and maybe just maybe a promotion too. COME ON YOU RAMS
DATE
OPPOSITION
Sat 17th Aug H CURZON ASHTON Tues 20th Aug A Ossett Town Sat 24th Aug A Warrington Town Mon 26th Aug H PADIHAM Sat 31st Aug H AFC Liverpool - FA Cup Sat 7th Sept H NORTHWICH VICTORIA Tues 10th Sept A Ossett Albion Sat 14th Sept A Stocksbridge - FA Cup Tues 17th Sept H Stocksbridge - FA Cup Sat 21st Sept A Mossley Tues 24th Sept H DARLINGTON 1883 Sat 28th Sept A Barrow - FA Cup Tues 1st Oct A Radcliffe Borough Sat 5th Oct A Warrington Town FA Trophy Tues 8 th Oct H LANCASTER CITY Sat 12th Oct A Wakefield Weds 16th Oct H ATHERTON LR Lancs Trophy Sat 19th Oct H WORKSOP FA Trophy 1Q Sat 26th Oct A Harrogate Railway Athletic Sat 2nd Nov A Blyth Spartans FA Trophy Wed 6th Nov A Darlington 1883 Sat 9th Nov H NEW MILLS Tues 12th Nov H FC UNITED Doodson cup Sun 17th Nov A Worcester City FA Trophy Tues 19th Nov H Padiham Lancs Trophy Sat 23rd Nov H BURSCOUGH Tues 26th Nov H CLITHEROE Sat 30th Nov A Kendal Town Sat 7th Dec A Curzon Ashton Tues 10th Dec A Chorley Lancs Trophy Sat 14th Dec H WAKEFIELD Sat 21st Dec A Bamber Bridge Thurs 26th Dec H SALFORD CITY Sat 4th Jan A Northwich Victoria Sat 11th Jan H MOSSLEY Sat 18th Jan H RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Sat 25th Jan A Clitheroe Sat 1st Feb A Cammell Laird Tues 4th Feb H OSSETT ALBION Sat 8th Feb A Lancaster City Sat 22nd Feb A Padiham Tues 25th Feb H OSSETT TOWN Sat 1st Mar A Prescot Cables Sat 8th Mar H CAMMELL LAIRD Tues 11th Mar H HARROGATE RAILWAY Sat 15th Mar A New Mills Tues 25th Mar H PRESCOT CABLES Sat 29th Mar A Burscough Tues 1st Mar H FARSLEY Sat 5th Apr H KENDAL TOWN Sat 12th Apr A Farsley Sat 19th Apr H WARRINGTON TOWN Mon 21st Apr A Salford City Sat 26th Apr H 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 1-2 2-0 3-1 4-1 2-2 3-0 0-2 5-0 3-2 5-2 1-1 1-1 3-0 2-3 3-2 2-1
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 73 165 228 271 172 192 305 136 175 101 215 184 228 199 366 317
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 Shenton Shenton Shenton * Fearon Fearon Fearon Fearon Fearon Fearon Fearon
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 + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Smalley Smalley 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 Pilkington Pilkington # Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts * 1 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 Stopforth Stopforth + Stopforth Stopforth 1 Stopforth Stopforth Spencer Spencer 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 Lacy Warrender * Warrender Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender # Warrender * Howson Warrender 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 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 1 Spencer 1 Spencer * Spencer 1 * Spencer Smalley + Smalley Spencer * Spencer Hulme Spencer Spencer * Spencer * Smalley Smalley + Spencer * Hulme Hulme
