51 Ramsbottom United v Harrogate Railway Athletic

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rammy news

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H KING’S LYNN TOWN A Workington A Rushall Olympic H NANTWICH TOWN A FC United of Manchester H MARINE H STAMFORD A Whitby Town A Buxton FAC 1Q H WITTON ALBION A Ilkeston H CURZON ASHTON A Frickley Athletic A Trafford H BELPER TOWN H BUXTON H WHITBY TOWN A Marine A Whitby Town FAT 1Q H WORKINGTON A Halesowen Town H WEST DIDS Lancs Cup A Nantwich FAT 2Q H GRANTHAM TOWN H BURSCOUGH Lg Cup A Banbury United A Salford City Lg Cup A Matlock Town A Atherton Collieries Lancs H STOCKPORT COUNTY A King’s Lynn Town H SKELMERSDALE A Nantwich Town H NORTHWICH VIC LgCup H HARROGATE RA LgCup A Stamford H RUSHALL OLYMPIC A Witton Albion A Blyth Spartans H ILKESTON H BARWELL A Skelmersdale United A Stourbridge H STOURBRIDGE A Buxton A Belper Town H TRAFFORD A Grantham Town A Curzon Ashton H FC UNITED OF MCR A Ashton United H HALESOWEN TOWN H ASHTON UNITED A Barwell H FRICKLEY ATHLETIC H MATLOCK TOWN

2-3 0-1 4-2 1-4 1-3 3-2 3-1 0-2 2-3 3-2 4-2 1-1 2-4 1-0 4-2 2-0 4-0 3-1 2-1 1-1 0-2 3-0 3-1 3-1 5-1 3-0 3-1 1-1 1-2 3-0 1-2 0-3 2-3 3-1

322 Shenton 415 Shenton 161 Shenton 365 Shenton 1917 Shenton 250 Shenton 357 Shenton 265 Shenton 261 Shenton 231 Shenton 422 Shenton 309 Shenton 215 Shenton 294 Shenton 371 Shenton 470 Shenton 237 Shenton 366 Shenton 233 Shenton 250 Shenton 358 Shenton 132 Shenton 238 Shenton 351 Shenton 140 Shenton 235 Shenton 189 Shenton 257 Shenton 120 Shenton 907 Shenton 510 Shenton 372 Shenton 285 Shenton 158 Shenton

Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Grayson * Pilkington Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley * Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 Williams Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley * Hulme Grayson

Pugh Pugh Pugh Abadaki * Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington # Pilkington Pugh Pugh Grayson + Pugh Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Piacentile 1 Pugh Dean Pugh Grayson Grayson + Grayson Grayson Grayson Pugh

Spencer Spencer * Spencer * Spencer + Spencer Spencer Spencer + Spencer Spencer Spencer * Spencer * Spencer 1 Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Spencer 1 Stopforth Stopforth Slaven Stopforth + Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Harrop

Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson 1 Howson 1 Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson 2 Howson Howson Howson Robinson + Howson Howson Howson 1 Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Krou

Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Warrender Krou Warrender Warrender Warrender + Krou 1 Krou 1 Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Robinson Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou 1 Krou Krou Pugh Krou Krou Krou Krou Jones

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Gaskell Gaskell Robinson 1# Robinson 1 Robinson * Slaven 1 Slaven * Slaven + Krou Mota # Pilkington Pilkington Spencer Mota + Hulme # Hulme Hulme 1# Hulme Hulme + Hulme 1 Hulme Gaskell 1 Hulme # Hulme 1 Hulme 1 * Robinson 1 Hulme 1 Hulme Robinson # Hulme Hulme Hulme Williams # Gaskell

Robinson 1* Robinson + Pilkington Pilkington Hulme 1# Hulme 1 Hulme 1# Krou Hulme Hulme 2 Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme Spencer + Spencer # Spencer * Spencer # Spencer 1 Spencer * Gaskell * Mota # Spencer 1+ Spencer + Robinson Dean 1 Robinson * Spencer * Brooks Spencer Spencer 1 Spencer + Robinson 1 Brooks *1

Dean + Dean # Dean 2 Dean Dean Dean # Dean 1 Dean Dean * Dean + Williams 1# Williams + Robinson 1# Spencer # Dean 2 Dean 1 + Dean 1 Dean + Dean Dean # Pilkington + Dean 1 Dean 1 Dean Spencer 1 Abadaki # Spencer 2 Dean + Abadaki + Dean Dean Dean Spencer * Lazenbury #

Pilkington Pilkington * Abadaki * Williams Williams + Williams # Williams + Mota + Mota * Pugh Dean + Burton + Williams * Robinson 1# Williams * Williams + Williams * Williams + Williams Pilkington Dean + Howson + Abadaki * Abadaki Pugh Grayson Pugh * Abadaki Dean * Robinson + Williams * Williams * Dean 1 + Hartley *

