34 Ramsbottom United v Nantwich

rammy news v NANTWICH TOWN 25-08-14

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glenn moses

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Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for this Bank Holiday clash with Nantwich.

We offer a warm welcome to Danny and the staff, players and supporters that have made the journey over today. We hope you all enjoy your afternoon, result aside of course, and have a safe journey home.

So life in the Premier Division has begun for us, and despite still searching for our first points after two defeats, the mood in the camp is one of what could have been rather than downbeat - on another day we could have picked up four or even six points from our opening two fixtures. Although we are extremely disappointed with the results we haven’t been with the performances - with a touch of luck things could have been so different.

We felt that in the King’s Lynn game we played some of our best football to date and although the performance up at workington on Tuesday wasn’t as free flowing there were still good spells and decent chances created.

So we turn to today and at the time of writing this we still had to travel to Rushall so hopefully we will have got off the mark by now and looking to continue today.

We know that every game in the Premier is a tough one. ere are no 'gimmies' in this league but we will be doing everything possible to keep playing the Rammy way whilst keeping the back door shut! I must thank everyone who travelled up to workington on Tuesday night - it was a great turnout as ever.

Enjoy the game C.O.Y.R. - Glenn

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tony cunningham and the wonderful world of non-league football Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, and a special welcome to our match officials and everyone who has made the relatively short journey up from south Cheshire this afternoon….it’s good to renew old acquaintances with everyone at Nantwich. e Dabbers were, of course, regular opponents during our lengthy stay in the NWCFL. We’ve had many an entertaining game against them, and I used to enjoy visiting their old ground, which, alas, is no longer with us. I’ve not yet been to the new Weaver Stadium, so look forward to doing so later in the season. Town have come on leaps and bounds in recent years, and have established themselves well at level three – something we hope to emulate here at Ramsbottom United.

After a number of successful seasons, Nantwich will have been disappointed to have finished 19th last time round, so you can be sure that today’s contest will be a tough one for our lads. Let’s hope for an entertaining game.

SOME RESULT It’s always interesting to analyse the early season results to see if any kind of marker is being put down.

One result that stood

out on the opening day like a flare at sea was that from the Sir Tom Finney Stadium where our opponents in the end-of-season play-off final, Bamber Bridge, welcomed Droylsden. e team from east Manchester had a torrid time last year, being one of the first in the country to be relegated after owner Dave Pace decided to keep the club going and pay little or no wages, whilst dealing with a six figure debt.

Credit to Pacey. Many other clubs would have meekly folded and reformed, leaving many local traders out of pocket.

But looking at the clubs pre-season results, they were quite encouraging. I know you should never read too much into such games, as the true test comes with the season proper.

So on paper, an early Brig win looked likely. Final score: Bamber Bridge 1 Droylsden 7! Where did that come from?

In an effort to find out, whilst our lads made the long journey up to Workington on Tuesday (one which work prevented me from attending as was the case at Rushall), I decided to take a trip down to the Butchers Arms to take a, erm, butchers at the Bloods, as they took on New Mills. My only conclusion was how on earth did they score one goal at Brig, never mind seven. New Mills won 1-0!

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Unlikely scorelines - Billy Priesltley heads home during last season’s 8-0 tonking of Radcliffe

“our aim is to become, as Nantwich have done, established at this level “ As always, there were many other eyepopping results, but the other one that stood out was that of newly-reformed Hinckley FC. In the Midland League Division One, the Leicestershire club began the campaign with a 6-1 walloping at the hands of Uttoxeter Town. eir response? A 13-0 drubbing of Pelsall Villa.

Now that’s the ideal way to get a heavy defeat out of your system!

I have no doubt that as the season progresses, many a strange score-line will hit the headlines. We’ve had a number ourselves over the years (How about the Radcliffe game last season?) and maybe

we’ll experience it again in the future.

For now, our aim is to become, as Nantwich have done, established at this level with the intention of aiming as high as it is possible to push the good name of Ramsbottom United. is may only be the fourth game of the campaign, but I’m really looking forward to the next eight months.

Printing deadlines mean that this is written before the Rushall game. I only hope that as you read this, we have finally broken our points duck.

Enjoy your non-league football!

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New season. New league, Same Ramsbottom United. On behalf of all the lads in the changing room, a big thank you for the support in the play offs and all of last season. We have a very good following now at rammy and it just keeps on growing. For all of this support we thank you, the fans.

Pre-season was the best i've been involved in (this is due to having John as my coach). All the Ramsbottom team have worked hard in pre-season with the exception of Gaz Stopforth, this being due to an unfortunate knee injury he picked up in the first friendly. is was the only injury of pre-season and fingers crossed there will be no more. I think it is great to have almost exactly the same squad as last year plus a few more additions. I believe that this is testomony to what Johnno and Bernard have created at Ramsbottom.

I believe that the hard work during pre season has shown on the pitch. In the match against Kings Lynn we were 2 up after only 10 minutes. e fact that we dominated against a good side for the majority of the game shows our ability to play great football. ree cheap goals cost us the game. is is a brand new league for us and as a team we are going to work harder and push for as high a finish as possible in our first season.ere is no doubt we are a talented team and are completely capable

After Tuesdsay night's game the lads are obviously slightly frustrated but the confidence is still there. We all know that the goals will come as we are a very good footballing team. All the new lads have settled in really well with the team from last year. We are still waiting for a song from all the new lads so hopefully I can tell you all about it soon.

