53 Ramsbottom United v Ilkeston

rammy news

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v ILKESTON 28-02-15

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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 Weds 8th April Sat 11th April Tues 14th April Sat 18th April Tues 21st April Sat 25th April

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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 TRAFFORD A Skelmersdale United A Stourbridge H STOURBRIDGE A Buxton H BLYTH SPARTANS A Belper H BARWELL A Grantham Town A Curzon Ashton H FC UNITED OF MCR A Ashton United H FARSLEY LgCup SemiFinal 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 2-3 1-2 0-2

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 223 Shenton 349 Shenton 364 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 Bowyer Bowyer Bowyer

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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 Heron Frost + Robinson

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 Jones Jones # Harrop

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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 Bennett Rother + Rother 1 Burke Burke

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 Gaskell 1 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 # Baguley # Rother 1 Rother *

Dean + Pilkington Dean # Pilkington * Dean 2 Abadaki * Dean Williams Dean Williams + Dean # Williams # Dean 1 Williams + Dean Mota + Dean * Mota * Dean + Pugh Williams 1# Dean + Williams + Burton + Robinson 1# Williams * Spencer # Robinson 1# Dean 2 Williams * Dean 1 + Williams + Dean 1 Williams * Dean + Williams + Dean Williams Dean # Pilkington Pilkington + Dean + Dean 1 Howson + Dean 1 Abadaki * Dean Abadaki Spencer 1 Pugh Abadaki # Grayson Spencer 2 Pugh * Dean + Abadaki Abadaki + Dean * Dean Robinson + Dean Williams * Dean Williams * Spencer * Dean 1 + Lazenbury # Hartley * McDermott 1* Hartley 1+ McDermott Burke * McDermott + Hartley + McDermott * Edghill # Brooks Edghill

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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 Robinson # Smith Heron Lazenbury Lazenbury Frost Lazenbury * Grayson

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

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First of all I’d like to welcome to Rammy the players, supporters and officials from Ilkeston as well as tonight’s match officials. We hope you enjoy your short visit to Ramsbottom and have a safe journey home after the game.

Blyth Spartans was a very disappointing away trip for us and, although we expected it to be very tough, we didn’t really do ourselves justice and played some very naive football. Given our current circumstances, a degree of naivety is to be expected, but we are better players than we showed on Tuesday and will need to improve across the board. It doesn’t help matters that I got myself sent off, but it was a very harsh decision based on two yellow cards that were arguably not even free kicks, never mind yellow cards.

I know that some are already getting frustrated with the way recent games have gone, and I have to admit that it is a bit of a learning curve for me and Edgy at the moment, but we’re learning very quickly (a lot of it the hard way) and will have things right as soon as possible. ere is still a heck of a lot of football left for us this season, and I think that getting a first league win under our belts will help to give the lads the kind of confidence boost that will help them perform to their full potential.

George Grayson has sadly left us for pastures new. I had a chat with him during the week and he was frustrated at a lack of game time, so we agreed that it’s probably best for us to release him. Chris baguley has been away for a few days - a trip which was planned before he came to us - which is why he wasn’t available at Witton or Blyth. Some of the lads have picked up niggly injuries during the last couple of matches and hopefully we will have a few more available in the squad for Saturday. We are constantly on the look-out to strengthen, and if a quality player becomes available and is interested in joining Rammy then we will give them their chance.

I know these are difficult times for our supporters, but I’d like to thank everyone for the encouragement and support that you’re giving to the lads. It’s easy to forget the time that went into building the excellent former squad, and it’s really good to hear you all getting behind the team in numbers, as your encouragement is what’s desperately needed.

To see and hear the huge number that made the trip to Witton Albion, and the (much smaller) hard-core who trekked up to Blyth on Tuesday is the kind of thing that makes you realise that you are part of the proud Rammy Family for life!

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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, Ilkeston for their first ever visit to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium. I hope all connected with the Derbyshire club enjoy their visit, although I also hope they return home pointless! eir form of late has been tremendous, although their unexpected hiding at Curzon Ashton last Saturday will have them aching to return to form this afternoon, so we had better be at our best. ree points would be welcome for our lads as the mid-season shenanigans have seen disruption here at the HWRS that hasn’t been experienced for many a year. Much has been written and spoken, but it’s a new-look Ramsbottom United that our visitors face today. e old-look squad ventured over the Peak District earlier in the season and returned home with a fine 4-2 victory, but Ilkeston will recognise very few of the team that played that day.

It’s fair to say that Robbo and Edgy are still on a learning curve as they gradually rebuild the team. Some performances have been disappointing, yet there are signs that the quality of many of our new signings is high enough for this level.

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No victories in eight league games may well dispute this. We just need these newcomers to gel as a team and hopefully the future will look a darn sight more optimistic than of late.

Fortunately, looking at the forum, most supporters are appreciative of the situation, and the position the club found itself in when our previous managerial team de-camped. Not many clubs would have been able to deal with such an upheaval.

Whilst our position in the table doesn’t look anywhere near as healthy as it did earlier in the season, we have acquired a decent amount of points, and have many games left to add to the tally. Dreams of a play-off place may be beyond us (although I have seen some great late charges over the years), but it is imperative that we don’t get dragged into a battle at the bottom. I can’t see this happening, and after all the upheaval, a comfortable mid-table spot would probably be regarded as acceptable by most people (Robbo may disagree!)

No doubt, the closed season will be a welcome distraction, with breathing space to re-adjust, but before then we have a little matter of around 20 games to fit in! It’s a very heavy schedule with everyone pulling together.