Spencer Robinson # Brooks 1 Spencer Robinson Brooks # Stopforth Robinson Gaskell # Stopforth Robinson Gaskell Spencer Gaskell 2 Brooks # 1 Spencer Gaskell Hulme Spencer # Gaskell 2 Hulme Spencer Gaskell Hulme # Spencer Gaskell 1 Roberts * 1 Spencer Gaskell Roberts Spencer Gaskell Robinson * 3 Spencer Gaskell Robinson Spencer Gaskell * Robinson + Spencer Hulme Brooks Spencer * Robinson 1 + Brooks 2 Spencer Robinson 1 + Brooks * Toth Smith 2 Brooks 1 Spencer Robinson 1+ Brooks 2 * Spencer # Robinson 1 + Brooks * Spencer Robinson + Gaskell * Spencer Robinson Gaskell Spencer + Brooks * Gaskell Hulme # Robinson Brooks Spencer Robinson * Gaskell + Pilkington Brooks + Hulme 3 Pilkington 1 + Gaskell 1 * Hulme # Robinson 2 + Gaskell 1 Hulme * Robinson + Gaskell 1 Hulme 2 Spencer Gaskell 1 Pilkington Spencer Brooks * Hulme # Spencer * 1 Gaskell + Green # 1 Spencer + Gaskell * Green Pilkington Gaskell 2 Green + Pilkington Gaskell 1 Green 1 Pilkington Gaskell 1 Green + Pilkington Gaskell 2 # Denham Pilkington Gaskell Denham 2 Burton Gaskell Denham Burton Green + Denham # Burton Gaskell 1 Hulme Burton Gaskell 1 Hulme 2 * Burton Gaskell Hulme * Burton 1 Gaskell 2 Hulme Burton * Gaskell + Hulme Green Gaskell * Denham + Pilkington Gaskell 3 Green + Pilkington Gaskell 3 # Howson 1 Burton Gaskell # Howson Burton Gaskell Howson # Burton # Gaskell Hulme Burton Gaskell Hulme Pilkington + Howson Gaskell 1 Burton Howson Gaskell 2
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 Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean 1 Dean * Dean Pilkington Dean # Dean +
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 * Edghill * Gaskell + Edghill + Pilkington * Dean Smalley + Hulme 1 + Pilkington Toth * Gaskell + Toth Brooks * Toth Johnson Toth Robinson * Smalley * Spencer # Toth Hulme * Warrender *1 Gaskell + Toth Robinson * Toth # Pilkington + Toth # Pilkington + Toth Brooks Warburton + Bradbury Warrender Edghill * Toth Pilkington + Toth Brooks + Toth Brooks Toth Reece # Toth Fitzgerald Toth Fitzgerald Toth Fitzgerald * Toth # Warburton * Toth Green Toth + Green * Toth Green * Toth + Green * Toth * # Green # Toth # Roberts + Toth Hulme + Toth Green + Toth Krou Spencer * 1 Green Spencer + Howson * Toth Krou * Burton + 1 Robinson Toth Pugh #
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 Johnson + Nuttall * Morley * Burton * Hulme * Hulme + Krou # Pugh Spencer # Krou
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 Morley Morley Johnson Hulme # 1 Green # Krou # Pugh Dean Krou Spencer *
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
Pugh Toth Warrender Pugh * Robinson +
THE BIG ONE!
Saturday 26th April Darlington v Burscough Harrogate v Warrington Lancaster v Curzon Ashton Mossley v Farsley New Mills v Wakefield Northwich v Ossett Town Ossett Albion v Padiham Prescot v Salford Radcliffe v Kendal
Providing the Rams at least match Lancaster City’s result at home to champions Curzon Ashton, then we will compete in the play-offs. Should Rammy win, then we will leapfrog Bamber Bridge into fourth spot and play Warrington Town away. A draw will see us travelling up to Darlington. A defeat will see us eliminated if Lancaster win, or travel to Darlington should Lancaster draw or lose.