It is really good to see Jordy and Wiz back in the blue of Rammy rather than the stateside New Orleans. Both lads bring something to the team, even if it’s Jordy being the lead in the majority of banter with some form of stupidity on snap chat or the group chat we all have on whats app. en it's Wiz moaning in training when Glenn overlooks some form of cheating by one of the lads in a five a side game. Understandably it was good to get them both back midway through pre-season.

Finally to Nantwich. Some of the lads still think about the game against them during the FA cup. We were leading for so long before a very questionable decision from the offical forced former Captain Andy Dawson off the pitch for treatment. With only a few seconds left on the clock this resulted in an unfortunate loss. is for me and i think most of of the lads is another incentive to get the win over them. So i hope to hear all the Rammy Fan's faithful singing and cheering for the lads today.

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grant shenton shouting from between the sticks

“ It’s great to have a couple of Jesters back in the team“

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rammy united 49 years of football under harry williams Ramsbottom United was founded in 1966, and one of the founders, Harry Williams, is still, to this day, Chairman, almost 50 years later!

Harry has overseen the club progress from a parks pitch on the outskirts to a well-appointed stadium in the centre of Rammy, capable of holding 2,000 supporters.

Early days were spent in the local Bury Amateur League, before the move to the Bolton Combination in 1969 and the Manchester League in 1989.

In 1991, the double of Champions and Cup Winners in Division One was achieved, and with it promotion to the top division.

In 1995 an application to join the football pyramid at North West Counties League level was approved, and after much hard work on the ground, a grading was received to allow access to the second tier of the regional league.

Despite finishing 12th in the inaugural season, the Rams lifted the Divisional Trophy beating Cheadle Town at Darwen’s Anchor Ground – the first of a number of successes at semiprofessional level.

Tragedy struck in 2001, as successful manager Ken Bridge collapsed and died following a home game against Cheadle Town, but he is

remembered with the gates at the entrance of the ground being named in his honour. e Chairman took the bold step of appointing joint-managers in players Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson at the beginning of the 2009/10 campaign.

Supporters questioned the appointment after the first game! A 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle Town, although noone was to know that Town were to embark on a 30 game unbeaten run as they sailed towards the championship.

On the whole, the campaign was a success. A ten-year best total of 81 points and a club-record 14 away victories, along with the April Manager-of-the-Month award, and, for forward Andy Sensale, the Player-of-the-Month acclaim for October. e first season in charge for the two local lads was merely an indication of what was to come.

2010/11 proved to be even better as the crowds began turning up in increasing numbers at the newly named “Harry Williams Riverside Stadium” (the sign going up without the Chairman’s knowledge!). Finishing runners-up to New Mills (only one team promoted from the NWCFL), the team scored over 100 goals winning more league games than ever before. e managers won two “Manager-of-the-Month” awards, with monthly player accolades going to Phil Dean and Jon Robinson.

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But even better was to come! e 2011/12 season finally saw the Rams move up again after 17 years in the North West Counties League.

More goals, more points, more home wins and more supporters (the club’s current attendance record of 1653 was achieved against FC United of Manchester) culminated in the team edging out Runcorn Town with a magnificent end-of-season unbeaten run. e Championship trophy was raised after a 5-2 home win over Winsford United in front of over 500 fans, and the club could now look forward to renewing acquaintances with many former opponents in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League. e Main stand was extended, a new covered stand erected behind the Railway end, and a Sponsor’s Lounge arrived at the ground, as improvements continued to enhance what used to be a plot of waste land aside the cricket pitch. e new challenge hardly saw the club falter after three years of entertaining and successful football.

But for a winning goal scored by the champions Skelmersdale United in time added on in the last game of the season in west Lancashire, the Rams would have competed in the play-offs at the end of a great first season which saw them agonisingly miss out in sixth spot.

2013/14 will go down in folklore in the town.

After a dreadful start which saw the club bottom of the league after the early rounds of games, steady progression saw a gradual push up the table.

More Player and Manager-of-the-Month awards were achieved as the race between up to a dozen clubs for the play-off spots (Curzon Ashton ran away with the top spot) continued to the very last week of the season.

A last day home draw with Bamber Bridge saw both teams qualify, but it meant that the Rams had to travel up to Durham to meet the re-incarnation of former Football League side, Darlington. e home side were expecting to progress, but having already achieved the double over them, a trip to Darlo’s temporary home at Bishop Auckland held

no fears. Despite the vociferous and partisan crowd of almost 2,000, the hundred or so who had made the journey up from Lancashire were treated to a performance that silenced the home fans and deservedly saw a return home with plans afoot for the short trip to meet Bamber Bridge again at Irongate four days later. e play-off final attracted over 1,200 people, and whilst it was a tight affair with a last kick penalty squaring the game for the home side, the Rams notched another in extra time to deservedly win the game and with it a remarkable second promotion in three seasons.

Ramsbottom United are now members of Evo-Stik NPL Premier – the third tier of non-league football, after a remarkable and enjoyable five year ride. e Chairman, Harry Williams, who began it all back in 1966 is still at the helm and still at the ground most days! He is now looking forward to completing 50 years in charge. Could another promotion still come his way?!