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Injuries, no-shows, a make-shift squad and sendings off. A true baptism by fire for Robbo

e supporters, it has to be said, have generally been very understanding. e Rams fans have been superb over the last few years, no doubt encouraged by the excellent entertainment provided. But every team has it’s rough patches, and that’s when good supporters come to the fore. Our crowds have almost trebled over the last five years, and the newcomers appear to be enjoying the camaraderie that is involved with the non-league game, as much as we long-time supporters. I’ve been following the club for around 20 years, some of which have been rather

bleak, but it’s amazing how becoming a follower of one club takes you over. Enjoy the good times, by all means, but put up with the bad times as well!

Hopefully, those days will stay away as we continue on our journey with the newlook side. Football is a wonderful sport to follow, and this club is a wonderful club to support. Blimey….if this sounds like a rallying cry, I suppose it is!!!

Enjoy your non-league football!

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We said to the lads after the game that we need to stick together and show character and bravery to play our way into some form because I believe we are better than the results suggest. We have shown naivety in certain situations during games, and a lack of understanding on how to win football matches at this level. On a positive note we should have a number of players returning from injury very soon which will give us a much needed boost with games coming thick and fast. is has been a very testing time - we are trying to build virtually a new side having seen the majority of the squad depart, whilst having to get points from games and dealing with numerous injuries. Robbo and I are confident that it will come together very soon and with our next two games being at home we need to pick up points which will give us confidence going into a busy month of March.

Today’s opponents are a young side who like to play football and currently sit in one of the play off places so we are under no illusions: it will be a tough game. ese are the sort of games our lads should be thriving on, to go out and express themselves and show everyone what they can do, and get a win for the fans.

Enjoy the game!

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I would like to welcome everyone to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for this afternoon’s game against Ilkeston Town. e last seven days have been really testing for us as a club with back to back away defeats. e game against Witton was a game I thought we could use to get our season started again, but other than the first ten minutes we were second best, and losing Donal Mcdermott and Alex Frost during the first half hour to injury hurt our chances.

Was it not for Grant Shenton it would have been more than a 2-1 defeat.

Going down to ten men didn’t help our cause second half, but in truth even with eleven we never got to grips with the game.

Blyth away on Tuesday is a long trip and with a number of players out injured and Robbo having to step in at centre half it was always going to be a difficult task against a strong side. Losing Jamie Rother after ten minutes with a hamstring problem only added to our troubles with him arguably our best player at Witton. Robbo then harshly received his second yellow card on the stroke of half time, and being 2-0 down it was a backs to the wall job from there on in.

Credit to the lads for the hard work they put in second half under testing circumstances, but our discipline has to be better as playing with ten men is hindering our chances of getting positive results from games.

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e realistic assessment of this game, harsh but fair, is that the result flattered an insipid Rams performance.

A touch more precision from the home team would have seen them at least double their goal tally and the Rams goal, special as it was, literally came from nowhere.

All that was needed to turn a poor show into a horror show would have been the appearance from the subs bench of Vincent Price and Peter Cushing!

Apart from Matt Burke who struggled manfully in midfield often up against three opponents and Jamie Rother, the contributions of those in front of the back four ranged from ineffectual through peripheral to anonymous, although they were certainly hampered by the loss of Donal McDermott after only ten minutes .As a result there was little if any sustained possession or control of the ball and the back four found themselves consistently stretched and under pressure.

Such is the developing habit of the Rams conceding the first goal on or around the quarter hour they will want to start adopting a back to the future approach and jump straight from the tenth minute to the twentieth. On this occasion both Rams central defenders were drawn like moths to the flame to Lucas Molina's near post run to meet a low cross from the right. e Venezelan dummied extravagantly and Jamie Rainford had all the time and space he needed to shoot home from the six yard line.e fact that the centre forward had been off-side earlier in the build up was neither mitigation nor defence to an accusation of poor communication between Alex Frost and Callum Jones.

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Wincham Park 21st February 2015 Att: 349 Rammy Goals: Rother (44) Witton Goals: Rainford (16, 58)

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e Rams battled away but long high balls forward are unlikely to be productive with a forward pairing of Lee Gaskell and Jamie Rother who in terms of height and stature are on the slighter end of imposing and when the ball was got to feet the passing was often sloppy. e Rams were fortunate not to go two down on the half hour Rainford taking advantage of lightweight tackling on the edge of the box and sending a lob onto the top of the bar with Grant Shenton. And then almost on the half time whistle Jamie Rother latched onto a bouncing ball barely 10 yards inside the Witton half and setting a dipping shot past a startled Ryan Swift and in just under the bar.

Unfortunately the equaliser, skillful and fortuitous in equal measure, did not presage a Rams revival. On the restart only a double point bank save by Grant Shenton followed by a goal line clearance and the linesman's flag when the rebound was fired in prevented Witton regaining the lead. en Molina shot wide from a promising position. e reprieve lasted only 15 minutes. Rainford was cleverly sent loose inside the box by a clever pass from Joe Shaw and passed the ball into the far corner. From then on Witton passed the ball in and around Burke who perhaps more out of frustration than necessity clattered into Shaw and was sent off with 15 minutes left. e Rams continued to lump the ball forward more in hope than expectation although Kyle Harrop might consider himself unlucky to see his shot diverted over having been set up on the edge of the area by Jamie Rother with five minutes left.. at is now seven league games without a win and only two points gained for the Rams. e darkest hours are just before the dawn but things are a more than a bit stygian just now and with a long and difficult midweek trip to Blyth next up and then a tricky home game against Ilkeston it might be a little a few games yet before the sun begins to peep over the horizon.

