52 Ramsbottom United v Rushall Olympic

rammy news

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:10 Page 1

centre

24

0

centre

24

p

0

v RUSHALL OLYMPIC 17-02-15

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:10 Page 2 0 24

centre

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 Tues 23rd Sept Sat 27th Sept Sat 4th Oct Sat 11th Oct Sat 18th Oct Tues 21st Oct Sat 25th Oct Sat 1st Nov Tues 4th Nov Sat 8th Nov Tues 11th Nov Sat 15th Nov Sat 22nd Nov Tues 25th Nov Sat 29th Nov Tues 2nd Dec Sat 6th Dec Mon 8th Dec Sat 13th Dec Sat 20th Dec Sun 28th Dec Thu 1st Jan Tues 27th Jan Tues 10th Feb Sat 14th Feb Tues 17th Feb Sat 21st Feb Tues 24th Feb Sat 28th Feb Tues 3rd Mar Sat 7th Mar Tues 10th Mar Sat 14th Mar Tues 17th Mar Thurs 19th Mar Sat 21st Mar Tues 24th Mar Sat 28th Mar Mon 30th Mar Sat 4th April Mon 6th April Sat 11th April Tues 14th April Sat 18th April Tues 21st April Sat 25th April

0 24

centre

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 H BLYTH SPARTANS A Belper 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 3-1 1-1

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 131 Shenton 319 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 Slaven Bowyer

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 Grayson Grayson

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 Kuba-Kuba 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 Jones Frost

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 Pugh 1 Pugh

Hulm Hulm Hulm Hulm Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Mot Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Rob Aba Will Will Aba Will Aba Will Will Will Aba Aba Aba Aba Laz Broo

fixture

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:10 Page 3

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 Bennett Rother +

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 Gaskell 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 Brooks # Baguley #

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 # McDermott 1* McDermott

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 * Hartley 1+ Burke *

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 # Abadaki * Cliffe Abadaki 1+ Hartley #

0

24

Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme 1+ Hulme Abadaki + Abadaki der Abadaki der Abadaki der + Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki + Abadaki # Mota 1* Abadaki * Abadaki 1 * Abadaki 1 * Abadaki + on Abadaki 1 Abadaki # Abadaki + Robinson # Abadaki * Williams 1* Williams * Abadaki Williams # Abadaki Williams 1 Williams * Williams * Abadaki * Abadaki Abadaki + Abadaki Lazenbury + Brooks *

centre

ey ey ey ey der

24

p

0

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 Robinson # Smith Heron Lazenbury

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.

ures & results 2014/15 centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:10 Page 4 0 24

centre

0 24

centre

p

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:10 Page 5 0

24

centre

Good evening everyone, and welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for tonight’s long-awaited match against Rushall Olympic - a game which ended up re-scheduled when we drew Stockport County at home in the cup. I’d like to apologise for our visitors needing to travel on a Tuesday night, and I hope their players, supporters and officials enjoy their visit to Rammy. I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to tonight’s officials.

I thought Saturday's performance was very good considering there were six or seven players in our team who have never played together. We had some good spells during the game but failed to capitalise. is final product will come the more they play together and begin to get a better understanding of each other.

Of particular note was Matty Burke, who was excellent when he came on. His range of passing is outstanding - he got the ball moving quicker going forward and changed the game for us.

I do think that squad rotation is going to play a massive part for us with all the games we will be playing, and also me and Phil don't know our best team yet as we have not had enough game time to evaluate everyone. ere has been some speculation about our centre-half positions, particularly regarding Callum Jones and Cedric Krou. Cedric has been in Paris visiting family and Callum Jones had a knock on his ankle that wasn't worth risking. Callum should hopefully be fit for

24

p

0

tonight’s game. Another injury for Ian Bennett who’s hurt the anterior ligament in his knee hopefully he won't be out too long as it's improving by the day.

Regarding Andy Dawson - he is still in a lot of discomfort with his knee and it’s something that is getting us all down, but we can't risk playing him until he feels properly ready and comfortable out there . We have to be very careful with Andy, and think how his injury will affect his life 10 years down the line, which has to be foremost in all our minds.

I thought the fans were brilliant at Stamford (as always) and would just like to say how much me, Phil and the rest of the squad appreciate everything you all do around the place. Our great fans are definitely the soul of Rammy. e journey home was great, with lots of singing - I think that Frosty and Baggers are still working out whose is the better performance!

Donal McDermott is a new name that came down to Rammy as he is a good friend of Jamie Rother. He was inbetween clubs and wanted to get back into football. He does have an illustrious history at teams like Manchester City, Bournemouth, Huddersfield and so on, and we were delighted to take a player of such high calibre and class. ese are very exciting times for the Rams, and I hope that everyone out there is enjoying things as much as we all are.

Enjoy the game!

robbo centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:10 Page 6 0 24

centre

p

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, Rushall Olympic, who have made the long journey to be here tonight. I trust that they all enjoy themselves at the HWRS and have a safe journey home afterwards.

We enjoyed an excellent result down in the midlands back in August, although with a much different line-up to the one you are likely to see tonight. e movement of players has been well documented, and whilst there have been grumbles in some quarters regarding the number that followed the management team to Salford City, we can hardly complain seeing that we have recruited quite a number from the same club. It’s almost as though the two clubs are operating a player-exchange scheme!

Robbo and Edgy have used their contacts to good effect in creating a new-look Ramsbottom United team. To do so in the middle of a season takes some doing, so we should congratulate our new managerial duo on being able to piece together a side that is “theirs” so quickly.

Inevitably, when new players come in, others will be regarded as surplus, and the movement in and

0 24

centre

out of the Riverside over the last few weeks has certainly kept me busy! We do, of course, welcome all the newcomers to the Rammy stable and hope they enjoy their time with us, whilst, at the same time, thank those who have moved on to pastures new, wishing them well.

So far, in six weeks, the team has managed to play just three times, but after two Doodson cup successes against teams going well one Division below, the unbeaten start continued with a hardearned point at Stamford’s new stadium on Saturday. We now have one heck of a run-in over the next ten weeks or so, with at least two weeks featuring three matches. It’s an enormous task to catch up with all the outstanding games (we have more to play than any other team in the Division), but we would appear to have the squad available to complete the task.

A quick look at the table will see us in the bottom half, but I think we all know that such a position is false. Providing the new side gels fairly quickly, the quality within should soon see us marching up the ladder, and, who knows, a push for the play-offs could still be on the cards.