Sportsmans Dinner & End of Season Presentation Night
Steve Kindon
Friday 16th May, Rammy Cricket Club Tickets £35 from Harry 01706 823029
Today’s mascots Jake and Harry Collings
3-2
Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 19th April 2014 Att: 366 Rammy Goals: Roberts (37), Gaskell (88), Burton (90) Warrington Goals: Manix (18), Kilheeney (80)
Ramsbottom United produced a grandstand finish to ensure they grab an invaluable three points that looked to have been snatched from them. In a dramatic finale, the Rams scored twice to turn the game on it’s head, after a cruel deflection appeared to have handed the points to Warrington Town. In front of a healthy crowd of 366, both sides were looking to earn a play-off place, with the visitors almost there. The early chances fell to the Wire with ex-Radcliffe striker Ben Wharton seeing his snap-shot clearing the bar and Scott Metcalfe planting a free-kick inches wide. At the other end Billy Priestley had a header turned round for a corner from which Scott Burton, on as an early substitute for broken wrist victim Joel Pilkington, nodded the resultant cross a couple of feet wide. Warrington took the lead in the 18th minute direct from a corner. David Mannix floated the ball in from the left hand side, and despite home keeper Martin Fearon diving on the ball, the linesman signalled that it had gone over the line. In what was proving to be an evenly matched contest, the Rams were unlucky not to equalise after 26 minutes. A through ball from Gary Stopforth fed Dominic Smalley and his cross had Priestley and Lee Gaskell colliding as the ball somehow bounced on to the bar, and a relieved Town defence cleared the danger. On 36 minutes, the equaliser did arrive. A free-kick 25 yards out in the centre of the pitch allowed Owen Roberts the opportunity to fire goalwards. Josh Ollerenshaw in the visiting goal, managed to get a hand to the ball as he dived to his left, but he was unable to keep it out and the scores were level. Mannix failed to direct the ball goalwards as it fell to him in the area, whilst at the other end Gaskell controlled the ball well before turning but firing a couple of yards wide. In the second minute of the second half, substitute Lee Pugh gave the ball away, and Wharton raced towards goal but Fearon was equal to the task as he pushed his effort away. Steve Howson’s header produced a fine save from Ollerenshaw as he clawed the ball away, and Fearon dealt with a similar attempt from Town’s Ciaran Kilheeney, before the Rams began to take the initiative. Danny Warrender was just too high with a header from a Pugh corner, whilst the latter sent in one of his trademark throw-ins which Jordan Hulme nodded on, but Ollerenshaw was again in the right place.
taking it to the wire
Despite having the majority of the play, the home side failed to pierce the Town defence, and such failure came back to haunt them in the 80th minute. What appeared to be a straight-forward save for Fearon, as Carlos Meakin fired in from 25 yards, turned into a disaster, as a deflection completely wrong-footed the custodian, and the ball sailed in to his left to give Warrington a fortuitous lead. Desperately needing points to stay in contention for the play-offs, it looked as though the Rams were about to blow their chances, until a dramatic last four minutes ensured they would fight on. On 88 minutes, as Steve Howson made his way into the box, the referee decided that a nudge from Liam Dawson justified him pointing to the spot. Despite the protests, the decision stood, and leading scorer Lee Gaskell blasted the spot-kick home to level the scores once more.
3-2
Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 19th April 2014 Att: 366 Rammy Goals: Roberts (37), Gaskell (88), Burton (90) Warrington Goals: Manix (18), Kilheeney (80)
Whilst a point at this time would have been welcome, the Rams continued to push forward in the hope of snatching all three points. And snatch them they did, in dramatic style. Two minutes into time added on, a hopeful shout for another penalty fell on deaf ears, but Scott Burton took matters into his own hands. As the loose ball bounced around the edge of the box, he let fly and buried it into the bottom corner of the net, resulting in him vanishing beneath an avalanche of bodies as both team-mates and coaching staff celebrated the amazing turnaround. A minute later the final whistle blew as players and supporters alike celebrated a famous and welldeserved victory which pushed the Rams back into those coveted play-off positions. Two games to go and the tension continues to the very last day of the season.