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Wincham Park 21st February 2015 Att: 349 Rammy Goals: Rother (44) Witton Goals: Rainford (16, 58)

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ilkeston fc the robins rise like a phoenix In July 1945 Ilkeston Town were founded by a group of local football enthusiasts.

Previously, senior football had been played in the town since 1882, with teams carrying the Ilkeston name succumbing to financial pressures, the last of which being Ilkeston FC. During Ilkeston Town’s early years they played in a number of different leagues and won their first piece of silverware in 1947, picking up the Divisional Cup. After continuously stepping up in levels Ilkeston became a dominant force in the Central Alliance during the 1950’s, winning the Championship in four successive seasons.

During the 1951/52 season they reached the First Round proper of the FA Cup, where they were defeated by Rochdale. is game saw a strange occurrence when the only white ball that Ilkeston owned became lodged in a tree; after various attempts to retrieve the ball, play continued with a regulation football, which became almost invisible due to the deteriorating light. e 1960’s saw the birth of a new nickname, when Ilkeston changed their home shirt from white to red and they affectionately became known as ‘e Robins’. After securing the Midland Counties League Championship in 1968 the club seemed to be on a high, but Ilkeston’s history of financial problems was about to come back to haunt them. A decision was made to step up to the Southern League, but this only lasted a few seasons before they were forced to resign and drop back into the Midland Counties League.

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Local millionaire businessman Paul Millership took control of the club 1989, and it was decided that the club could only progress by moving to a new purpose built ground. e New Manor ground was opened in 1992 and it saw Ilkeston rise to the Southern League Premier Division in 1995, after back to back promotions. e 1997/98 season saw another great FA Cup run, with ‘e Robins’ narrowly losing away to Scunthorpe United in the Second Round, the victors facing a trip to Premiership Crystal Palace.

With no success in the Southern League, Ilkeston Town transferred to the Unibond League in 2004, under the guidance of manager Phil Stant and his assistant Nigel Jemson. With Jemson top scoring, ‘e Robins’ gained promotion to the Premier Division at the first attempt. Four years on and after a number of different managers, Rob Scott and Paul Hurst finally took Ilkeston Town into the Conference North, via the Play-Offs.

It was a tough start for ‘e Robins’ in step two of the non-league pyramid. e management duo moved onto to Boston United and players soon followed them out of the exit door. Former Chelsea, Derby, Ipswich and Northern Ireland international Kevin Wilson took over the managerial reigns and set about rebuilding the squad.

Unfortunately, matters off the pitch were to ruin any chance of an immediate impact by Wilson, as the club entered a High Court

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battle with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, over an unpaid £50,000 debt. is was one fight that could not be won and in September 2009 Ilkeston Town met the same fate as their predecessors and were liquidated Two months after the liquidation of Ilkeston Town a new club was formed under the name Ilkeston FC, and they took their place in the Northern Premier League Division One South, at the start of the 2011/12 season. Amazingly the club finished in 3rd position, clinching a place in the end of season Play-Offs. After thrashing Sheffield seven nil in the Semi-Finals they sealed promotion to the Premier Division defeating Leek Town two nil at the New Manor Ground. is was a fantastic achievement for a club who in theory, had only been in existence for twelve months.

Ilkeston’s success was backed up by a policy of developing young players through a

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youth system, which was set up by Chairman Dave Mantle.

Ilkeston’s first season back in the Northern Premier League’s top tier saw a respectable finish of 12th place, with a number or impressive displays throughout the campaign. e second year was a little tougher, with ‘e Robins’ eventually finishing the season in 17th position, well clear of the relegation places, although, Ilkeston did claim their first piece of silverware, with a win over Matlock Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Kevin Wilson’s men have started this season in great form and currently sit second in the league, with games in hand over leaders Skelmersdale United. e squad is now blended with a mix of experience and youth and with several key players signing contract extensions, Ilkeston are hoping for a real push to return to the Conference North.

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Jordan Smith (Goalkeeper) Aged 20 Previous Clubs; Nottingham Forest.

On a season long loan from Nottingham Forest. Highly rated goalkeeper, who has made a big impression during his time with ‘e Robins’.

James Reid (Midfielder) Aged 25 Previous Clubs; Nottingham Forest, Telford United.

Fan’s favourite Reid started his career at Nottingham Forest before dropping into Non-League football. A set piece expert, with a dangerous left foot, is getting a reputation for spectacular goals.

Rob Duffy (Striker) Aged 32 Previous Clubs; Newport County, Wrexham, Oxford United, Kings Lynn.

Experienced striker who has played in the Football League for a number of years.

Joined Ilkeston at the end of last season and has so far been on target sixteen times in this campaign.

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four to watch

Joe Maguire (Defender) Aged 23 Previous Clubs; Scunthorpe United.

A rock in central defence, Joe is brother of Sheffield United defender Harry. Has been Fan’s Player of the Year for the past two seasons and took over the captaincy during the summer, a danger in the opposition box and has scored some important goals.

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meet the away fans ‘matchman’ john attewell fills us in What's the mood like in the camp at the moment? e mood at the Club is one of optimism.

We have a young side mainly made up of players who have come through our Academy or players who have been released from other Academies.