On Saturday we make the relatively short trip to Northwich to face a surprisingly struggling Witton Albion team. For once, I should be able to make this one (I’ve spent many a Saturday afternoon this season at another game

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 7 24

0

24

centre

p

0

Witton Albion’s old Central Ground the way footy grounds ought to be!

are having to play catch-up in a big way. e next game down here is against an inform Ilkeston team, although again, earlier in the season our old-look side travelled there and won with a similar 4-2 score-line that we inflicted on today’s visitors. ere is plenty of football to be played, and I just hope the freezing conditions that have affected us so much this season, have now departed, and we can look forward to the rush of games knowing that there will be no more postponements.

We certainly will not be bored!

Enjoy your non-league football! centre

whilst tweeting to see how the Rams are doing on their lengthy trips) so I look forward to a visit to Witton’s excellent stadium, which I have photos of being built from scratch some 20-odd years ago.

I always enjoyed visiting their previous Central Ground, and it was there that I experienced the coldest night of my life watching a football match. I was literally shaking afterwards with the cold, and my pal had to drive me back as I could not even drive. Happy days!

After Witton, we face a long trip up to Northumbria to meet the FA Cup giantkillers, Blyth Spartans, who, like ourselves,

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 8 0 24

centre

0 24

centre

p

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 9 0

24

centre

e month of January was pretty much a non starter for us in terms of league action due to the weather which has been very frustrating for us as management and obviously the players. We've trained really well to keep the fitness and sharpness, but nothing is a substitute for playing competitive football. e Doodson Cup matches have been positive for us - with many lads cup tied it was a chance for me and Robbo to have a look at other players within the squad, and a chance for them to impress us for the upcoming league fixtures.

With the amount of games we still have to play it's important we have a strong squad, as everyone will play their part in what will be a busy last few months of the season. We have as many as 11 games in hand on some of the teams, which is crazy really, but we can't control the weather and we could be playing 3-4 games a week later on in the season, so even me and Robbo will be called upon at some point as there will be fatigue and injuries to contend with.

Getting back to league action on Saturday was a relief and on the balance of play we thoroughly deserved a point. We gave a soft goal away after 10 minutes and even though we didn't create lots of chances I thought we controlled the game. e sending off for them changed things and we told the lads

24

p

0

at half time to be patient and not to force things which we did a lot of first half.

Stamford defended well and made it difficult for us in the second half and the penalty save from Grant proved decisive as 2-0 would have difficult for us to come back from. e equaliser from Osebi was an unbelievable strike and something we needed as too many times our attacks were dealt with comfortably by a determined Stamford.

In the end we were happy with a point but we need to improve in some aspects of our game as we move forward.

We have a lot of new players so it will take time to gel, but with the quality we have I believe we have an outside chance of the play offs. ere were positives from the game - Donal McDermott again showed his quality and he could be the difference for us in games with his skill and driving runs.

Our opponents tonight sit mid table. ey had a great home win on Saturday to high flying Curzon Ashton and will provide a stern test. With games coming thick and fast our home form is vital so we want the 3 points tonight to start moving us up the table.

Enjoy the game

edgy centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 10 0 24

centre

p

grant shenton shouting from between the sticks First off, well done for saving that penalty at Stamford which kept us in the game. It's not often you get to be the hero as a keeper. Can you tell us your view of the incident that led to it?

Just doing what I'm paid to do! It’s always a good feeling to save a pen but even moreso when it has a big impact on the end result. It all came from our set piece - one long ball to a very lively centre forward. I thought he fouled Lee in the build up to winning the pen ( ref didn't think so) and Frosty had to make the tackle. I've seen them not given before - I think the fact the ref had sent their lad of in the first half played a part in the decision. ...and the great clearance that set up Tom Hartley's goal last Tuesday! You always read the play well, do you see yourself as a playmaker?

I would say I'm a keeper that can play rather than a play maker. Being at the back of everyone I see the bigger picture which helps me read the game. If I was a tad faster you would see me make a lot more of the through balls I chase down and sometimes don't get there first. I can’t imagine what you’re all thinking when I'm charging out.

0 24

centre

Do you know anything about Cedric's disappearance, and why we were without Callum Jones on Saturday?

Cedric is back in Paris for family reasons and that's all we know on him. Callum is carrying a knock and wasn't fit to travel.

Although Saturday's game was disjointed, at times we saw some real potential. Given the circumstances were you happy with the performance?

I'm very happy with how we performed at the weekend. New team, new formation, new management and all against a very well organised team of lads all over six foot and a very dangerous team. So I think for our first game with this squad of players a 1-1 draw after a three hour journey is a good result.

Matty Burke and Osebi Abadaki made a huge difference when they came on, and we even had the quality of players like Luke Heron and Jordan Lazenbury in reserve. is looks like a really strong squad.

I said a few weeks ago that we need strength in depth to do well in this league and I think the gaffer and his team have done a great job in putting this team together. We have lots of games so having a big squad will help that cause.

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 11 centre

24

0

centre

24

p

0

What was the mood like after the game? Was it the usual Rammy Experience on the trip home? e coach back was no different from any other trip with rammy. e new lads sang some songs and did a top job with one exception (Burky). A lot of alcohol was consumed so the first trip under new management was just as good as any I've been on.

We sang our heads off behind the goal.

Did that come across to you up the other end?

I heard you loud and clear., and when Ozzy’s strike hit the back of the net I saw Daz running round like a mad man celebrating. I love seeing the fans cheer it all, they deserve it for the travelling they do and the money they spend every week. Keep the noise loud for tonight please. COYR

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 12 0 24

centre

p

rushall olympic home of the very first olympics Rushall Olympic Football Club was originally founded in 1893, playing friendly matches before they later joined the Cannock & District Football League two years later. ey finished runners-up in their first season, before moving to the Walsall & District League, winning the Championship in 1904. Records show that almost thirty years earlier a Rushall team was playing on a regular basis. Walsall Town played Rushall in a match that finished in a two all draw, so many players turned up that the game was played fifteen aside, with some Walsall players being loaned to Rushall. During this time home games took place behind the Miners Arms Public House and many of the players worked at the nearby Aldridge Pit. e original club was eventually disbanded in the late 1930’s prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1951 a new Rushall Olympic FC was born, when a group of locals decided that football must return to the Village. A Fish and Chip shop was used as their headquarters and they decided on Rowley Place as their home ground. A home kit of red and white shirts was brought, with the help of George Hunt, the owner of the Fish and Chip shop and the new club joined the Second Division of the Walsall & District Amateur League. e headquarters were soon moved to Rushall Labour Club and it was soon decided that the club should revert back to wearing the original gold and black strip.