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pilkie devotion 200 matches for rammy, and counting

When you think of Ramsbottom United what springs to mind? e Riverside stadium, Harry Williams, at day at Bamber Bridge? For many associated with Ramsbottom United there is one simple answer Joel Pilkington springs.

In June 2009, a fresh faced, 24 year old central midfielder became Jonno and Bernard’s first signing.

Dubbed as a real coup for the club and a sign of great things to come, Jonno described the then unfamiliar Pilkington as a “tough tackling box to box midfielder who scores his fair share of goals”. After five long and prosperous years “Pilkie” has cemented himself in the Ramsbottom history books and become a name we have all grown to love.

Pilkington spent his formative years in Accrington, where he still lives with his wife and daughter.

He was offered the chance to test his wits within the Burnley youth setup and at the age of 10 his footballing

journey began. Originally playing for his dad’s team, he punched above his weight in class and was playing for the under 11’s at the age of 7!

After attending a summer school for “abit of fun” Burnley noticed the talent he held and signed him up before anybody else came sniffing around. e youngster then spent the next 11 years pushing hard to improve his game and become the best possible player he could. It took a lot of hard work and many lonely training sessions but by 21 Joel had captained at many of Burnley’s youth levels and also the reserve team. On the 20th of April 2004 a very nervous Pilkington got his opportunity with Burnley’s first team; Richard Chaplow made way as the baby-faced youngster nervously stepped onto a vibrant Turf Moor against a strong MK Dons side. Although Joel was at one point tipped to become a future first team player, nothing became of his Burnley career and he saw himself without a club on the 9th of May 2005

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“ a bonaide legend who deserves to go down in Rammy folklore�

In action at

Darwen during a

pre-season match back in 2011

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He doesn’t score very often,

but the celebrations alone are worth the admission fee!

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“ a rarity in modern football. When most are journey men he’s been loyal to one club” After a short spell with Hyde, Pilkie found himself on the books of Mossley not too long after his initial release from Burnley, and the still young central midfielder experienced a very successful three year spell with the club, who won the Unibond First Division very comfortably.

He then found himself in very brief spells with Chorley, Clitheroe and Runcorn before signing for Ramsbottom. During his time with the Ram’s Pilkie has been an integral part of the team which has won two promotions and he has made himself a name we all love to see on the team sheet.

Mr reliable, and an extremely versatile player, who can play anywhere you put him, always gives 100 percent and has proved himself to be amongst some of the greatest to ever pull on a Ramsbottom shirt. Whilst players have come and gone, Pilkie has stayed put and has now seen himself turn out for the club on 200 occasions, helping many other players along the way. Phil dean (Wizz) described Pilkie as a “top player and a great lad, someone you can learn a lot from, absolute legend.”

Although he has played professionally he never feels the need to gloat or act like he is better than anybody else, and Pilkie is seen by everybody as an all-round nice guy.

New comer Tom Williams after a

short time holds Joel in high regards saying “Pilkie is a rarity in modern non-league football, when most are journey men he’s been loyal to one club and has been a great servant.

He’s a versatile player who is effective in many positions and so comfortable on the ball”. As Pilkie reaches his 200th appearance, an achievement seldom heard of in modern football, we should all give him the credit and recognition he deserves. Pilkie will undoubtedly go down as one of the Rammy greats.

Joint Manager Anthony Johnson holds Pilkie in high regard, and was very passionate when saying “He was our first signing back in 2009 and arguably our best. To play the amount of games he has for us shows how much we think about him. He’s a bonafide legend who deserves to go down in Rammy folklore when he finishes with us altogether. I have a feeling he could double his appearances with us yet. A top player for us as we look forward to many more seasons with him.”

- All the best Pilkie!

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Life at Evo-Stik Premier level could hardly have started better. Two goals in the opening nine minutes of the season had the Rams supporters in dreamland as visitors Kings Lynn Town looked shell-shocked.

Alas, that was as good as it got, as the home side failed to press home the advantage, even missing a penalty, which allowed the Norfolk side to claw their way back into the game, and ultimately claim all three points thanks to a late winner.

Just six minutes had passed when Lee Gaskell cleverly won possession on the left hand side.

He played the ball back to Lee Pugh who fired in the perfect cross for Jon Robinson to latch on to and he hammered the ball home to open the scoring.

Within a minute, Gaskell was close to extending the lead when his header from an acute angle sailed inches wide.

But just two minutes later, that lead was doubled. A goal-mouth scramble saw the ball land at the feet of Jordan Hulme, and despite some desperate defending, he managed to scoop the ball home off the underside of the bar.

Grant Spencer then tried his luck from 25 yards only to see the ball miss the target by a couple of feet, as the newly-promoted side were enjoying life at their new level.

Hulme almost grabbed a third for the rampant Rams, but Alexander Street, in the visitors goal, managed to tip his speculative lob over at the last moment.

Kings Lynn reduced the arrears on 26 minutes, when some poor marking from a corner allowed Ryan Fryatt the space to direct his header home past a couple of defenders. e home side continued to take the game to their opponents as the half wore on. Steve Howson should have done better when the ball landed perfectly for him ten yards out, but he somehow managed to send it sailing high over the bar. Phil Dean then created a chance for Hulme. With the keeper seemingly happy to let the ball go out for a goal-kick, Dean nipped in and laid the ball back to Hulme who seemed

taken by surprise and the chance went begging.