Ilkeston FC is only in its fourth season since formation following the

demise of Ilkeston Town FC in 2009 who played in the Conference North. e newly formed Ilkeston FC had to drop two levels but in our first season we got promotion via the playoffs to the Evo Stik Northern Premier where we are now. From the outset we had a five year plan to return to the Conference North. We need promotion this year or next year to achieve that goal.

We are certainly hoping to to win promotion this season and are on course so far. We are currently unbeaten in our last 13 league games with 9 wins and 4 draws.

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

Our last league game was a 1-0 home win against Frickley. We were not at our best but we got the win. e league game before that was away to Halesowen which ended 00. Both defences were on top and there were few scoring chances.

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“We are hoping to win promotion and are on course so far” For you who are the players to watch?.

We are very much a team but two quality players in my opinion are James Reid and David Morgan.

expect to be pushing for promotion this season. However now that we are in that position we hope to make the playoffs at the very least.

How long have you been a supporter?

I first went to watch Ilkeston Town when I was ten years old. Since the formation of Ilkeston FC, I travel home and away and have only missed a handful of matches.

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

Ilkeston is the third largest town in Derbyshire after Derby and Chesterfield.

Unfortunately it is not the thriving town it used to be and has been in decline for several years. Inside the ground there are three separate stalls where hot drinks, burgers, pies, chips, curry, etc can be purchased. ere is also a clubhouse where alcohol can be consumed.

What are your most memorable times with the club, and what sticks out for you this season? is season has been really good results wise. Our away record is better than our home record. Probably our best performances were a 4-1 win at Skelmersdale and a 3-1 home win over FC United.

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

I don’t do the lottery.

How would you describe your supporters?

We have good vocal away support. e Supporters Group run a 50 seater coach to every away game. Unfortunately our home support is less loud.

What are your hopes for the rest of the season?

At the end of last season when we finished towards the wrong end of the table we didn’t

What's the best pub for a pre-match / postmatch pint, and why's it a good one? e nearest pub to the ground is e Little Acorn on Awsworth Road, about five minutes walk away. From the ground just go over the humpback bridge and its about 400 yards on the left.

What's your connection with the club?

My involvement with the Club is as follows; (a) I help with hospitality at home games, (b) I contribute to the Club’s monthly magazine, (c) I post live away match updates on the Supporters Group website, (d) I run the Supporter’s Group Match Prediction League.

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If Saturday's performance had the nervous, and possibly the managers, peering apprehensively from behind the couch this was full on When Frankenstein met Dracula .It is perfectly reasonable to talk still of bedding in and players getting to know each other -one of the problems being consistent availability. And on the night there were extenuating circumstances not least having no a recognised centre half in the absence of Cedric Krou who is making a habit of disappearing with the unexpected suddenness of Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl. Patience with him should now be depleted and it really should be a question of Gone Boy. en there was the earlier loss of of one of the few inform players early into the game - this time Jamie Rother and then being reduced to 10 men at the half time whistle Jon Robinson getting the softest of two yellow cards.

But for all that this was a desperately poor performance albeit against a quick young and good team playing well - or as well as they wanted or needed to be. Even before going down to 10 men the Rams had been outnumbered and out manoeuvred in all areas but most of all down the wings were Robert Dale on the left and

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Croft Park 24th February 2015 Att: 364 Rammy Goals: Blyth Goals: River (4), Wade (20), Dale (57), Watson (88)

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particularly Jarrett Rivers on the right were exceptional. Where in previous games 15 minutes in has proved the witching hour this time it took only 4 minutes to concede Jarret shooting home following Dale getting to the bye line and in fact could have been behind after only 30 seconds through the same route.After that Blyth looked scoring in every attack - which was constant and once Mathew Wade headed home unchallenged from a corner whatever hope there was of getting something out of the game, little as that was was doused with the ruthlessness of a fire extinguisher on a candle.

On 57 minutes Rivers repaid the compliment to Dale. Picking up the ball wide he danced in side dummied and curtsied his way across the 18 yard line and set up Dale on the corner of the box whose well judged swerving shot arced into the opposite top corner.

After that Blyth tended to ease back almost bemused by the amount of time and space available until the last minute when a firm shot ricocheted off two Rams defenders into the back of the net. ese are dangerous times.

Collectively the Rams are bereft of belief and confidence with even the basics of a half decent first touch well astray. It is not time to run around in Corporal Jones fashion not panicking but a few more games like this and Steve MacQueen will be on his motor bike trying to jump over the barbed wire and the band will be playing e Great Escape.

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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 Frank Crook Paul Gaskell

£2 £2 £4 £1 £2 £1 £1 £1 £1 £2 £2 £1 £1 £2 £2 £2 £2 £2 £2 £5

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 e Fans Fund total currently stands at £292

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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!

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Kyle Harrop

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tony’s teasers 1. Name the four teams competing in this afternoon’s FA Trophy semi-final.

2. Garry Wilson was recently sacked by which Ryman League club?

3. e England non-league team was beaten 2-1 by which island’s under 21 side a couple of weeks ago?

4. Who did Glossop North End beat in the FA Vase 5th round replay?

5. In which town are (answer to 4) they based?

6. Where are 1974 Northwich playing their home games?

7. Which club occupies bottom spot in the Welsh Premier League?

8. In which league do Shaw Lane Aquaforce play?

9. What colours do Market Drayton Town play in?

10. Which NPL club has so far conceded over 100 league goals this season?

ANSWERS: 1. Torquay United, Wrexham, Bath City and North Ferriby 2. Lewes 3. Cyprus 4. Dunston UTS 5. Gateshead 6. Winsford United 7. Prestatyn Town 8. Northern Counties East 9. All red 10. Brigg Town 0 24

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meet the home fans john ayers at the ewe camp brought me down to my first Rammy match, which was a Tuesday night game a couple of seasons ago. I was so impressed by the standard of the football and the commitment of the players that my love and enthusiasm for non-league was re-kindled.