Slaven Abadaki + Slaven + Abadaki Slaven + Ahmadi # Slaven Cook * Krou * Cook # Robinson * Cook + Robinson # Cook Cook Williams Williams + Pugh # Williams # Irwin Mota # Irwin Dean * Mota Cook + Dean # Williams + Slaven Mota Slaven Mota * Slaven Mota Gaskell + Mota # Gaskell Mota Gaskell # Williams # Mota Abadaki # Spencer * Piacentile Burton * Gaskell + Robinson # Gaskell + Robinson 1* Burton Stopforth Kuba-Kuba * Slaven + Slaven Piacentile Kuba-Kuba* Robinson + Spencer +1 Hulme # Abadaki * Morley Kuba-Kuba Robinson + Brooks + Robinson Davies * Johnson Slaven +1 Dawson #

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Burton Burton Burton Burton Slaven Burton * Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton 1 Stopforth Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton Pilkington * Burton Burton Burton Williams Burton Burton Kuba-Kuba Burton * Burton + Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton Bennett +1

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Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme 1+ Hulme Abadaki + Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki + Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki + Abadaki # Mota 1* Abadaki * Abadaki 1 * Abadaki 1 * Abadaki + Abadaki 1 Abadaki # Abadaki + Robinson # Abadaki * Williams 1* Williams * Abadaki Williams # Abadaki Williams 1 Williams * Williams * Abadaki * Abadaki Abadaki + Abadaki

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Ahmadi * Cook Ahmadi # Cook Cook Williams Krou + Morley Morley Johnson Morley Johnson Morley Krou * Johnson Morley Johnson Morley Slaven * Cook + Slaven * Cook Robinson # Cook Morley Abadaki Pilkington Dean * Robinson 1+ Gaskell # Robinson # Pugh Robinson #1 Pugh Slaven * Piacentile Robinson + Pilkington * Gaskell + Robinson * Mota Piacentile Hulme # Mota Piacentile Kuba-Kuba Piacentile Dean * Johnson Piacentile Kuba-Kuba + Brooks Grayson Brooks Hartley Morley Kuba-Kuba Slaven Slaven Brooks # Slaven Morley Slaven # Morley Robinson

Our Club Needs Our Help If you can spare as little as half an hour to help Harry Williams keep Rammy’s pitch and ground in the impeccable condition that we’ve all become so proud of then please just come down and help, any day of the week from 11am onwards.

res & results 2014/15 0

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tony cunningham and the wonderful world of non-league football Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium. A special welcome to today’s match officials, and of course, our visitors, Harrogate Railway Athletic. e north Yorkshire side is enjoying it’s best season for some time, and will prove tough opponents as we attempt, as the highest placed remaining team in the competition, to reach the semi-finals.

However, our new look side comfortably saw off the challenge from RA’s Division One North counterparts, Northwich Victoria in the last round, so we have to remain optimistic.

TALKING OF VICS…. ….one of the most surprising pieces of news of late revolved around the previous Conference giants, who, let’s be honest, have had a torrid time over the last few seasons.

Kicked out of their new home, forced to spend a season 40 miles away at Stafford, before relocating a “mere” 18 miles from home at Flixton, and seeing their support base of almost 1000 reduced to around one tenth of that thanks to a new team being launched by their frustrated supporters. ings have gone from bad to worse for the famous old Vics.

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word with them about the possibility of them returning to the Cheshire town, to be informed that they could well be sharing with deadly rivals, Witton Albion.

Knowing the “no-love-lost” history between the two outfits, I wasn’t sure whether they were having me on!

However, last week it was confirmed that indeed they would be moving in with their former neighbours next season and to say I was surprised was an understatement.

Let’s be honest, for a town the size of Northwich to be supporting two highly ranked non-league sides, has always been a struggle, but the rivalry has always been fierce. With their former supporters now having formed their own club, now playing just one level below, I can’t help wondering if that rivalry will be between Witton Albion and the 1874 Northwich outfit, with the Vics being reduced to the role of also-rans. And will we eventually see the Vics merge with Albion (always a sensible solution, but one which would never otherwise have happened) whilst the NWCFL side now becomes the opposition?

FRUSTRATING Much has been said about our recent run of postponed games.

In my 20 years of supporting the Rams, I can’t remember such a barren run of matches (although I am informed we did

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Another packed house at Flixton when Northwich Victoria entertained the Rams last season

mind the safety of the players. Not too long ago we played a game in conditions that again saw the pitch frozen. We felt the referee was wrong to pass it as fit. Within minutes one of our opponents was stretchered off, to be followed not much later by the sight of Jonno on the deck, having broken his ankle. Too big a price to risk playing on the type of surface we’ve been seeing yet again down here at the HWRS. Everyone is fed up with the barren run (including the League,) but it really has been out of our hands. To put it in perspective, the game on Saturday was called off because around 3000 square yards of the pitch was frozen solid. at’s some area!

Let’s hope we are back and running from today as we embark on one heck of a busy run-in!

Enjoy your non-league football!

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have a bad spell around 14 years ago).

Frustration has certainly been the name of the game, and not just for the fans.