possession corners free-kicks won offside decisions won total shots shots on target goals
Stat Attack
today’s visitors
bamber bridge
NEIL CROWE [ Manager ] Neil is in his second spell with Bamber Bridge. He started out in the North West Counties League in the 1980‘s, first with Darwen, and then with Squires Gate. Joined Bamber Bridge in the 1994-95 season before moving on to Lostock St Gerards. He spent four seasons with Fulwood Amateurs in the West Lancashire League before injury cut short his playing career. Came back to Irongate at the start of the 2004-05 campaign joining the Lancashire League management team before stepping up to first team duties at Christmas 2006. CHRIS MARLOW [Left Winger] Chris started is football career at the Preston North End Centre of excellence as a left winger, he was released as a teenager, and joined North West Counties League side Daisy Hill, where he represented Lancashire in the Lancashire County FA side. Versatile player who came through the Lancashire League side in the 2008-09 season at Bamber Bridge making his first team debut for the club on the 4th April 2009 at Irongate in the First Division North against Harrogate Railway Athletic. ALISTAIR WADDECAR [Midfield /Striker] Midfielder, Alistair joined the ranks at Irongate at the start of the 2010-11 season after impressing during a number of pre-season games for Brig. Local lad who learned his football at Deepdale where he enjoyed a twelve month stay before leaving North End at age of sixteen and joining West Lancashire League outfit Lostock St Gerard’s in 2008-09. Spent two seasons with the Watering Pool Lane side before joining Bamber Bridge in July 2010. LEE DOVEY [Goalkeeper] Lee received his football education with Blackburn Rovers where he enjoyed a two year stint. On leaving Ewood Park Lee dropped out of the game for a couple of seasons before donning his gloves once more and joining West Lancashire League side Lostock St Gerard’s in 2007-08. Spent three seasons with ‘Gerards’. Was part of a trio of young players from the Watering Pool Lane outfit to join Brig in 2010. Signed for Bamber Bridge in July 2010. Promoted to 1st team keeper in 2011/2012, and has been ever present since.
MATTY KAY [Midfield] Matty joined A.F.C.Fylde in 2009 from Burscough before moving onto Irongate in the summer of 2012, he made his league debut for Blackpool at the age of 16 years under Simon Grayson in 2006.He also had a spell at Fleetwood Town, likes to get the ball down and dictate play, made captain at Irongate late in 2012/13. MATT LAWLOR [Defender] Matt started his football education at Blackpool, were he was sent out on loan to Leigh and Farsley before being released. Joined A.F.C.Fylde in 2006 and made over 110 appearances, before signing for Bamber Bridge in November 2011 PHIL DOUGHTY [Defender] Former Blackpool player joined A.F.C.Fylde from Fleetwood Town after his contract expired after a season loan. Had spells with Macclesfield and Welshpool before joining A.F.C.Fylde for a second spell. The Kirkham born defender joined Bamber Bridge in the summer. MARK BUCHAN [ Striker] Signed in February 2013 from Clitheroe, he can list Grenock Morton , and Witton Albion among former clubs. GREG JOHNSTONE [Striker] Greg has progressed through local football,after doing well at Lostock St Gerrards ,He moved to A.F.C.Blackpool, before signing for Euxton Villa,after a short spell back at Villa he signed for Bamber Bridge. GEORGE BOWYER [ Defender ] George began his football career with Rochdale in 2007-2008 and spent two seasons with The Football League Club. Whilst at Spotland George captained the youth side and was nominated for The Football League Apprentice of the Year in 2008-2009. Following injury, George left Rochdale and signed for Ramsbottom United in The North West Counties League ,staying for one season before joining Woodley Sportsat the start of the 2010-2011 campaign. George joined Bamber Bridge in November 2010 staying for the remainder of the season and the next , before signing for Curzon Ashton. George returned to Bamber Bridge in the close season of 2013.