I haven’t been to a football league match since.

John sampling the healthy options on offer at Stamford

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Retired RAF navigator John Ayers started watching Rammy about two years ago after being brought down to a match by friend Dave Newby, though his involvement in local football goes way way back. We caught up with John, and asked him some questions about life, football, and how he views the future down at the Harry Williams Riverside.

We started by asking about his involvement with Edenfield FC. “Edenfield was a club which I restarted back in 1966, about the time that Harry was managing Ramsbottom, and I’ve known him since back then. He won’t forgive me for saying it, but Edenfield did the league double over Rammy, winning 11-0 and 5-0 though due to us playing 9 games in 29 days they pipped us in the fourth round of the Kenyon Cup 3-2. He seems to have forgiven me though as he trusts me on the turnstiles now and again, and lets me have one of the hiviz jackets when extra stewards are needed.

“I’m also married to Jack Wolfenden’s sistster Edna, so the connection with Rammy does go way, way back.

“We returned to Edenfield when I retired and Dave, who I’d met playing golf,

ANSW 5. Gat

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“Already there have been so many memorable Rammy moments, but for me the critical matches at the end of the season have stood out.

Skelmersdale away - winning the match late-on, conceding a goal but still ok with a point, and then the disappointment of conceding a late, late goal to miss-out on the play-off place. It was heartbreaking! “e play-off game against Darlington, in front of a near capacity and hostile crowd, was probably the best overall performance of that season. It brought our tally against them for the season to played 3, won 3, scored 6, conceded 0. Tremendous! “en came Bamber Bridge in the play-off final. It was an old script, like something out of Roy of the Rovers! e roller coaster of emotions that day will be etched in my memory forever.

“My hopes for the rest of this season

are that we hold our own. Robbo appears to have assembled a promising squad of players with a good level of experience. However, it may take a little while to reach the level of understanding and standard of football that we have become accustomed to.

Fitness and player availability will be critical with the backlog of fixtures that are building up.

“I’m really looking forward to watching the newly constructed team starting to gel - not necessarily individual players, but the team as a whole.

“I have to say a word about the supporters that I’ve met over the past two years, who are both knowledgeable and passionate about the game. Many have supported e Rams for a long time, and without doubt they have the best interests of the club at heart.

Andy Dawson seemingly bagging Rammy a play-off place on ‘at Day In Skem’

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A hat-trick for Robbo as Rammy took Darlington apart in the home game

“I was so impressed by the standard of football and commitment of the players” “After the promotion last season there were concerns in some quarters about whether the club could continue to function at the highest level that it has ever been at, and it was at a meeting of concerned supporters before the start of this season that I “volunteered” to become treasurer of the Supporters Club. I would say that the mood among the supporters at the moment is definitely one of optimism.

“If I won the lottery I would try to somehow facilitate the resolution of whatever it is that is preventing the cricket club and the football club from

working together to develop Acre Bottom and the Riverside Stadium for the mutual benefit of both clubs. e football club facilities have been developed piecemeal over the years as the club has climbed up the leagues. It sort of works at the moment, but in my view could be so much better.

“All in all, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Ramsbottom United Experience over the last couple of seasons, and I look forward to seeing the new look squad start to perform together well.”

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rammy in exile sky sports statto richard isaacs Good afternoon one and all and I hope my column finds you fit and well.

As you are reading this, I am probably either asleep or watching yet another rugby game to try and keep myself awake. is Cricket World Cup malarky of overnights, late evenings and early mornings is playing havoc with my body clock and I will be up throughout the night tonight for England's latest embarkation into the nation's psyche as we all hope that they might just pull off a shock and win a game (yes, I know they won their last game but it was only against Scotland so doesn't technically count!).

Tonight, it's Sri Lanka on Sky Sports World Cup (that's channel 403, by the way ... get the plug in - corporate lad that I am).

Apart from the World Cup keeping me awake until all hours, I have also been venturing to quite a few rugby games with my Dad. We are fortunate down here that, with the Inter Services Championship starting fairly soon, both the Army and the Royal Navy have their sporting bases in Hampshire - the Army in Aldershot and the Navy in Portsmouth. It does make me laugh though and I joke with Dad a lot about it that Services life is an easy world ... all they do is play sports! When do they get to do war and stuff like that?

We have also partaken in regular matches on a Saturday

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and a few Hampshire county games on a Sunday as well - tomorrow it is Hampshire Under 15s.

Can you tell I am rambling about nothing in particular at the moment? I am rather purposefully avoiding the 'elephant in the room' but I suppose it is so large that it needs to be addressed.

I kind of did address it on the forum following the disappointing Blyth Spartans result but it is probably worth an airing again given that our form of six points from the last 33 possible league points is a massive beacon of despair in the Rammy camp right now. Now, I appreciate that this is virtually a whole new squad of players and they are still getting to know each other but, despite not playing many games, it is edging closer to two months now of Robbo and Edgy's reign and that could be deemed as being long enough.

I have to say that I am very concerned.