Robbo, quite rightly, is at boiling point as he tries to kick-start his new position as team manager. e players – many of them newly-signed – have been left kicking their heels and having to suffice with extra training sessions, whilst the volunteers who have put in hundreds of hours of work on the pitch, have been left wondering whether all their hard work was worthwhile. e basic fact is that, whilst we may have had much worse winters with regards to snow, we haven’t had such a sustained cold spell for some time. e ground, literally, has been frozen, and the constant overnight frosts have just not allowed it to thaw out. e referees, who are the only people charged with deciding whether a game should go ahead or not, have to bear in

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Firstly I’d like to welcome the officials, supporters and players of Harrogate Railway Athletic for this long overdue opportunity for me and Edgy to get our first league game underway. We’d also like to welcome the match officials to the Harry Williams Riverside. We hope that you all enjoy your visit and have a safe journey home. e game a fortnight ago was a long time coming. Northwich are a good team with promotion aspirations and for the first fifteem mins caught us a bit cold. Once we settled down and Kyle and Benno started getting hold of the ball and dictating play we settled and started playing some really good football. Gassy did a huge amount of work on and off the ball and Brooksy was getting in behind. Also for most parts of the game we looked relatively solid and untroubled. For a first competitive game with almost a completely new squad of players we were extremely happy.

I wasn't surprised how good the new signings were as we will only look to add quality to the team . what I surprised about was how well and fit they looked on a heavy pitch. Benno came off after a hour but still looked full of running, as did Brooksy. I was quite surprised that Kyle managed the full ninety minutes, despite having not played for a few months. We also saw Jordan put some wonderful crosses in and he almost scored a screamer of a goal just before half-time.

Young centre-back Callum Jones reminds me of a young Billy Priestley, without the dashing good looks!

I am really happy with the squad depth now given what we had a couple of weeks ago - some

people wouldn't have said it was possible. e quality of players right through the squad is excellent and I thought the subs coming on all showed great attitude and ability. It was a really good night’s work I think the squad is now stocked with quality and cover for all positions and at the moment it's giving me and Phil headaches about starting lineups, but as people say, it's a great headache to have!

We have recently signed another centre back, Alex Frost from Droylsden. Alex has a wealth of experience at this level, formerly with Ashton and Nantwich and is another excellent addition to the squad. ere have been some discussions about Billy Priestley returning to Rammy, but although we enquired at Bradford, he will not be coming back any time soon. at is why we moved to sign Callum and Alex, who I’m sure are more than capable of doing an excellent job at the back.

It's good to have Dawson back although not yet fully match fit ,and maybe a few weeks away from it. His presence in the changing room is good to have and his leadership skills and experience have been missed.

We now have a large squad, but with the amount of games we have to squeeze in before May, it could be exactly what we need. Some players will be disappointed to not be straight in the team, but we have we just have to keep everyone happy and reassure players they will get games and opportunities to play Enjoy the game.

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some of the lads who may not have made the first-choice lineup. It’s a great credit to them that we did such a good job against Northwich, who are a big club that are going great-guns at the top of the Evostik Division One North. Me and Robbo now have a terrible headache about who we choose for the starting lineup for our first league game in charge, but with such a packed schedule coming up, it’s going to be critical that we have a strong squad with a lot of depth.

I think the next couple of matches are going to require a degree of patience from all of us. Without a match for three weeks, the lads looked to be getting a bit tired and leggy towards the end of the Northwich game, and we also have to remember that they have never played together before. ings may get a bit sticky now and again in the next few matches, but we have a great squad here, with a lot of players who have proven quality at this level, so once everyone settles in properly the potential is huge.

I know that the supporters have been used to good times here under Johnno and Bernard, with a fantastic team that took over five years to build. We’re very different characters from those two, but with your continued support, and just a little patience, we will have a team of which we can all be proud.

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It’s definitely been a frantic few weeks behind the scenes, even though a load of our recent games have been postponed due to the weather. Me and Robbo have been calling on all of our contacts to bring in the lads we’re proud to be able to now number amongst our re-constructed squad. e weather problems have been frustrating, but it’s also given us the opportunity to go and approach these lads the right way, giving their clubs the respect that they deserve in the way that we made contact with the players. ere’s no denying that we’ve missed a lot of football, with virtually all of January’s games postponed, and it’ll take a while to get everyone back up to full match fitness, but it’s given us a decent chance to get the lads in and work on some stuff in training.

Now we just want to get the games underway and get going, cos with all the games in hand we have, we’re in a good position and we want to push on.

We’ve been really really impressed with the quality of that lads we’ve managed to bring in. Some of them we invited along because they’ve been recommended to us, and those players have surpassed all of our expectations. It was good to be able to have a proper look at them. With a good number cup-tied, we got the opportunity to see

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harrogate railway keeping the cup run on track? e aptly named Harrogate Railway Athletic started life in 1935 when workers from the Starbeck LNER Locomotive factory started a team to play in the local Harrogate and District League. In order to secure ownership of their ground Station View, where they still play, ‘e Rail’ took out a £1500 loan from the LNER, which was paid back by 300 workers at one old penny a week.

During the 1950’s ‘e Locomotives’ progressed through the West Yorkshire League and into the Yorkshire League, making the second round proper of the FA Amateur Cup in 1953. Like most industries the Locomotive sheds closed down in 1959, directly affecting the finances of the club, many of the workers and players had to leave the area to find work elsewhere. However, Athletic managed to keep on track and won promotion to the Yorkshire League First Division in1964, just three steps from the Football League. Problems in the late 60’s and early 70’s led to Harrogate Railway leaving the Yorkshire League and returning to the Harrogate League in 1973, giving them time to regroup.