So the half-time whistle sounded on a fine opening half for the Rams who thoroughly deserved the interval lead.

It could and should have been even better just two minutes after the restart.

Spencer skipped into the area only to be brought down by Lynn’s Jordan Yong, leaving the referee with no option other than to point to the spot. Last season’s leading scorer Lee Gaskell had the ideal opportunity to extend the lead, but his penalty sailed high over the bar, offering a reprieve that the visitors took with both hands.

Despite opportunities still falling to the home side in the shape of Spencer, Hulme and Pugh, Kings Lynn were beginning to look more comfortable on the ball.

Whereas the first half belonged to Ramsbottom, the second period was a much more even affair. e equaliser finally arrived on 65 minutes, and once again, the Rams were undone by another set piece. A corner from the right was headed back across goal, and there was Fryatt again to direct the second header inside the far post.

Spencer fired inches wide with a free-kick before home keeper Grant Shenton was forced into a superb save from substitute Jake Jones as both sides looked for a winner.

It fell to the visitors with just three minutes remaining.

Again it was a set-piece sucker punch. Scott Burton gave away a free-kick 25 yards out, and a routine from the training ground saw two players step over the ball leaving George omson to blast it past the wall and Shenton, much to the delight of the travelling contingent.

So a fast-paced and entertaining game left the Rams ultimately pointless. ree goals from three set pieces will have taught the management team that at this level, any slackness is likely to be punished. But overall, if this is the standard to be expected, then the Lancashire side should be more than capable of holding their own.

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Robbo volleys home Rammy’s opener

e Harry Williams Riverside 16th August 2014 Att: 322 Rammy Goals: Robinson (6), Hulme (9) Kings Lynn Goals: Fryatt (26, 65), ompson (87)

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Penalty, as Grant Shenton is tripped in the box

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Goal two - and the crowd starts naively expecting a rout

A real screamer of a training-ground free kick

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tony’s teasers 1.

What colours do Stamford play in?

2.

In what town are Rushall Olympic based?

3.

Former Premier League player Barry Hayles has just signed for which nonleague club for the third time?

4.

Which former England International has joined Lancaster City as assistant manager?

5.

Which company is the new sponsor of the Conference?

6.

Name the manager of Tamworth 7.

What was the name of Radcliffe Borough’s ground before they moved to Stainton Park?

8.

Steve Housham is manager of which Lincolnshire non-league club?

9.

What links Ramsbottom United and Beaconsfield SYCOB football clubs?

10. e Weaver Stadium is home to which club?

ANSWERS: 1. All Red 2. Walsall 3. Truro City 4. Trevor Sinclair 5. Vanarama 6 Dale Belford 7. Bright Street 8. Gainsborough Trinity 9. Both are nicknamed “e Rams” 10. Nantwich Town!

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from the darkside darren comer reports on the latest rammy ultras adventures Our first away game of the season saw us having to make a long Tuesday night trip to Cumbria to face newly relegated Workington. It would seem that the days when we could go home, have some tea and then set off on the road to watch Rammy on their travels are behind us and I had to do some negotiating (and fibbing) to get away from work early. So, at 3.30 I was heading back from the darkside, over Owd Betts, to get home in time for my lift to Workington.

Armed with a big pack of sandwiches lovingly prepared by Mrs Darkside (who could not make the journey due to work commitments) and a couple of bottles of Bavaria I was picked up at 4.30 by Martin and Joanne. Now some of you may think that romance is dead, but Martin proved the exception to that rule as he and Joanne were celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary that day and rather than taking Joanne to Paris, celebrations were to take place in Workington (or Accrington by the Sea as we later christened the town) We were joined on the journey by Joanne’s dad, Geoff and the Rams physio, young Sarah.

It was not long before we were heading up the M6

with myself and Martin trying to outdo each other by guessing the years of songs being played on the radio. is was particularly bad news for Sarah who was constantly on her I-Phone to settle our disputes on which year songs were released and a new phrase entered Martins vocabulary, “Google it”. I also had a good chat with Geoff about the evening’s football league fixtures, in particular those giants of the local football scene, Bury and Rochdale, and we came to the conclusion that both would take a beating that evening. e journey went pretty quickly and there cannot be many more picturesque motorway journeys than the one that takes you up through Cumbria.

We arrived at the ground for 6.30 and got a prime parking space after telling the stewards we had the physio on board. As we parked up at our prime spot another car pulled in behind us containing Uncle Dave, Mary and some of the Morley clan.

When we quizzed them on how they had also got a parking spot right outside the players entrance, Mary said she had told the steward she was the physio’s Mother and was allowed in. We were contemplating finding a pub where we could get a pre-match drink and some food, but it looked pretty desolate around Borough Park so we decided to hit the bar in the ground.

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from the darkside Freezing cold but on tour, so the roof stays down no matter what!

e first half saw Rammy dominating, but unable to beat a well organised Workington defence and despite hitting the bar a couple of times we went in at half time goalless, and we retreated back to the bar.