0 24

centre

During the 1950’s ‘e Pic’s’ rose through the Walsall & District Amateur League, eventually gaining promotion to the Staffordshire County League (South).

Promotion to the First Division soon followed and Rushall won three back to back championships between 1950 and 1963. ey briefly moved away from the Village to a new home, three miles down the road at the Aston University Sports Ground. is was, albeit temporary and ‘e Pic’s’ soon returned to Rushall when the new Dales Lane Ground was officially opened in August 1977, their home still to this day.

After joining the West Midlands (Regional) League in 1978, Rushall enjoyed fourteen consecutive seasons in the Premier Division during the 1980’s and 1990’s. From 1994, Rushall moved to the newly founded Midland Football Alliance, but unfortunately the first four seasons was a struggle, with a position of 12th being their highest League finish. ‘e Pic’s’ fortunes changed, when John Allen was recruited from Hednesford Town as their new manager. e team was revamped and they just missed out on promotion to the Southern League Western Division, on goal difference, in 2001. Rushall’s ultimate goal was delivered in 2005, when they secured the Midland Football Alliance Championship and after an anxious wait, automatic promotion was secured to the Southern Football League Division One. After a number of managerial changes and

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 13 centre

24

0

centre

24

p

0

e Pics in action against Stratford Town. Photo courtesy of Steve Walker

with Paul Holleran now in the hot seat, Rushall agonisingly missed out on promotion to the Premier Division, suffering defeat in the Play-Off Final to Leamington, after finishing an excellent 5th in the League. A new challenge was presented in 2008, when after a restructure of the Non-League pyramid, saw ‘e Pic’s’ placed in the Northern Football League Division One South. eir first campaign, saw then miss out on immediate promotion, as they suffered yet another Play-Off defeat, this time by League runners-up Belper Town, however they did claim the Walsall senior Cup for the first time in nine years, beating Tipton Town. e credit crunch was soon to hit Rushall, with financial constraints meaning a cut in the playing budget, but against all the odds promotion was gained in 2011. ‘e Pic’s’ finished the season in 3rd place and after

defeating Brigg Town in the Play-Off SemiFinals, a two nil victory against Grantham Town at home in the Final saw promotion to the Northern Premier Division sealed. e step up in Divisions did not seem to affect Rushall, as they finished in 6th place in their first season at the highest level they have ever played in their history, and followed this up with 7th position last season. e close season saw a real coup for Rushall, with former Ajax, Bolton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Richard Sneekes taking over as manager. So far this season ‘e Pic’s’ have not quite reached the heights of previous years, they currently sit in 15th position, although they have played five more games than the Ram’s. With only two points separating the sides, I am sure we are in for a hard fought contest this afternoon.

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 14 0 24

centre

p

Cameron Belford (Goalkeeper) Previous Clubs; Coventry City, Tamworth, Bury, Worcester City, Southend United, Mansfield Town.

Highly rated goalkeeper with plenty of Football League experience. Belford was part of the promotion winning Bury side, who finished as League Two runners-up in 2011.

Josh Craddock (Midfielder) Previous Clubs; Walsall, Cradley Town, Halesowen Town, Hednesford Town, Stourbridge.

Tough tackling midfielder who came through the youth setup at Walsall, making three substitute appearances for the first team. Has a wealth of experience in NonLeague for someone of a young age, he also played in the FA Cup second round proper for Stourbridge last season.

Aaron Williams (Forward) Previous Clubs; Walsall, Redditch United, AFC Telford, Worcester City.

Another Rushall player who started his career in the Football league with Walsall.

Signed at the beginning of this season, Williams can play either as winger, attacking midfielder or as striker. A dangerous customer who has netted 13 times this season in the league.

0 24

centre

four to watch

Aris Christopherou (Defender) Previous Clubs; Walsall.

Young defender who can play at both full back or central defence. Was surprisingly released by Walsall in the summer and has also previously come to the attention of the Cyprus International Youth set-up.

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 15 24

0

24

centre

p

0

Photo courtesy of Steve Walker

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 16 0 24

centre

p

meet the away fans dave osborne fills us in What's the mood like in the camp at the moment?

Results and performances this season have been very inconsistent to say the least, with some very good games and results and some hugely disappointing ones too. e new management team came in during the summer and have tried to bring a more attractive style of play to the club, it's not completely worked out in terms of results so where we are in the league is a fair reflection.

Are things going to plan would you say?

We have radically changed what rushall were known for and were successful with over the last 3/4 years ie strong, hard to beat and direct, to now trying to pass the ball more and play a more expansive style of football, all I can say is it's been a seasons of ups and downs thus far.

Can you talk us through the last couple of results please.

We recently played a regional cup competition quarter final versus Coleshill Town, two leagues below us and we lost on penalties after it was 2-2 AET. e last game in the league was away to windy Whitby, we took the lead and had other chances in the first half but conceded two final quarter goals and we lost 2-1.

For you who are the players to watch at the moment, and why?

Our striker Aaron Williams who we signed

0 24

centre

at the start of the season from Conference North side Worcester City has been a shining light netting 22 goals in all competitions.

Midfielders Carl Palmer and Kris Taylor display both quality and work rate and would be the first two names on the team sheet for me.

How long have you been a supporter?

I’ve been a supporter about five seasons now.

I lost faith in the pro game after having a season ticket for Birmingham City for ten straight seasons in the naughties. Rushall is the local non league team to me, was I made welcome from day one - I caught the bug and have ran with it!

What are your most memorable times with the club, and what sticks out for you this season.

Memorable times include getting to the last qualifying round of the FA Cup playing Grimsby Town away at Blundell park last year and also playing Wrexham in the FA Trophy a few years back. is season, the win away at Curzon Ashton in the league was impressive as they were top at the time plus our performances over two games against conference North Guiseley showed what the players can do on occasion.

How would you change the club if you won the lottery?

Definitely make the club conference North ground ready, if we gained promotion, then I

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 17 centre

24

0

centre

24

p

0

Have you seen this man?

Dave’s Crimewatch photo from the petrol station CCTV

would build a 3G or astro turf training pitch next door which could also be used by the local community and provide some income for the club, I would then go to Frickley Athletic and ask them to name their price for striker Gavin Allott - in my opinion the most complete striker in the league.

How would you describe your supporters?

Not many, but definitely hardcore loyal!

Come rain and snow we see the same faces, not many faces but really good people.

What are your hopes for the rest of the season?