In 1982 ‘e Locomotives’ became founder members of the NCEL League, and a new Junior structure was formed, ensuring that they could boast one of the best Junior setups in the region. Station View was also upgraded with floodlights installed in 1991, Sheffield United provided the opposition for

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the official opening, with Vinnie Jones included in their line-up. Financial problems caused the club to struggle again at the end of the 1990’s, but against all odds, they managed to win promotion to the NCEL Premier Division as champions. With new manager Paul Marshall in charge Railway managed to keep their Premier status, but little did they know, success was just around the corner in the FA Cup. In the 2002/03 season Harrogate Railway progressed to the Second Round proper of the FA Cup, after a long trip to Berkshire where they beat Slough Town. Railway was now the lowest ranked team left in the competition, and Bristol City at home was drawn out of the hat, the highest ranking club at that stage.

Temporary stands were put up and the game televised live by SKY Sports, firmly putting Railway on the global map. Although they were made to work hard for the result, Bristol City came out three one winners.

In 2006 ‘e Rail’ achieved Northern Premier League status, with the club now playing at its highest level in their history. e first season ended in a mid-table finish, with this being mirrored the following year.

However, another superb FA Cup run in 2007/08 brought Railway back into the national glare. ey beat local rivals Harrogate Town during the qualifying rounds and dispatched Droylsden in the First Round proper. Again the TV cameras came to Station View with the BBC screening the

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Dom Smalley felled for a penalty during Rammy’s 4-0 win atHarrogate last season

of football, with the Railway finishing the season well clear of the relegation zone in eighteenth place. Last year saw Harrogate Railway improve again with a finishing position of thirteenth place. With the playing budget cut, a strong relationship was formed with Harrogate Town and their manager Simon Weaver, enabling Billy Miller to sign players on a dual registration. is set-up has certainly helped Harrogate Railway this season as they currently sit fourth in the Evo-Stick First Division North.

Just like Northwich Victoria in the previous, Harrogate Railway will be another stern test for Ramsbottom, especially when you take into account their five one demolition of Spennymoor Town in the previous round.

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tie against Mansfield Town live on Match of the Day. Again the Railway put up a show, but in the end Mansfield progressed to the next round winning by three goals to two.

Over the next few seasons ‘e locomotives’ flirted with relegation, although they just managed to avoid the drop zone. is was until the 2011/12 season when they finished in the bottom two, although relegation was avoided again, due to Durham City taking voluntary relegation and Woodley Sports going down due to a Ground Regulation ruling.

A new management team of Billy Miller and fan favourite Lee Ashcroft were installed at the beginning of the 2012/13 campaign. e new manager completely changed the team, as well as bringing in a different brand

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John Maloney (Central Defender) Aged 29 Previous Clubs; Doncaster Rovers, York City, University of Montevallo & Harrogate Town.

An experienced defender, who has played in both the Football League and America.

Maloney can play in several positions and has made over 150 appearances for the club.

Rob Youhill (Wide Midfield/ Forward) Aged 28 Previous Clubs; Tadcaster Albion, New Jersey Express, Ocean City FC (both America) & Harrogate Town.

A fans favourite who has played professionally in America and has also represented Great Britain in the World University Games. He has attracted attention from other teams, but has stayed loyal since signing from Harrogate Town.

Jason Mycoe (Central Midfield) Aged 24 Previous Clubs; Leeds United Leeds Carnegie, Ossett Albion, Wakefield FC & Tadcaster Albion.

Joined the club in the summer and was given the honour of captaining the team. He can also play at centre back and is capable of chipping in with the odd, Mycoe is sure to be an important part of the Harrogate railway team this season.

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four to watch

Dan irkell (Defender) Aged 26 Previous Clubs; Harrogate Railway Juniors/ Reserves, Scarborough Town. irkell has been with Harrogate since the age of 8, apart from a 2 year spell in the Scarborough Academy. He can play at both right back and in the centre of defence and is seen by many as a future captain of Athletic.

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Chris Denham battling during the 5-0 home win over Harrogate a year ago.

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grant shenton goalkeeper and captain Date of birth: 28/01/91 Hometown: Newton Heath Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Moston Brook, Maine Road Height: 6ft 2ins Occupation: Claims company Case Manager Most memorable moment: Beating Salford late-on, with Kieran Pickup scoring Married? Kids? Engaged with a son Noah (3) and another on the way Favourite music: Rolling Stones, Elvis, Oasis, Smiths, Johnny Cash Favourite food: Mediterranean, especially tapas Joined Rammy: 4 ½ years ago Words for the fans: Hope everyone enjoys the new chapter in the club’s history Description: Charismatic and influential goalkeeper whose vision helps score as many goals as his athleticism denies 0 24

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george bowyer full back / wing-back Date of birth: 11/11/90 Hometown: Stockport Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Woodley Sports, Bamber Bridge, Curzon Ashton Height: 5ft 10ins Occupation: Advisor at the Professional Footballers Association Most memorable moment: Making League Two debut for Rochdale Married? Kids? No Favourite music: RnB, Garage Favourite food: Nandos Joined Rammy: Jan 2015 Words for the fans: I won the Fans’ Player of the Month last time around, and won’t let anyone down this time!