Not just the results, not just the performances (which I obviously haven't seen but have heard about and read about) but just the general feeling around the place. I don't know what the situation was with Cedric Krou, who apparantly 'didn't show up' for the long trip north. And with Robbo lasting just 45 minutes in defence before the referee deemed that he should take no further part, it was a pretty tough listen on Radio Northumberland.

But I am just not feeling the love for the

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A bit of Wednesday night egg chasing

Ramsbottom United falling like a stone, travelling to Blyth and receiving a 0-4 thumping.

Or, will it be seen as 'just football'? I really don't know.

One thing is for sure, I am absolutely hating seeing our Rammy United struggling like we are.

Not in my shortish period of watching us have I seen the club stumble like it is now. It was not very long ago that we were dreaming of playoffs, of the excitement of possibilities of playing in Conference North and everything that goes with that. Now we are peering cautiously over our shoulders, hoping that we don't get dragged into the relegation fight.

We have every hope that this is just a blip on the radar. Lets hope it is not a terminal decline.

Because, and it hurts to say, what were the last 5 years all about?

COME ON YOU RAMS!

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team right now. Sorry, that sounds wrong - I will always love Ramsbottom United and everything about it and when I do get to come up and watch a game again, I will certainly be cheering as loudly and as vociferiously as normal. But the general feeling I am getting, all the way down here, is that the whole club has been punctured and is running on flat since the events of the early days of 2015.

And it is a question I posed on the forum too which is, in no part, a slur or a slight upon anyone or anything. But I do just wonder how the lads who took this club from the pit of despair to fourth in this league, the lads whose plan was to get us into this league and who knows where else in the future, are actually feeling right now? For five and a bit years, they worked themselves to the bone to drag our club to where it is now. ere must be huge tinges of sadness and disappointment to see

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rammy united

meet the lads

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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.

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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.

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Grant SHENTON

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rammy united

meet the lads

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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.

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Date Place Posit Heig Previ A ve wing

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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.

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Luke HERON

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rammy united

meet the lads

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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.

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Date Place Posit Heig Previ Warr An in recei 2013

Date Place Posit Heigh Previ Unite Town A cla a grea

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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

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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.

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Osebi ABADAKI

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Lee GASKELL

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from the darkside darren comer reports on the latest rammy ultras adventures Finally, it looks like we might be getting back to some sort of normality at Rammy (well, normal by Rammy standards, at least). Not only have the last two months seen us losing players on an almost daily basis, it has also seen the weather being unkind, resulting in us falling behind with our fixtures. It has also meant that many of our Saturday afternoons have been spent watching other local non-league teams or, in my case, shopping with our loved ones (I actually went to e Rock in Bury with Mrs Darkside on one of our free Saturdays and bumped into quite a few people who are usually to be found down at e Riverside). At last, it would seem our Winter of discontent is finally coming to an end and we are getting back to what Saturdays are made for, supporting our beloved Rammy United.

So, last Saturday saw us waking up to a sunny, old Ramsbottom and getting ready for a short trip into Cheshire to take on relegation threatened Witton Albion. With Mrs Darkside having a prior engagement (brassiere shopping, I kid you not) I had arranged to drive over and to give a lift to e

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Carlsberg Clan, Ste, Angie and Ethan as their car was down at Oily Mick’s Garage on Kay Brow awaiting urgent repairs. Me and Mrs Darkside were spending the weekend in Edenfield, house/dog sitting. is meant I had to get the passport out to cross back over the Ramsbottom / Edenfield border, and after loading the flags into the boot of the car we were heading out of town at 1.15 and making our way to the M66. It was a pretty straightforward journey which took a little over an hour to reach our destination.

Witton’s Wincham Park ground is actually based in Northwich and for over one hundred years the local bragging rights have been fought over with their more illustrious neighbours, Northwich Victoria. Just to confuse matters a little there are now also two Northwich Victorias, the original club and a fan based club and 1874 Northwich who were set up in protest against the mismanagement of the original club.

As we left the motorway, discussion in the car turned to how lucky we are following Rammy in that we get to visit some lovely, little towns and villages on our away day jollys and, chemical works notwithstanding, Northwich was no different. Anyone who has visited some of the new, out of town stadiums in the higher leagues that are surrounded by

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Toying with going bra shopping next Saturday if things don’t improve - the ‘away end’ at Witton

By the time 3.00 came round we had a healthy following of Ultras on the terracing, all ready to try and cheer the lads on to their first league win under the stewardship of Robbo and Edgy.

Although we had the usual suspects with us, we also seem to have attracted a few new faces over the past few weeks and this is always great to see. It is also something that is much needed and hopefully we will have the new additions to the Rammy Family singing loud ‘n’ proud before the season is out.

As with the first half of the recent home game against Rushall Olympics, we started off superbly but, fell behind on the quarter hour, much against the run of play. Added to this was the early substitution of Donal McDermott which really seemed to break up our attacking momentum. However, the lads then showed some great spirit in getting back into the game and when centre

McDonalds and B&Q’s can surely testify to this (has anyone visited Chester Citys Deva Stadium? - it’s an unpleasant experience, to say the least).

We were in the ground before 2.30 and after buying the match-day programme, from a very friendly and welcoming, young seller, we made our way to the terracing running down the side of the pitch to hang the flags up in a prime position. Again, this was a traditional ground with three covered terraces and a main stand and it, rather uniquely, had a Witton Albion Museum in one corner of the ground. Due to being the designated driver for the day I was abstaining from alcohol for the day (but, not the evening!) so I grabbed a cup of tea, reasonably priced but, not as cheap as at Rammy, and went for a chat with Uncle Harry and to arrange the transport for the following Tuesday’s expedition up to Blyth.