Hopefully a safe mid table position with signs that next season will be more positive with better, more consistent performances.

How would you describe the town for any visitors, and what one word would you use to describe the ground catering?

Small borough in the town of Walsall situated North of Birmingham, one chippy one Chinese and a paper shop that's about it. e pics pantry serves really good tasty football grub, would recommend to all visitors.

What's the best pub for a pre-match / post-match pint, and why's it a good one? e Royal Oak over the road from the ground closed a few years back, but I would encourage all away fans to drink in the club house where you can enjoy an ale and watch the footy on the telly before the game.

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:11 Page 18 0 24

centre

Chris Baguley on the rampage

1-1

î Łe Daniels Stadium 14th February 2015 Att: 319 Rammy Goals: Abadaki (79) Stamford Goals: Clements (9)

0 24

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 19 24

0

24

centre

p

0

Two moments of individual brilliance in the last 20 minutes saved the Rams from a defeat in a dark, dour, ill tempered match. e psychological boost of avoiding defeat will be greater than the point important as that is.

Behind from the 9th minute when Dan Clement ghosted in at the near post onto an innocuous ball from the left and playing against 10 men for the whole of the second half for 70 minutes it looked unlikely that the Rams would get anything from the game. When Richard Jones was sent off for Stamford just before the half time whistle after a robust but by no means bad tackle the expectation among the travelling fans was of the Rams going on to win. However an innumerate spectator wandering into the ground for the second would not have noticed that the Rams has a numerical advantage. Stamford worked hard closed down quickly and prevented the Rams gaining any presence or momentum. is was effectively the first game of the season for this group of players and the lack of cohesion and match fitness showed, so to say that much of the Rams play was as disjointed as a disarticulated skeleton is an objective observation of the inevitable and not a criticism. e prospect of a long gloomy ride home went from apprehension to expectation when with time starting to run out Jordan Smith forced his way past Lee Pugh in a sudden counter attack allowed to run into the box by a retreating defence and was upended by Alex Frost . Smith's shot fom the spot was well directed towards the side netting and hit with pace but Grant Shenton got a hand to it deflecting the ball onto the post.

As is so often the case the missed penalty came with the double whammy of deflating the team missing it and breathing renewed belief in the opposition. By this stage the Rams had introduced the experienced and much traveled Matt Burke who brought more substance in every sense of the word to the midfield.

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 20 0 24

centre

p

1-1

î Łe Daniels Stadium 14th February 2015 Att: 319 Rammy Goals: Abadaki (79) Stamford Goals: Clements (9)

0 24

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 21 0

24

centre

0

Donal McDermott had provided what few moments of quality there had been up to that point but had flitted in and out of he game.

With Burke's controlling presence McDermott was able to play wide more confident that the ball would find its way to him sufficiently quickly to allow him time and space to attack the bye line or cut inside . However he too often found the ball on his weaker right foot or his crosses found only fresh air.

So as Bumble says it was looking like time to start the car until, from nowhere, Osebi Abadaki picked up a clearance 30 yards out, danced past a defender and rifled a vicious cross shot into the far top corner to level. e fact that this was a point gained rather than two lost was reinforced in the last moments when a shot from Dan Lawlor which was well on its way into the top corner took the slightest of deflection from a Rams head onto the angle of post and bar.

So the Rams will go into Tuesday's match at home to Rushall Olympic undefeated in the league since New Year's day. e visitors who the Rams beat comfortably away at the beginning of the season had an impressive home win against Curzon Ashton on Saturday and another tough game awaits - but they will all be from here on in.

centre

Osebi is in there somewhere after scoring Goal of the Season

24

p

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 22 0 24

centre

p

Perhaps a tad harsh, Richard Jones gets his marching orders.

0 24

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 23 24

0

24

centre

p

0

e Evo-Stik NPL is saddened to hear of the passing of former league management committee member, ex Vice President and Life Member Gordon (GD) Swinton aged 99.

A Football League referee in the 1950s, Gordon was a stalwart of Stafford Rangers, becoming a director in their Cheshire League days and serving as vice chairman during the 1970’s . is was one of Rangers’ most successful periods in their history, winning the FA Trophy three times and reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup. Gordon was also well known throughout football for his work as an administrator. Appointed as secretary of the Mid Staffordshire Football League in 1951, he stepped up to become chairman of the league in 1961 for nine years and was then president from 1974 to 1985. Having served as an NPL league management committee member, in 1979 he became a founder member of the inaugural; Alliance Premier League (now the Football Conference) management committee. He served the Conference for over 20 years, and was made a Life Member of that competition on his retirement in 1999. e NPL had similarly recognised Gordon’s long service to non-league football seven years earlier, in 1992.

Despite moving to Cornwall, Gordon was a regular attendee at NPL Presentation Dinners until the early 2000’s.

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 24 0 24

centre

p

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.

0 24

centre

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 Frank 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 Fans’ Fund total to date: £224

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 25 centre

24

0

centre

24

p

0

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 26 0 24

centre

0 24

centre

p

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 27 centre

24

0

centre

24

p

0

Grant Shenton Air Guitar Hero

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 28 0 24

p

centre

tony’s teasers 1. Which team defeated Conference leaders Barnet on Saturday?

2. Matt Davies left us last week and scored for his new club on Saturday. Which club did he move to?

3. Which other player moved out and signed for Padiham?

4. Which Welsh club plays at e Rock (no not Bury’s shopping area!)?

5. Which famous cricketer has taken over as manager of Northern League Ashington?

6. Which league do Poole Town play in?

7. What is Poole’s nickname?

8. Glossop North End have an FA Vase replay on Saturday. Against which club?

9. Which club has recently been suspended by both the NWCFL and the Cheshire FA? 10. Which reformed former Conference club have been denied permission to play at their former stadium?

ANSWERS: 1. Wrexham 2. Radcliffe Borough 3 David Kuba-Kuba 4.Cefn Druids 5. Steve Harmison 6. Southern League Premier 7. e Dolphins 8. Dunston UTS 9. Stockport Sports 10. Salisbury 0 24

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:13 Page 29 24

0

24

0

centre

p

If your face is featured then congratulations, you’ve just won yourself a cup of tea and a Mars Bar courtesy of Rammy United Supporters Club. Visit the tea bar now to claim your magniďŹ cent prize!

ANSW 6. Sout centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:13 Page 30 0 24

centre

p

meet the home fans lui delverto at the ewe camp What's the mood like in the camp at the moment?

Pretty confident I would say, and we’re all really looking forward to the rest of the season!