Description: Determined and committed full back who likes to overlap

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george grayson full back / wing-back Date of birth: 27/09/94 Hometown: Sheffield Favourite team: Sheffield United Former clubs: Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United, Tamworth, Height: 5ft 10ins Occupation: Personal Trainer and Football Coach Most memorable moment: Securing a pro contract at Scunthorpe and getting promoted with them Married? Kids? No Favourite music: Anything Favourite food: Chicken Korma Joined Rammy: September 2014 Description: Young and accomplished full back / wing back with bags of potential.

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lee pugh full back Date of birth: 26/05/92 Hometown: Rossendale Favourite team: Burnley Former clubs: Bury, Hyde, Bacup, Clitheroe, Chester Height: 6ft Occupation: Production Planner for a filtration company Most memorable moment: Getting a Youth Training contract, and last year’s playoff with Rammy Married? Kids? No Favourite music: Deep House - I’m matchday DJ for the players Favourite food: Sunday Roast Joined Rammy: Christmas 2013 Description: No nonsense hard-man with a huge long throw and mean free kick

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alex frost centre half / full back Date of birth: 18/09/85 Hometown: Chadderton Favourite team: Liverpool Former clubs: Droylesden, Nantwich, Ashton United, Team Bath, Altrincham Height: 5ft 11ins Occupation: Recruitment Manager for a helping to employ apprentices Most memorable moment: First Round FA Cup with Bath and winning the League Cup with Ashton United Married? Kids? î Łree years with partner Mel Favourite music: House Music Favourite food: Italian Joined Rammy: January 2015 Words for the fans: Really looking forward to playin again for the team where I started out Description: Solid, reliable and traditional centre-half

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callum jones centre half Date of birth: 10/05/90 Hometown: Salford Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Hindsford, Ashton Athletic, Traord Height: 6ft 1ins Occupation: Pest Controller Most memorable moment: Married? Kids? Engaged. Son AlďŹ e (2) Favourite music: Funky House & Indie Favourite food: Italian Joined Rammy: January 2015 Description: No-nonsense centre-half

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cedric krou centre half Date of birth: 25/07/91 Hometown: Paris Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Trafford. FC United Height: 6ft 2ins Occupation: Student Most memorable moment: Promotion at Bamber Bridge last season Married? Kids? No Favourite music: RnB Favourite food: Pizza Joined Rammy: February 2014 Words for the fans: ank you for always being there, no matter what Description: Languid but extraordinarily creative centre-back who’s happy to lope forward in posession, and create

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kyle hardman centre midďŹ eld Date of birth: 09/06/96 Hometown: Middleton Favourite team: Manchester City Former clubs: Oldham Athletic Height: 5ft 11ins Joined Rammy: February 2015 Description: Promising midďŹ elder.

Former Oldham Athletic youth team player.

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jamie rother central midfielder Date of birth: 28/01/1991 Hometown: Middleton Favourite team: Manchester City Former clubs: Oldham Athletic, Salford, Bacup, New Mills Height: 5ft 8ins Occupation: Contracts Manager for a construction company Most memorable moment: Playing against the ‘class of 92’ in front of 12,000 people Married? Kids? No Joined Rammy: December 2014 Description: A hard-working midfielder who likes getting stuck in

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matty burke creative midfielder Date of birth: 14/12/1985 Hometown: Salford Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Blackpool, Salford, Barrow, Vauxhall Motors, Hyde, Alfreton Town, Ashton United, Stafford Rangers, Droylsden Height: 6ft 1ins Occupation: Maintenance Worker in care homes Most memorable moment: Playing for England Schoolboys U18s Married? Kids? Engaged to Rachel with a son Freddie (8 months) and stepdaughter Olivia (8) Favourite music: House or Old School Favourite food: A good steak!

Joined Rammy: January 2015 Words for the fans: Keep the faith as we’ll do the job!

Description: No-nonsense hardworking and creative midfielder

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tony’s teasers 1. Which team knocked FC United out of the FA Trophy on Saturday?

2. Which Conference team has reported financial difficulties with their bank pulling out?

3. Who is the manager of Macclesfield Town?

4. Kidderminster Harriers marvin Johnson has joined which Scottish premier league club?

5. Stamford striker Ryan Robbins has been called up for International duty by which country?

6. Name Dover Athletic’s home ground.

7. Freddie potter plays for which NWCFL club?

8. What colours do Poole Town play in?

9. Graham Heathcote has taken over as manager of which Evo-Stik League club?

10. In which league do Bromley play?

5. St.Kitts and Nevis 6. e Crabble centre

ANSWERS: 1. Torquay United 2. Lincoln City 3 John Askey 4. Motherwell 7. Runcorn Linnets 8. Red and white 9. Trafford 10. Conference South