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from the darkside darren comer reports on the latest rammy ultras adventures the equaliser came it was a moment of real beauty, and one to match Osebi’s effort the previous weekend at Stamford. Jamie Rother, who worked hard all afternoon and showed plenty of attacking potential, picked the ball up, over 30 yards from goal, and pulled his foot back to shoot, prompting me to say “Oh, don’t try and shoot from there, you’ve no chance of scoring!” en again, what do I know? e shot went flying into the roof of the Witton goal, leaving their keeper with no chance and setting off the celebrations from the Ultras gathered behind that net. e half time whistle saw us going in level at half time and with me having a teetotal afternoon (but, not evening, remember) I went along with Uncle Harry, Sophie, Tony and Andy to try and blag my way into the Directors’ Lounge for a free drink and some food. All was going well as I armed myself with a plate of food and a cuppa, that is until a Witton jobsworth noticed I wasn’t wearing a tie and took great delight in asking me to leave (I’m sure it must have made his weekend and justified his position on the Witton board). Mind you, it didn’t help that I was wearing a t-shirt with e Clash looking all mean and moody on it and I could almost hear the Witton Director thinking, “we don’t want any of your punk rocker sorts in these parts young man.” On that bombshell I left, with a pocket full of ill-gotten food, and made

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my way back to the terraces for the second half. e second half was a bit of a let-down in all honesty and although there was plenty of effort, there wasn’t much purpose to our play. Witton got the winning goal just before the hour mark and we never really looked like getting back into it after that, especially after the influential Matty Burke saw a red card for a late tackle in the middle of the park. Despite this, the players got a good round of applause at the final whistle which, as always, was reciprocated.

After taking down the flags we stopped for a quick chat with Stephen and David who were filming for RammyTV (they even managed to catch Jamie’s screamer in all of its full glory and we may well have Rupert Murdoch knocking on our door soon to try and poach them). We spoke to a few of the Witton supporters on our way out, who were obviously happy with three points in the fight against relegation, and as always they were a friendly bunch who wished us all the best for the rest of the season. e journey home was livened up by Wacky Races style duel between e Anthill Mob featuring myself and e Carlsberg Clan and Dick Dastardly and Muttley, featuring Rob and Claire (sorry, Claire, journalistic licence. Robbie surely has all the traits of both Dick Dastardly and Muttley all rolled into one!) We landed

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Little Katie - even crap footie is great if work’s made you miss the last three weeks

back in Ramsbottom just after 6.00 and, after dropping Angie and Ethan off, me and Carlsberg made our way up to Edenfield to pick up Mrs Darkside who had finished her (unsuccessful) brassiere hunt by this time.

We then made our way down to the cricket club for a post-match inquest and a few pints of Moorehouse’s White Witch with

UkePunk, Scott, Rob, Sir Paul of Cropper and the cricket club bar-fly himself, Uncle Harry. We were even joined by the recently departed Rammy favourite, Steve Howson, who had been playing for his new team that afternoon, apparently some little outfit from just down the road whose name has completely eluded me for now.

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2-3

î Łe Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 17th February 2015 Att: 223 Rammy Goals: Rother (23), Gaskell (40) Rushall Goals: Williams (16), Reid (46, 73)

Lee Gaskell - created one and scored one

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What is to be made of this confounding and to no little extent concerning result? From the Rams perspective this was not so much a game of two halves more a game of two teams. Such was the contrast in performance in the first and second sets of 45 minutes that a comparison with Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde would make the latter schizophrenic personality appear like a model of normality!

Despite again donating an early lead through careless protection of the ball in their defensive third of the pitch, the Rams serves up a first 45 minutes of vibrant dynamic football. Grant Shenton could count himself very hard done by to concede having dived bravely at the feet of Aaron Williams at point blank range only to see the ball ricochet up and present the centre forward with the easiest of headers in. at goal was very much against the run of play. For 20 minutes Donal McDermott on the left had threatened to eviscerate the Rushall defence with darting runs and step overs (although sometimes a step over too far). Osebi Abadaki had one of those purple patches in which defenders are incapable of getting a legal touch to him . On 23 minutes he was sent clear by a smart ball inside the full back from Lee Gaskell and his pin point centre hit at pace was met with an imperious header in from Jamie Rother.

For the rest of the half it was just a question of when the Rams, driven on by an imposing Matt Burke would score again. e second goal came on 40 minutes, Lee Gaskell prodding in almost on the line after the ball had somehow squirmed to him following Rushall failing to clear a corner.

All seemed set fair but the game and the evening turned sour just a minute into the second half. Rushall launched a rapid counter attack from virtually their own corner flag and sent a low ball down the left hand channel. From the moment George Grayson and Alex Reid set off in pursuit the signs were ominous . Like Seb Coe reeling in Steve Ovett in Moscow the inevitability of Reid getting to the ball first was all too apparent and so he did neatly slipping his shot past Shenton.

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Lee Gaskell tucked away Lee Pugh’s cunning (accidental) back-heel

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2-3

e Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 17th February 2015 Att: 223 Rammy Goals: Rother (23), Gaskell (40) Rushall Goals: Williams (16), Reid (46, 73)

Deflating as the equaliser was it took a few minutes for the deterioration in the Rams performance to set in. 10 minutes later a swerving dipping free kick from McDermott was virtually in the top corner only to be diverted onto the angle by a desperate finger tip from Ryan Price - a truly wonderous save. at was the last moment of optimism for the Rams. Rushall sat deeper, cut off any supply to the wings and through Carl Palmer and Josh Craddock, two old fashioned operatives in the middle, controlled the game. e Rams were unable to provide any menace or presence up front resorting increasingly to hopeless high balls.With 20 minutes left a clever free kick sent Reid clear again this time on the right and his shot across the face of the goal found the inside of the post and in. A real sucker punch. And that was that - but for all the disappointment there was enough in the first half to give promise of better days as the weather and pitches improve - but clear signs of where the performance needs to be strengthened.