Now, I have been watching football for over 40 years and have tasted a lot of (usually poor) food on offer at football grounds, but I have to say the pies at Workington are amongst the best I have ever tasted, and it would seem my fellow Ultras would agree with me as we sat there tucking into our half time delicacies. contd.

25 years of marriage, and barely changed!

Borough Park is a traditional ground and it looks pretty much how I imagine it did when it was built in the 1930’s, which I was impressed with. Part of the beauty of watching football at this level is that we can go to the more traditional grounds, rather than those modern, soul-less bowls such as the Emirates or the Etihad which to me lack atmosphere.

I got myself a pint of Cumberland Smooth and the bar started filling up quickly with the travelling Ultras. It was a great turnout from the Rammy support, especially with it being a long, Tuesday night journey and there must have been around 50 of us in a crowd of 415. Talk turned to how people were getting to Rushall Olympic the following Saturday which made me especially envious as my Sister was get married that day in Norfolk, hence I would not be making the journey. A message to any young females reading this column, you have a good 6-8 weeks during the Summer when there are no Rammy games, use these Saturdays to get married and not the football season !!!

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A special mention to the staff in the bar who were extremely friendly, as was everyone else we encountered on the evening, from the stewards to the Workington supporters, and they will be made more than welcome when they visit the Riverside in November.

Workington came out in the second half a different team and were soon on top in the game as the Rams struggled to get through their defence, and their Number 8 dominated the midfield battles. We then lost Billy Priestley to a red card, and despite Shents saving the resulting penalty, it was backs to the walls time. With less than 15 minutes left to play Workington eventually made the breakthrough to take the lead and despite a spirited fight back that is how it stayed to the end of the game. I felt the referee was biased towards the home team and we had a nailed on penalty appeal turned down near the end when substitute Porya Ahmadi was clearly brought down in the area. is was backed up by the Workington fans

around us who agreed that it was a lot clearer than the penalty given against our Billy.

We decided to forsake the bar after the game and hit the road for our long journey home. We thought we might have had to wait for Sarah to complete her physio duties but she soon left the ground and was in the car with us. We asked if Jonno was giving the lads a shouting at and her reply of “He’s just revving up” caused much hilarity in the car. Martin put on 5Live so we could listen to evenings results and mine and Geoffs predictions of defeats for Bury and Rochdale showed why we are not football pundits as neither side had been defeated. Again the journey home went pretty quickly and we arrived back in Rammy just before midnight.

On a final note, a message for Martin. I left a banana tucked down the back of your drivers seat. You might want to move it as I guess it is quite rotten by now.

- Darren

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rammy in exile sky sports statto richard isaacs Good afternoon one and all - hope all is well. Sadly, I won't be with you today as it is the first one-day international of the series against India down in Bristol but you can be assured that my Twitter feed will be up on the computer and I will be having a sneaky look, as always!

Well, it has been an interesting embarkation into the unknown of this league. Being 2-0 up against King's Lynn Town after just nine minutes certainly set the pulses racing although my tongue-in-cheek effort on Twitter (I was doing the club feed with Katie and Andy away on holiday) of #easyleaguethis caused a certain amount of mirth and comment. Some people just don't have a sense of humour! Quite a few coming back with "don't count your chickens" and all that sort of thing - good heavens people, take it in the method it was intended!

Sadly, of course, that King's Lynn game ended in defeat as did the follow up match in the deepest North West at Workington. But, by all reports and my own eyes last Saturday at home, we just need a little bit of fortune, a little bit of luck and that mean streak of hitting the back of the net when the opportunities arise. We will find

out very quickly - and already have done - that teams at this level of football will take their chances. You only have to look at Lynn's third goal, that superb free-kick fresh off the training pitch, to know what we are up against.

But, oh we of plenty of faith, we know we have been in this situation before, don't we. See 2013/14 season for full details and while it is disappointing not to have claimed anything from the opening couple of fixtures, we are just getting going in this new world.

Of course, we have found out the extend of the travel implications of this league. Whilst all of you were at Rushall Olympic on Saturday which is down near Walsall (I was just down the road in Birmingham on Saturday at Twenty20 Finals Day at Edgbaston) there was just 204 miles between where we were on Tuesday (Workington) to the Saturday (at Rushall). For me down here in the south, that is the equivalent of Newbury to Ramsbottom up the A34. And this is the NORTHERN Premier League, apparently!!!!!

Anyway, I had better get back to work - at Trent Bridge today for a 50-over game! Enjoy yourself, see you soon!

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Steve Phillips e obvious choice for this list. Steve has bags of football league experience with over 100 games worth of play time. Most recently at Crewe, Steve was part of the League Two promotion team which featured players such as Max Clayton and Nicky Powell. Seen as a huge signing as many, Steve brings bags of experience to guide the team and is a class above most keepers at this level.

Mark Jones e 28-year-old midfielder can also play at centre half or right back and spent five years at Radcliffe Borough before joining the Dabbers during the 2013 close season, being made club captain ahead of the 2014/15 season.

Adam Jones Former Curzon Ashton centre half who originally joined the Dabbers on loan from FC United in November 2013 on a one month deal that was subsequently extended. Made his Nantwich debut in the 2-0 FA Trophy defeat away to Northwich Victoria, 16/11/2013, making a permanent switch to the Weaver Stadium in June 2014.

four to watch

Steve Jones Former Northern Ireland international who joined the Dabbers from Airbus UK Broughton in the summer. Steve started out in nonleague football with Chadderton and got his break in League football with Crewe Alexandra who signed him from Leigh RMI in July 2001 for a fee totalling £150,000.