FROM THE BRIG - PETER NOWELL Good afternoon everyone. It’s good to be at the Harry Williams Stadium at Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom for this end of the season encounter between Rammy and Brig. Rob, the Rammy programme editor asked me to write a page for this end-of-season encounter as I’m the chap from Bamber Bridge who does the production of the programme each match. I offered to help Rammy produce the matchday programme from Christmas onwards last season when Richard Issacs, then editor, made a call for help due to the Rammy programme producer being unable to continue due to personal reasons. When Rob Moss subsequently took over, the whole publication was re-jigged and I am now busily working on getting Brig’s programme up to the same standard that Rob produces here. I have spent a few years producing the Bamber Bridge FC Matchday Programme under a few editors and been part of the regular programme team for EVERY game that Brig have played in the football pyramid. Of late Dave Rowland who has since joined Charnock Richard was an amazing provider of interesting notes regarding our opposition and for any cup game, if we were drawn away, he would even produce the body of a programme just in case of an urgent replay. This came in very handy on numerous occasions I can tell you. From my own view you can understand why I miss the guy, as being both Editor and Producer can sometimes pile the pressure on if things like computers go pear shaped, and they do! I also have a helping hand in Darwen’s and Chorley’s programme. Moving forward to why we are all congregating at Rammy’s superb stadium today, this game promises fireworks as both teams are vying for the play-off places. Brig can certainly thank the 15-match unbeaten run which really propelled them into the top five places. The run also took in the Brig v Rammy game on the 21st December with Brig just shading the occasion with a 2-1 victory. It can be said though that Brig’s position would have been far better had they managed to gain any points from the top teams at Irongate, but defeats to Darlington (0-3) Warrington Town (0-3) Curzon Ashton (0-1) and Farsley (0-1) meant that 12 points at least went begging. Star man for Brig, and this is not only my opinion, is lively winger Ally Waddecar who has made just over 200 appearences in a Brig shirt. Ally was selected for the Evo-Stik First Division North team of the season, no mean feat in itself. Rammy had three points docked for an administration infringement, and this deduction could bite hard after all the scores are settled this afternoon, but let’s hope that both clubs find what they are looking for in the next few weeks, and with the play-offs extending the league season and the imminent FIFA World cup, it will soon be kick-off time again for season 2014 -15. My, how time flies. Enjoy today’s match, and the summer recess, what there will be of it. ‘up the Brig!!!’ - Peter Nowell
TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
ANSWERS: 1. John Flanagan 2. The Walks 3. Glossop North End 4. Maidstone United and Dagenham & Redbridge 5. Wakefield and Cammell Laird 6. The Tom Finney Stadium 7. Brighouse Town 8. East riding of Yorkshire 9. Ten 10. Oswestry - TNS
10.
Who is the manager of champions Curzon Ashton? Name Kings Lynn’s ground. Former Ram Chris Wilcox now manages which team? John Still managed Luton Town back into the Football League. Which other two clubs has he achieved the same fate for? Name the two clubs which have resigned from our league. Bamber Bridge’s Irongate ground is soon to be renamed what? Which club has won the Northern Counties East League? North Ferriby United is based in which county? How many seasons have FC United been in existence? Which English town hosts the champions of the Welsh Premier League?
STOP PRESS... LOCAL POLICE HAVE INSTRUCTED DARLINGTON THAT THE PLAYOFF TIE ON WEDNESDAY IS TO BE ALL-TICKET DUE TO THEIR GROUND CAPACITY BEING ONLY 2000. SHOULD TODAY’S GAME BE A DRAW THEN TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE HARRY WILLIAMS RIVERSIDE STADIUM FROM 10-12 TOMORROW MORNING.
RAMMY IN EXILE - RICHARD ISAACS What an absolutely outstanding weekend! 180 minutes of football that sent the pulses racing, the heart beat pumping and the emotions running wild. And now, our little Ramsbottom United are just a single point away from a shot at promotion in the lottery that is the play-offs. If anyone had said on the evening of Saturday 7 September 2013 that we would be in this position after we claimed our first point of the season with a 2-2 draw with Northwich Victoria in the fifth match of the season, there would have been a certain amount of mirth. But here we are, needing just a point. However, as the famous former American baseball player Yogi Berra once said, "it's like deja vu all over again", as, twelve months ago, we were in this very same situation needing a point against Skelmersdale - and, of course, we all know what happened! I was at the last two games against Warrington and Salford. And all I can say is ... wow! What an atmosphere!!! It was not very long ago that the only voice heard shouting and cheering the team on - was mine! Now, we have our own little 'firm' of young and ... ahem ... not so young all singing, cheering and roaring the team onto success and its bloody excellent!!!! What a fantastic feeling it is to see our fans really getting behind the lads, creating a terrific atmosphere. The first time I produced a programme for Ramsbottom United was for the umpteenth-timepostponed LFA Trophy game with Daisy Hill in December 2008. And do you know how many people were at that game? Just 25! Turning up at Salford City on Easter Monday with my Dad, I was amazed just to see how many Rammy supporters were there. Salford's average home attendance is just 139, which sees them in 18th place in the average attendance table. There were that many Rammy fans there in a crowd of 316!! I simply cannot tell you how proud I was to see it. And I hope that today sees another bumper attendance to see our lads over the line and into the playoffs next week. Can you honestly imagine the Rams in the Evo-Stik Premier League? Too right we can!!! And the players, management and every single person involved with Rammy deserves it. All being well, I will be at the game today - I am making plans during the week to do some 'work' in the north on Friday and, as if by magic, the M1 will be shut and I will have to be diverted via the M62 to the Lancastrian side of the Pennines. And while I am nearby ............. I feel another rendition of "OHHHHHH RAMMY UNITED" coming on!!!!! Come on lads!!!!!