Are things back on the rails would you say? e last couple of outings have been fantastic performances, particularly

considering the changes that have come through over xmas. If we continue doing things the way we have then the season is well and truly back on track.

Can you talk us through your view of the last couple of results please.

I've been incredibly impressed with the lads going forward and I think the results have been much deserved. A lot of the goals we've let in have been quite sloppy.

You wouldn't think from the way we've been playing that there have been cataclysmic changes to the team and management over the past few weeks though, which has to be a good thing!

For you who are the players to watch at the moment, and why.

Osebi is fantastic on the wing. His pace and strength are frightening. I'd hate to be a right back playing against him! George at left back seems to play his socks off every game! Doesn't put a foot wrong. those are the two stand out players for me.

How hard do you have to be to go out in public in a hat like this?

0 24

centre

What are your most memorable times with the club, and what sticks out for you this season.

Getting to the semi finals stage of the Doodson Cup seems to have been the biggest achievement I've witnessed so far this season. Very exciting! I’m sure there’s more to come.

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:13 Page 31 centre

24

0

centre

24

p

0

Fast as owt, and liable to score 30-yard screamers now and again Osebi Abadaki - class!

How would you change the club if you won the lottery?

Get a groundsman. or under soil heating fewer postponements! I’m not looking forward to the lads suffering through sixteen games a week come the end of the season to make up for all the frozen pitch days..

I'd also invest in more merchandise for people to buy to increase revenue, and perhaps advertise the club more. I've lived in Bury for 20 odd years and only recently became aware that there was a non-league team down the road.

How would you describe the supporters?

Heroic!

What are your hopes for the rest of the season?

Reaching the play offs and a cup final wouldn't go amiss. Why not?

How would you describe the town for any visitors? idyllic.

What's the best pub for a pre-match and post-match pint, and why's it a good one? e irwell Brewery is by far the best.

Excellent choice of local beers, great chilled out atmosphere and within stumbling distance of the ground.

What's your connection with the club?

I don't have one other than being a newish fan. I am willing to dress up as a sheep though and offer myself up as the club's mascot. I feel it would make the club stand out amongst the other non-leaguers. It would also keep me warm on match days.

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:13 Page 32 0 24

centre

0 24

centre

p

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:13 Page 33 centre

24

0

centre

24

p

0

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:14 Page 34 0 24

centre

p

rammy united

meet the lads

0 24

Jon ROBINSON

Phil EDGHILL

Date of birth: 28th December 1981 Place of birth: Salford Position: Player Manager / Striker Height: 5ft 9ins Previous clubs: Salford, Flixton, New Mills, Bacup A passionate and never-say-die striker who would score goals by sheer hard work and enthusiasm alone. Took over the managerial reins in January 2015.

Date of birth: 13th September 1979 Place of birth: Oldham Position: Assistant Manager / Midfielder Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Rochdale, Ashton, Chadderton, Rossendale, Curzon Ashton, Hyde, Salford A vastly experienced creative midfielder who returned to Rammy as assistant manager in January 2015.

Danny JONES

Darren GREEN

Date of birth: 3rd January 1976 Place of birth: Salford Position: Coach Previous clubs: Scunthorpe United, Altrincham, Curzon Ashton, Salford, Trafford An excellent and experienced coach with a class pedigree in league and non-league football.

Date of birth: 4th January 1979 Place of birth: Bury Position: Coach Previous clubs: Glossop, Bury, Bolton Wanderers A UEFA trained professional football coach who brings a wealth of expertise to the club.

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:14 Page 35

Cedric KROU

Date of birth: 28th January 1991 Place of birth: Newton Heath Position: Goalkeeper Height: 6ft 2ins Previous clubs: Maine Road, FC United A fantastic goalkeeper whose vision plays as much a part in creating goals as his athleticism plays in denying them.

Date of birth: 25th July 1991 Place of birth: Paris Position: Central Defender Height: 6ft 2ins Previous clubs: FC United, Trafford A calm and creative centre-back who has the skill to bring the ball out of defence.

Callum JONES

Matty BURKE

Date of birth: 10th May 1990 Place of birth: Salford Position: Centre Half Height: 6ft 1ins Previous clubs: Hindsford, Ashton United, Trafford A no-nonsense centre half.

Date of birth: 14th December 1985 Place of birth: Salford Position: Creative Midfielder Height: 6ft 1ins Previous clubs: Blackpool, Salford, Barrow, Vauxhall Motors, Hyde, Alfreton Town, Ashton United, Staffor Rangers A hard-working and commanding creative midfielder.

0

24

centre

Grant SHENTON

24

p

0

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:15 Page 36 0 24

centre

p

rammy united

meet the lads

0 24

Lee PUGH

George BOWYER

Date of birth: 26th May 1992 Place of birth: Rossendale Position: Left-Back Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Bury, Hyde, Bacup, Clitheroe, Chester A strong, no nonsense fullback with a priceless long throw. He also takes a mean free-kick.

Date of birth: 11th November 1990 Place of birth: Stockport Height: 5ft 10ins Position: Full-Back Previous clubs: Rochdale, Woodley, Mossley, Curzon Ashton, Bamber Bridge A determined and committed full-back who likes to get forward.

Kyle HARROP

George GRAYSON

Date of birth: 22nd April 1987 Place of birth: Chadderton Position: Full-Back / Midfielder Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Curzon, Trafford, Sorrento and Mandurah (Australia), Ashton , Nantwich A versatile and experienced player who is equally happy at full back or in a holding midfield role.

Date of birth: 27th September 1994 Place of birth: Sheffield Position: Left Wing-Back Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United, Tamworth Fantastic young left wing-back with bags of pace, skill and potential.

centre

Date Place Posit Heig Previ A ve wing

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:15 Page 37

Jamie ROTHER

Date of birth: 24th February 1996 Place of birth: Bury Position: Wing-Back Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Oldham Athletic,Trafford A versatile wide player who is happy on either wing, or in defence.

Date of birth: 8th March 1989 Place of birth: Middleton Position: Midfielder Height: 5ft 8ins Previous clubs: Oldham, FC United, Bacup, Salford A hard working centre-midfielder who’s not afraid to get stuck in when necessary.

Malachi SLAVEN

Ian BENNETT

Date of birth: 17th May 1994 Place of birth: Manchester Position: Midfielder Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Bury, Macclesfield, Droylsden A decent quality midfielder who joined Rammy pre-season but has been out on loan, only returning to the club just before Christmas.

Date of birth: 24th February 1986 Place of birth: Middleton Position: Midfielder Height: 5ft 7ins Previous clubs: Manchester City, Ashton United A creative attacking midfielder returning to football after a break to study at university.