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Founded back in 1884 as Nantwich Football Club, the club took up residence at the football pitch off London Road with the Leopard Inn as its headquarters and changing rooms. Early years were spent playing friendly and cup matches but in 1891 the club joined the Shropshire & District League, finishing as runners-up in the first season.

Nantwich moved into the stronger Combination the following season and on 15th October 1892 hosted Liverpool in the Merseysiders’ first ever FA Cup match (Liverpool won 4-0).

1982 saw Nantwich become founder members of the North West Counties. Unfortunately Nantwich had the unenviable honour of finishing bottom and were relegated to Division 2 where the club remained (except for one season in Division 3) until 1989 when the Dabbers were promoted to Division One. In 2006/07, Nantwich finished third, gaining promotion from the North West Counties so that the move to the new £4m Weaver Stadium at Kingsley Fields in July 2007 co-incided with starting life in the First Division South of the Northern Premier League. Progress continued on the pitch with Cheshire Senior Cup glory as Conference big guns Altrincham were defeated on penalties in the final after supersub Pavol Suhaj netted a hat-trick in a compelling 3-3 draw. In the league, Nantwich finished third and secured promotion after beating Sheffield FC on penalties in the Play Off Final. e 2008/09 season saw the Dabbers narrowly miss out on a third successive promotion, losing the UniBond Premier Play Off Final 2-1 to Ilkeston Town after extra-time and shortly afterwards Steve Davis was appointed Assistant, and later Manager, at Crewe Alexandra.

Former Reading, Swindon, Shrewsbury and Bournemouth boss Jimmy Quinn was appointed Manager in March 2011, guiding the club to safety on a nail-biting last day of the season. Quinn had been blooded by Nantwich as a lanky 19 year-old back in 1979 and went on to play football at the highest level with Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United, gaining 48 caps for Northern Ireland and becoming the fourth highest scorer in his country’s international history. e Dabbers enjoyed a more successful 2011/12 campaign in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division, finishing in 10th place. at season also saw the club embark on its most successful run in the FA Cup – reaching the First Round Proper for the first time in the club’s history. Victories over Rammy, Northwich Victoria, Kendal Town and Nuneaton Town gave Nantwich an enticing tie at MK Dons and although the Dabbers went down 6-0 on the day, their brave performance earned many plaudits.

Former Ashton United boss Danny Johnson was appointed Manager ahead of the 2013/14 campaign and after a disappointing 19th place finish, Johnson and new assistant Phil Eastwood are looking for an improvement in 2014/15 the club’s 130th anniversary season.

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Ramsbottom United made what proved to be a long and fruitless journey up to former Football League side Workington, and finished up rueing missed chances.

In a first half dominated by the visitors, the inability to convert a number of openings came back to haunt them as the home team stepped up to the mark in the second period and grabbed the allimportant winner.

It had started so brightly for the Rams.

A Lee Pugh free-kick on six minutes was hacked clear by the Reds defence, before Lee Gaskell squandered an ideal opportunity to open the scoring two minutes later, as he blasted the ball high over the bar from six yards, following a corner.

Home keeper Jamieson then fumbled a free-kick over the top, and Grant Spencer saw his header miss the target as the visitors looked lively.

Having withstood the early pressure, the home side gradually began to open up, and a couple of chances fell their way midway through the half, but it was the Rams who looked more likely to score. A fine run by Jordan Hulme saw his cross desperately cleared, but the second ideal opportunity fell to Spencer who should have done better than see his effort hit the bar, having been left unmarked at the far post.

As the half closed down, Workington began to pose a threat for the first time in the match. Billy Priestley made a superb intercepting tackle, whilst Grant Shenton in goal, had to be alert to collect a poor back header from Steve Howson, as an attacker raced in. Just before the break, the Reds almost grabbed the opener when Connor ompson watched on as his attempt was deflected on to the post.

Workington began the second half in much more determined mood, with a Salmon free-kick almost catching the Rams out as it dipped but not quite enough to land under the bar.

On 67 minutes the Rams were reduced to ten men. Priestley was harshly judged to have tangled with a Workington forward in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot and produced the red card. No further damage was inflicted as Shenton kept out the spot-kick.

Ten minutes later, however, came the all-important winner. A Workington corner sailed into a crowded penalty area, and Martin Colman did enough to strike home the only goal of the game. e Rams went in search of an equaliser, with Gaskell taking too much time on the ball when through, before the visitors had an good shout for a penalty of their own when substitute Porya Ahmadi appeared to suffer the same fate that saw Priestley sent off. However, Workington survived the appeal as the referee waved play on.

So a disappointing result which, had the Rams taken their chances in the first half, could have been so different.