leaving it late...
Watching Ramsbottom United at the moment, is not for those with a nervous disposition. Having given away two late goals at Farsley to surrender all three points, then scoring two late goals against Warrington to secure the same, the Rams left it very late to grab another vital three points in the local derby at Salford City. In the penultimate game of another fascinating season, a victory was all important in the chase for a play-off spot. After a disappointing first half, whatever was said in the dressing room at half-time, had the desired effect, as the visitors took the game to the home side in the second 45 minutes, but it took them until three minutes from the end to grab the allimportant winning goal. Playing against the wind in the first half, the Rams began brightly enough, with Jordan Hulme scampering through in the 5th minute, only to see his goal chalked off for offside.Gradually, however, the home side began to assert themselves, and the Rams were finding it difficult to put their usual passing game together. A testing free-kick from the left saw the Ammies’ Warren Gaskin miss the target by inches with his header, before the visitors should have claimed the lead on 14 minutes. A short back-pass was picked up by Phil Dean, but as stand-in keeper Chris Collins-Reed blocked the winger’s effort, Lee Gaskell, following up, saw his attempt hacked off the line. Stuart Cook headed another free-kick over for the home side before they took the lead in a freakish manner on 18 minutes. Playing the ball across the back line, it fell to Rams fullback Owen Roberts. He attempted to smash the ball upfield, but only succeeded in striking the back of Chris Williams, who looked on in disbelief as it flew back over the head of Rams’ keeper Martin Fearon, and in under the bar. Hulme was denied another goal by the off-side flag, but Salford were looking dangerous. Fearon had to dive to his right to palm away a blistering drive from Williams, and was then relieved to see an angled shot from Tom Fieldhouse fly past the far post. Jamie Rother fired over from a half-clearance as the home side looked to double the lead. Hulme should have levelled the scores on 42 minutes when he beat the offside trap, rounded the keeper, but couldn’t direct his effort in. Seconds later, however, the scores were level. The referee adjudged that Lee Gaskell had been upended in the box, and the striker dusted himself down before hammering home the penalty.
1-2
Moor Lane 21st April 2014 Att: 317 Rammy Goals: Gaskell (42,87) Salford Goals: Williams (18)
possession corners free-kicks won offside decisions won total shots shots on target goals
Stat Attack
leaving it late...
Having been fortunate to return to the dressing rooms on level terms, the second half was a different story. With the wind at their backs, the Rams took the game to the Ammies, and constantly prodded the home defence, but, frustratingly, failed to pierce the back-line. Steve Howson headed a good chance wide from close range, before the keeper gratefully tipped a Dominic Smalley cross away for a corner. Owen Roberts drove in a free-kick that took a slight deflection, but the keeper was equal to it, then Scott Burton tried his luck, but he was way off target.Salford were reduced to occasional breakaways, one of which saw Matthew Purcell fire well wide from the edge of the box, but in the main it was one-way traffic. Burton was inches away from 15 yards, before
substitute Jon Robinson, returning from a longterm injury, was unlucky when his flick was headed over by a defender. Robinson did have the ball in the net, but again, the linesman’s flag denied him, and with the Rammy fans become more on edge as the minutes ticked by, what was to prove to be the winning goal finally arrived on 87 minutes. A trade-mark long throw from Lee Pugh had the Salford keeper’s attempt at a punch merely helping the ball goalwards, and Gaskell rose highest to nod it home from a couple of feet out.Salford tried to regain a foothold on the game, but the nearest they came was a shot that was off target from Stuart Rudd, and the Rams played out the final few minutes for a vital three points.