0

24

centre

Luke HERON

24

p

0

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:16 Page 38 0 24

centre

p

rammy united

meet the lads

0 24

Chris BAGULEY

Tom WILLIAMS

Date of birth: 1st September 1987 Place of birth: Salford Position: Midfielder Height: 5ft 8ins Previous clubs: Oldham Athletic, FC United, Mandurah, Leigh, Salford, New Mills, Rossendale, Ashton United Midfield playmaker and support striker with great technical ability

Date of birth: 4th September 1990 Place of birth: Bolton Position: Winger Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Bamber Bridge A class winger whose corners and crosses are exquisite.

Tom HARTLEY

Tom BROOKS

Date of birth: 11th November 1996 Place of birth: Rawtenstall Position: Midfielder / Striker Height: 5ft 7ins Previous clubs: Blackburn Rovers, Moston, Ramsbottom United Youth A tough young attacking midfielder/striker who progressed through Ramsbottom United’s youth setup.

Date of birth: 29th September 1989 Place of birth: Bury Position: Forward Height: 5ft 6ins Previous clubs: Bury, Walshaw, Bolton Wanderers, Radcliffe A fast and clinical striker who makes perfectly timed runs off the last defender.

centre

Date Place Posit Heig Previ Warr An in recei 2013

Date Place Posit Heigh Previ Unite Town A cla a grea

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:16 Page 39

Date of birth: 22nd April 1991 Place of birth: Nigeria Position: Winger Height: 5ft 10ins Previous clubs: Nantwich, Halifax A speedy and tricky winger who can take on defenders for fun and whip in a mean cross.

Donal McDERMOTT

Harun Bhatti

Date of birth: 19th October 1989 Place of birth: Dublin Position: Forward Height: 5ft 10ins Previous clubs: Manchester City, Scunthorpe United, MK Dons, Chesterfield, Huddersfield Town, AFC Bournemouth, Dundalk A classy and accomplished forward player with a great eye for goal.

Date of birth: 31st December 1991 Place of birth: Burnley Position: Club Physio Previous clubs: Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, Accrington Stanley A first-rate physio, despite his nickname ‘Rooney’ and his supporting Arsenal

centre

Date of birth: 7th February 1985 Place of birth: Salford Position: Striker Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Morecambe, Trafford, Walshaw, Warrington An incredibly skillful and creative striker who received the Evostik golden boot for season 2013-14.

0

24

Osebi ABADAKI

centre

Lee GASKELL

24

p

0

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:16 Page 40 0 24

centre

p

from the darkside darren comer reports on the latest rammy ultras adventures It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air, so being an old romantic I had arranged to take Mrs Darkside out for the day to the lovely, little Lincolnshire town of Stamford (voted as best place to live the United Kingdom in 2013). e fact that Rammy were going to be visiting Stamford on this the most romantic of days was simply coincidental and had no bearing on my choice of location, honest !

We hadn’t seen any league action since the New Years Day defeat at Nantwich Town and as we all know a hell of a lot of

water has passed under the troubled bridge since then. When the fixtures were announced last Summer this game did not stand out as anything special but, the game of football works in very mysterious ways and the visit to Lincolnshire had taken on an added significance as it was the start of the new era at Ramsbottom United Football Club... e Robbo and Edgy era. e weather Gods had been against us for the past few weeks but now seemed to be smiling on us (I can’t confirm that this had anything to do with Fred ‘e

What is there to say?

0 24

centre

0

centre

24

Weatherman’ Talbot being put behind bars the day before but, I have my suspicions).

We left the Kay Brow residence at 9.30 and met up with Andy ‘Valentines Day Massacre’ Massey who was also treating his good lady wife, Hilary, to a romantic day out. We stopped off at Mannings to stock up on bacon muffins before heading off down to the ground for the 10.00 departure of e Rammy Rocket (We really should get this column sponsored by Mannings, Rob).

It was a strange feeling as the Rocket started filling up and, although we were now starting to put names to faces, they were still strangers to us and vice versa but, this little jaunt to Lincolnshire was going to change all that and end up with the players, supporters and even Uncle Harry singing, drinking and being very merry late into the night at the Cricket Club.

Although Stamford was deep into Lincolnshire, the journey passed pretty quickly and there was a decent turnout of Rammy Ultras travelling. As always, Uncle Harry sat up front to lead his troops into battle and we also had Sophie, Andy Edmunson, e Carlsberg Clan, Valentines Day Massacre Massey and Hilary, Tony, Dave and Jake on board. We also had a new, and much welcomed, face on board with Mike ‘Father of Alex’ Frost joining us. A word of warning to Mike here, there is an old saying about e Rammy Rocket that, Once you’re on it, You can’t get off it, so don’t say you weren’t warned when we are travelling back from Blyth on a Tuesday evening. I got a phone call from Clive, who had to put in a few hours at work, to check on the weather conditions and let us know he was making his way up, like Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider, on his motorbike.

With several people travelling by car it was going to be another good turnout of

centre

p

24

e

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:16 Page 41

0

Rammy supporters for this momentous day in the history of the mighty Ramsbottom United Football Club.

We arrived at the ground shortly before 1.00 and headed off for the twenty minute walk into town to find the nearest pub. is turned out to be the Tobie Norris on St Pauls Street which was a traditional pub complete with wooden beams, real ales on tap and a clock that ignited a lively discussion on whether it was a grandfather or grandmother clock. My opinion? I hadn’t got the foggiest. e pub’s own website claims e Tobie Norris is an old building with steep staircases, uneven floors and open fires, and none of us were going to argue with that. Even Young Jake managed to find Valentine’s Day love in there, although being the age he is he isn’t that interested in silly things like girls and the object of his affection was the, admittedly scrumptious looking, pizzas.

As we were walking back to the ground, me and Mrs Darkside bumped into a lost looking soul who enquired if we were Ramsbottom fans and where the ground was, as he had totally lost his bearings. As it turned out this old gentleman was a ground hopper who had travelled from Kingston (London, not Jamaica) for the game, so we had a very pleasant stroll back to the ground in his company and had a good chinwag with him. It turned out he had travelled up to Ramsbottom the previous Saturday only to find the our game against Blyth Spartans had been called off and he had to spend the afternoon at Gigg Lane watching some team called Bury in their inevitable pursuit of playoff heartache.