1-0

Borough Park 19th August 2014 Att: 415 Rammy Goals: Workington Goals: Coleman (79)

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the boogie bus on the road with rammy Our next away day is a relatively short journey to take on those ‘big fish in a small pond’ at F.C. United. As I’m sure you are all aware the club was formed by a group of Manchester United supporters shortly after the takeover by the Glazer family, and in a short time they have established themselves as one of the best supported non-league teams in the country. I have mixed views on this club and have some good friends who passionately follow them wherever they play and I have also been known to attend a few of their games (obviously only when the Rams do not have a fixture). I fully admire their fans in turning their backs on the corporate entity that is Manchester United and now have a club that is run on the decisions of their supporters. Although, as someone who has always had a passionate dislike for Manchester United I still find it hard to be surrounded by their fans when I have been to see them. ey also strike me as still wanting to be the previously mentioned ‘big fish in a small pond’ despite playing at this level. at’s just my point of view and I will not allow this to influence my journalistic professionalism

though, as any club who claim to play ‘Punk Football’ is fine with me. e club was formed in 2005 and started life alongside Rammy in the NWCL. ey are managed by Karl Marginson who has now taken on legendary status at the club having been there since the club’s inception. ey reached the second round of the F.A. Cup in 2010 before losing in a replay to Brighton, in front of a record crowd of 6, 731 (with the 1 being yours truly) . FC United have been in this division for quite a while now and have the unenviable record of reaching the play-offs in the last four seasons without actually achieving promotion. Maybe Mr Marginson should get in touch with our Rob at Rammy TV for a copy of the Bamber Bridge DVD to show him how to win a play-off final.

A new ground is nearing completion at Broadhurst Park in Moston, although this will not be completed for a few months yet so we will be facing them at Bower Fold, home of Stalybridge Celtic (SK15 2RT) I have visited this ground several times and must say it is a great, old ground with a wonderful atmosphere.

With an average attendance of just less than 2,000 last season, the Rammy Ultras will need to be in fine voice to make ourselves heard on the day, but those of you who travelled up to Darlington last

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“ a relatively short journey to take on those ‘big ish in a small pond’“ season will know we are more than capable of doing that. It should also be a big day for the best goalkeeper outside of the football league, Grant Shenton, who was previously at F.C. United. e ground is easy enough to find and the journey should take less than 30 minutes. From Ramsbottom you need to head onto the M66 and then M60, before exiting at Junction 23. From here you will join the A635 which leads onto the A6018 into Stalybridge where the ground is clearly signposted. If you are getting there early and going for food and drink you might like to try out the following. e Old irteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn (SK15 2AL) not only serves real ales and home cooked food, it also has the claim to fame of having the longest pub name in the country. If pubs with long names are not what you are into then you could try Q,

which amazingly has the shortest pub name in the country. I am going to travel into Manchester and get the train to Stalybridge where the station has an amazing trackside bar serving a wide range of real ales. For those of you into surreal comedies, you may want to go sightseeing and see if you can spot any of the locations used in the filming of e League of Gentlemen, which used Stalybridge as a backdrop. I will be taking Mrs Darkside and hoping we can bump into Papa Lazaru from that programme as she does seem to have (quite rightly) a fear of that character.

Lets make sure it’s a good turnout for this derby day fixture and we can be sure that we the give the FCUM supporters a run for their money in the noise-making department.

- Darren

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supporters club on the terraces of rammy Here we go again! On paper we’ve started this season just like we did the last campaign. I say “on paper” because anyone who suffered those horrible defeats to Padiham and away at Ossett Town will recall that we played desperately bad and created next to nowt. In contrast, we seem to be creating hat-loads of chances, and are just failing to put these games to bed.

How many times in a game can we hit the woodwork, sky penalties, find Row Z with an unmarked shot from 8-yards out and side-foot towards an open goal only to conceded a throw-in over the far side?

I’m not blaming players. On a different day all of these will end up in the back of the net, and we know that those different days are just around the corner. Hopefully one of those days arrived on Saturday when we played at Rushall (whose supporter Terry prints this programme for us, so I have to be nice about them). ese are the times when the team needs us to be positive and encouraging - which is something that Rammy fans are thankfully really good at. ere are lots of clubs I’ve visited that have the

whinging, moaning miserable sods amongst their fans, for whom 8-0 wins are never enough, and shout things like “he’s not fit to wear the shirt” or “gerrim off the bloody pitch.” My home-town team of Preston has loads of these, and there seemed to be more whingers than supporters at Clitheroe when we visited them pre-season.

I know we have one or two amongst us, and sadly their voices then to carry quite far, but it is literally just one or two.

As Rammy’s players and supporters, we have had it incredibly good over the past few years. Johnno pointed out to me last week that Wiz (to take one example) has won 75% of the games that he’s played since starting at Rammy. at is unheard of in football, unless you play for one of the top three Premiership teams, and we’ve grown used to that success. Yes, we’ve tasted abject disappointment, but only really at Skem in the playoffs in 2013.

Other than that, it’s been up and up and up.

But this season is going to see us losing a couple of matches. is is a high level of grown-up football that we’re playing at now, and we will come across teams who will take us apart. at’s when our loyalty and our camaraderie will get us all through, when our attitude off the pitch

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“let’s continue to give the lads the support and encouragement they deserve “ can help spur the players and management on to the top of their game and their ability. ese lads’ heads will go down particularly easily after tasting success upon success, and I think it’s very important that we continue to give them

Yet another chance goes begging, prompting the ageold question, “Just what do we need to do to score?”

the support and encouragement that they deserve. e “I’ve paid to get in, so I can say what I like” attitude is fine, but say it after the final whistle. While that game is in progress, let’s continue to give it 100% support on the terraces, as we expect 100% from the lads on the pitch.