EDITORIAL - SUPPORTERS CLUB
So here we are again! Just the one point from today’s game and we’re looking at joining our opponents in the play-offs! Three points will see us travelling to Warrington (probably on Tuesday night), and a single point will see Bamber Bridge making that trip while we’d end up at Darlington (probably on Wednesday night). Should the unthinkable happen then after another good, long cry into our beer, I’ll see you all back here again in August. It’s been yet another very exciting season both on the pitch and on the terraces. We must have taken around 200 supporters to Salford on Monday, and our average home attendance has now risen to an admirable 250. The numbers are only one part of the story though, with the fantastic ‘Rammy Family’ atmosphere really starting to rock. Last week the young lads who came along showed us that we really need to work on encouraging children and teenagers to our matches. What a difference it makes to have that kind of enthusiasm supporting the team, and to see the faces of younger kids, to whom the Rammy players are becoming heroes, is wonderful. As a handful of people continue to point out to me, we are one of the very few clubs that charges kids more than £1 to get in, and charges teenagers full-whack. One of the lads told me that while they can get in at FC United for less than half what they pay at Rammy, we’ll struggle to persuade both them (and their £7 paying parents) to come along. Perhaps this is an issue that the club needs to look at for next season. I had a quick chat with Tony after Saturday’s match, and he said that he feels Rammy has just about reached the level at which the club belongs. I’ve put a lot of thought into that discussion over the last few days, and I feel that in many respects he is wrong. We have a wonderful little ground which, with relatively minimal work would comfortably accommodate crowds of double what we see at the moment. On the pitch we have a great squad of very loyal players and a couple of fantastic managers and backroom staff. The fans are devoted and loyal, with crowds constantly growing, and the buzz about the club and the town of Rammy is hard to believe at times. The youth setup is making incredible waves in non-league circles, and Mark Whittaker’s Under 18s are representing the county left, right and centre. We have a great programme, a great website, and our own brand-new rammy.tv! Next door there’s a lovely clubhouse at the cricket club, we own our own ground, and have first-rate coverage in the local newspapers. The only things that perhaps need looking at are access to the ground, hospitality for supporters, and the raising of sponsorship revenue. I’ve also believed for a long time that Rammy is missing a committee who are properly involved in the management of the club - I was told pre-season by Curzon Ashton that this is their main strength and is what’s helping their club to build for the future. Delegating authorities and responsibilities also takes a lot of pressure off the small handful of people who currently work their arses off to make sure the club runs smoothly. We all really appreciate the enormous amount of work carried out by Rammy’s Have-A-Go-Heroes, particularly Harry, Jack, Tony, Andy, Woolly, and others, but to help the club progress they’re going to need a lot more support than they get at the moment. Enough wittering though... bring on the Rammy!
Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY
Martin FEARON Dominic SMALLEY Owen ROBERTS Gary STOPFORTH Danny WARRENDER Billy PRIESTLEY Jordan HULME Scott BURTON Steve HOWSON Lee GASKELL Phil DEAN Grant SPENCER Lee PUGH Jon ROBINSON Tommy TOTH Cedric KROU Andy DAWSON Grant SHENTON Joel PILKINGTON
Manager: Neil CROWE
Lee DOVEY George BOWYER Paul ALEXANDER Matt LAWLOR Phil DOUGHTY Matty KAY Matt MAHONEY Curtis THOMPSON Greg JOHNSTONE Alistair WADDECAR Chris MARLOW Jerome WATT Tom WILLIAMS Mark BUCHAN Zach CLARK Neil REYNOLDS
Referee: Peter Gibbons Assistants: Jon Paul Kenny, Daniel Hitchell