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ian bennett creative midfielder Date of birth: 24/02/1986 Hometown: Middleton Favourite team: Chelsea Former clubs: Manchester City, Ashton United Height: 5ft 7ins Occupation: PE Teacher Most memorable moment: Scoring at the Etihad for Manchester City in the Senior Cup Final against Manchester United Married? Kids? Married with a boy on the way Favourite music: Ed Sheeran and 50 Cent Favourite food: Italian and Indian Joined Rammy: January 2015 Words for the fans: We’re all going to give it our best shot at getting to the playoffs for you Description: Ball-playing creative midfielder who likes to get forward and bag a few goals

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jon robinson manager Date of birth: 28/12/81 Hometown: Salford Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Irlam, Flixton, Salford, Bacup, New Mills Height: 5ft 9ins Occupation: Maintenance Worker Married? Kids? Married to Hayley. Son Isaac (2) Favourite music: Indie and American Rock Favourite food: Italian / Spanish Joined Rammy: September 2009 Description: Scrapping striker who scores a huge number of goals by sheer willpower. Surprisingly deadly in the air. A Rammy lad through and through, he took over the managerial reins in January 2015

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phil edghill assistant manager Date of birth: 13/09/79 Hometown: Oldham Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Rochdale, Ashton United, Chadderton, Rossendale, Curzon Ashton, Hyde, Salford Height: 6ft Most memorable moment: Winning the Conference North with Hyde Married? Kids? Engaged with three kids Favourite music: RnB Favourite food: Chicken curry Joined Rammy: January 2015 Description: Versatile ball-playing midfielder who’s happy to play anywhere on the pitch. Intelligent, mature and articulate addition to Rammy’s management staff

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goal sponsorship

We’d like to thank the following people who have already pledged to sponsor the team for every goal scored for the remainder of the season.

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Trigger Stephen & David Ste, Angie & Ethan Maria Mr & Mrs Darkside TobyTrotter Little Katie smiffylad Rammy Blue Chris S Johnno & Bernard Tony Cunningham Lui Delverto Rob Moss John Ayers Richard Isaacs Emma James Ian McCool Hilary Crook

£2 £2 £4 £1 £2 £1 £1 £1 £1 £2 £2 £1 £1 £2 £2 £2 £2 £2 £2

If you’d like to join in (you get your name in the programme and receive your very own signed team photo as a thankyou) then please make your pledge on the club forum, email rob.sax@musician.org or call Rob on 07944 038512

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luke heron winger / full back Date of birth: 24/03/96 Hometown: Bury Favourite team: Manchester City Former clubs: Oldham Athletic, Trafford Height: 6ft Occupation: Student Most memorable moment: Getting promotion with Garry Vaughan’s 2012/13 Trafford team Married? Kids? No Favourite music: House and Rock Favourite food: Chinese Joined Rammy: January 2015 Description: Young wide player who joins Rammy after 2½ seasons with Trafford

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kyle harrop holding midfielder Date of birth: 22/05/87 Hometown: Chadderton Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Curzon Ashton, Bacup, Trafford, Sorrento, Mandurah, Ashton United, Nantwich Height: 6ft Occupation: Builder specialising in loft conversions Married? Kids? No Favourite music: Motown Favourite food: Cheese!

Joined Rammy: January 2015 Words for the fans: I’m really looking forward to being part of a team pushing promotion. We can get there!

Description: Full back or holding midfielder

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malachi slaven creative midfielder Date of birth: 17/05/94 Hometown: Manchester Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Bury, Macclesfield, Droylsen Height: 5ft 11ins Occupation: Retail Sales Rep Married? Kids? No Favourite music: Hip Hop Favourite food: Chinese Joined Rammy: August 2014 Description: Tall, box-to-box creative midfielder

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chris baguley midďŹ eld playmaker / striker Date of birth: 01/09/87 Hometown: Salford Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Oldham Athletic, FC United, Mandurah, Leigh, Salford, New Mills, Rossendale, Ashton United Height: 5ft 8ins Occupation: Own a sports company delivering PE in schools Married? Kids? Getting married in June in Portugal Favourite music: Motown Joined Rammy: February 2015 Description: MidďŹ eld playmaker and support striker with great technical ability

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tom williams winger Date of birth: 04/09/90 Hometown: Bolton Favourite team: Liverpool Former clubs: Wigan Athletic, Clitheroe, Chorley, Bamber Bridge Height: 5ft 8ins Occupation: Sales Consultant Married? Kids? No Favourite music: Hip Hop, RnB Favourite food: Pizza Joined Rammy: June 2014 Description: An excellent wide player with a mean cross. Takes some of the best corners ever seen at Rammy

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osebi abadaki winger Date of birth: 22/04/91 Hometown: Manchester Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Blackburn Rovers, Morecambe, Rochdale, Stalybridge, Halifax, Nantwich Height: 5ft 11ins Occupation: Student Married? Kids? No Favourite music: Wizkid Roll It Favourite food: Anything Joined Rammy: July 2014 Description: A creative and entertaining winger who can take defences apart with a combination of speed, skill and in particular strength

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matty davies striker / attacking midďŹ elder Date of birth: 03/12/90 Hometown: Bolton Favourite team: Everton Former clubs: Bolton Wanderers, Blackrod, Atherton LR Height: 5ft 11ins Occupation: Quality Control for the oshore oil industry Most memorable moment: Playing in the Dallas Cup in Texas for Bolton Wanderers Married? Kids? A girlfriend.