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:16 Page 42 0 24

centre

p

What an amazing guy, and another part of the beauty of watching non-league football being these kind of football fanatics you meet along the way. Mr Murdoch, you can shove your Sky Sports Super-Dooper Sundays where the sun don’t shine Stamford’s ground was only opened a few months ago and the home faithful have yet to see their team win a game there and they were going to be out of luck again today against the new look Rams. e Zeeco Stadium (or let’s call it the Daniels Stadium as the locals do and keep the corporate sponsorship out of it) was a nice set up with a main stand running halfway along one side. It also had roofed terracing behind one goal which is always good for making a noise, so we headed there to hang the ever increasing Rammy flags and banners.

With the flags in place, and twenty minutes to kick off, the obvious option was to head to the bar for a final pre-match vocal cord loosener. ey had their own

Stamford ale, which I would highly recommend to anyone visiting the ground.

A note to Nantwich Town and Kings Lynn who have similar, modern set ups at their grounds -I actually got change out of £3!

And so on to the main event of the afternoon, Stamford Town v e Mighty, Mighty Rammy. Regular readers of the programme will know that this column isn’t so much a match report and more a fans’ eye view of the Rammy away days. e match reports are best left to Sir Paul Cropper, who is being described in the pubs and clubs of old Ramsbottom town as the Eighth Wonder of the Modern World (a special mention to his other half, Karol, who couldn’t make the game. Hope you’re feeling better and watching the game tonight). To say the Rammy eleven had never played a competitive game together they put in a battling performance and matched the hosts from the first minute until the last. Stamford took an early lead,

Claire and Malcolm give an idea of the kind of fun that’s had on a Rammy away day!

0 24

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:16 Page 43 centre

0

centre

24

against the run of play, with a defensive lapse, but the players’ heads didn’t go down and they carried on trying to take the game to Stamford.

Rammys cause should have been helped when opposition captain, Richard Jones, was sent off for a lunge at Alex Frost but, this just saw them drop deeper and try to defend the slender lead they had. e Stamford support didn’t agree with the dismissal and at first glance a few of the Ultras seemed to think it was a little harsh. However, as Alex explained later, if he hadn’t got out of the way it could have ended in a bad injury and this was backed up by the, as always, excellent footage on Rammy TV which clearly shows that this was a reckless tackle by the home captain.

With just over ten minutes to play, and with the supporters’ hopes fading, Osebi picked the ball up, went off on one of his Maradonna-esque runs through the Stamford defence to blast it into the corner of the goal. Cue pandemonium, cue cavorting on the terraces and cue sheer, bloody joy on and off the pitch. is is why we love football and this is why we love Ramsbottom United We headed back to the bar after the game for a celebratory drink and wait for the players. is gave us an opportunity to have a chat with the Stamford supporters and also thank them for the role they played in making it such a special day. We had both been stood side by side on the terracing, both singing and supporting our teams, rather than making aggressive and uncalled for comments, which after a certain, recent away day was a breath of fresh air. ey also have some of the friendliest stewards and bar staff I have had the pleasure to

24

p

0

encounter in over forty years of attending football grounds and for this I salute you.

Anyone who regularly travels on e Rammy Rocket will know we’ve had some incredible journeys up and down the country but, and I’m not alone in thinking this, this one probably topped the lot.

With D.J Pughie blasting out the tunes and the beers starting to flow it was time for Ramsbottoms Got Talent, which meant the new players, and a couple of old ones, having to take to the microphone at the front of the bus and treat us to a tune of their choice. So, for the journey home we had at various points, the likes of Robbie Williams, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Take at and Ed Sheeran serenading us and by the time we were coming off the M66 it was what can only be described as a riotous and euphoric celebration for the Rammy new breed.

From the supporters’ point of view, and I can vouch for the other travelling Ultras here, the day had been about much, much more than the game and the result.

We didn’t really care about the 3 points to be honest, we just wanted to have our faith put back into our football club.

Valentine’s Day, 2015 was the day we realised how much we love this club and how much our old heroes can be replaced by players who are willing to buy into the Rammy cause. To all the players and staff who travelled with us yesterday, welcome to e Rammy Family and the roller coaster that being involved with this football club is all about.

Everywhere we go, Everywhere we go, It’s the Rammy Boys, making all the noise Everywhere we go!

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:17 Page 44 0 24

centre

p

rammy in exile sky sports statto richard isaacs Good evening everyone. I hope you are all keeping well and certainly enjoying the football on show, now that the weather has finally relented and allowed us to see some.

Well, three games for the new management and new team and still unbeaten with what seemed like a decent point away at Stamford on Saturday to boot. e dust has really settled following the upheaval and we can now firmly get back to what matters - winning football matches, playing the game and enjoying it.

From what I can gather, the enjoyment factor in the Rammy ranks is as high as it ever has been, proved by the journey home on Saturday evening. And, from a long distance away, it is a huge, huge relief that the camaraderie and fun element of being part of Ramsbottom United is still firmly alive and that will be vital as the games come thick and fast for the remainder of this campaign.

Can we use all of those games in hand to still mount a challenge on the top five places? Is there any reason why not?

I really cannot wait to be able to come up and watch us again soon.

I am not sure when as I am working all hours on the Cricket World Cup, which started on Saturday with England getting a, not unexpected, tonking by the Aussies so my days

0 24

centre

and predominently nights are all taken up with watching the white ball being smote to all parts of Australia and New Zealand.

Unfortunately, that is from my desk bunker at home in Southampton and not flying around the southern hemisphere.

4am and 5am are going to become regular friends of mine!

Ah yes, the Cricket World Cup. e jamboree of the sport lasting seven weeks and we all get very excited about as we live in hope that England might just pull off a shock! I will put it right out there right now that England are not going to win this tournament. ey just don't have the all round ability of some of the really top teams - the likes of Australia, South Africa or India or even New Zealand for that matter. ey will get into the quarter-finals as they will beat the 'minnows' along the way but that is as far as the journey will travel.

Cricket is obviously my first love, it is my employment after all. I have grown up with the game ever since I was born, and often sat with my dad for many hours checking statistics, figures and facts for many years. I have been asked many times why cricket - that would be the reason why, it is in my blood. I would always say that rugby union was my second sport and I have seen a couple of matches this last weekend - the first a Hampshire Cup semifinal between Portsmouth and Gosport &

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:17 Page 45 centre

0

centre

24

Fareham and then on Sunday, Hampshire Under 20s tackling Staffordshire in the semifinal of the County Championship. Enjoyable afternoons both watching the game and also catching up with the many people I have met over the years in the game, when I used to report on it for the two local newspapers.