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supporters club on the terraces of rammy It’s easy to support a football team on the up, a team that’s winning everything or at the very least being robbed of a result by a couple of dodgy decisions or a little mistake or two. It’s easy watching United or Chelsea, who you know will be there or thereabouts season upon season. We’ve been lucky over the past 4-5 seasons in that we’ve seen a Rammy on the rise, a tiny team making huge strides forward into realms that Harry could not even have dreamed of back in the 1960s. We’ve had it easy... but now it isn’t easy. Last Saturday at Witton, and Tuesday at Blyth were the kind of match where a few of us learnt what it really means to support a team.

Rochdale fans know it, and Bury fans know it - how it feels to bounce back from the high of winning promotion only to experience the crushing despair of a slow sinking towards relegation. is week has seen Rammy struggle. We have witnessed a couple of really disheartening performances and a couple of crushing defeats. As I look towards today’s match against high-flying Ilkeston, and read about the particular strengths of their squad, I find myself groaning with the anticipation of a possible humiliation.

Already you can read the rumblings on the club forum, and you can

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hear them around the pubs of Rammy. e pessimists (or call them realists if you like) are already tempering their hopes of a play-off finish in favour of trying to avoid relegation. If this run of form continues then we will also see our constantly growing attendances start to dwindle.

So what’s the point I’m trying to make?

My point is that supporting a football team is not all about the winning and about the promotion. ose of us who’ve seen Rochdale relegated or North End reelected after finishing rock-bottom of the league for a third time recognised the last five incredible years for what they were. If you haven’t tasted the despair of relegation then you won’t recognise and enjoy the ecstacy of getting promoted. It’s a doddle to sing and dance when your team is winning everything, but to be able to shout and encourage when things are going wrong is where the heart of the true supporter comes to the fore.

Now I’m not saying that Rammy are staring down the barrel of relegation, though recent performances see fate starting to think about loading her gun.

What I am saying is that if ever the team needs the supporters to do our jobs to the best of our ability then it is now. ere have been lots of discussions about the new signings, and about those who are good enough or too slow, who have ability on the ball or shouldn’t really be on the pitch, but the truth is that these lads are

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wearing a Rammy shirt, and they are giving it their absolute all for the cause. Maybe some aren’t good enough, but they’re giving it a go and they deserve every ounce of support that we are able to give them. I suppose that I’ve been as guilty as anyone of mouthing off about this player or that player not being up to it, and as supporters we’re entitled to our opinions. I guess that those opinions have a time and a place, and it’s up to us to save them for after the match.

As a musician I’ve played to a whole load of different audiences, but a particular weekend that really sticks in my mind involves a ska gig that we played in one of the roughest suburbs of Sheffield. Now any musician will tell you that Yorkshire folk can be a pretty strange crowd to play to at the best of times, but this really weird working mens club was like something out of Star Wars - inbreeding doesn’t even come close, it made even Bacup look cosmopolitan!

We took the stage as Dave the Dodgy D.J. (rumour had it he’d just got out, but had been put ‘on the register’) tried to whip up some enthusiasm, but the audience just gawped at us in complete silence - a posture that didn’t really change all night.

We got on with our set as the tumbleweed blew across the dance-floor and the scary looking Yorkshire folk sat with their arms folded and a kind of “go on then, entertain us ya buggers” look on their

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faces. To them clap was a disease, not something you did out of appreciation. We tried our damndest, but God knows it was the hardest gig of my life and everything just seemed to go wrong. Afterwards Lyndsey, the club’s owner, told us we’d amazingly gone down a storm and tried to re-book us, but we politely refused. e next night we played at a scooter rally in Llandudno, performing to about 6,000 maniacs who’d been drinking all weekend and just wanted to leap around to e Specials songs. e crowd was hysterical as we took the stage, and made us play ‘Message to you Rudy’ three times before they’d let us finish two and a half hours later, and we kept going and going, giving it every last drop of energy we had.

We were the exact same band as played in Sheffield the night before, but you would never have believed it as we played out of our skins.

I think you can probably see the point that I’m getting at. is squad of players deserves all the support and encouragement we can muster. ey may not be the best, but they are Rammy players and they are willing to stick it out with us. Our job is to help them realise how much we appreciate their commitment and their effort. If we do our bit and they do theirs then the Rammy we know and love can settle and then continue the growth we’ve seen over the last few years.

Come on you Rams!

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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: Kevin WILSON

Jordan SMITH James REID Luke SHAW Joe MAGUIRE Matt BAKER Jack LANE David MORGAN Callum CHETTLE Rob DUFFY Michael WILLIAMS Rai SIMONS Danny GORDON Akil WRIGHT Curtis BURROWS Eli BAKO Lejaun SIMMONS Bradley FORTNAM-TOMLINSON Eddy SAMBA

Referee: Martyn Rawcliffe Referee’s Assistants: Peter Maxson, Daniel Scott

Next home game: Tuesday 3rd March 7:45pm, Rammy v Trafford

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