One of Rammy’s animals running around on the pitch during the match, delaying the game.

And you thought we just had sheep!

p Sat 16th Aug Tues 19th Aug Sat 23rd Aug Mon 25th Aug Sat 30th Aug Tues 2nd Sept Sat 6th Sept Wed 10th Sept Sat 13th Sept Tues 16th Sept Sat 20th Sept Sat 27th Sept Sat 4th Oct Tues 7th Oct Sat 11th Oct Tues 14th Oct Sat 18th Oct Tues 21st Oct Sat 25th Oct Tues 28th Oct Sat 1st Nov Tues 4th Nov Sat 8th Nov Tues 11th Nov Tues 18th Nov Sat 22nd Nov Sat 29th Nov Sat 6th Dec Sat 13th Dec Sat 20th Dec Fri 26th Dec Thu 1st Jan Sat 3rd Jan Sat 10th Jan Sat 17th Jan Sat 24th Jan Sat 31st Jan Sat 7th Feb Sat 14th Feb Sat 21st Feb Sat 28th Feb Sat 7th March Sat 14th March Sat 28th March Sat 4th April Mon 6th April Sat 11th April Sat 18th April Sat 25th April

H KING’S LYNN TOWN 2-3 322 Shenton A Workington 0-1 415 Shenton A Rushall Olympic H NANTWICH TOWN A FC United of Manchester H MARINE H STAMFORD A Whitby Town A Buxton H WITTON ALBION A Ilkeston H SKELMERSDALE UTD A Trafford H CURZON ASHTON H BELPER TOWN A Frickley Athletic H BUXTON H WHITBY TOWN A Blyth Spartans A Marine A Whitby Town FAT 1Q H WORKINGTON A Halesowen Town H BURSCOUGH LGCUP A Witton Albion H GRANTHAM TOWN H BARWELL A Matlock Town H RUSHALL OLYMPIC A King’s Lynn Town H ASHTON UNITED A Nantwich Town A Curzon Ashton H TRAFFORD A Belper Town H FRICKLEY ATHLETIC A Buxton H BLYTH SPARTANS A Stamford A Stourbridge H ILKESTON A Skelmersdale United H STOURBRIDGE A Grantham Town H FC UNITED OF MCR A Ashton United H HALESOWEN TOWN A Barwell H MATLOCK TOWN

Smalley Smalley

Pugh Pugh

Spencer Spencer *

Howson Howson

Priestley Priestley

Hulme 1 Hulme

fixtures & results 2014/15

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Hulme 1 Hulme

Burton Burton

Gaskell Gaskell

Robinson 1* Dean + Robinson + Dean #

Pilkington Slaven Pilkington * Slaven +

Abadaki + Abadaki

Ahmadi * Ahmadi #

Cook Cook

Ramsbottom United Football Club Chairman: Harry Williams Vice Chairman: Chris Woolfall Secretary: Tony Cunningham Matchday Secretary: Andy Edmunson Treasurers: H Williams, C Woolfall Committee: Harry Williams, Chris Woolfall, Andy Edmundson, Kevin Hitchen Recent Senior Honours: Bolton Comination Div 1 Champions: 1972/73 Bolton Comb. Premier Champions 1976/77: Bolton Comb. Div2 cup runners up: 1979/80,1982/83 Bolton Comb. Div2 runners up: 1982/83 Bolton Comb. Cup winners: 1976/77, 1979/80, 1983/84 Bolton Comb. Div1 runners up: 1984/85 Bolton Comb. Cup runners up: 1985/86, 1987/88 Manchester League Cup Winners: 1990/91 Manchester League Champions: 1990/91 Yorkshire Cup runners up: 1993/94 Northwest Counties Div2 Champions: 1996/97 Northwest Counties Div2 Trophy: 1995/96 Bolton Hospital Cup winners: 1974/75, 05/06. 06/07, 07/08 Northwest Counties Premier runners Up 2010/11 Northwest Counties Premier Champions: 2011/12 Northern Premier League Div1 playoff winners: 2013/14 The Harry Williams Riverside, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, Lancashire Tel: 01706 822799

ďŹ xtures & results 2014/15

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Managers: Anthony Johnson, Bernard Morley

Grant SHENTON Dominic SMALLEY Lee PUGH Grant SPENCER Steve HOWSON Billy PRIESTLEY Tom WILLIAMS Scott BURTON Jon ROBINSON Lee GASKELL Phil DEAN Jordan HULME Sam COOK Porya AHMADI Osebi ABADAKI Gary STOPFORTH

Manager: Danny Johnson

Terry SMITH Sam WILSON Andy WHITE Mark JONES Adam JONES Matt BAILEY Steve JONES Kyle BLAKE Vinny MUKENDI Alex MEANEY Scott LYCETT Harry CLAYTON Jordan JOHNSON Louis CALLAGHAN Cohen BRAMALL

Referee: Paul Hodskinson Referee’s Assistants: Peter Shacklady and Abid Hussain

Next home game: Tuesday 2nd September, 7:45pm Rammy v Marine