Favourite music: Hip Hop Favourite food: BBQ - a massive rack of ribs!

Joined Rammy: December 2014 Words for the fans: Heard a lot about the quality and loyalty of the Rammy fans, so look forward to helping reward that Description: Strong, quick and direct, with an eye for goal

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tom brooks striker Date of birth: 29/09/89 Hometown: Bury Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Bury, Walshaw, Bolton Wanderers, Radclie Height: 5ft 6ins Occupation: Welder / Fabricator Most memorable moment: Playing against Didi Hamann and Daniel Sturridge in a reserve game Married? Kids? No Favourite music: RnB, House Favourite food: Pizza / Nandos Joined Rammy: November 2014 Description: A fast and clinical striker who makes perfectly timed runs o the last defender

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tom hartley striker / attacking midďŹ elder Date of birth: 11/11/96 Hometown: Rawtenstall Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Blackburn Rovers, Moston, Rammy Youth Height: 5ft 7ins Occupation: Bricklayer Most memorable moment: Winning the FA County Youth Cup with Lancashire twice Married? Kids? No Favourite music: Anything, even Justin Bieber haha Joined Rammy: August 2012 Description: Tough and skillful young striker / attacking midďŹ elder who is a very exciting prospect for the future

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lee gaskell striker Date of birth: 07/02/85 Hometown: Bury Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Bury, Morecambe, Trafford, Warrington Height: 6ft Occupation: Electrician Most memorable moment: Winning the playoffs with Rammy, and playing live on TV in the FA Cup 2nd Round Married? Kids? Girlfriend Lindsay Favourite music: It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones is my Karaoke favourite Favourite food: Curry Joined Rammy: August 2010 Description: Tall and classy striker who has an eye for the spectacular but isn’t afraid to work hard for the cause

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darren green coach Date of birth: 04/01/79 Hometown: Bury Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Glossop, Bury, Bolton Wanderers Height: 5ft 11ins Occupation: Football Coach Most memorable moment: Winning the play-offs at Bamber Bridge last season Married? Kids? Girlfriend Louise Favourite music: Anything Favourite food: Indian Joined Rammy: January 2013 Words for the fans: It’s great to be back at Rammy, and I look forward to seeing you all again. anks for your great support.

Description: UEFA qualified coach with 17 years experience

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jordan lazenbury striker Date of birth: 05/12/95 Hometown: Manchester Favourite team: Manchester City Former clubs: Fleetwood Town, Stockport County (on loan from) Height: 5ft 11ins Occupation: Footballer Most memorable moment: Scoring the winner in the Lancashire County Cup Final Married? Kids? No Favourite music: RnB, Hip Hop Favourite food: Chinese or Indian Joined Rammy: January 2015 Description: Versatile forward player who can play in a number of positions. Skillful distribution and a good eye for goal.

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danny jones coach Date of birth: 03/01/76 Hometown: Salford Favourite team: Manchester United Former clubs: Preston North End, Scunthorpe United, Altrincham, Curzon Ashton, Salford, Traord, Ashton United Height: 5ft 10ins Occupation: Area Manager for Elco UK Most memorable moment: Playing at Goodison marking Robert Warchycha in the ďŹ rst half then Peter Beagrie in the second Married? Kids? Married to Rebecca and have two boys, Sam (8) and Will (5) Favourite food: Spaghetti Bolognese Joined Rammy: January 2015 Words for the fans: Looking forward to working with the lads to give our supporters something to be proud of.

Description: Vastly experienced former league player, coach, and former assistant manager at Ashton United.

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harun bhatti club physio Date of birth: 31/12/91 Hometown: Burnley Favourite team: Arsenal Former clubs: Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, Accrington Stanley Height: 6ft 2ins Occupation: Car Salesman Most memorable moment: Representing England at U14s and meeting Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney at Blackburn Rovers Academy Married? Kids? No Favourite music: RnB and loads of other stu Favourite food: Anything chicken Joined Rammy: August 2014 Words for the fans: We have some of the best fans in football, particularly given how far we have to travel. Keep up the good work.

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supporters club on the terraces of rammy So here we are - those of us that are still here! Astonishingly, 40+ volunteer hours were put into clearing the snow from the pitch a fortnight ago, in the hope that Robbo and the new squad could finally get a league match under their belts. ose same supporters have so far pledged a total of £40 which will be given to Robbo for each and every goal that the team scores through to the end of the season. ese are the supporters who have well and truly nailed their colours to the mast, whose loyalty is not to the club who pays them the most or plans to set the league alight, but to the club that they voluntarily help out, and that they actually PAY to watch! Some would say that our club is run by an evil dictator, a Kim Sung Un with a tea urn and a pile of multi-pack mars bars, but to those who know better, it is a club to which we all belong. It is ours, and it is a club to which our loyalty cannot be bought off or stolen away.

I was reading on the internet some load of bollocks about “e Spirit of the Kop” - the Liverpool fans’ way of trying to suggest that the sanitised rows of plastic seats that now line Anfield are in some way connected with the drunken, urine smelling armpit of a terrace that us realists remember as e Kop.