But, sneaking up on the rails has come football. For years, I was a Southampton supporter and I still am. I don't really go and watch them - it's too expensive and I'm not really that fussed! However, over the last few years, this little known team has become my number one. Can you guess which that is?

Well done those of you who are preceptive ... it is our little Rammy United.

I think quite a few of us have had our loyalty

24

p

0

tested over the last month or so, especially given the relationship that we had with those who are no longer with us. Some have gone, naturally those with family involved. Some have dipped their toe in. Some have decided to split their loyalties. But some have remained fiercely loyal to the Rammy cause.

It absolutely doesn't matter which category you fit into. But Robbo and Edgy's new look team are bedding in and are creating their own history. So let’s get right behind the lads - I know you all will. And I can't wait to come and cheer them on and be a part of it all.

We are still Rammy United. We are still here. We will always be here.

COME ON YOU RAMS!

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:17 Page 46 0 24

centre

p

3-1

Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 10th February 2015 Att: 131 Rammy Goals: McDermott (29), Pugh (35), Hartley (90) Harrogate Goals: Yeats (38)

0 24

centre

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:17 Page 47 0

24

centre

0

Apart from the result and some much needed game time the most significant outcome from a cold and gloomy night could well be the emergence of new signing Donal McDermott who only joined the club on the afternoon of the match. It was of little surprise that the 26 year old who has had football league experience at Huddersfield, Scunthorpe and most significantly Bournemouth and most recently helped Dundalk to a league title in Ireland should take a little time to adjust to his new surroundings. Even so in the hour he was on the pitch he brought all three moments of quality to a rather disjointed Rams performance, first skipping past two defenders on the half hour and scoring neatly into the corner from the edge of the box, then five minutes later drawing the penalty converted neatly by Lee Pugh and finally on the half time whistle finding Lee Gaskell with the sweetest of diagonal passes only for the striker to be denied by some alert goalkeeping.

Having established their two goal lead the Rams might have been expected to put the game to bed but for the most part they had failed to retain possession and it was that failing that allowed the visitors to keep a toe hold in the match Abu Sanogo scoring calmly following the loss of the ball in the midfield area.

Harrogate Railways are only one in a long list of clubs in the Evostik facing harsh financial realities and have a young inexperienced squad. Nonetheless they were nothing less than resilient and as the Rams’ energy levels dropped away in the second half they began to dominate the game. e Rams were struggling to build any coherence and as the clock ticked to a mystifying 9:40, bearing in mind the second half had kicked off at 8:50, an equaliser from the visitors would have come as no surprise. However the Rams defence, well directed from the back by another debutant Callum Jones, who more than filled his self description of a no-nonsense centre half pest controller, managed to stand firm and as the referee finally found his watch Tom Hartlley neatly controlled a long ball and executed the neatest of lobs with the outside of his right foot to give the Rams a slightly flattering margin of victory.

On Saturday the Rams travel to Stamford who are one place and one point above them having played 7 games more.

Stamford pulled off what on paper was a surprise win at troubled league leaders Skemersdale last Saturday and a tough trip is on the cards. With a full squad to pick from it will be interesting to see what the Rams line up will be the immediate cause of concern being the depth of cover at the centre of defence

centre

Debutant Donal McDermott probing the Harrogate defence inbetween scoring the first and being brought down for the second

24

p

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:17 Page 48 0 24

centre

p

supporters club on the terraces of rammy It’s a strange thing, but despite all the scrappiness on the pitch, and the understandable impression we all had that the players were very much feeling their way around, Saturday’s draw felt like we’d won the FA Cup! We weren’t great, in fact far from it, but we showed a lot of potential, and a HUGE amount of team spirit, as illustrated by the exhuberant celebrations when Osebi popped up with one of the goals of the season. Someone turned to me with my camera and said, “Did you get the goal?” to which my answer was, “No. I was too busy jumping up and down celebrating!” It was that kind of a goal, and that kind of a day.

I spoke to a few supporters last Tuesday, and was surprised that a number of them considered Johnno and Bernard’s departure to be a good thing. ere’s no denying that those two lads achieved excellent things with Rammy, but the new faces that Robbo and Edgy have brought in are real class - surprisingly so! Not least the quite unbelievable signing of Donal McDermott, a player that some of us have even have heard of! One or two on the forum got a bit giddy at the thought of a 38 year old Brett Ormerod turning out for Padiham, but a quick glance down Donal’s CV will scare the

0 24

centre

be-Jesus out of anyone at our level. He started out at Manchester City before heading off to Huddersfield, MK Dons, Scunthorpe and Bournemouth. Is it any surprise that he and George Grayson (ex Scunthorpe himself) should link together so well down that left side? I look at the two photos opposite and it really gets my knees a-quivering.

Add to all of this the experience and quality so evident in the rest of our squad and Robbo is really showing us that this club IS capable of going further, and IS capable of stepping up to a higher level.

Yes, there is a long way to go, and Saturday’s big celebrations were in part due to the relief at having bagged a draw, but our chins and our tails are up - Rammy is on the up! e trip back on the coach was apparently the stuff of legend (though without Jordan Hulme getting his kit off) and a number of really decent players were inducted into the Rammy Family. e fans were also in really great voice, and not so bad in number which was quite surprising given the ridiculous distance.

And so to tonight. We jumped the first hurdle on Saturday with our first league game under the new management, so tonight is a chance to go on and start making some kind of assault on those playoff places. It’s a long old run-in, that’s for sure, but after Saturday I’m feeling just a little bit more optimistic!

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:17 Page 49 centre

24

0

centre

24

p

0

Donal McDermott wearing a Rammy shirt at Stamford

Donal McDermott wearing a Bournemouth shirt at Watford

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:17 Page 50 0 24

centre

rammy 0 24

centre

points total

league position

p

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:17 Page 51

24

centre

0

rushall centre

league position

0

points total

24

p

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:18 Page 52 0 24

centre

p

Manager: Jon ROBINSON

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

Manager: Richard SNEEKES

Cameron BELFORD Mitchell TOLLEY Callum WILLIAMS Josh HAWKER Aris CHRISTOPHEROU Gavin CAINES Jake HEATH Josh CRADDOCK Kris TAYLOR Aaron WILLIAMS Chris LAIT Jack DUGGAN Steven LESLIE Carl PALMER Stanley MUGISHA Connor DEARDS Zak MARTIN

Referee: Joe Hull Referee’s Assistants: Terry Ratcliffe, Gordon Durward

Next home game: Saturday 28th February 3pm, Rammy v Ilkeston

0 24

centre