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ey view the original Kop in the romantic, soft-focus light of nostalgia, forgetting that you never got out of the ground with the programme you bought cos some scally would nick it before the game was ten minutes old, and that the soft-focus was actually due to the billowing clouds of woodbine smoke drifting across the pitch.

But maybe there is a “Spirit of the Kop”.

Maybe there is something that is more than just a stand, or a ground, or a manager, or a squad of players. Maybe there really is something tangible that is Liverpool FC. Here at Rammy our managers and our players have almost to a man disappeared off to affluent pastures new, and although we’ve all felt the Wrath of Williams in our time, we’re still here. Ten of the former Ramsbottom squad showed up for a beer at the cricket club after their match against Darlington, and Jordan could be seen skulking around the place for the Northwich match last Tuesday. Maybe it is the “Spirit of the Ram” that stopped the rest of us even considering watching Salford, that left most of us in no doubt that come hell or high water we would still be here week-on-week, even if we have to once again watch Baz Shuttleworth pull on his Rammy shirt for our trip up to Bacup in the Northwest Counties First Division.

Lee Gaskell told me last week that, even though he was getting paid a shed-load and being treated like some kind of primadonna

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Guess who’s back where he belongs, after a brief foray into e Land of Pink Balls with Warrington

why seeds of “e Spirit of the Ram” are beginning to germinate in all of us, and those budding seeds are the reason why we are all still here, and will be here for a long time to come.

So while I’ve got you all choked up, give us a shout if you’d like to help sponsor the team per goal. You get a signed team photo at the end of the season and your name in the programme every week. Get in touch: rob.sax@musician.org or telephone 07944 038512.

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Premiership player at Warrington, he instantly leapt at Robbo’s invitation to return to Rammy, the club he says that he “loves playing for”. Add into that mix passionate Rammy legend Robbo, and Andy Dawson, not to mention Tony, Harry, Jack and a slack handful of die-hard fans, and yes, we already have the makings of our own little “Spirit of the Ram”. We’ve shared the elation of Bamber Bridge and Darlington, and the despair at Skem, which help the club worm its way into our hearts. ese are all the reasons

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grant shenton shouting from between the sticks Yet another postponement, which is really starting to get the supporters frustrated. Is it just as frustrating for you fellas, and how does it disrupt preparations for matches?

It's not great as we would all like to be playing matches. I've never been in this position before so it's hard to say if it disrupts preparation. We will soon find out I guess.

When we finally get a match played do you think that the lads will struggle a little bit with fitness and match sharpness and what does the squad try to do to minimise these problems?

We are working hard in training and the lads are very fit and can play a solid 90 mins, so that's fine. But match sharpness may be a little low as you may have seen with our start against Northwich, but we grew into the game quickly, so the only way we will get sharp is by playing games.

What have you been up to in the last couple of weeks of training, and are the players starting to get to know each other now?

We have been doing a lot of new drills under the new management which is a nice change. And we definitely have a team spirit developing - all the lads have gelled really well and it's good to have that feeling of a close changing room.

How do you as players view the possibility of three games a week as we head towards the end of the season? Is it a nightmare scenario, or do you relish the challenge?

Well I can't talk for other the lads who will be putting in the shifts three times a week, but I know it will be good for me - the more times I’ve got a ball in my hands the better. It's not the most ideal situation for the team.

We seem to suddenly have a very large squad of players. Do you think some will get frustrated if they don't get a game, or does everyone acknowledge that we'll need a big squad for all the fixtures that are stacking up?

It's a good thing to have a big squad with the amount of games we have left.

Players will need rests so everyone will be getting plenty of game time.

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“all the lads have gelled really well and it’s great to have that feeling of a close changing room”

Do any of the new players really stand out for you as being 'one to watch'?

All the lads bring something to the table. Baggers has got great feet and distribution and is very pleasing on the eye. Jamie has got great work rate and will be big part of all these games we have coming up. George has come in as the new right back and brings valuable experience which will help in making our back five very solid I could list them all but you ( the fans) will have your chance to make your minds up for yourselves this afternoon.

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points total

league position

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league position

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Manager: Jon ROBINSON

Grant SHENTON George BOWYER George GRAYSON Jamie ROTHER Callum JONES Cedric KROU Osebi ABADAKI Ian BENNETT Lee GASKELL Tom WILLIAMS Luke HERON Chris BAGULEY Kyle HARROP Jordan LAZENBURY Matty BURKE Jon ROBINSON Lee PUGH Alex FROST Kyle HARDMAN Malachi SLAVEN Tom BROOKS David KUBA-KUBA

Manager: Billy MILLER

omas GOODWIN Harry COATES Lawrence HUNTER Matt HEATH Michael MORRIS Dan THIRKELL Rob YOUHILL Fatlum IBRAHIMI Malachi FARQUHARSON Jason MYCOE Lee ASHFORTH Jon MALONEY Greg KIDD Stephen BROMLEY Scott MANNING Jesus MARTIN-FARINA

Referee: Kevin Mattocks Referee’s Assistants: Peter Shacklady, Daniel Locker

Next home game: Tuesday 17th February 7:45pm - Rammy v Rushall Olympic

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